Horace
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The question should be, is north 2023 going to be like Brisbane 2019.
Hopefully the answer is yes.
I think that is probably the real question to ask. We seem to be following a similar model to Brisbane, being to retain good players with experience - Goldy, Cunners, Jack, Taz, to nurture and lead younger players coming in through a predominantly draft first process, while trading out others - Higgo and BennyB.
I can't remember the specifics of the Brisbane build, but I do remember that in 2019, they got to the second week of finals, losing narrowly to the GWS. Interestingly they recognised the importance of having high quality experienced players at the club, retaining players like Rich and Zorko, who might have had trade currency back in 2017 and bringing in Luke Hodge to help the younger players coming through. I think it is reasonable enough to see all of Goldy, Cunners, Jack and Taz, to be still around in 2023, to maintain that level of quality experience.
(And just as an aside, apart from Taz's unfortunate problem, the 4 mentioned above that we retained, have had substantially better seasons than either Higgo or BennyB. It may just be luck but Higgo seems to be struggling a little and Benny has had a very difficult year so far.)
Brisbane's current list seems to have a good range of players in the 22 to 28 years age group, plus around 22 players who have played 50 or more games. Only time will tell if they are good enough to win it this year, however I wouldn't be inclined to think that last nights win over Geelong puts them ahead of the Cats, the Godees, the Bulldogs and of course hovering in 8th place the Tigers.
And by the way I'm looking forward to the day when Brisbane names an Interchange bench comprised of Smith, Smith, Smith and Smith. I hope our recruiters are looking for another Walker to join Josh, Will and Patrick and match Brisbane in that department.
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