The AFL handed West Coast 4 additional rookie list spots at the conclusion of last season.
I think we need to consider making an immediate request to the AFL to have 2 additional rookie list spots for the remainder of the season. These spots will be filled at the mid-year draft, unless we need emergency access to players as a result of further injuries. The additional spots will then be reviewed at the conclusion of the season, with the expectation we retain at least 2 for 2027.
We are in an extremely unique situation which is why i think this is a very valid request.
1. We are likely to finish bottom 2 for third year in a row and unlikely to win more than 4 games. We also only won 5 games last year because 3 of those wins were v West Coast and a completely undermanned Essendon.
2. We have 15 players on our list that have been recruited in the past 2 seasons. There is a very high chance this group of players will be unavailable for more than 50% of games this year due to injury.
3. We have 3 players with significant on-going LTI issues. 2 are contracted for next year and the other one (Clarke) deserves a chance to continue his career if his body can hold up.
4. It is likely we will see out the season with 10+ players on the injury list and there is a risk we will not have enough fit players to field a team in the next month. Based on Serpell’s recent injury report we are expecting to have at least 15 on the injury list until round 12.
5. We currently only have one list spot available for the MSD. While this may change, we should not be forced to end a young players season early if there is a chance they will return, even if only to play some VFL.
The addition of 2 rookie list spots will allow us to take a minimum of 3 players on 18-month contracts at the MSD. This will help us to cover Gibcus, Smillie and/or Clarke if they are unable to return to successfully overcome their injury issues.
I think we need to consider making an immediate request to the AFL to have 2 additional rookie list spots for the remainder of the season. These spots will be filled at the mid-year draft, unless we need emergency access to players as a result of further injuries. The additional spots will then be reviewed at the conclusion of the season, with the expectation we retain at least 2 for 2027.
We are in an extremely unique situation which is why i think this is a very valid request.
1. We are likely to finish bottom 2 for third year in a row and unlikely to win more than 4 games. We also only won 5 games last year because 3 of those wins were v West Coast and a completely undermanned Essendon.
2. We have 15 players on our list that have been recruited in the past 2 seasons. There is a very high chance this group of players will be unavailable for more than 50% of games this year due to injury.
3. We have 3 players with significant on-going LTI issues. 2 are contracted for next year and the other one (Clarke) deserves a chance to continue his career if his body can hold up.
4. It is likely we will see out the season with 10+ players on the injury list and there is a risk we will not have enough fit players to field a team in the next month. Based on Serpell’s recent injury report we are expecting to have at least 15 on the injury list until round 12.
5. We currently only have one list spot available for the MSD. While this may change, we should not be forced to end a young players season early if there is a chance they will return, even if only to play some VFL.
The addition of 2 rookie list spots will allow us to take a minimum of 3 players on 18-month contracts at the MSD. This will help us to cover Gibcus, Smillie and/or Clarke if they are unable to return to successfully overcome their injury issues.
