Have we built a premiership list? Ok, when?

[George CantStandYa]

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.

 

[dogs105]

I want to vote for all of those years

 

[George CantStandYa]

I want to vote for all of those years

Reported for stupidity

 

[Moonwatcher]

We need a Dangerfield / Dusty Martin type to go all the way. It could be that we are good enough in a weak era of AFL.

 

[George CantStandYa]

We need a Dangerfield / Dusty Martin type to go all the way. It could be that we are good enough in a weak era of AFL.

Collingwoods ageing list will bring them back to the pack.
Brisbane have been up for a long time and have some older players too.
Geelong always replenish so who knows.
Hawks need some better KPF.
Bulldogs just seem flakey.
Swans need some KPF.

Each side has some weaknesses. It’s opening up IMO.

 

[GreyCrow]

I dont want to take this back to Nicks but I have to

Ive said I dont think he will coach us to a GF - I dont think he has enough imagination - I really really want it to happen but I cant see it

Recruiting a Bont etc might sway me - because given the 3 new recruits have played as many games as they have - has meant others havent

YET

Nicks has still chosen those from last year - Murphy , Smith etc ( granted Smith has done well) my concern is if a Bont turns up what happens to a Draper? Does Berry stay in the rotation or do we bring Sid in Berry out

 

[GreyCrow]

1 more strong mid

1 KPF to run 3rd in the rotation

 

[imagifED]

Very much due to the lack of quality across the league and other top teams potentially declining/combusting.

Collingwood - IMO still very reliant on stalwarts Pendlebury, Sidebottom and Elliot in big matches who could be close to the cliff. Even Moore seems to be declining. Luck will eventually go against them in close matches.
Brisbane - Forward line weakness with Hipwood not a 1st tall, Cameron declining??? and selfishness???. Oscar Allen

12

Oscar Allen

Age

26

Ht

196cm

Wt

96kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.8

2star

K

6.6

3star

HB

3.2

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.4

4star

G

1.1

4star

No current season stats available

D

8.6

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

2.8

3star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.0

4star

G

1.2

4star

will help??? Still can see Neale (short and durable), Mccluggage, Dunkley, Andrews (lean and durable) plugging away for a few more years with improving Ashcroft bros and their solid across the park so should always be thereabouts with Gabba advantage.
Geelong - IMO still very reliant on Dangerfield who could be close to the cliff but they will probably get "compensated" with someone like Harley Reid. Smith, Holmes are quality and Cameron is lean and durable. Solid across the park with a lot of foot soldiers with no weakness like Atkins, Close, Mannagh but probably lack x factor and speed. Will be thereabouts by being well coached and GMHBA but we should have them covered by x factor like in 2017.
Hawthorn - Still lack top quality and speed in the midfield especially if Day is injured, and KPF. Reid, Butters, Allen??? Even Battle and Barrass seem a bit undersized. Just seem undersized across the ground. Feel they also have a lot of rejects who look better because of their system.
Bulldogs - Treloar, Liberatore declining and maybe even Bontempelli. JUH likely leaving though Darcy is top quality. Feel they have a lot of similar type players and bottom six is questionable. Never finished top 4. A side that could piece it all together and have a dynasty or equally could totally combust under Bevo.

 

[imagifED]

Fremantle are intriguing if they get Pickett. Treacy, Amiss, Bolton, Pickett, Dudley, Reid forward line. Could even be better than ours. Brayshaw, Serong, Young, Pickett midfield with two different and quality rucks.

 

[Jcpdragonx]

3 list holes

Gun mid to replace Crouch (its not Berry)
Gun HBF over Milera
Developing ruck in the 2s

Recruiting and drafting since covid has been excellent, albiet a bit lucky with Rankine/Dawson wanting to come home. Doubt Nas wants to come here but would throw the sink and more. Also would make a phone call to Flanders manager, is a midfielder stuck in the forward line at the moment. Had 0 preseason with a 4 month back issue and having a rough year.

 

[Moonwatcher]

Fremantle are intriguing if they get Pickett. Treacy, Amiss, Bolton, Pickett, Dudley, Reid forward line. Could even be better than ours. Brayshaw, Serong, Young, Pickett midfield with two different and quality rucks.

That's pretty scary

 

[AFC979810]

Becoming more and more convinced we are in the same spot we were in exactly 20 years ago.

2004 we had 8 wins. 2024 we had 8 wins.

In 2005 we entered round 14 at 8-5, this year we are 9-4.

