As a matter of interest.
Before a game was played this year, did you think we had a good list?
A good list is pretty vague.
Do we have a good list to be mostly competitive barring bad injury runs? Yes
Do we have a list that can take us to the top 8? Yes
Do we have a list that can take us to the top 4 (3-4)? Unlikely
Do we have a list that can take us to the top 2? No
Do we have a list that can win the flag? Not even close
We are short on class, especially around the middle, especially younger players. We all like to think Boomer is going to play until he is 40+ at the top of his game but reality is he has year by year being getting worse, that is not his fault, it is amazing he is still playing at his age.
The problem for us, is that it is hard to gauge expectation from players who haven't played a whole lot. Each year we expect more players from the 20-24 group to step up. Lets have an honest appraisal of our players: * denote close to that age.
McDonald 20, 29 games. Shows a lot of heart, has not shown any of the ability by foot he showed in the juniors, we are doing him a disservice by not addressing it through the VFL. Optimistic.
Garner 21, 2 games. (2012 Draft, R1-15) Has taken over JWS' role of permanently injured. Unsure.
Wood 21, 6 games. (2012 Draft, R2-41) Has shown some promise, not being played in the role he was developed. Optimistic.
McKenzie 22*,22 games. (2011 Draft, R1-18) Hasn't shown any signs that he will make it. Not optimistic.
Brown 22, 17 games. (2013 Draft, R3-47) Has been good, is developing well. Optimistic.
Atley 22, 94 games. (2010 Draft, R1-17) Has progressively gone backwards since 2012/13. Not optimistic.
Harper 23*, 40 games (2010 Draft, R2-27) Will struggle to get a new contract. Not optimistic.
Mullett 23, 48 games (2012 Draft, R5-91) Has been plagued with injury problems since 2013. Optimistic.
Jacobs 23, 54 games (2012 Draft, R2-37) Has heart, lacks polish, not really seeing signs of possible upside. Not optimistic.
MacMillan 23, 68 games (2009 Draft, R3-37) Has been up and down with injuries since 2013, optimistic outlook.
Cunnington 24*,107 games (2009 Draft, R1-5) Has issues with Swallow in the same side, playing the same role. Optimistic.
Bastinac 24*, 111 games (2009 Draft, R2-21) Has been developed poorly imo, should have been forced to bulk up more, add core strength and power into his game, add acceleration, focused too much on endurance which was already a strength. Largely getting games due to not recruiting more midfielders. Unsure.
Daw 24, 14 games (2012 Draft, Rookie) Has been poorly developed, played mostly ruck in VFL, expected to come in and play mostly forward, isn't picked in games like when Brown is injured. Not optimistic.
Ziebell 24, 108 games (2008 Draft, R1-9) Best position is half-forward, with rotation through the middle. Isn't played that way, is hit or miss as a pure midfielder. Has been poorly developed imo, has dropped weight, lost his power. Optimistic (with a better coach).
Black 24, 48 games (2009 Draft, R2-25) Had a strong 2013, was meh last year but we apparently played him injured all season rather than fix him up, has been mediocre since, would rather watch Hawks vs Swans than his own team play. :stern look I am not optimistic that he will be around long-term.
Wright 24, 92 games (2008 Draft, R2-27) Has been mostly disappointing up until late last year, particularly during the finals, has been disappointing this year, decision making and execution not of the same standard, has the capability of playing better, playing the percentages better, he should be dropped when he lets his standard slip too far. Unsure, someone at 24 playing close to 100 games shouldn't be borderline best 22, basic decision making and execution shouldn't be as bad as it gets.
We just have too many players near abouts, not enough taking the bull by the horns. I am optimistic about a lot of players, especially if they are better coached and developed, by someone else. That recruiting 2-3 years ago looked like it would set us up for a premiership tilt but at this stage it is looking like half of them are going to bomb out. We wouldn't be bringing in Dal Santo, Waite, Higgins, etc if these players had lived up to expectation.
What we are really lacking is that 4-5 mids looking to become elite, we have 1, possibly although unlikely 2 with a few destined for the flanks. We just do not have enough engine room power and drive that has class with the ball.