they’ve come to the point in their careers where a stint in the lower grades would be great for them,
Pezz, being sent back to reserve grade is exactly what they don't need. Have you watched any of their games... it's all about individuals trying to impress the selectors, it's not a team effort.
What Bula and Pole need is first grade experience snd lots of it.
As I said Pole has probably played around 40 games and Bula has just started.
What we need is to find our best 17 and stick to it for the rest of the year. Continuity is what's required. Surely you new we are a building and success is not going to come quickly.
In particular, a new coach and a new spine can take a full season to start working well. They tried Bud but now have settled for Salad and Galvin. They will need time and Bula needs to gel with them too.
Don't underestimate Pole. He's got what it takes and when he hits 100 games...look out!