We just finished 17th & have no current developed key forwards. Being our best forward wouldn't be too difficult. Fast forward 5 years to where you would like our club to be. Can you imagine Casboult getting a game in a top 6 team?
He isn't the player to take us to top 6 either. Prefer to leave Casboult out & feed games into Freeman, McStay & Close ( & Shache if available).
Yeah it's a tricky decision, isn't it.
On one hand their is A grade talent available, like Bennell, but comes with a buyer beware tag. At the same time has the talent that we need and is 22 years of age.
On the other hand do we trade picks for experienced players such as Bell, Casboult and Suckling. By all means will be in our best 22 in the short term and are in the right age bracket is well. Only problem is I would expect the younger players to surpass them as they get more games invested in them like Andrews. Are we stalling the development of players like Keayes, Hipwood and Schache, if we are playing those experienced players. Usually experienced player can play out games and the season much longer, resulting in fewer 50 point losses.
Clearly the club indicated that we are taking the youth policy path. Maybe our best option is to trade Redden and Aish for Adelaide's 2 first round picks and stock pile our list with first round talent. Then trade lower picks for out of contract experienced players in 12 months time like Bell, Casboult and Cam Ellis-Yolmen.
Also if there is a opportunity to grab A grade talent like Bennell, I would do it. At the right price of course. If we can convince Bennell to nominate us as his preferred club and he ends up costing us a late first round pick, then why not take the risk.