I always thought Lopata showed some promise. Played well early on last season until his injury then never got another run. Meanwhile MDG is an ever present despite him being a liability most weeks.
I didn’t mind Lopata at the start of last season but after coming back from injury, he didn’t get back to the same level. His pace, or lack of, means he probably has to play the middle of a back 3 and given that is the position mainly of Roberts or Pines, I can see why he wanted to get minutes elsewhere.
MDG has no pace and is likely to drop a clanger or two, he's still here playing every game. Rather have Lopata here instead.