Ricciuto: Rebuilding not required

[jmorg1]

Ricciuto: Crows in good shape (http://heraldsun.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22390274%255E19761,00.html)

RETIRED skipper Mark Ricciuto says Adelaide does not have to embark on a major rebuilding program and can challenge for next year's flag.

[Farmy]

He is right, people put too much emphasis on rebuilding, we aren't Sydney, we haven't destroyed our list.

[J-Ro-20]

I guess one way to avoid a rebuilding phase is to also secure decent "recycled players" to give more time for the young draft picks to develop.

[The_Ash]

I'm quite shocked that people are all saying next year is a rebuilding year because Roo retired. In the majority of the games he played he made no more of an impact than Jericho would have.
I hate to say it but I'm glad he retired, here was a player that I've watched play since before my balls dropped who you knew deserved his place in the side. All of this year it felt like he was only out there because of who he was.

I think Adelaide have just as good a chance at the flag next year as they did this year. What I'd like to see is some youngsters thrown in the deep end. Obviously see if they can perform in the SANFL first and don't do a Carlton and pin all your seasons hopes on him, but I'd like to see them get a chance. I hear people complaining how Adelaide have never had a rising star nomination but when was the last time an Adelaide player who was eligible for it was actually given a decent amount of game time?

[Vader]

I'm quite shocked that people are all saying next year is a rebuilding year because Roo retired. In the majority of the games he played he made no more of an impact than Jericho would have.
I hate to say it but I'm glad he retired, here was a player that I've watched play since before my balls dropped who you knew deserved his place in the side. All of this year it felt like he was only out there because of who he was.

I don't think that anybody is saying it will be a rebuilding year BECAUSE Roo has retired. It is more the realisation that we really need to refresh our list (and team) NOW. Roo's departure is just the tip of the iceberg.

Consider the following:
Roo: Age 32, retired
McLeod: 31 - 2009 will probably be his last year
Edwards: 31 - 2008
Bassett: 30 - 2008 or 09
Goodwin: 30 - 2009
Torney: 30 - may be delisted this year, probable retirement end 2008
Biglands: 30 - 2008 delisting, possibly even 2007 (though contracted for 08)
Burton: 29 - 2009
Welsh: 28 (29 in December) - 2008, maybe 2009 if he's lucky
Hudson: 28 - 2009 or 2010, depending on Griffin/Maric/Meesen
Perrie: 28 - as good as gone now
Bode: 28 - has 6 weeks to prove his fitness, maybe gone this year, maybe 2008 or 09 if he can stay fit
Doughty: 28 - hopefully gone this year

That's a massive proportion of our best 22 and "depth" players who will be gone in the very near future. We need to be getting games into our youngsters now so that there is not a massive drop off in performance when these veterans depart the scene.

Our success over the past decade has largely been built around our champion quartet of midfielders - Roo, Goodwin, Edwards & McLeod. Roo is the first of them to depart, but the others won't be all that far behind. We need to be planning their succession now, by developing the youngsters who will be replacing them.

That's why it is going to be a rebuilding year.

FWIW, I agree that Roo had little impact this year and was selected on name & reputation alone. 2007 was one year too many for Roo. However, he will always be remembered as a legend of the game. Farewell Roo and thanks for all the memories.

I think Adelaide have just as good a chance at the flag next year as they did this year. What I'd like to see is some youngsters thrown in the deep end. Obviously see if they can perform in the SANFL first and don't do a Carlton and pin all your seasons hopes on him, but I'd like to see them get a chance. I hear people complaining how Adelaide have never had a rising star nomination but when was the last time an Adelaide player who was eligible for it was actually given a decent amount of game time?

I also agree that we need to see more youngsters thrown into the deep end. Your comment about Adelaide youngsters not getting a decent amount of game time is also equally valid.

[Redline]

Of that list I think it's time to move on Bode, Bigglands, Doughty and Perrie however we can. None really add much to our list and are not going to improve. They will only hold up the development of the younger guys.

[Vader]

Of that list I think it's time to move on Bode, Bigglands, Doughty and Perrie however we can. None really add much to our list and are not going to improve. They will only hold up the development of the younger guys.

