It seems like there are two conversations about Henry: will he be good, and is he good now?
My comments about Henry were about why Freo struggle to score. I mentioned him fifth, and specifically said he’s struggled getting continuity and it’s too early to make a judgement; but part of the reason we can’t score (ie, the fifth part) is that he’s not very good now but we’re playing him anyway.
If you’re opening the door to comparisons, he’s currently sandwiched between Treacy and Meek in the bottom three for possessions per game, and I’ve said I don’t think they have played very well either. He’s playing worse than Crowden, whose game has taken on the invisibility previously reserved only for his neck.
If you look at the 2019 draft bracket, Serong is a ripper and Young looked great in small glimpses. I don’t know much about Flanders at GC17, but Tom Green and Will Day are also contributing (in addition to Pickett who I mentioned) in the draft spots immediately after him.
No-one is saying he’s not going to be good, and no matter how bad he’s playing I would be playing him every game. If he’s got the tank for it (which is a big ‘if’ given his interrupted pre-seasons) I’d give him more time up the field and play Schulz closer to goal. I think that hurts the team in the short–term, but it is probably where I see each of them landing in the next couple of years.
I agree on Darcy, Lobb and Meek. Treacy I’m agnostic about. There doesn’t seem any harm in giving him another crack, but it really feels like we’re throwing darts at a dartboard in the forward line.