In 2005 we were extremely fit, well drilled and had a great run with injury. In 2025 - Burgess has been with us for 3 years and we are extremely fit and well drilled. We have won 11 of 13 last quarters.

We are also a surprisingly experienced side now. Against Brisbane we had only 4 players with less than 50 games experience:

20 year old Curtin (20 games)
23 year old Pedlar (33 games)
24 year old Woz (43 games).
25 year old Keane (44 games).

Lots of similarities between Nicks and Craig. Lets just hope Dawson can keep his elbows to himself against North in Rd 24.

 

[Carn The Texan]

1 more strong mid

1 KPF to run 3rd in the rotation

Curtin will hopefully end up as either of those but it might take 2 more years. So really we just need one of whichever of those he doesn't become.

 

[Carn The Texan]

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.

This might be the most positive post I have seen on this forum in 7 years. Unsure how to feel about this from you George.

I don't think ROB is so bad that we couldn't win a flag with him as our starting ruck, but our ruck depth really bothers me. As seen last year if he goes down we see catastrophic outcomes like losing to Richmond. This is partly my concern with the idea that we could trade him for Marshall - we haven't really addressed the root problem. Marshall is even more likely to be injured at any given point in time, ROB has shown exceptional durability. I liked T Murray's athleticism but he is still very green. If he comes out next year looking as big as TT after some gym time it could be a different story and might be a more solid backup option.

I think if we have injuries at half back the classic Nicks brain stem response kicks in this year... He gets a sniff of finals. He realizes his job is on the line. A half back does a hamstring / shoulder / whatever - he's backing in Experience over an Edwards every day of the week. To that end I think recruiting a HBF is better than developing one - at least you know their magnet will be on the board.

Would like to see us draft a forward like Marsh or a big unit like Curtin's brother with our round 1 pick. I also think we are stretched for small forwards, despite how good we've been this year. I'm not certain that Pedlar is going to be long term best 22 which I don't like admitting as I was always a fan. And I have a feeling that long term Rachele could be something special further up the ground. I don't want to make a direct comparison but there's something about the way he runs with the ball that reminds me of Gaz Jr.

All of the above could probably be overlooked if we somehow managed to get Nasiah to Thebarton.

To address your last paragraph my benchmark for this year is still "win a final" - I don't like shifting my benchmarks and I like to keep perspective as much as possible. But for 2026 it's winning two finals. For 2027 it's winning three. If we're fair dinkum.

 

[daniel_4tw]

We are one elite midfielder away IMO. Thats also assuming Draper comes along.

It’s reasonably weak comp right now. Collingwood obviously the stand out team but we tend to match up well with them (although can’t get over that hump).

I’d be more worried about Geelong in a final. Scott has our measure with tactics.

Could also do with a decent ruck.

 

[AFC979810]

We are one elite midfielder away IMO. Thats also assuming Draper comes along.

It’s reasonably weak comp right now. Collingwood obviously the stand out team but we tend to match up well with them (although can’t get over that hump).

I’d be more worried about Geelong in a final. Scott has our measure with tactics.

Could also do with a decent ruck.

Since 2023 - here is our record against the 3 other top 4 sides.

Collingwood - L (1), L (2), L (4), L(10).
Cats - L (26), L (19), L(5), L (19)
Lions - W (17), L (6), D (0), L (11), W (5).

I would be much more worried about the Cats than the Pies / Lions.

 

[jenny61_99]

As others have said, a second ruck for depth is essential. I reckon we could get some ‘organic growth’ out of the players we’ve already got - if they’d just bloody play them! If our recruiting continues with the quality we’ve been getting post covid, we will be set up for a period of success. How that translates into premierships i don’t know. Can Nicks do it? I have my doubts, but I’d love him to prove me wrong!

 

[Crows I Am]

This might be the most positive post I have seen on this forum in 7 years. Unsure how to feel about this from you George.

I don't think ROB is so bad that we couldn't win a flag with him as our starting ruck, but our ruck depth really bothers me. As seen last year if he goes down we see catastrophic outcomes like losing to Richmond. This is partly my concern with the idea that we could trade him for Marshall - we haven't really addressed the root problem. Marshall is even more likely to be injured at any given point in time, ROB has shown exceptional durability. I liked T Murray's athleticism but he is still very green. If he comes out next year looking as big as TT after some gym time it could be a different story and might be a more solid backup option.

I think if we have injuries at half back the classic Nicks brain stem response kicks in this year... He gets a sniff of finals. He realizes his job is on the line. A half back does a hamstring / shoulder / whatever - he's backing in Experience over an Edwards every day of the week. To that end I think recruiting a HBF is better than developing one - at least you know their magnet will be on the board.

