Retirement replacements?

[year of the cat]

With Harley now gone and a few others to follow over the next few years I wonder whether you can see any young guys on out list that are suitable replacements for these players? GFC have a great structured list and Wells has obviously got a succession plan in mind with some of the newer draftees he has taken in the last few years.

Also are there any gaps you can see that need addressing?

A few of these are at a bit of a reach. I have even looked at possible rookies on the list that may be elevated. And it also assumes that all of our draftees will be successful which is plainly not going to happen.

Here's my go:

Harley - Drum
Scarlett - Gillies
Ottens - Vardy
Milburn - Laidler/Menzel
Mooney - M.Brown

And looking even further at the next group to go -

Ling - Allright (looks to be ready made as a big bodied tagging type who can go forward and kick a goal)
Corey - Ranga (good clearance player like Joel)
Chapman - Duncan (was used as a lead up forward type in juniors)/Motlop (more the genuine small forward type?)
Enright - Menzel/Laidler
Rooke - irreplaceable!!! Can't see another big bodied battering ram yet)
Wojcinski - Taylor Hunt (clone of Woja)

All in all we look to have a pretty good plan for the retirements of the older group. Which is good news coming into these compromised drafts. Whether the quality is as good we will just have to wait.

 

[thejester]

I think there's some optimism in that post mate

I don't know about one for one replacements. I certainly think that last year we obviously lacked midfield depth and the draft addressed that. These guys, as well as Ranga and Allwright, will address that depth and along with the other small players we've drafted the last few years provide a long term replacement for the class of 99. That said, these guys are all basically unproven.

I think our KPP/ruck stocks are a bigger cause for concern. We need depth beyond 1-to-1 replacements, particularly in light of Brown's situation. Our rucks are a problem too, I don't think we have an obvious Ottens replacement, just a series of good-ordinary ruckmen.

 

[longtimecat]

I understood Vardy was the best ruckman in this years draft, give him 3 years and see what he's got!

 

[LankyCat]

Definitely optimistic but thats what these threads are for right?

I dont think much of Vardy as a replacement for Ottens. I think we tend to follow the trends a bit too much when it comes to recruiting ruckmen. When Sandilands was dominating we recruit a giant. When Mitch Clarke Dominates we get an undersized ruckman with good skills.

I Love that we have the competition between Gilles and Drum for that third tall spot until scarlo retires. They genuinly will be Harleys and Scarlos replacements so i hope they learn to play with each other and Taylor as well as our old backline did. Young hunt does seem to be a wojo clone from what ive read. But as for all the other spots on the ground im not too sure. Medium and Key Position forwards still needs work i recon.

On the other hand, by then we will have a new coach with a new style and Having an identical structure to last year might seem really stupid then. Lets see geelong recruit a 7 foot jamaican or something who will demand a whole new structure be designed to accomodate his unique talents

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I think we are looking ok in the retirement replacement department, nothwistanding that we'll slide a bit as kids will take some years to become top liners.

The defence, while about to undergo a lot of change, is well set with Gillies, Drum, Laidler, T Hunt et al.

The mids will obviously not be as good as our outstanding crop we have now, but guys like Hogan and Christensen and the like will hopefully bring something to the table.

I am more worried about the key stocks forward and in the ruck. Obviously Brown's future now has to be under a cloud, and since Simpson was also exited, the onus will be to find more keys, which will be hard in compromised drafts. Ditto the ruck. Post Ottens there isn't a lot of depth unless Dawson starts showing stuff I haven't seen from him to date. Hopefully Vardy lives up to the hype.

 

[Copernicus]

Geez, that's looking ahead. Of course we have no idea how some of the kids will come on, so who knows how things will pan out. I am not too worried about the backline, honestly. But I have a feeling once our midfield begins to retire, we'll be in some strife. Just doesn't seem like we have the quality to back it up.

But we'll see how they come on, I guess. And it doesn't hurt that recently we've had a track record of getting newcomers to play to their potential.

 

[year of the cat]

I wrote the post with obviously an optimistic view to the future. The reality will be different, particularly if we lose player/s to GC and WS. The point of it was though to show that Wells, even with the lowly draft picks he has had to work with over the past few years, got a sound foundation for the impending retirements coming up. Our list as well, unlike many other teams, has a nice blend of older, "middle aged" and younger players.

IF a few of these kids can develop into good players we should remain competitive for quite a few years yet. Much will depend on Scarlett, Mooney and Ottens' replacements. If Gillies, Brown and one of our rucks can come through we are looking fine. Now we just have to get Gaz to sign!!


p.s. Who is that on your avatar Copernicus? Nice.

 

[Copernicus]

Melissa Theuriau, French newscaster and all-round hot chick