Have we built a premiership list? Ok, when?

[Mattrox]

There are 2 glaring questions over our list.

Ruck and ruck depth
One more A Grade mid.

However, lists are rarely perfect and you have to tilt with the personnel you have.
If we aren't legit contenders from 2026 to 2029 then things have gone pear-shaped in a big way.

If we miss finals in 2026 we need a new coach and by that stage our list will be attractive enough to have high quality applicants.

 

[Rory Walkerfield]

There are 2 glaring questions over our list.

Ruck and ruck depth
One more A Grade mid.

However, lists are rarely perfect and you have to tilt with the personnel you have.
If we aren't legit contenders from 2026 to 2029 then things have gone pear-shaped in a big way.

If we miss finals in 2026 we need a new coach and by that stage our list will be attractive enough to have high quality applicants.

I just feel we haven’t given Rash enough chances in the midfield. He could make a difference. At the expense of the forwards line though. It’s the same dilemma we have with Ranks.

 

[Tex Danger]

I just feel we haven’t given Rash enough chances in the midfield. He could make a difference. At the expense of the forwards line though. It’s the same dilemma we have with Ranks.

I like how we are using him at the moment- some CBAs but clearly he is a forward as his main role

I can see him getting more CBAs but not as a push to more mid time but just to provide that clearance benefit then move straight forward.

i think he has benefitted from being settled into the primary role of a mid both externally (coaches) and in his own mindset as he for the 1st time seems content with his role rather that trying to show he can be more (ie wanting to be a genuine mid)

 

[adelaidecrows]

It’s taken a long time and it could have been quicker had we not blown numerous first rounders, but last few years have benefited from sheer weight of number of first rounders and we’ve drafted reasonably well. Plus we’ve brought in some gun recruits in Dawson and Rankine, plus the 3 quality picks from last year.

Our forward line is the best in the comp.
Our defence is developing into a very good defence.
Our midfield isn’t disastrous any more, when Draper comes on and if we can get one more midfielder it’s going to be strong midfield.

Weaknesses for mine are ruck, half back, although I’d like to see McAndrew and Edwards given a go.

We’ve got a fair bit of depth and could bring in a number of players without a massive drop off.

So what’s the expectations going forward? Our list is relatively young. Surely we are now a long term finalist, a regular chance at top 4. Premiership when? This year, next? IMO, we need to win a flag in 3 years, it will be a failure not to.

A big part of the premiership list puzzle is having the game plan and coach who can make it happen. Do we have that?

 

[StonesThrow]

I agree with some, but also disagree with some common opinions here.

I think our list is the most balanced it's been in a long time. They're are no glaring weaknesses, but a couple of areas that we still need to get right before we contend.

Agree our midfield still isn't quite there from a personnel perspective and not well coached. Rankine showing signs he may not transition into a full time mid and Dawson showing he's likely more useful as 50/50 as well. That puts our full time mids back to either A or B grade mids. Don't think we'll ever contend until we fix this. One thing is that our midfield is much more dynamic than it has been in the last 5 years. We've got a large mix of different types now. If we can get a good midfield coach then we might be able to contend with rotating our most talented players through part time

I don't think half back is a big need just like I didn't think a key back was a big need over the last few years (when we had Murray, Keane, Worrell and Butts). We've got a glut of good to high quality players capable of providing run from defence. Hinge, Michalaney, Milera and Nankervis all play this role to an extent. Worrell is even capable. Dawson can go back and Curtin has that potential in the future as a utility. I don't mind giving Edwards a go, but I get the feeling we're getting desperate for a new toy.

Aside from improving the midfield, I still think our biggest list need is a genuine, full time small forward. Someone with speed and goal sense. We haven't had this since we lost Cameron. I think ANB (shrewd pick up) and an in form Keays are papering over the cracks a bit. We can really struggle to hold the ball in our forward 50 given we don't have much pace there. It takes both Keays and ANB busting their ass every game to give us some sort of forward pressure. When this is off slightly it's noticeable how slow the forward line is. Given the recruiting of ANB and the fact that Rankine looks like he won't be spending the majority of his time in the midfield like I'd hoped, this is probably not as pressing a need as I've previously said, so I'd be drafting a high end small forward.

