I am starting to wonder whether the club is 'trading' with the few of being covered in the unlikely event of bans.. or to give the players the 'option' of deals.. If you look at our 'possible' doomsday team with the inclusion of Giles, Cooney and Gwilt. Assume that Ryder is traded for #17 and Ambrose is upgrade. Also allow that Raynor could be played off the Rookie List and that Winderlish, Fletcher and Zaka are all 'uneffected' by the SCN's.
That would leave our team:
Back Six: DVU, Fletcher, Hams, Winders, Gwilt, Ashby
Undersized and lacking one tall but Fletcher and Gwilt could work in tandem in the key posts. Experience is there with 3 older guys and Ashby acquitted himself well this year. DVU the weak link but Hams is a hardworking player that should hold down a back pocket if required. 6/10
Forward Six: Chappy, Ambrose, Aylett, Kommer, JD, Fantasia
Other than lacking Carlisle, which EFC played without several times this year, the key talls in Ambrose and JD could work well up front. Ably supported by experienced players Chapman and Kommer. Fantasia showed glimpses in his rookie year to suggest that he can handle AFL level. Goals would be hard to come by, but that was also the case in 2014. 5/10
Midfield: Giles (R), Edwards, Z Merrett, Gleeson, Goddard, Zaka
Young, but highly talented group. Lead by two A graders in Goddard and Zaharakis, this midfield could hold its own against some of the weaker clubs. Edwards was a touted pick up that didn't get a chance in 2014 but has shown enough to suggest he could be a handy player. Gleeson and Z Merrett are youngsters that will be pushing for Midfield spots in any EFC line up for the next five years. Giles acquitted himself in a #1 ruck role before and could do the job again. 8/10
Interchange: Cooney, Raynor, #20, #17
This is where the pain would begin, with no relief for an already undersized team available. Cooney provides a touch of class but the bench would be young and weak outside of him. 2/10
Overall it would be a competitive side that will fall short against most clubs however won't be disgraced entirely. Is every chance of minimising damage to % and maybe even snagging a win if the cards fall right. Overall it would be about a 6/10 team for mine.
Really all that is missing in 2 more KPP. So I am starting to wonder whether the club does have this in the back of their minds.