Analysis 2026 - The Way Forward

[Kiama Chris]

We went for the best available FF in Curnow. Bingo.
We went for an experienced KPD. Albeit VFL experienced. Bingo.
Also
Bringing in two experienced small forwards in Cootee and Rosas. Bingo.
suggests to me that we are putting the cream on top of the cake.

We have built almost everything else.
We are contending.

The rest of the draft picks are for the future mainly. We keep on keeping on contending.

I still like that, perhaps fortuitously, our draft picks COULD end up:
Kyle: Athletic hybrid midfielder
King: Athletic medium forward/mid
Philippou: hard nut midfielder
Cootee: Dangerous anywhere between wing and small forward and a possible mid.
Chamberlain: precise marking wing/HHF
Hetherton: KPF
Kyle could be a medium defender which would be OK.
We have four tall defenders yet to be proven at AFL level so I don't think another one (beyond who we have) was a priority in the draft.
We have improved our depth in areas of need. Maybe not the top of the draft that everyone loves but lots of upside in all of them.
So who of the draftees debuts first and when? I think a few had money on Cootee but his hip may have dragged him back to the pack. Philippou?