Geelong big man Esava Ratugolea was one of two omissions for Friday night’s clash against the Western Bulldogs.
Ratugolea didn’t feature in the Cats’ wins over North Melbourne, St Kilda and Port Adelaide before earning a recall for last week’s match against Adelaide.
The 22-year-old key position prospect was quiet in the win over the Crows and now finds himself out of favour with Patrick Dangerfield spending more time forward alongside Coleman Medal leader Tom Hawkins.
Terry Wallace believes Geelong’s forward line functions better without Ratugolea in the side.
“I think most of us really like Esava Ratugolea’s potential, but is he in their best side? I don’t think he’s in their best side at the moment,” Wallace told SEN’s The Match Committee.
“I think that they work and play better when he’s not in the side at the moment.
“He just can’t find the footy. When he’s not playing, I think Hawkins gets more space and becomes a better player.
“You’re more inclined to get Dangerfield going through there, more room for (Gary) Rohan and I just think that the dynamic of it is better when he’s not in the side than when he actually is in the side.
“Now, that doesn’t mean you’re throwing him out of your footy club. You keep developing him and you keep hoping that he can become the player that obviously Geelong believe that he can.
“But right where we stand at the moment – you’re trying to win a premiership, so you’re picking the best side to give you an opportunity to win this year’s flag.
“And at the moment I just don’t think that Esava Ratugolea is in their best team.”
Ratugolea had played every game before he was managed following the Round 9 loss to West Coast.
He’s kicked three goals in 10 matches this season.