I don't know how many different ways i have to say this but i'll try another time. I don't doubt that Hill has class, however I view a player like Hill as a missing piece of the puzzle, cherry on top type player.
There are stacks of quality, uncontested wingman in the AFL that we can trade for down the track that are far superior to Hill. It's not such a pressing issue that we are so desperate as to pay overs (due to his contractual status) for a player who in my eyes is a middle wrung B-grade acquisition. Why not wait until next year and get him at a fraction of the price? It's not like he will be the difference between us winning a premiership or not next year.
I believe a big part of the discussion is if we added the three most commonly mentioned players, Mitch Wallis, Seb Ross & Brad Hill, they would immediately help our development in multiple ways.
If we don't lose any key contributors from this season, and add those players, we would hope to climb the ladder faster, than what natural progression from just our kids would have likely seen. This is about fostering a winning culture, and pushing for finals earlier than what many might have likely seen as probable.
They would also ease the load on our developing kids, allowing the kids to develop their games without their bodies coping a beating, and possibly extending their career.
Everyone knows I'm a big draft fan, but even I can see the sense of adding mature bodies to fast track our clubs development.
But I will say, if it's just one of Ross or Hill that we end up adding by the end of the trade period, at the expense of pick 5, I'll be pretty disappointed, and would much rather keep the pick.
I've been quietly very critical of Dayne Beams game this season. For me it's not so much been the lack of defensive effort from Beams, but the pouting on field during games that has been putting me off, and while he still might rack up big possession numbers, he appears to be turning the ball over a lot more, doesn't have the clean pick up and disposal he is noted for. It's also obvious that he's copping a beating every week, an it's taking a greater toll on his body and ability to recover during games.
Also, as others have mentioned, I thought Christensen has looked very good playing in defence since Witherden went down, and am keen to see him move down back permanently as a small defender. Preferably with Rich moving out of defence.