ThePsychologist wrote:
Could we look like this next year?
B: Buckley Jamison Fields
HB: Tuohy Henderson Sheehan
Foll: Kruezer Gibbs Graham
C: Byrne Cripps Docherty
HF: Bell Casboult Thomas
F: Schache Dixon Murphy
Int: Jaksch Simpson C.Curnow DVR Smith
Hopefully in the draft we can add some outside run and class through the middle.
I'd trade Yarran & Menzel for good picks or players. We can cover them.
I like where you're thinking structurally given the proposed talent, but I think long term, Buckley won't be in defence. He's been admirable, but he's undersized against most opponents, and in attack he sees the game differently to most people (and for the better); that's something you want in midfield and moving into the 50.
Fields is someone who I think needs to have an impressive pre-season to be in with a shout early on next year, likewise Jaksch. Like it or not, that opens the door again for Rowe.
I'd only trade one of Yarran and Menzel - only for overs (#1-5 or 6-12 & 20-35) - and I'd do so with a heavy heart. I accept that something is up with Menzel's knee but I'd lament the talent we let out the door because we chose to view him as a 3 year investment instead of a 10 year one. IMO, it's akin to trading out Scharenberg, or Kreuzer.
Long term (3+ years):
FB: Sheehan <FB> <???>
HB: Tuohy Henderson Byrne
C: Buckley Murphy DVR
HF: Docherty <???> Bell
FF: Yarran Casboult Everitt
RR: Kreuzer Cripps Gibbs
Int: Boekhorst Menzel Graham
Sub: <???>
Basically we do need another reliable tall defender for when Jamison hangs up the boots, but I would be happy enough with the structure at either end with two good talls such that we could bring in players on merit, whether that might be Smith and then have Byrne or Sheehan man the 3rd forward, provided they're not over 6'4". The forward at the other end would need to be quick and have some threat at ground level.
Ideally I'd want at least one of the question mark positions to be taken up by a tall (preferably not the sub), so that we're not stretched. We need to use the best talent we have, and if that leaves us with 5 KPP and Cripps, that's something that should get more consideration than it does in today's copycat league.
In terms of what we have on the list, here are some of the stand out candidates:
Foster - forward
Jaksch - back/forward
Fields - back
Smith - back/forward
Giles - back
Holman - midfield
It's safe to say we should only be recruiting an elite KPD that's a value pick, but otherwise our focus should be on recruiting an elite KPF or an elite forward/ruck. The midfield will need some regeneration over a 5 year window, but unless last year's draft haul comprehensively fails, and it doesn't look like it will despite all the furore re: Boekhorst, that's in better shape.