I've got a bee in my bonnet about targeting 2016 draftees. You look at the ones we have that are not yet established - Ridley, Mutch, Clarke and Begley. We rate them all. If another club got in their ear we'd get a packet of chips for each. So in my view, we should be doing the reverse. Identifying 2016 draftees coming out of contract who due to injuries, playing for good sides (or a side with depth in their area) or whose body is just not yet read, and hence have struggled to get into the AFL side. And therefore, whose price should be discounted. Looking at the 2016 draft, examples would be:
- Brodie
- Scrimshaw
- Shai Bolton
- J. Atley
- Drew
- J. Williams
All went before Mutch in the draft, and most haven't had too many AFL games to my knowledge. All play roles we could use more of, especially more talented versions. Obviously, it depends on how many of these guys are going in the state leagues, but I really hope the club are monitoring them and talking to them.
One other who doesn't quite fit this bracket is Galluci. I know he's getting games now, so may not want to leave, and his value not quite as reduced. But he is from Melbourne, he was a top 20 pick, a goal kicking midfielder with speed, and Crows are good at picking players. He's still averaging only 11 disposals a game, so hopefully his price won't have changed too much, and the Crows have a deep midfield. Get in his ear, and try and get him to come back home.