Perrie is gone, or as good as.
Bode DOES offer something when fit, he is our best crumbing forward and provides a heap of tackling pressure in the forward line - ensuring that the ball stays there and doesn't get rebounded straight out. Problem is that he's only been fit for one of the last three seasons.
Doughty I would like to see gone, but some posters here have indicated he remains contracted for 2008. Delisting him now would create salary cap pressure, and I can't see anyone being interested in receiving him as part of a trade. May just have to bite the bullet and wear the salary cap implications.
Biglands is the difficult one. He is DEFINITELY contracted for 2008 and we would be in a LOT of trouble without him if Hudson were to go down with an injury. The kids aren't up to handling the ruck on their own yet (give them time), so we probably need to keep him around - albeit in the SANFL as a "depth" player for the next 12 months.

[Geoffa32]

Perrie is gone, or as good as.
Bode DOES offer something when fit, he is our best crumbing forward and provides a heap of tackling pressure in the forward line - ensuring that the ball stays there and doesn't get rebounded straight out. Problem is that he's only been fit for one of the last three seasons.
Doughty I would like to see gone, but some posters here have indicated he remains contracted for 2008. Delisting him now would create salary cap pressure, and I can't see anyone being interested in receiving him as part of a trade. May just have to bite the bullet and wear the salary cap implications.
Biglands is the difficult one. He is DEFINITELY contracted for 2008 and we would be in a LOT of trouble without him if Hudson were to go down with an injury. The kids aren't up to handling the ruck on their own yet (give them time), so we probably need to keep him around - albeit in the SANFL as a "depth" player for the next 12 months.
Doughty Gone
Perrie Gone
Bode give him another year
Bighlands Another year only because Maric and Griff are Young

I dont think we need a full on rebuild yer, just a tinker like Port Adelaide....Everyone talks about how they have rebuilt their squad..It is not that dramatic, they still had ten Premiership players on the field on Friday night....The way they ahve done it is a good way to do it, evey two years you amke a few changes...Not tank for half a decade like Carlton and Richmond..

[jenny61_99]

Roo has it right. We have the nucleus of a really good team there... a new KPP forward, a crumber and some speed in the middle will make a massive difference to us.

[Kane McGoodwin]

Consider the following:
Roo: Age 32, retired
McLeod: 31 - 2009 will probably be his last year
Edwards: 31 - 2008
Bassett: 30 - 2008 or 09
Goodwin: 30 - 2009
Torney: 30 - may be delisted this year, probable retirement end 2008
Biglands: 30 - 2008 delisting, possibly even 2007 (though contracted for 08)
Burton: 29 - 2009
Welsh: 28 (29 in December) - 2008, maybe 2009 if he's lucky
Hudson: 28 - 2009 or 2010, depending on Griffin/Maric/Meesen
Perrie: 28 - as good as gone now
Bode: 28 - has 6 weeks to prove his fitness, maybe gone this year, maybe 2008 or 09 if he can stay fit
Doughty: 28 - hopefully gone this year

Roo - We have effectively played without him the past year. Loss of leadership around the club.
Edwards / Goodwin - reckon the will play on for 1/2 years respectively - another quality midfielder is a priority.
Bassett - Probably another 2 years.
Torney - Only 1 year max, but we have replacements sitting in the wings.
Biglands - Keep as an experienced backup in case Huddo is injured next year & Griffin/Maric should be solid AFL ruckmen by 2009.
Burton/Welsh/Hudson - 2-3 years left. Huddo will be better for a full year after the knee operation.
Perrie - Looks gone motivation-wise.
Bode - Delist IMO, as he is no good injured. Need to make the tough calls.
Doughty - Has been surpassed, so delist.

In summary, delist/trade - Ricciuto, McGregor, Meesen, Mattner, Jericho, Perrie, Bode & Doughty.

Following season retirements - Edwards, Biglands & Torney.

[Geoffa32]

ANyone here noticing age catching u with Goodwin...I feel he will be the Roo of next year...I hope I am wrong but...

he has still been racking up the possies, but his diposal is getting worse latter on in the season. I reckon he will be gone before Edwards and Macca

Edwards will be a huge loss for us. He is our most consistant player by a mile.

[Kane McGoodwin]

ANyone here noticing age catching u with Goodwin...I feel he will be the Roo of next year...I hope I am wrong but...

he has still been racking up the possies, but his diposal is getting worse latter on in the season. I reckon he will be gone before Edwards and Macca

Edwards will be a huge loss for us. He is our most consistant player by a mile.
I thought the standard of Edwards disposal droppped more than Goodwins this year. Both will probably be gone within 2 years though.

[Geoffa32]

I thought the standard of Edwards disposal droppped more than Goodwins this year. Both will probably be gone within 2 years though.
True