Apart from danger, I think the club should be setting a high priority on luring Carlisle.
I think Carlisle is a lot more 'getable' than people think. He is being forced to play in a position he dislikes (prefers KPD), is out of contract, is rumoured to be fed up with the bombers dramas. Go read the Dons board, they all think he is playing like he is gone.
A few reasons why I would trade our first pick (10-12) for Carlisle:
- Carlisle is far superior to Henderson (and I rate Henderson) as a key defender. And along with Talia, probably the best key defender in the AFL, when played there.
- whilst Henderson is more suited to CHB, Carlisle is more suited to FB, and to be played on the oppositions biggest and best forward. Geelong are in desperate need for this type of key defender with lonergan almost gone and with us having ZERO options coming through on the list. (Kolo to replace rivers as a third tall, Taylor can still play 3 more seasons at CHB).
- is 197cm and can pinch hit in the forward line if required.
- is very young still at 23 and would be part of our next premiership team. Will have 7 solid years partnering kolo in our defence.
- with impending retirements, I think we will have the cap room for him, even after danger (hopefully).
- also, I think dons would accept our first, which is a fair price for both teams. Pick 10-12 is too much for hendo and would be an overpayment outright, and I doubt Carlton would throw something back. In other words, we will have an inequitable pick for hendo, but a good pick for Carlisle whilst other Carlisle suitors (dogs, bris etc) have a pick that is either to high or too low. We are best placed to satisfy the bombers.
Carlisle would set up our defence for the next decade. We have neglected to rebuild our key defensive stocks in our transition but this would make amends. Our back 6 could look like this for the next decade:
FB. Kolo. Carlisle. Bews
HB. Thurlow. Taylor. Guthrie
That would be the best defence in the AFL.
After danger, this must be our next priority. If Carlisle chooses not to come, we must go for hendo.