The problem is GC, Bris, Carl, Sydney are just hogging so many picks for academy players there's less teams with the ammo or desire to get up.
Melbourne did it via the Tracc trade. North and Essendon are doing it with Carl. Hawks apparently doing it with Brisbane.
Really only leaves Geelong...
Carlton will soon have 30 which might get chewed up and Sydney have 31 and 32 will almost certainly get chewed up.
Dogs might've just traded nothing for nothing.
APS is a big factor, but they don't completely own that market. Brighton, Caulfield, Hayliebury (Brighton campus), Melbourne Grammar often go to Sandy but then you've got Scotch, Xavier, Carey, St Kevs usually towards Oakleigh.
I think Sandy's strong point is they combine APS with other private...
Hardwick took over a list with Deledio, Rance, Riewoldt, Edwards, Vickery and Cotchin as well as Newman, Tuck and Dan Jackson and added first year Dusty (and Grimes and Astbury).
All credit to him but there was a base to build from. Surviving 16 was a pretty amazing achievement but it helps...
I prefer a deep cut than mucking around but I'd be terrified Richmond have gone too hard and condemned themselves to years of losing big which generally sees the coach sacked (or multiple coaches), a bunch of young players physically and mentally worn out and then board, sponsors etc all lose...
I'm not worried at all about GWS but Hogan, Greene and Whitfield might be their 3 most dangerous attacking players. Can probably rejig the mids/half backs to cover Whitfield but could do with another classy user coming through. Cadman looms as the logical Hogan replacement but we'll see how he...
It's really not. It will widen the gap between the top and bottom teams and only incentivize bottom sides to go full scorched earth rebuild which then means 7+ year rebuilds and uncompetitive games.
But more worrying than anything it will widen the gap between the destination teams and the non...
I think Matt’s a significantly better athlete and it stands out with his ability to impact with the ball on the ground and in open play. Plus he can play down back. And it’s not like he’s not big enough to go in the ruck.
I just value mobility in talls a lot.
Winners
Brisbane - still confused how Ashcroft slid to 5.
Ess - I think the trade back was the safe smart decision and they got great value in the 30's picks and smart gambles late
Rich - don't love taking 4 talls and taking 7 inside 28 and 8 national draft picks seems kind of crazy too, but I...
Freijah, Humphries and Dear are the real names there and not even the Hawks knew what they had in Dear. Humphries was the second last pick in the draft so it was hardly a case of needing to keep a good pick for him. Wells magic is really quantifiable.
That’s what I’d have done but it would’ve...
Not sure a guy drafted with 68 needs to do anything more than play a few games for it to be a success. And coming in at 25 he’s got plenty of time if he’s around the level.
The trade for the Jackson pick was a live deal at the draft for Butters, not sure our fate would’ve been worse with him...
Cap trading is a horrendous idea tho. Yes, floor could be lower. But the afl is riddled with advantages where teams rig the system for mutual benefit - free agent compensation for instance. Adding another one where a good team just buys an advantage is an awful idea
He’s not the biggest or most skilled but he shut down Armstrong and Shanahan late in the season. He’s at the right club to be developed as a lock down key back