Ruck is meh at I've always said. Id happily take a better one, but I don't think they're worth spending a lot of capital on. An okay ruck is sufficient. If ROB can finally manage to stay in form then I don't really care if we don't replace him. I'd probably trade in someone with a few years development but little experience. Wouldn't cost much and if they develop well then they can replace ROB.

 

[pjcrows]

Need another accumulator who can distribute still.

 

[Redline]

We are lacking in quality in the midfield still.

I don't agree that we are still a few years away though. Players leave as the salary cap gets harder to manage, Dawson gets a bit older and maybe we hit an era of a super dominat team.

If we are even a slight chance of being a contender this year then we have to make the most of it.

 

[BRL121]

I agree with some, but also disagree with some common opinions here.

I think our list is the most balanced it's been in a long time. They're are no glaring weaknesses, but a couple of areas that we still need to get right before we contend.

Agree our midfield still isn't quite there from a personnel perspective and not well coached. Rankine showing signs he may not transition into a full time mid and Dawson showing he's likely more useful as 50/50 as well. That puts our full time mids back to either A or B grade mids. Don't think we'll ever contend until we fix this. One thing is that our midfield is much more dynamic than it has been in the last 5 years. We've got a large mix of different types now. If we can get a good midfield coach then we might be able to contend with rotating our most talented players through part time

I don't think half back is a big need just like I didn't think a key back was a big need over the last few years (when we had Murray, Keane, Worrell and Butts). We've got a glut of good to high quality players capable of providing run from defence. Hinge, Michalaney, Milera and Nankervis all play this role to an extent. Worrell is even capable. Dawson can go back and Curtin has that potential in the future as a utility. I don't mind giving Edwards a go, but I get the feeling we're getting desperate for a new toy.

Aside from improving the midfield, I still think our biggest list need is a genuine, full time small forward. Someone with speed and goal sense. We haven't had this since we lost Cameron. I think ANB (shrewd pick up) and an in form Keays are papering over the cracks a bit. We can really struggle to hold the ball in our forward 50 given we don't have much pace there. It takes both Keays and ANB busting their ass every game to give us some sort of forward pressure. When this is off slightly it's noticeable how slow the forward line is. Given the recruiting of ANB and the fact that Rankine looks like he won't be spending the majority of his time in the midfield like I'd hoped, this is probably not as pressing a need as I've previously said, so I'd be drafting a high end small forward.

Ruck is meh at I've always said. Id happily take a better one, but I don't think they're worth spending a lot of capital on. An okay ruck is sufficient. If ROB can finally manage to stay in form then I don't really care if we don't replace him. I'd probably trade in someone with a few years development but little experience. Wouldn't cost much and if they develop well then they can replace ROB.

Who would you drop for the new small forward?

 

[BRL121]

Need another accumulator who can distribute still.

Noone needs just an accumulator.

 

[pjcrows]

Noone needs just an accumulator.

One that can use it? Of course you do.

 

[1990crow]

One that can use it? Of course you do.

E.g. Neale, Ashcroft, McCluggage.

 

[StonesThrow]

Who would you drop for the new small forward?

If it were current day Pickett or Hill, I'd drop Walker or ANB.

Wasn't really talking in terms of having a ready made small and zero injuries though. I said I'd draft one. We have no depth and really no player that fits that description.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

Need another accumulator who can distribute still.

Said this yesterday, Tom Powell

 

[AFC979810]

Who would you drop for the new small forward?

The #1 forward line in the AFL isn't a pressing need IMO.

 

[FR0GGY]

The #1 forward line in the AFL isn't a pressing need IMO.

Did rash (1 player) missing those games change that though?

 

[StickerMan]

Why can't it be us this year?

Granted, we need more exposed form against other contenders but should we remain fit then I can't see why we can't pull it off. This year.

As mentioned, lists are rarely perfect and ours is pretty good at the moment.

Long way to go but I am not ruling out going all the way this year.

 

[AFC979810]

Did rash (1 player) missing those games change that though?

Huh?

He got hurt at the beginning of the game against Kangas. We scored 114 points.

Next week without him we scored 90 against Gold Coast.

