I have said this before, and I'll say it again. Regardless of who we get in via trade or free agency, our on field performance is going to be based on the growth within our team - Billings, Dunstan, Acres, Sinclair, Gresham, Webster, White, Freeman, McCartin - these players will have a greater say on how we go next season.
Hawthorn have presented us with a remarkable opportunity, providing us, not just one, but two first round, single-digit draft picks. We haven't had many, and given where we are at (hopefully pushing into finals for the first time) I believe we would be better placed to support the long term future of our club by either:
a) taking these picks to the draft
b) trying to trade up to a top 4 draft pick and an early second rounder (GCS, Bris)
I know we are all depressed about how the season panned out, but a new season brings new opportunities, and besides 1 or 2 games, Riewoldt and Montagna didn't win games off their own boot, it was the lesser lights who stepped up. They will do this again.
Get Hall for a second rounder.
Pick up Talia for free in a position we lack depth in.
Draft two solid contributors
If we keep the picks I would love Higgins, Coffield, Brayshaw with Cerra as a slider - if we trade up, give me LDU, Rayner and Clavarino, Ling as a second rounder.
FIRSTS
FB: Geary, Brown, Savage
HB: Roberton, Carlisle, Newnes
R: Longer, Ross, Armitage
C: Sinclair, Dunstan, Steven
HF: Gresham, McCartin, Billings
FF: Weller, Bruce, Membrey
IC: Hall, Acres, Gilbert, Steele
SECONDS
FB: Rice, Goddard, White
HB: McKenzie, Talia, Webster
R: Hickey, Stevens, Lonie
C: Freeman, Minchington, Phillips
HF: O'Kearney, Marshall, Long
FF: Pierce, Battle, Wright
IC: Holmes, Higgins, Coffield, etc.