I'm very happy with that team. A couple of different selections could have been made, and I would have still been happy, but I like the side overall.
With regards to players left out/benched - if we take Thorn at his word about developing a squad mentality and squad depth, then players aren't necessarily being dropped but asked to fill a different role (or indeed no role at all) compared to last week. I'm sure being competitive players that doesn't always sit fine with them but it does seem that every player is being given at least some opportunity to grab their jersey.
My biggest concern, obviously shared by a few others, is goal kicking. However I will note that while it is always very clear who successful or otherwise a kicker is, what we can't quantify is how many tries one player may create or stop compared to the other possible alternatives. I don't mind Hegarty - but if Campbell isn't already worth an extra 5 or so points in general game play now, it seems pretty likely to me he will be soon enough. I just don't see Hegarty creating the opportunities that Jock is.
That is not to underplay the importance of kicking and, if Jock is going to be the kicker he needs to improve significantly. But the pressure shouldn't just be on him. If he is kicking at 60 - 70% and is still being picked as the first choice kicker, there should also be pressure on the likes of O'Connor & Stewart as to why the aren't considered a better option as well as pressure on Alred to get one or more of the other guys up to that level.
Hopefully that can be done before that crucial game(s) come along so that we end up on the right side of the ledger.