Next week without him we scored 100 against Geelong

His third missing game was the atrocious conditions against GWS.

 

[FR0GGY]

Huh?

He got hurt at the beginning of the game against Kangas. We scored 114 points.

Next week without him we scored 90 against Gold Coast.

Next week without him we scored 100 against Geelong

His third missing game was the atrocious conditions against GWS.

Kangas lol, what did we score vs essendon?
You don’t think he would scored 1 or 2 goals vs Geelong or Gold Coast to get us over the line?

 

[daniel_4tw]

Why can't it be us this year?

Granted, we need more exposed form against other contenders but should we remain fit then I can't see why we can't pull it off. This year.

As mentioned, lists are rarely perfect and ours is pretty good at the moment.

Long way to go but I am not ruling out going all the way this year.

It can be, with a bit of luck. And that is something you need any premiership year.

Will have to beat both Collingwood and Geelong at the MCG to make it happen though.

Even Brisbane at the MCG on the last day wouldn’t be an easy task given their recent experience.

I have us fourth favourite behind those three. A lot of time to go in the season, though.

 

[checkside95]

Dream big, let's reprise the Hawthorn 2008 model

Snag one next year with a young, raw team in a comp that's relatively weak across the board

A couple of wilderness years after a shock flag that happens to coincide with compromised drafts from expansion clubs

Players mature + top end draft talent funneled away from competitors to expansion club = 2030-2034 era of dominance

 

[AFC979810]

Kangas lol, what did we score vs essendon?

We scored 160 against Essendon. Just saying in the 3.9 games he missed we scored 114, 90, 100 and then in atrocious conditions both teams combined for 80 points.

We scored just fine without Rachele this season. He is signed up till 2029 - so why in the world would we be looking for another small forward?

Our forward line is amazing - TT,FOG,Walker,Keys, ANB, Rachele, Curtin, Pedlar.

You don’t think he would scored 1 or 2 goals vs Geelong or Gold Coast to get us over the line?

Sure having him over Murphy would have won us the Gold Coast Game. But having you over Murphy would have done the same thing. Not having Murphy and going in with 22 - we probably win.

But thats no reason to need to recruit more small forwards. We have the #1 forward line in the league. We would be so much better off recruiting in other areas.

 

[FR0GGY]

We scored 160 against Essendon. Just saying in the 3.9 games he missed we scored 114, 90, 100 and then in atrocious conditions both teams combined for 80 points.

We scored just fine without Rachele this season. He is signed up till 2029 - so why in the world would we be looking for another small forward?

Our forward line is amazing - TT,FOG,Walker,Keys, ANB, Rachele, Curtin, Pedlar.



Sure having him over Murphy would have won us the Gold Coast Game. But having you over Murphy would have done the same thing. Not having Murphy and going in with 22 - we probably win.

But thats no reason to need to recruit more small forwards. We have the #1 forward line in the league. We would be so much better off recruiting in other areas.

Pedlar is close to being a bust though (I have a little hope still), then we’ve got nothing, tex is close to the end, who knows maybe we go back to fog and Thilthorpe are our keys and need to find another medium or small forward.
I don’t see any issue recruiting another small.

 

[AFC979810]

Pedlar is close to being a bust though (I have a little hope still), then we’ve got nothing, tex is close to the end, who knows maybe we go back to fog and Thilthorpe are our keys and need to find another medium or small forward.
I don’t see any issue recruiting another small.

Even if we lose Tex, Pedlar, Cook next year - At worst next year we have a forward line that has TT,FOG,ANB,Rachele, Keys and Rankine/Curtin if we wanna run them through.

If the right player comes along, sure grab him. But upgrading our forward line for a 2026 flag push is the least of our issues.

 

[FR0GGY]

Even if we lose Tex, Pedlar, Cook next year - At worst next year we have a forward line that has TT,FOG,ANB,Rachele, Keys and Rankine/Curtin if we wanna run them through.

If the right player comes along, sure grab him. But upgrading our forward line for a 2026 flag push is the least of our issues.

I wasn’t thinking of recruiting more drafting.

 

[AFC979810]

I wasn’t thinking of recruiting more drafting.

I was thinking of both. Not an area worth investing in this year.