Good to see some healthy discussions being had. My intention with this was to share some interesting stats, more so than to make any bold proclamations.
In saying that, I don’t agree that there is a textbook way of rebuilding a team to contend for a flag. You don’t necessarily have to ‘bottom out’, and I’d love to see how many of the recent dynasty teams have had a plethora of top 10 draft picks lead them to the promise land.
As with anything in footy, a lot of luck has to go your way, but I don’t believe Collingwood is as far off as some may be led to believe.
I like the comparison being made to our ‘07 side being a mixture of the ‘02-‘03 contenders with youngsters who got us over the line in ‘10 - the comparison to Hawthorn’s ‘08 winning it early… we’re more than capable of replicating something similar (with some luck) based on this year’s form and the way Fly has got the players playing.
I struggle to have a clear BOG each week nowadays which is an indication that we’re a role-based team now, so personnel is less important (still very important, don’t get me wrong) and if we can add in 2-3 elite kids over the next 2 off seasons, with astute trading/FA, we’ll be right back in contention again.
Mate no team and I mean none have done it without quality first round picks from bottoming out or rebuilding through the draft as a whole.
When you feel you have enough talent then you look to fill the holes from trades.
You don't try circumvent the process trying to stay finals relevant or you end up just wasting a decade treading water never really in the hunt and relying on lucking out one year with things falling into place in 2018 vs the ret of Buckley's tenure.
Richmond had in first round including top 10.
Cotchin @ pick 2.
Martin @ 3.
Conca @6
Vlastuin @ 9.
Reiwoldt @ 13.
B.Ellis @15
D.Rioli @15
Higgins @17
Rance @ 18.
Lynch @ 11 and Prestia @ 9 traded in both for needs both mid firsts.
Some more of their bottoming that didn't make the grade or traded out for more picks. These players strengthen a list and make it more competitive even if in some cases only fringe afl.
Pick 1 Delidio traded gws first and 3rd rounder.
Vickery pick 8.
Lennon @ 12.
Griffiths pick 19.
C.Ellis traded GC.
Astute 2nd round...
Edwards at 26.
Mckintosh 33.
This furphy that they did it off just rookies and ring ins is garbage they went to the draft over many drafts and stockpiled talents then hit up trades fa and overhauled their development programs and coaches, including the building of state of the art facilities that now surpass Collingwood.
They also had a leg speed mandate fastest team in afl throughout there premiership years with 11 of the top 20 recorded players for speed to for their vision of game play.
Melbourne has more first rounders playing then even GWS fielded after concessions. Something like 16.
Geelong 98, 99, 00, 01 drafts were hit hard including a lot of picks in the 01 superdraft, had multiple father son stars taken for next to nothing as rules then allowed.
Had top 3 rated Selwood slip to 7 due to concerns over a knee.
Hawks tanked for years leading up to that early 08 win. They then bottomed down straight after in 09 and had a maturing of list plus trades.
Hodge pick 1, Roughead pick 2, Franklin pick 5, Rioli 12, Lewis 7, croad 3, X.Ellis 3, Ladson 16, Birchall 16, Schoenmakers 16, Smith 19.
They had some astute 2nd rounds taken and early 3rd rounds as well which is also a benefit if bottoming EVERY pick is improved.
They had several other top 10s who failed to fire including pick 3 and 6 in 05.