- Mar 1, 2014
- 9,099
- 17,307
- AFL Club
- Port Adelaide
I’m not sure it’s a huge worry.
Really there are three players we are ‘concerned’ about: Ladhams, Drew and Atley.
Ladhams will get another game or two this year and should be ready to push hard for the number two spot next year.
Ryder should get offered one year with the understanding he is no longer a walk up 22 or be traded. Hayes has plenty of time to develop and push for a spot.
Atley and Drew are both getting games and have been well supported by the club. Boak’s resurgence has been a spanner in the works but both would understand that there is one, maybe two spots available with Boak, Rockliff, Ebert and Robbie Gray all slowing down. If either wants to go, that’s a shame, but oh well. Houston, Rozee, Wines, SPP, Butters and Burton (I believe) all offer something in the middle and are young.
For me, the greater concern is the players we have brought in. Trengove and McKenzie have provided some leadership in the twos but little else. Rockliff struggled all of last year, has played well this year when not injured and looks like he is slowing down quickly. Motlop has provided moments of brilliance but nothing more, is he even best 22? Watts played ok last year and had one good game this year as a HBF. Wasn’t he supposed to help with our goal kicking and forward fifty entry?
Dixon has had one good season with us. Ryder has been the best of our recruits but his game is becoming completely one dimensional - tap ruckman and nothing else. This crop was supposed to deliver us to a top four spot and a flag - let’s not beat around the bush. At this point Ryder, Watts and Motlop are borderline best 22, Trengove and McKenzie will likely be delisted at years end and Dixon should walk back into the side. Rocky is line ball, if Boak, SPP and Wines give us plenty then do we need him and how do we fit him in? Throw in the worrisome injuries of Hartlett, Broadbent and Ebert and there are some serious concerns over our ‘senior’ core.
You make some very good points, but of the first 3 players named I suspect Atley is the only one who would ask to be traded.
Trengove and McKenzie were in my opinion added to the list as insurance, and possibly even to add some experience to bolster the Maggies, than to play many, if any AFL games, and I suspect neither will be on the list next year.
I expect Broadbent and Westhoff will retire, and Ryder, who as you say has become very one dimensional, will play one more year.