BY DAN

Newscorp papers were today reporting that Jordan Rapana will start the season as the Raiders fullback. Should we be worrying about Chevy Stewart and Xavier Savage’s future? Is Sticky still committed to change?

The most likely interpretation is that this is a temporary solution, one dedicated to allowing Stewart time to ease himself into the top line later this year (shouts to Blake from Raiders Review with Blake and the Pork for first mentioning this as a possibility). There had been noise such a role might be given to Seb Kris, but Rapana is a superior candidate because of his abilities in attack but also because there’s a cavalcade of options at wing that can fill in while he’s busy cleaning up other people’s messes.

Jordan will bring a lot of chaos and fun to the position. As Blake has also pointed out he’s an elite short-side attacker, capable of standing at first receiver on the blind, attacking two-on-two or three-on-three and coming up trumps. This is not just useful in the most direct sense but will open up a bit of space for long-side shifts as the markers have to account for the fact the ball will often go to him if he’s standing blind. There’s a reason he had the second most try assists for the team last season – he spent much of it being their most dynamic creating option outside of Jamal Fogarty’s right clog.

He’ll also be solid in defence, physical though hardly perfect. He’s often safe under the high ball (but occasionally he forgets the catch the ball? It’s a thing that has been an oddly increasing part of Raiders football in recent years) and generally in the right spot on kick position. Of course he occasionally loses his mind but at this point you’d be sad if he didn’t (ok maybe not but it’s a bit charming right? At least he cares).

In short Rapa is the perfect option to cover something like the first 8-10 rounds while Chevy gets his feet wet in Cup footy. So it’s not time to write a strongly worded letter to the club. It’s also a less damaging option than wasting Seb Kris’ career shuffling around the backline. Kris is a centre. Arguably a very good one. He proved last year he’s probably never going to be anything but makeshift at another position. Putting him at fullback keeps him away from fulfilling his potential at centre. Rapa has touched all sides of what he can offer. He won’t be impacted by a bit of LMFAOing.

This is only made more likely by the fact that Rapana has previously consistently stated he doesn’t want to play fullback consistently. It’s physically demanding position, and the savant has paid his dues to the football gods (praise Mal blessed be thy thighs). He’s entering the last year (maybe?) of his career and probably is looking for an easier life. This isn’t it. He’ll need to defend at ‘A’ on goal lines, organise a defence, still get through plenty of yardage and support play. That he gets to do ‘extra’ work as a key creator in attack is probably more fun than work for Jordy, but it still takes a physical and mental toll, particularly when it won’t be smooth sailing for the attacking unit. If there’s a risk here it’s that Rapana is physically worn out by mid season. It’s a lot to ask a normal player but given he probably fight a no-foolin’ bear to play a game of touch footy, I suspect he’ll be ok.

For Chevy it’s not panic stations at all. Stewart is only 18. All he needs to be good enough for first grade is to be older. That’s all this is; the sweet passage of time and the physical development that comes with it. A rookie year is long for players physically developed for it. It’ll be doubly so for someone undersized.

The club knows where he is physically and know there’s little to gain from rushing him, either for his physical or mental development. He’s bigger this side of Christmas than he was before. He’ll be bigger in June than now. He’ll spend the intervening period levelling up in the gym and in Cup footy. In a year of transition this is the club doing that, just with a bit more patience than me or you have. I’m relatively chill with it. He’ll make the field. It just will take a bit of time.

Of course if a line wasn’t ruled through “Xavier Savage, fullback” already you can do it now. Maybe in permanent marker. There was a lot to like in how he performed on the wing in the trial and his connection with Stewart in Cup footy can be replicated with Rapana before Chevy joins him in the top line. Xavier has found a home. Just check out run metres over expected here. That’s a wonderful thing. Embrace it.

It does however create a fascinating depth chart going forward. Jordan being at the back for now means X and Nic Cotric will likely be the wingers for the opening of the season. But at some point it seems likely Rapana will shift back to the wing to accommodate Stewart. Then it gets interesting, because Nic Cotric should be the heir apparent. But that trial team-list isn’t the most convincing articulation of that. Nic on the bench with three potential solutions starting ahead of him. Sheesh. 2017 never felt such a different time. Ethan Strange and Kaeo Weekes are in a play-off for the spare half position. Maybe Nic and X are in a similar battle for 2nd on the winger depth chart.

I wouldn’t read this as an abandonment of the youth movement by the coaching staff. Stewart was always going to be pushing it for early in the season. Tim Williams and Denan Kemp on Bloke in the Bar podcast said he was still 12-24 months from first grade. I don’t believe that but it supports the point he still needs time. Stuart has instead shown patience, something we on the outside don’t always have. It comes from the security of his position and the stubborness of his character and while we don’t always agree with him, in this case he seems correct.

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