The Straits of "Gi Gaultar".

[John Wren]

[Pies4shaw]

Is that really viable? He has been worse than a passenger two weeks in a row. I'd be happy to keep playing him if he was running to the right places, contesting, using his size, tackling hard and showing signs, even without getting much of the ball. The only sign I've seen from him recently is that he is for falling over in every contest. It's disappointing because I thought he might take the step at the start of this season but, despite preseason glimpses, he doesn't seem to have progressed at all.

Moreover, the "showing signs" position is held down by Moore (who still only had 4 kicks and 3 handballs, even though he is starting to have some impact) and I'm not sure we can afford another. Maybe if this were 2011 and Collingwood was steam-rolling teams but, in truth, we're very average at the moment and I think the need to field a competitive 22 probably prevails over giving Gault another chance - it could actually cost us the game.

[WarrenerraW]

I lost all hope for him when he lead out in front and only put up one hand in a marking contest. This came after a strong and positive build up going forward. That stuff up resulted in 9thmond turning the ball over with ease.

The other incident that stood out for mine was when he had the ball 45 out on a slight angle and he didn't know what to do with it. I'll tell you what to do with it mate. Go back and have a bloody set shot. If you can't kick that distance as an afl forward then footy's not for you.

Is it confidence, is it skill... what is it with him? The club obviously sees something in him otherwise they wouldn't have bothered elevating him to the senior list.

Right now he's a passenger and we're not in a position to carry passengers. Develop him more in the vfl.

[Member 7167]

It was obvious that he was rattled last night. The kid has some real potential but needs to grow in maturity and learn how to handle being on the big stage. I would continue to play him in the hope that he will continue to develop with exposure. Don't let last night's performance define him and ensure he never realises his potential.

[skaman]

Reminds me of Tranquilli........

[jackcass]

Gee's, it only seems like yesterday that posters were convinced Gault and Moore had clearly gone past Cloke. Fickle is the word that comes to mind.

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

[Pies4shaw]

Well, there's a riddle, since it isn't Moore, either!

[jackcass]

[RudeBoy]

The competition is too ruthless to carry a player for more than a couple of weeks. He's had 2 weeks, but given us nothing, so he needs to go back to the VFL to get his hands on the ball and earn a recall.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Surely he'll be dropped, I don't think we can afford to carry him. His last 5 games have produced a grand total of 37 disposals (9 of them clangers) - 19 kicks, 18 handballs, 7 marks, 12 hitouts and 2 goals. They're the sort of totals you like to see for at worst, 3 games, not 5! I don't think anyone in the history of the game has been gifted an opportunity on the back of such horrible figures. Look, I really feel for him but it's back to the magoos, I'm afraid.

[stui magpie]

[Pies4shaw]

http://afltables.com/afl/stats/players/D/Derek_Shaw.html

It's hard to find a favourable comparison.

Just sayin'.

[loki04]

Gault struggles at vfl level not sure why people expected it to be different at AFL level.

[AN_Inkling]

On performance he shouldn't be playing next week. It's not just that he doesn't look like doing anything, he is actively hurting us by clogging up the 50 and not being able to chase rebounding defenders.

I don't even understand where the positivity around him came from. Averaging a couple of goals in practise games, with a number being kicked from the goal square, is not very impressive.

It's strange that White is now playing in defense in the VFL, because he is clearly a better player than Gault. His extra mobility and running ability means he fits alongside Cloke and Moore far more easily. He was criticised heavily last year but averaged 1.5 goals per game which is hardly terrible. Maybe Gault finally gets it and starts showing something, but it's not looking promising.

If we really believe in him, then give him one or two more games and see if he can produce. The next couple of games should provide our forwards with more opportunities than the last two weeks, if he still can't get near it then we can't persist with him. Having faith is one thing but risking losing games for it is going too far.

Who would come in? One of Howe, Witts or White, maybe even Goldsack would all be better options. Moore/Cloke, Wiits or White could then help in the ruck.