Going into trade and draft week this year, this is what I'd be doing:
Senior Players/Contracts
- Retiring two of A. Selwood, Kerr or Embley. One to stay on would be handy (First preference is Kerr, second is Embley) as I don't think we should culling all the old boys straight away.
- Nicoski must retire
- Cox is on single year contracts from here on in; still competing at a reasonably high level but his impact has been nullified due to Naita's injuries and his gradual decline this year.
- Offering one last contract to Glass. Still competing at a high level but if Hackdorn's article is true about delayed recovery, I'd back the captain in to make the best judgement about his own ability. I think next year is a fair shout though.
OUT: Embley, A. Selwood, Nicoski.
Trade
- Brown for a lower team's second round pick (Brisbane, St. Kilda, Carlton and Adelaide (Post-Rutten) are obvious candidates). If they have some depth midfielders that might be worth a look at, throw in someone as steak knives.
- Brown packaged with an upgrade to a higher first round draft pick must be considered as well if it can be done.
- Find another KPP through Free Agency or Trade with our back flankers an obvious place where depth can be sacrificed.
IN: Second Round Pick
OUT: Brown
Delisting
- Hams is still under contract IIRC, but if we can get rid of him he's an obvious candidate to go.
- Dick is the same, hasn't shown enough at WAFL level this year and is struggling to get on the park, which is the reason he was a rookie last year in the first place. His place on our list can be nipped in the bud early if we're smart.
- Other candidate: Morton, but we really need to find out what he can do before this season is done. I'm undecided if he'll make it at this level though.
OUT: Hams, Dick
Rookies
- Tunbridge stays on for another year.
- McGovern to get upgraded
- Sinclair to remain rookied for another year.
- Bennell to get upgraded
IN: McGovern, Bennell
Drafting
- We should only be targeting midfielders through the whole draft. Players with at least 5 out of the 7 following attributes must be considered:
- Fast/Agile
- Creative and Skilful with their ball use
- Versatile enough to play inside/outside and work off the flanks
- Big Bodied
- Can win their own ball
- Hit the scoreboard
- Run both ways
Anybody with 4/7 or less of those traits is third round/rookie list fodder. This draft is filled with classy mids and we need to cash in.
Possible names to target first round: Sheed, Bontempelli, Dunstan, Lennon
Second Round targets: Freeman, Acres, Garlett, Cripps
Third Round Targets: Robertson
Rookie Draft
More midfielders, obviously pickings will be thinner there but we need to get some more regardless. Dylan Loos is one in particular to look for.
IN: First Rounder, First/Second Rounder (From the Brown trade), Second Rounder, Third Rounder, Bennell, McGovern, Rookie #1, Rookie #2
OUT: Brown, Embley, A. Selwood, Nicoski, Hams, Dick.