Shouldering sole ruck duties, Minson proved he could more than handle the challenge – even when battling three rotating ruckmen with a combined 340 games experience between them.
McCartney said the 28-year-old’s competitive enthusiasm helps see him thrive on the hefty responsibility.
“[Minson is] carrying a massive workload and we are having to leave him in the ruck a fair bit of the time,” McCartney said.
“Will’s the sort of ruckman that suits too – the more he grinds away the better he seems to handle it.”
Amassing a game high 38 hitouts for the match, Minson stamped his authority early with five clearances.
While the fresh legs of Eagles substitute Naitanui tested Minson in the quarter and a half of football, his final output of 14 disposals and two goal assists was worthy of note.
Reducing the number of repeat stoppages through cleaner ball use is one way Coach McCartney believes Minson’s teammates can help support the 199cm ruckman.
“We’ve got to be able to get the ball away from those areas cleaner and be able to convert it so that he gets a rest,” he said.
“Because if it goes one way and then it comes straight back up the other, you end up playing like a midfielder.
“So we need to get more efficient, help him out.”
Lauded for his tap ruck work, McCartney said Minson also had to be dependable around the ground to be considered an elite ruckman in the competition.
“The really good ruckmen they are multifaceted, they slip forward and take marks, they link up around the ground - that’s what the best ruckmen do,” McCartney said.
“[Minson’s] got some great attributes that we really appreciate.”
