I always say get the best you can afford, The good stuff isn't cheap and the cheap stuff isn't good. But for freedrifting you could probably get away with a cheaper rod without giving much up. I got some sage 10'6 flyrods and had them tied up as spinning rods and they work awesome. I have never used an xmg though. Freedrifting is not luck most days. It takes a lot of skill and time doing it to be good at it. Keeping the boat going the right speed and not getting pushed in towards the bank or away from it. Knowing the river well enough to know this corner up ahead will push you a certain way and have the boat positioned right to get through it while keeping the baits running just right. Keeping the boat drifting just right for everyone else while you retie or rebait your line. All that takes time and skill, but I would rather be lucky than good anyday, best you can hope for is a little of both.