I agree the risk is high but I don't think the battle has been lost yet. Grundy might have just had a "big" score which is low compared to previous years.
Meek basically tagged Gawn so he might have had his lowest score. Hunter can be a rookie correction. Lots to play out yet.
This is the problem I find with the ruck discussion though , every one is automatically drawn to Gawn & Grundy.
Why doesn't Goldstein and others come into thinking ?
Gawn & Grundy could well be the # 1 & # 2 ruck , but the majority just seem to automatically lock them in.
And yes I realise their are other alternative premiums in D , M & F and no will have D1-6 , M1-8 , F1-6 so you can't muck up R1 & R2.
Without Half a dozen clangers and DE of 56% Grundy could have got 160+
I think if Hickey/Martin put up a decent score this round I will be taking one of them for Hunter while the opportunity is their.
Can't see Hunter and possibly Meek playing enough games to last to traditional downgrade/upgrade period personally.
Think if you don't take the option to improve in Round 3 , season could be well and truly shot by Round 6-8.
Really need Hunter & Meek to outscore the forward/mid rookies by 15-20 points each game for them to work.
Hopefully Meek (if named) does put up a decent score , if so he could be a viable R3 , again if he plays enough games.