I'd rather look forward than look backwards although it has been interesting understanding and analysing what we have done, why we have done it, and what we could have done better. But we are where we are and but for a kick and a toepoke we would be a dual premiership side coming to the end of its window but we're not.
I have read with interest other posters' opinions on what we need and what I will say is more or less the same. There are so many needs but let's talk about our 1st draft pick for end of this year. I also think we need to look at this over a 2 year period as we are not going to get everything we need in one draft.
Forwards
Assuming we are still pick 3 and he is available then I would go Boyd. That then sorts out the forwards for mine. Boyd, White, Lee along with Siposs, Markworth, Saad, Minchington, Milera. If Boyd is not available then we would go best next available which would be a mid and I will talk more about that later. Also if Boyd is not available then we still need a power forward. Forward line not complete for mine without one. So the list is not looking too bad for the future.
Defenders
Problem area. We need at least 2 KPD's who can play now and 1 to develop. WCE Brown is 1, Frawley, Griffiths, I could go on. A state league KPD is another option here. Roberton has been a blessing in disguise, Geary, Wright & Webster both of whom I rate highly. The issue is Gwilt, Gilbert, Dempster, Simpkin. What do we do with them? If we want to trade for a mid then perhaps we need to give up one of these players. I don't think another club would take Sam Fisher based on age and output so I assume he will retire end of next year. Finally as i said earlier we would want a 3rd KPD for development a la Lewis Pierce in the ruck. Lever no. Ferguson? Staley? Not sure....
Rucks
This is probably the one area we don't need to address. For better or for worse we have McEvoy & Hickey with Stanley in support and Pierce developing. I think we also have other more urgent priorities which means nothing will change here....
Midfield
Problem area. Now if we couldn't get Boyd then our 1st draft pick would be an elite mid, (trusting the recruitment team to make the right call), either inside or out. I reckon they have to have a bigger body who can play straight away. But it depends on best available. We need both inside and outside. We also need someone like a Taylor Adams - someone ready made who can join with Steven, Armitage, Ross, Newnes as well as Montagna, Dal Santo, Hayes etc. Maybe that is trading our 2nd pick plus one of the defenders I mentioned earlier. Curren & Ledger? The next 8 weeks will determine if they are playing at the club next year, traded, or delisted. You would think Curren would be elevated to the main list next year. Saunders & Murdoch have shown something also. I still think we need another 4 or 5 mids including at least 2 elite. If no Boyd then use both our 1st draft picks for 13 & 14 to get these 2 elite pacey mids that can work with Steven, Ross, Armitage. I think we need express pace through the midfield. Ross I am happy with although a bit slow he will become that great inside midfielder like his cousin. You do need a mix but we need more pace.
Interesting that Watters was quoted at looking at players under 26. We need players across all of those age groups. Probably a 24/5 year old mid, a 21/2 year old mid both of whom can play now and impact the game as well as the 18 year old mid who can play straight away say 15 games in debut season, (like Wright, Vlastuin, even though they are more HBF but you get the idea). That's where Adams would be good and I'm hoping we pull out all the stops. He might not want to come to us.
I've been impressed by our list management team as well as our recruitment team. I am sure that wiser heads than me have looked at this and they know exactly what we need and have identified the players they want to take us forward.