Diesel was slow but brilliant but would he struggle in today´s game? The game has changed profoundly since Diesel hung up his boots in 1997. The speed of the game, less decision time and greater pressure on the man in possession unfortunately calls for a different type of player.

We have 2 players on our list in particular who I would class as extremely talented and ball magnets but they should have played 10+ years ago as they may be too slow for today´s game. They are Bentick and Jesse Smith (note: not saying either are as talented as Diesel!).

I want Bentick and Smith to find a place in this team but it concerns me that he may not unless the game changes. Two changes: a limit is put on the number of bench rotations and/or the number on the bench is reduced from 4 to 3 should be introduced. Such changes would shift the focus from speed to endurance and bring the "Bentick" type player back into the game, rewarding true football talent without penalising players that are not fleet of foot.

I don´t want to see the game lose the chance to see the next Diesel ... I fear at the moment we will.

disagree

while the speed of the game may have increased, the ability to win the pill and do something with it remains a key success factor (as Diesel was famous for i.e quick hands and quick mind).

Sam Mitchell goes alright for me as does Mark Coughlan.

Our biggest weakness at the moment in my mind is not so much lack of speed, rather a reliance on too few to get to the contest (read the play) and win the hard ball. In fact, Kouta is just about it.

Interesting footnote for me is that the koutaman is not the quickest bloke going around - but he sure is one of the best at the contest.

I am too far away to now anything about J Smith, but my concern with Bentick and Blackwell etc is a lack of strength and body size. I am not even sure a coulpe of years in the gym will do too much to frames they were born with.

I would take diesel or a hard at it ball winner as soon as one was available.

I´d have thought Coughlan and Mitchell weren´t that slow IMO, dont see them get run down that often.

What Kouta has is that intial spurt, accelerates from a standing start but not quick WRT top speed.