Quote:
Why don’t Sydney, Hawthorn and Geelong ever have to rebuild?
Just my 2c worth.
All three have a stable coach and off field back office for the past 10 or so years.
Sydney have their academy which has netted them 1st round picks for next to nothing. They have been outstanding with rookie listed player development. They will continue to contend for the next 4/5 years. They trade for need and get it right.
Hawthorn - their successes in the Clarkson years are epic. But don'f forget that Clarkson was nearly necked by Kennett after his first 3 years. Big Jeff had to be talked in to keeping him...
They also got the draft right - Hodge, Franklin, Roughead, Rioli, Burchall, Lewis etc... All high picks that set them up for 10 years. Add in Burgoyne, Lake, Dew, Gibson from other clubs etc...
Plus rookie gold in Mitchell.
So you have generational players in Hodge, Franklin, Rioli, Mitchell (Sam) goes along way.
The real test for Hawthorn is now - their past successes is fuelling them. Just my opinion but I see them as 12th to 6th for the next 5years unless Clarkson is a genius and then I'm wrong and he is right with their current list strategy.
Geelong - built their dynasty through the draft and father son picks.
Have topped up with high end talent in free agency and giving away first round draft picks. Lots of good will abounds with Dangerfield (gun), Selwood (once in a generation player) and Ablett (maybe the best mid-fielder of his generation) to see what they can do but they are ageing and have 1/2 years left before they fall off the ledge as potent threat.
So it is now or never for Geelong. I can't see them kicking or defending a winning score in finals...
I see Carlton as the 2006 Hawks, the 2005 Cats. Whether we have once in a generation talent to become a grandfinal winning team wont be known until 2020 and beyond. But I can't see an alternative to the strategy that has been followed with player recruitment - you can argue over individual trades/players but I don't think you can successfully argue against the strategy.
As for the coaching, that is the area that I question. Is Bolton the new Clarkson, Thompson, Hardwick? I don't know. But one thing is for sure if he is got rid of in the next 12-24 months we will never know...