Would like to see us draft a forward like Marsh or a big unit like Curtin's brother with our round 1 pick. I also think we are stretched for small forwards, despite how good we've been this year. I'm not certain that Pedlar is going to be long term best 22 which I don't like admitting as I was always a fan. And I have a feeling that long term Rachele could be something special further up the ground. I don't want to make a direct comparison but there's something about the way he runs with the ball that reminds me of Gaz Jr.

All of the above could probably be overlooked if we somehow managed to get Nasiah to Thebarton.

To address your last paragraph my benchmark for this year is still "win a final" - I don't like shifting my benchmarks and I like to keep perspective as much as possible. But for 2026 it's winning two finals. For 2027 it's winning three. If we're fair dinkum.

My expectation for us is actually starting to shift as the year progresses. Start of the year it was to just make the 8, but now I think we can finish top 4.

If we can make a prelim this year, I think next year we are a genuine shot at a flag. 2027-2028 seems like that sweet spot when Dawson is right in his prime and our young guns in TT, Rachele, Rankine, Soligo, Max and Worrell are ready to become genuine stars of the comp. If Draper and Curtin can come on and develop like we hope then we can become a scary team.

 

[NSolis]

I think we are in a window from 2027, probably. Hard to say if we win a flag but I think it's possible from around then with all the usual caveats such as injury etc.

We have a settled group and there are only a handful of players not clearly best 22 who I think might be in the mix by then (Draper, Edwards, maybe Nank if he comes on) but we will have had further opportunity to shore up the half-back role and midfield with recruitment. A couple more preseasons into the Rachele/Soligo/Michalanney/Curtin group will help and we aren't really losing anyone to time as we have so few players around that 30 age range.

Next year also an outside chance but I think we need some finals experience first.

 

[Golumless]

It's close to being one capable of winning, though feels like it's lacking a gun half back flanker and another top-line midfielder. Midfielders at least have Draper and Curtin coming through as big time prospects.

Still, the kids are truly taking over now, and the overall profile Nicks and co. have built looks like it should be able to stand up in finals, seeing those games are about defense and stopping transition. Just about a few more tweaks now, however, it's probably the hardest few tweaks in football.

 

[Viva la Mattner]

It's close to being one capable of winning, though feels like it's lacking a gun half back flanker and another top-line midfielder. Midfielders at least have Draper and Curtin coming through as big time prospects.

Still, the kids are truly taking over now, and the overall profile Nicks and co. have built looks like it should be able to stand up in finals, seeing those games are about defense and stopping transition. Just about a few more tweaks now.

IF we can convince NWM that’s a start

Otherwise we draft Sharp

Failing that , feelers out for Flanders who isn’t getting midfield time , or Clarry Oliver on the cheap

 

[BRL121]

IF we can convince NWM that’s a start

Otherwise we draft Sharp

Failing that , feelers out for Flanders who isn’t getting midfield time , or Clarry Oliver on the cheap

We won't be finishing low enough to draft Sharp. In any case, the trading occurs before the draft, and is likely to be more significant.

I'm quite interested in going for Curtin's brother, more likely at our pick.

 

[Kane McGoodwin]

Fremantle are intriguing if they get Pickett. Treacy, Amiss, Bolton, Pickett, Dudley, Reid forward line. Could even be better than ours. Brayshaw, Serong, Young, Pickett midfield with two different and quality rucks.

Assuming Jackson doesn't return to Dees.

 

[NSolis]

IF we can convince NWM that’s a start

Otherwise we draft Sharp

Failing that , feelers out for Flanders who isn’t getting midfield time , or Clarry Oliver on the cheap

Don't think the draft is where we should be looking now. Even if we could somehow draft another top midfielder in this year's draft, they aren't likely to be having a huge impact in 2026 or 2027. Year 3 or 4 would be a reasonable expectation, and that's going to be 2028 or 2029.

NWM as a trade would obviously be absolutely massive, but probably can't happen. But yeah recruiting a mature mid would be ideal as I don't see scope for external improvement otherwise.

 

[Danger in Texas]

In the next three 1/2 seasons, we need a few things for our best 22:

• A running, accumulating, skilful half back (Edwards the most likely candidate here)
• A mobile 3rd tall replacement for Tex
• Midfield development from our incumbent young guys (Soligo, Draper, Berry the main three)
• A bbetter ruck, if we push ROB out (though he’s been playing well in recent times)

Then we need some young guys in various positions, but that’s not super relevant for this discussion