The more I think about it I really don't see how we can have another deep cull of the list, my guess would be 6 players this year and 6 players next, that would pretty much see the deadwood as you say trimmed off.
My guess is,
Jamo retires
Gorringe Chopped (just isn't afl material)
Clem Chopped ( 5 minutes here n there isn't enough he's had plenty of time)
Foster chopped (can't see him translating his game into afl standard)
Whiley chopped (maybe rookie listed)
Wood chopped (pun not intended, isn't the future we need a another young ruckman developing and under Fraser Kruez and Phillips should be in good hands)
I've left for mine, the players who are making an impact at reserves level to a certain degree and who will also sustain a level of competitiveness in the 2s, Tutt, Graham, Gowers (few green shoots of late) Sheehan (deserves a full run at it but probably his last crack) DVR (on potential I think he will be a late bloomer) Galluci (deserves a full run at it and also scores goals which wins you games which we need to bloody do).
Next year if those guys aren't performing then they will come under the microscope and could very well be chopped all bar probably Graham for me. So there's your 6/ (5) or 6 Cut in a measured sense I think if we send the broom through to swiftly we will ruin the development of the kids in the ressies and do more harm than good.
Onto the trades,
It looks like a year where the expansion clubs are pretty set for picks and some clever trading and persuading is going to be needed. The talent carcass that is GWS is and always will seem to be ripe for the picking, it's well documented that Tomlinson Marchbank are on the radar and with Sheiks statement could possibly be a deal with some momentum behind it. Having said that we had Boyd locked in and that went, well just peachy!
I've had a quick scan over the GWS list and GC, GC have no where near the list GWS has and tbh JOM Swallow Thompson Lynch are the only 4 that stand out but would cost a fortune. Their depth players or fringe players don't really blow my hair back and tbh unless something considerably favourable came our way for swallow or JOM then I'd put a line through GC this trade period.
Onto GWS where it seems everyone has a draft drawing board set up with multiple trade scenarios. If we only cut the 6 players this year I can see a few measured trades being done.
I really see SOS having a great relationship with the majority or list managers so with the new look GWS team lets hope for a repeat trade period with them.
So let's say Tomlinson and Marchbank choose us ($$), I'd float this to GWS, another bundle trade,
As a good faith trade let us upgrade our 2nd and 2x3rd rounders for your pick 12-14
Giving us pick 4-6 and pick 12-14
Now give them our 1st and 3rd next year for Tomlinson Marchbank Ahern and either Batter or Steele.
The talent outweighs the 4 we got this year but the picks counter that, our 1st is higher than the Geelongs pick we ontraded and the 3rd is lower than the 28 we gave them. GWS trim the list, open up cap space and secure points for 2017 in 1 trade.
We lose 2016 2nd, 2x3rd round picks 2017 1st and 3rd rnd picks.
We gain 2016 1st rnd pick Tomlinson, Marchbank, Ahern, Batter/Steele
Apart from another bundle trade I'd love to know people's thoughts on how exactly we add surplus quality to the list? A 1st round pick each year from now on isn't going to cut the mustard.