Please Explain: Time to take the subs vest off Bulldog Daniel Giansiracusa Daniel Giansiracusa has been the Western Bulldogs substitute the past four matches. Dear Macca (Brendan McCartney), It's time to take the green vest off Daniel Giansiracusa and give him the green light to start against Melbourne on Saturday night. We've watched with interest over the past four weeks how you have used the veteran forward as the sub, with reasonable impact. We've heard you explain the reasons why Gia has become the man most likely for the subs role each week and we've even heard the man himself dismiss suggestions that he is not happy with it. He's done it four matches in a row and will equal Hawthorn's Luke Breust (in season 2011) as the only player to be sub for five games in a row if he is chosen for the same role this weekend. But surely it is time to get Giansiracusa into the play as soon as the first bounce against the Demons. Giansiracusa is heading towards the end of what has been a strong career - we all understand that. His body is not as durable as it used to be. And even the most loyal fans understand that the young Dogs have to get a serious go when it comes to getting game time. Yet the fact remains that Gia - despite being sub for four consecutive matches and missing another two games this year - still leads the Dogs' goalkicking tally in 2013. Sure, it is only 15 goals - the lowest tally for a player leading his club's goalkicking so far this season - but it would have almost certainly been more if he had more game time. Liam Jones is next best with 14 goals, while Robert Murphy and impressive youngster Jake Stringer are locked on 11 goals each. Gia's impact has undoubtedly been a positive one each time he has thrown off the green vest. Of all the players who have been the sub on more than three occasions this year, according to Champion Data, he has the third-highest ratio of SuperCoach points per 100 minutes - 96.6. It's impossible to argue against his impact coming off the bench. It's just that his impact might have been even greater if he had been given more game time. Daniel Giansiracusa is grabbed by Bachar Houli. In the first two games that Gia was the sub, the Bulldogs were able to come away with wins over St Kilda and Port Adelaide, after trailing at the moment he came on. Injury meant he was brought into the game early - the 11-minute-mark of the second term - against the Power, and he finished with two goals and 21 touches. He had more than enough time to play a role in the Bulldogs' comeback from a 17-point deficit when he ran on to the ground. That wasn't the case against Collingwood and Richmond. The results were well out of reach of the Bulldogs when he was given the call-up. When he came on at halftime of the Magpies' match, the Dogs were already 53 points down. He provided a spark, looked the man most likely to score and played a role in cutting the margin to 34 points with two goals and 15 touches. The same thing happened against the Tigers. Gia came on at the 17-minute-mark of the third term when the Dogs were 35 points down. He had four disposals and kicked a goal in limited opportunities. It's understandable that the Bulldogs want to put time and experience into their young group of players. But each week it should not come at the expense of the man who was the club's leading goalkicker last year (with 28) and who is still marginally ahead this season. Dogs coach against Demons draft aid Experience is important, especially when the Bulldogs often appear to be crying out for a steady hand and a good converter in attack. McCartney explained: "We're maximising what Gia's got pretty well, we think. It's working and we're developing some other players around him that are going to be good players for us for a long time. It's pretty much to help him get through the season and to get through games and we won't sub him every week, but he'll be more often than not. Gia was diplomatic when quizzed about his sub's role recently: "I've thoroughly enjoyed it. I understand the situation that I'm in personally and where the club's at. We've got a young list and I'm really enjoying helping develop those young players come along and hopefully understand how difficult it is to play at AFL level. Giansiracusa will be an assistant coach at some stage in the coming years (and will do a good job), but for the moment he is a listed Western Bulldogs player and should be getting more game time. Let's hope it starts on Saturday against the Demons. Let him work with his young teammates on the field for the bulk of the match, rather than for 40-odd minutes. In some games, it might be the difference between winning and losing. Yours Sincerely, Macca (Glenn McFarlane)