Alex Docherty reviews the list changes, from lowest to highest on the 2014 ladder.

The trades have been made and free agents secured or lost. Draft picks, from the raw talented kids to mature age recruits, selected. Rookies have been added, some of them merely staying at the same club albeit under a different designation. And even the international project players identified and given an opportunity in a new sport.

That’s all folks, AFL team lists are now finalised for season 2015 and BigFooty is here to asses how your team, along with the 17 others, fared.

This final article covers the Hawks, Cats and Swans at the top of the table.

HAWTHORN

In:

Traded: Jonathan O’Rourke (From GWS Giants)

Free Agency: James Frawley (From Melbourne),

National Draft: Dan Howe (Pick 31), Teia Miles (Pick 49), Marc Pittonet (Pick 50)

Rookie Draft: Jared Hardisty (Pick 18), Jermaine Miller-Lewis (Pick 36), Lachlan Langford (Pick 53), Sam Grimley (Pick 65)

Rookie Elevations: Dallas Willsmore, Zac Webster

Out:

Traded: Mitch Hallahan (To Gold Coast), Luke Lowden (To Adelaide), Kyle Cheney (To Adelaide)

Retired: Brad Sewell

Delisted: Dayle Garlett, Jordan Kelly, Ben Ross, Derick Wanganeen, Sam Grimley (Rookie-Listed)

Overview: The Hawks have set the benchmark in modern footy for bringing in established players to fill a need and 2014 was no exception. Melbourne’s James Frawley presents as a more than adequate replacement for Norm Smith medallist Brian Lake and with the the dark days at Melbourne behind him, Frawley could excel at the competition’s benchmark for excellence. Former number two draft pick for GWS Jonathan O’Rourke will be eased into the midfield, but the expectation is that he will play a key role once the likes of Micthell and Hodge retire. Added mobile tall defender, Daniel Howe with pick 31 is a good move while the club were thrilled ot up small rebounding defende Teia Milesr at pick 49. Big man Marc Pittonet fills the back up ruck gap left by Luke Lowden’s departure. Overall, another excellent off season for a team coming off back to back premierships – though one can’t but suspect Mitch Hallahan will kick on at his new home on the Gold Coast.

GEELONG

In:

Traded: Mitch Clark (From Melbourne), Rhys Stanley (From St. Kilda)

Delisted Free Agency: Sam Blease (From Melbourne)

National Draft: Nakia Cockatoo (Pick 10), Cory Gregson (Pick 47), Dean Gore (Pick 55), Jordan Cunico (Pick 59)

Rookie Draft: Tom Read (Pick 14), Cameron Delaney (Pick 32), Padraig Lucey (Pick 49)

Rookie Elevation: Mark Blicavs

Out:

Traded: Allen Christensen (To Brisbane), Travis Varcoe (To Collingwood)

Delisted: Jackson Sheringham, Jesse Stringer, Nick Bourke, Jordan Schroder, George Burbury, Taylor Hunt, Mitch Brown, Joel Hamling

Overview: The Cats went looking for tall forwards to help out Tom Hawkins and certainly got blokes of the right size in Mitch Clark and Rhys Stanley. Clark’s injury and health issues are well documented but he remains a hugely talented player and on song could create a formidable partnership with Tomahawk. Stanley is tall, strong and quick and showed plenty of encouraging signs duting his time at St Kilda. At the draft Geelong plumped for Nakia Cockatoo, an explosive midfielder coming of an injury plagued 2014, with their first roubd pick. Other midielders and pacy types like Cory Gregson, Dean Gore and Jordan Cunico found their way gto the Cattery. With the departure of Travis Varcoe and especially Allen Christensen, a lot will be expected of the new arrivals.

» Check out the State of the List BigFooty Cats Podcast

SYDNEY SWANS

In:

National Draft: Isaac Heeney (Pick 18, Academy Selection), James Rose (Pick 37). Jack Hiscox (Pick 38, Academy Selection) , Abe Davis (Pick 70, Academy Selection)

Rookie Draft: Sean McLaren (Pick 17), Nic Newman (Pick 35), Lewi Melican (Pick 52), Jordan Foote (Pick 76, Academy Selection)

Rookie Elevations: Jake Lloyd, Xavier Richards, Daniel Robinson

Out:

Traded: Shane Biggs (To Western Bulldogs)

Free Agency: Nick Malceski (To Gold Coast)

Retired: Lewis Roberts-Thomson, Ryan O’Keefe,

Delisted: Matthew Dick, Jordan Lockyer, Patrick Mitchell, Tommy Walsh, Tim Membrey

Overview: The ongoing Cost Of Living Allowance (COLA) debate meant Sydney were banned from recruiting any free agents or trading in established players from other clubs. They lost a big time player in Nick Malceski to the Gold Coast, although their depth in his position should soften the impact of his defection to the north. Shane Biggs also departed the club in search of greater opportunity. The Swans had four picks in the draft, but had already committed three of those picks to players nurtured through the Sydney Swans Academy, itself a growing source of angst among other clubs about a perceived unfair advantage enjoyed by John Longmire’s team. Isaac Heeney, rated by many the best pure midfielder in the draft class is a steal at pick 18. Heeney is tough and excels at winning his own ball at the clearances. Jack Hiscox is an elite runner and Abe Davis will provide a tall option at either end of the ground. The Swans’ only live selection, James Rose, is a tough medium-forward with a good set of hands and a powerful kick.