Ran out of legs in 2013.
Usually club with no injuries, but this year had them from "go to woah".
Couldn't go with Hawthorn 2 weeks in a row, slaughtered by Freo in the finals.
How will Tippett for a full season and Franklin in change their fortunes in 2014.
Midfielders - most of them in the right age bracket. Kennedy, Hannebery, Jack, Parker and Tom Mitchell coming in. People say they have the most depth in the comp but doesn't think this is the case. Can't count Bolton and ROK in there any more. Had to throw McVeigh back in there against Freo to compete. Best 3 or 4 are in the best 10 or 12 in the comp statistically. Could do with more depth, could bat deeper. Need young, developing player. No money left in the salary cap so can't hope for youngsters from other clubs. Go to the draft and get the Sydney prototypes and top up with the next generation of the midfielders.
Rucks - issue with the departure of Mumford. Tippett will go into the secondary role, but they really do need another one. Barrett: Looking at Trent West? Wallace: Exactly that type. Let him play reserves and let Pyke/Tippett take the main roles. Sees Tippett playing 20% in the ruck.
Backline - Grundy, Richards; LRT can play either end; Reid is the interesting one, have to look at him as a defender. Would balance the age group. Works 'beautifully' if he can play that role. Alex Johnson was a big loss as a mid defender who could play tall or small, important player that they will welcome back into the lineup. Don't need McVeigh down back
2 years ago, wondered where the forward structure would be like, they've certainly smashed that.
Mid-forwards - Goodes no guarantee of even playing one game. Gary Rohan still trying to come back from injury. Right with our small forwards - Jetta, McGlynn, Lamb, Cunningham, B.jack - fine. But with Bolton retired and ROK playing more mid, could do with one more. Interested to see how they develop Membrey, key forward in the juniors.
Mattner, Morton, Bolton, Mumford out through trade, expect White to be out, maybe Everitt. Alex Brown only delisted player so far. Franklin in so far, will go fairly hard in the draft. Barrett: Is Jolly a possibility? Wallace: Interesting, he lost no friends when he left Sydney, he left for family reasons, so a lot will depend whether he would want to move back so could be highly dependent on whether he wants to move back.
7 players above 29, will have to fill holes shortly. All quality players, so a bit of work to do. Big bonus when they get Goodes, Lrt, shaw, johnson, Jetta etc. back.
2nd ruckmen, depth in midfield, and maybe a couple of backline kickers for the future. Franklin/Tippett combo will be interesting, can the class get back into the side fit and firing. I think they are holding ground not making ground.