They're the poker player convinced raising again and again and again will get them out of trouble only to face a much worse loss than if they just folded the hand when they should have.
They should have started the rebuild 2 years ago. They now have a terribly lopsided list and will not be able to have the quick rejuvenation a team like Sydney has had. They are looking at a good 5 years in the wildnerness. A Hawthorn style hangover. But at least Hawthorn got multiple flags out of going veteran heavy. Nobody will remember the thousand prelims 20 years from now.
They made a GF and a prelim, I wouldn’t say they should of begin rebuilding, if you’re that close to a flag you can’t claim you should of just given up when you finish 3rd/4th and 2nd. Many clubs begin rebuilds and barely even reach mid table (my team).
But now it’s time for at least a replenish, not great to be doing it without a pick in the top 30. If they could claim anyone in their mid 20s via free agency maybe jump at it.
It’s hard to envision a scenario where they are in flag contention in 2022.