Geelong have to do something (and probably will this year) about having so many perennially injured types. Cowan, Clark, Delaney, McCarthy, McIntosh, Menzel and Vardy are 7 of 44 list spots for guys who are lucky to see the field (plus the 2 who have retired). 3 of those for ruck/fwd types as well.
I think the club knows this and probably aren't too worried about it as you aren't planning on winning the flag this year but I guess McIntosh surely retires at the end of this year and tough calls probably have to be made on Cowan, Delaney, McCarthy, Menzel and Vardy.
The NFL system allowing injured players to go on injured reserve and clubs to sign replacements might be fairer. You guys at Geelong probably have to make tough calls on whether to sign or keep more mature depth players or to use the late round/rookie list spots to develop kids.