Ok so trying to look at it completely objectively we lost -
Deledio - A Grade Forward/Midfielder (70%/30%). Excellent disposal and marking. Reoccurring calf injury. Needed to be managed every preseason. Age a factor. Optimistic Career expectancy = 3 years
Vickery - C Grade Forward/Ruck (80%/20%). Good forward who brought the ball to ground but went missing too often. Poor ruck option.
Optimistic Career Expectancy = 6 years
We gained -
Prestia - A Grade Midfielder. Excellent contested ball numbers, meters gained and disposal. Coming off an injury interrupted year.
Optimistic Career expectancy = 8 years
Caddy - B Grade Midfielder/Forward. Excellent Contested ball numbers, endurance and marking. Starved of midfield opportunities.
Optimistic Career expectancy = 8 years
Nankervis - D Grade Ruck. Showed plenty of potential last season but starved of opportunities.
Additionally we gave many of our younger players plenty of game time, found some talent to go forward with and undeniably increased our overall list depth.
Off Field - We gained a new Football Director and Assistant Coaches.
All in all I find it hard for anyone to suggest that we haven't improved. Not only did we strength up the area of the ground where games are won or lost, but we developed our list and administration. I know some people find it hard to be optimist given the amount of times the club has failed and don't want to set themselves up for a fall but this pre-season we definitely improved.
Deledio - A Grade Forward/Midfielder (70%/30%). Excellent disposal and marking. Reoccurring calf injury. Needed to be managed every preseason. Age a factor. Optimistic Career expectancy = 3 years
Vickery - C Grade Forward/Ruck (80%/20%). Good forward who brought the ball to ground but went missing too often. Poor ruck option.
Optimistic Career Expectancy = 6 years
We gained -
Prestia - A Grade Midfielder. Excellent contested ball numbers, meters gained and disposal. Coming off an injury interrupted year.
Optimistic Career expectancy = 8 years
Caddy - B Grade Midfielder/Forward. Excellent Contested ball numbers, endurance and marking. Starved of midfield opportunities.
Optimistic Career expectancy = 8 years
Nankervis - D Grade Ruck. Showed plenty of potential last season but starved of opportunities.
Additionally we gave many of our younger players plenty of game time, found some talent to go forward with and undeniably increased our overall list depth.
Off Field - We gained a new Football Director and Assistant Coaches.
All in all I find it hard for anyone to suggest that we haven't improved. Not only did we strength up the area of the ground where games are won or lost, but we developed our list and administration. I know some people find it hard to be optimist given the amount of times the club has failed and don't want to set themselves up for a fall but this pre-season we definitely improved.