Natural Attrition

[ImperialPurple]

Probably not the best to be discussing this before the season has even started, but being a student of the game ( ), I have been thinking a bit about this, and thought I would pose the question to my learned colleagues to see what you all think.

Last year we had no retirements, very few delistings, no trades and just the three required choices taken on draft day. CC and the powers that be publicly stated that they were very happy with the state of the list and that they believed that this group was capable of doing great things.

This year, however, we have 5 players in the 30+ age-group, 4 of whom (by my calculations) are out of contract at the end of this year. We also have more guys who will be out of contract at the end of the year - guys who are in "make or break" situations.

Who will retire, and who will by natural attrition, give us the extra 3 spaces on the list that clubs are required to make each year? And who needs to "extract the digit" and prove themselves worth keeping in 2007 and beyond? My guess is that they will be looking to upgrade Duffield this year - but what of upgrades for Juniper and Krieger? I reckon Freo will be more active in trading at the end of this year, and also are likely to draft more than the obligatory 3 guys, depending on rookie upgrades.

30+ players:
Bellie (1/3/76) - contracted till 2007 (he stays for as long as he is fit and wants to keep playing - possibly until Jim McGinty retires!!!)
Macca (9/2/76) - this year
Cookie (12/8/76) - this year
Schofield (30/1/75) - this year
Old Man Parksy (18/2/73) - this year

Time to prove yourself players (in no particular order, just they are out of contract this year by my calculations... which may not be 100% accurate...):
Luke Webster
Benet Copping
Andrew Browne
Daniel Haines
Michael Warren
Polly is also out of contract in 2006 - he's the Big One!!

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

I can't see us trading unless someone wants to go home -- either from us to Vic/SA or to us. In terms of aggressive trading the people we would want aren't in our price league. It would be nice to D Wells running around Subi.

Perhaps Ryley Dunn would be a trade consideration if he can't get on the park again this year.

I thought Gilmour was on a one-year contract. In any case he might want to be traded if he doesn't get regular game time.

 

[masai]

McManus and Schofield will retire. Parks will be 50 / 50 depending on how he goes this year, but he will go when he is ready.

 

[wehavethepassion]

Didn't Elvis sign for 3 yrs at the same time as Polly?

 

[theGav56]

Interesting topic for this time of year! And it has been on my mind too. A definite sign of between the seasons.

From your list they will easily find the three to lose from the list. Macc and Schofield surely will retire. Cookie maybe.

Your "time to prove yourself" list is a little uninspiring. Apart from Polak, and perhaps Warren, it is difficult to see anyone who looks like a regular player. Browne and Haines would be useful, but we have had so little from them so far, and there must be huge questions about whether they can step up.

Like you, I can see more than three pics being used.

 

[ImperialPurple]

Didn't Elvis sign for 3 yrs at the same time as Polly?

At the time I remember being quite surprised when they announced that they had both signed new contracts at the same time, but Elvis had signed till 2007, and Polly till 2006.

 

[masai]

Just remember each season a couple of players pop up out of nowhere and become regular players. At this time last year :-

Peake - only in the squad because of his dad, so so player for the Gummies.

Crowley - who?, I thought we booted him out.

Mundy - does ok for Subi.

My point is that as some fade, others will pop up. Will it be Warren, Duffield, Campbell etc?. As long as more pop up than fade, we will be on the right track.

Some people are still writing off Cookie. It's good if someone can take his role and do it better, but just for the moment can we put the gun back in the holster.

 

[Dr Ralph Dagg]

My point is that as some fade, others will pop up. Will it be Warren, Duffield, Campbell etc?. As long as more pop up than fade, we will be on the right track.

Perhaps that should be the motto for the season "More pop than fade".

 

[Ripper]

Perhaps that should be the motto for the season "More pop than fade".

You are in good form today, Dr Ralph.