The West Coast Eagles have been urged to keep young gun Reuben Ginbey in defence for their clash with Richmond, after the teenager produced a masterful shutdown role on Adelaide captain Jordan Dawson.
Ginbey, 19, was moved into the backline for the Eagles' round 16 clash with the Crows and responded with a brilliant performance, limiting the dangerous Dawson to just 15 touches and one goal.
The move was a masterstroke from coach Adam Simpson, who had been searching for a way to get the most out of the highly-rated youngster. Ginbey had been used in a variety of roles across the forward line and midfield earlier in the season, but looked most comfortable in defence.
With the Eagles set to face Richmond at Optus Stadium on Sunday, there is a strong case for keeping Ginbey in the backline. The Tigers boast a wealth of attacking talent, including Dustin Martin, Shai Bolton and Tom Lynch, and will pose a significant threat to the Eagles' defence.
However, Ginbey's ability to play on a variety of opponents makes him a valuable asset. He has the speed to keep up with smaller forwards and the strength to compete with taller opponents. His performance on Dawson, who is one of the most dangerous players in the competition, showed that he can be trusted to play on the opposition's best player.
Keeping Ginbey in defence would also allow the Eagles to maintain some continuity in their backline, which has been disrupted by injuries this season. With Tom Barrass and Jeremy McGovern both sidelined, the Eagles have been forced to rely on a number of inexperienced defenders. Ginbey's presence would provide some much-needed stability.
While some may argue that Ginbey's long-term future lies in the midfield, his immediate impact in defence should not be overlooked. The Eagles are in a rebuilding phase and need to find the best positions for their young players. For now, that position appears to be in the backline.
The Richmond clash will be a tough test for the Eagles, but with Ginbey in defence, they will have a better chance of containing the Tigers' attacking threats. It would be a mistake to move him out of the position where he has shown the most promise.
