I've been anti Nathan Smith in the past, but IMO he has had a great season for us. He's certainly not as damaging as Frank Pritchard can be, but I don't see him as a liability like he was last year. This year he has been consistent and looks to have improved his ball playing skills, he also looks to be running better lines and gained a bit of strength. He's not getting smashed like he was last year.
Gavin Cooper is a solid player and until this season I rated him well ahead of Smith. Now there's not much between them. He can get through a mountain of work and is fairly consistent also. So long as we aren't trying to use him in the front row he should do a decent job.
As much as I'd love a full strength backrow, I don't think we lose as much in having Waterhouse and Pritchard out as if we had lost players in any other position. The team dynamic itself changes without them on the fringes, but with the generic Matt Elliott gameplan it probably won't hurt us much at all.
The part that bothers me is Luke Walsh keeping his spot ahead of Wade Graham. Aside from a slightly better short kicking game, Walsh has nothing over Graham. Graham has by far the best passing game at the club, far better vision, is stronger and will take on the line... doesn't have to be a gap either as he'll run at front rowers, but most importantly he is stronger and will put his body on the line while defending. The team is far more likely to win with Wade Graham at halfback then Luke Walsh.
Then there's Adrian Purtell. He offers nothing in attack and his defence is the worst of any centre/winger in the competition. He has nothing to make up for it. Get rid of him and bring back Coote.
