Former North Melbourne and St Kilda midfielder Nick Dal Santo has questioned Melbourne’s decision to move emerging superstar Christian Petracca into the midfield.
Speaking to SEN this morning, the 22-year old revealed that he would spend increased time in the midfield in 2018, suggesting a 70-30 or 60-40 split was possible.
Dal Santo has debated that it may not be what is best for the team.
“I understand the notion (of moving Petracca into the midfield) because he can do things some of these other guys can’t do, but I don’t understand the theory as to why a player just can’t be a really good half forward,” he told SEN Afternoons.
“It’s like a badge of honour to be moved from the half forward line into the midfield.
“I hope Petracca has spoken to Nathan Jones, Jordan Lewis, Jack Viney, Clayton Oliver, Dom Tyson, Bernice Vince and Christian Salem and said I’m coming in at some stage so you blokes will get squeezed out at certain times.
“I just don’t understand that philosophy of pushing him into the midfield.
“Jack Billings said the same thing about pushing more into the middle.
“I look at Toby Greene from GWS Giants. He’s one of the most damaging forwards in the league.
“He’s a difficult match-up and he’s accepted that role as a half forward and he’s All Australian and best and fairest winner.
Dal Santo suggested that a dynamic player like Petracca could truly flourish up forward if serviced by a young, versatile midfield that has the potential to generate a a high inside 50 total.
“I look at the Petracca example and he’s kicked 38 goals from 39 games and the upside for him is going to be enormous,” he said.
“The difficulty of manning him up when forward is huge.”
In 2017, the former No. 2 draft pick kicked 26 goals from 22 matches and finished seventh in the club best and fairest.
