Adam Chatfield wrote:
I want us to win a flag just so everyone will think recycled players are the way to go.
And no other reason
This....
What I take out of the Western Bulldogs winning the flag is that there are many ways to skin a cat. There is not just a single path to Premiership success, aka. the Hawthorn model. The Dogs showed that they were able to defy the statistics, and win from 7th on the ladder, with two interstate eliminations, well before even their most ambitious internal predictions. 2 years ago they were in tatters, according to the media. Losing their Captain, and overpaying for a young Tom Boyd who had yet to prove he was worth the number one pick, let alone a long term, multi-million dollar contract. How the worm turns. People seem to only focus on all the 3rd and 4th round picks, and shrewd rookie selections they've made.
I can't see the sense in saying that our list of recycled players is the reason for pre-determined failure. Particularly, when the majority of those trades have not been given enough time to succeed, and that there has never before in history been a situation like what we see with GWS. They have had more concessions from the AFL than any team in history, to encourage a growth in the Sydney market, with another successful team. For us to capitalise on this, particularly as they are forced to reduce their playing list, and as they feel the salary cap squeeze as their young stars demand increased wages, is wise. Furthermore, Silvagni has intimate knowledge of their list build and how to exploit this situation. We have secured many of these players well under, with the understanding that some wouldn't work out.
If we're not following the same model as everyone else, but we find ourselves playing finals in 2018, the media will be lauding our approach by appointing Bolts, SOS, and how they built a successful team from scratch from the draft, and discards from other clubs. It all hinges on success.
To the doubters, I think this approach was necessary due to the need for a complete rebuild. Look at how many players have already been moved on last year. I can't believe how many poster's were proclaiming how the loss of Henderson (who played poorly most of the year), Menzel (who played poorly all year), and Yarran (who played poorly most of the year) would spell our demise. A brave approach was needed and we got good currency for these players. Those are the same players we complained about (rightly so) during season 2015 because they were unfit, not dedicated, weren't invested. SOS turned them into high draft picks.
Much more needs to be done. More brave decisions need to be made. I see now supporters cringing at the possibility of losing Bryce Gibbs, because he's a leader and he's elite, but won't accept that he has value to us now, and that we could potentially trade him to Adelaide for pick 13. Couldn't we trade that on to Sydney for Mitchell? With Daisy and Liam Jones out of contract next year, freeing up over a million dollars in the salary cap, could we try and lure Nat Fyfe as a free agent, or get creative and secure a young Isaac Heeney! We've still got a lot of players who are fringe players who have yet to prove themselves, and realistically, some of those won't make it. But we'll have new players coming in again this year and I'm excited to see Year 2 of the 'reset'.
Lastly, Bolts announced a 'no limits' policy at the start of 'the journey'. This propaganda mission was massively successful as the footy world watched on with interest. What a PR success. This needs to be done again to win the hearts of those players we'll be encouraging to come to us, as we strive to be the new 'destination club'. It won't hurt to increase the membership base either.
There is no doubt that Western Bulldogs personified that 'no limits' mantra in 2016, surprising everyone. I get excited about the possibilities we can look forward to over the next two years if we can adopt that same mindset.
GO BLUES
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