Event Horizon
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It has been noted in the Herald Sun today, in the main Ladder section that despite some promising kids like Larkey and Simpkin, our list profile suggests we should be contending right now, thus saying that we need more quality kids coming through, given we aren’t playing finals. At first glance, I couldn’t disagree too much with that notion, as even without any detailed analysis it is obvious that our older players are in fact our prime movers. Higgins, Cunnington, Ziebell, Tarrant, Goldstein are all 29 or older at the start of season 2020. (or in case of Cunnington, turns 29 mid season). You can even add Pittard to this list, who has become an important player and also turns 29 in April.
But if you regard those 6 blokes as important players, is 6 such a critical number? And is any of them really over the hill? In my view all are playing nearly career best footy right now, and there is no reason why that won’t continue for another 2-3 years at least, even in case of Higgins who is 32. He and Tarrant missed so much footy early in their careers that their bodies seemingly aren’t that old in footy terms.
When you look at promising kids like Walker and Scott who haven’t really been able to do anything yet, I think our list profile is better than many realize.
Obviously there are plenty of areas to improve, quality small forward and some speed on the wings being the obvious ones, I think there aren’t many obvious holes. If Shaw can do his homework over summer we should be in the finals at the very least with the current list IMO.
But if you regard those 6 blokes as important players, is 6 such a critical number? And is any of them really over the hill? In my view all are playing nearly career best footy right now, and there is no reason why that won’t continue for another 2-3 years at least, even in case of Higgins who is 32. He and Tarrant missed so much footy early in their careers that their bodies seemingly aren’t that old in footy terms.
When you look at promising kids like Walker and Scott who haven’t really been able to do anything yet, I think our list profile is better than many realize.
Obviously there are plenty of areas to improve, quality small forward and some speed on the wings being the obvious ones, I think there aren’t many obvious holes. If Shaw can do his homework over summer we should be in the finals at the very least with the current list IMO.