There was a lot of heart burn around the league when the expansion clubs came in and mauled the drafts, they were given a direct bounty to the countries most gifted kids leaving the rest of the clubs to fight over the scraps - even gifting one lucky club a three peat in a most fortunate accident of history 
But as was always gong to happen, the wheel was destined to turn and there were never going to be able to hold onto the embarrassment of riches. Maybe because the plastic club had no history to hold players, maybe because the list size needed to be cut, but mostly because all those top end stars never fit under one cap.
Anyhow, as Princess Leia said to Moff Tarkin, the tighter you squeeze, the more gun players will slip through your fingers, and slip they have, across the league far and wide, but who has been the big winners and who have missed the boat?
You can't just judge on the quality of player brought in, but how much did you pay for him? (draft wise or contract wise) and were they the right fit for your club?
Crucially this was a time to create good ties with the GWS as they are big pick traders and player movers, create a solid relationship and it could bare fruit later on.. cough setterfield cough.
Lets have a bit of a look around to see who got what
(mostly off the top of my head, may have missed some)
Adelaide - C.Hampton
ehhh hasn't really helped much, but jury still out. Give them a 3/10 on the poaching index
Brisbane - J.Barrett
Same boat as Adelaide, but paid even less for a rookie, not factor in this field - 1/10
Carlton - Sumner, Kennedy, Marchbank, Plowman, Phillips, Jacksh, Whiley, Lamb, Pickett
Became a bit of a dumping ground for a while there but picked up some genuine talent in Marchbank, Pickett and Kennedy, still they probably paid overs for a lot of scraps. 8/10
Collingwood - Adams, Treloar, WHE.
Great poaching from the pies but they did pay a pretty penny for them - pity they couldn't find a forward to go with them... score a high 9/10 however.
Essendon - Aylett, Edwards, Giles, Stewart, Smith
Started slow with a couple of free busts but have taken two possibly elite players for not much cost. 8/10
Fremantle - Wilson, McCarthy
Minimal poachment, but have done well with two good players, enough for a 7/10
Gee - nil
Gc - nil
Hawthorne - JOR
pretty much a bust, cant crack the team, after being a #1 pick. 2/10
Melbourne - Tyson, Frost, Bugg
A decent kid in Tyson and a couple of role players, nice business from the dees, enough for a 6/10
Norf - ahern
free hit on an inj ravaged kid -speculative but could come off 3/10
Port - Hombsch
Another role player who ahs been in and out, free hit really - 3/10
Richmond - Townsend, Miles
have done OK from the gws, with a couple of ok picks but really killed the HGC with two top enders - but that's a different thread. 5/10 here.
Syd - Lamb, Edwards
Couple of free hits that didn't come off 1/10
STK - Bruce, Steele
Good form by the saints, steele could be anything and Bruce will grow into a decent forward, 7/10
WB - Darley, Boyd
Sold the farm and their captain for the number one pick - ruined the club culture in the process - 1/10
WCE - Giles
Free role player in a time of need, cant complain 4/10
Moving forward I reckon Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton have been the big winners.
Any thoughts?
But as was always gong to happen, the wheel was destined to turn and there were never going to be able to hold onto the embarrassment of riches. Maybe because the plastic club had no history to hold players, maybe because the list size needed to be cut, but mostly because all those top end stars never fit under one cap.
Anyhow, as Princess Leia said to Moff Tarkin, the tighter you squeeze, the more gun players will slip through your fingers, and slip they have, across the league far and wide, but who has been the big winners and who have missed the boat?
You can't just judge on the quality of player brought in, but how much did you pay for him? (draft wise or contract wise) and were they the right fit for your club?
Crucially this was a time to create good ties with the GWS as they are big pick traders and player movers, create a solid relationship and it could bare fruit later on.. cough setterfield cough.
Lets have a bit of a look around to see who got what
(mostly off the top of my head, may have missed some)
Adelaide - C.Hampton
ehhh hasn't really helped much, but jury still out. Give them a 3/10 on the poaching index
Brisbane - J.Barrett
Same boat as Adelaide, but paid even less for a rookie, not factor in this field - 1/10
Carlton - Sumner, Kennedy, Marchbank, Plowman, Phillips, Jacksh, Whiley, Lamb, Pickett
Became a bit of a dumping ground for a while there but picked up some genuine talent in Marchbank, Pickett and Kennedy, still they probably paid overs for a lot of scraps. 8/10
Collingwood - Adams, Treloar, WHE.
Great poaching from the pies but they did pay a pretty penny for them - pity they couldn't find a forward to go with them... score a high 9/10 however.
Essendon - Aylett, Edwards, Giles, Stewart, Smith
Started slow with a couple of free busts but have taken two possibly elite players for not much cost. 8/10
Fremantle - Wilson, McCarthy
Minimal poachment, but have done well with two good players, enough for a 7/10
Gee - nil
Gc - nil
Hawthorne - JOR
pretty much a bust, cant crack the team, after being a #1 pick. 2/10
Melbourne - Tyson, Frost, Bugg
A decent kid in Tyson and a couple of role players, nice business from the dees, enough for a 6/10
Norf - ahern
free hit on an inj ravaged kid -speculative but could come off 3/10
Port - Hombsch
Another role player who ahs been in and out, free hit really - 3/10
Richmond - Townsend, Miles
have done OK from the gws, with a couple of ok picks but really killed the HGC with two top enders - but that's a different thread. 5/10 here.
Syd - Lamb, Edwards
Couple of free hits that didn't come off 1/10
STK - Bruce, Steele
Good form by the saints, steele could be anything and Bruce will grow into a decent forward, 7/10
WB - Darley, Boyd
Sold the farm and their captain for the number one pick - ruined the club culture in the process - 1/10
WCE - Giles
Free role player in a time of need, cant complain 4/10
Moving forward I reckon Collingwood, Essendon and Carlton have been the big winners.
Any thoughts?
Last edited:
