First time posting. Don't know much about AFL but started supporting Lions in 2015. Take my family (including 6 and 8 year olds) to all the afternoon games. I think we have core of a very good team going forward. As a result, my only hope is that list management and coaches are directing the team with the following 2020 team in mind:
Backs
Rich
Andrews (c)
Mayes
Witherden (rotate through middle)
McStay
Cox
Middle
A Smith
Berry
McCluggage
Mathieson
First Draft Pick 2017 (Inside Bull)
First Draft Pick 2018 (Outside Speed with class disposal)
Forwards
Taylor
Schache
Hipwood
Zorko (I think will still be a star in his mid 30's)
Second Draft Pick 2017 (Lightening Speed)
Second Draft Pick 2018
Interchange
N Robbo
J Walker (chop out ruck, play both ends)
Third Draft Pick 2017 (Mid)
Cutler
Would still be a young team in 2020 so flag unlikely that year but the few years after would be possible. All three areas of the ground would be developing together. What does this mean we have to do between now and this 2020 team?
1. Ensure above players are re-contracted.
2. Try to trade out older players with currency who won't be around for flag tilt eg Hanley last year (this will have to be done over time as young players develop).
3. Only trade in players who will be in flag tilt side and who will be better than the above when the above are developed. 2019 draft picks could be used to trade in quality talent (star players who can see our improvement and want to be part of a team contending).
4. Nail our round 1 draft picks and continue to jag some second, third and fourth round draft stars (eg Andrews, Witherden, Mathieson).
5. Get as many games into above listed players as possible.
6. Drive culture of youngsters leading the club. Appoint Andrews captain 2019 with Zorko, Berry, McCluggage and Witherden his leadership team.
Overall, I'm in for the long haul and am willing to put up with my wife giving me the 'lets go home look' at 3/4 time in the short term so long as we are working to a plan that broadly resembles the above.