So Simmo is using the term rebuild. The club has admitted it will not make finals. We have 8 weeks to do something. What? Hopefully not just back in the credits in the bank and finish as high as possible
First call - the decision with the S&C team on Sheed looks a problem so probably best to wrap him up for the year. Like Oscar, a lost year but we know what we have got.
Now to look at our list and discover who is a keeper verses a leaver.
- none look best 22 with Harry potentially the next KPD in best 22 once he learns to play in his taller body
Turned 23 - Allen, Dixon, Petruccelle, Foley, Naish and West
- Oscar is the gem and the automatic next CHF. He should never ruck again and one of the few youth that give hope.
- the rest look at best solid WAFL and depth
Turned 24 - Strnadica, Jones, Waterman, Petrevski-Seton, Rotham and Witherden
- none say definitively best 22 but are probably in the 20 to 30 ranking level.
Turned 25 - Cole and Clark
- Cole is best 22 as someone who can take on the fast small forwards and a keeper while Clark is solid depth and I suspect has more to be seen.
I am anticipating 2 retirements (JK and Hurn) plus another 7 to 8 delistings. The majority of which will come from this 22 to 25 year olds.
Of the 19, 10 are contracted beyong 2022 being Allen, Waterman, SPS, Petch, XON, Cole, Foley, Rotham, Clark and H Edwards.
That leaves 9 out of contract and vulnerable - Witherden, Jones, B Williams, West, Naish, Jamieson, Dixon, Joyce and Strnadica
The younger ones out of contract include Trew, Winder and L Edwards who all turn 20 in 2022. Note that we have nobody on our list born in 2021. As such, I would be inclined to offer all three of them a 1 year extension. I would like to see Winder replace Petruccelle on the forward flank. Trew - he is a prove it in the WAFL first. An Luke and his injury are likely to be a story later on but not a high cost to retain.
So what do need to see to make our decision as to which of the 9 get cut. Do some of the players that played in the early rounds deserve a run with the better team around them? Who might need a change of position?
Easy decisions for those out of contract:-
1. Joyce - never an issue of talent. His body is not up to the rigors of AFL - CUT
2. Strnadica - not a KPF but is a ruckman. Not looking the goods, worth the pick up but probably time to CUT.
3. Dixon - similar story to Strnadica and similar outcome - CUT
4. West - has a heart, can play a role but solid depth. I would rather be getting games into Clark and Culley. CUT
5. Jones - reinvested as a rebounding HBF and looking alright. Not the best decision maker or ball user but will take the game on with pace. KEEP
6. Witherden - has proven he can play at the top level and useful depth, especially if retain the control defensive chip game - KEEP
7. B Williams - has not developed like I thought he would and it will be a matter of losing one of he or Jamieson - CUT (refer below)
8. Jamieson - was always a longer term and it will be a matter of losing one of he or B Williams - KEEP (refer above)
9. Naish - was one of the few positives in the early rounds but has flaws. I would love to see him given a chance on a wing with Yeo behind him on the HBF and Cripps in front on the HFF - if left in WAFL then CUT but ask him to stay a Beagle with an eye to a possible elevation in 2023
So my list changes would see 5 to 6 being cut.
Of those that are still in contract, they worry me as most do not say "I am the future".
Things I would like to see starting the last 8 games:-
1. Waterman - not good enough as a forward and time to see if he can make it as a defender. Has not become the link up player (Tom Lynch Crows) that I hoped for and I would rather get games into Culley in the next 1.5 seasons plus Oscar is the next tall and he will replace JK.
2. SPS - no idea where to play him. Can he play the high half forward, a rotating mid or a good ball user HBF? He has looked injured since he arrived and I now understand why Carlton were perplexed as to where and how to use him. Time to decide and give him the permanent role to perfect and find out for real.
3. Petruccelle - I may be wrong on this but I have had enough. Runs different speed to our goal v oppo goal, panics under pressure and has little game sense. If we got an enquiry for a trade, I would take it. Pity on him as I had higher hopes for him when drafted.
4. Rotham - completely over him and would be asking his agent that he is likely WAFL only and to find a home for him other that the Hip-E Club.
5. Clark - I would like to see him given a consistent run as a midfielder in the seniors. He looks like better depth than XON, West and Naish.
6. Foley is an interesting one. I thought we were going to get a winger but we got him as a HBF. I would be OK getting him back on a wing at WAFL and seeing if he can play the role.
7. XON - the credits in the bank MC stuffed up after the Pies game and I will be intersted to see how he returns. Looked alright v South Freo and if that continues,
SPS, Petch, XON, Foley Rotham and Clark
8. H Edwards - I am being patient here as he looks like his growth spurts have hurt his coordination. Doing OK as the tall defensive option but will battle with Bazzo to get game time as the 3rd tall. I remain hopeful. Guv's ribs may offer up more opportunities for the rest of 2022.
Who are my players I would offer up as trade target or push their manager to instigate a move?
1. Gaff - enough written about him. I would be prepared to pay some of his salary in 2023 and take a late second for him
2. Rotham - under contract until 2024 but I am over him and cannot see him flourishing under Simmo. I do hope a club can reinvent him.
3. Nelson - he is a FA so will get nothing. Offers solid depth and not fussed if he stays of goes.
4. Waterman - if he does not like the option of going to defence and wants to play as only a forward.
5. Petruccelle - not likely offered much but he is looking more and more a list clogger. I hope I am wrong.
First call - the decision with the S&C team on Sheed looks a problem so probably best to wrap him up for the year. Like Oscar, a lost year but we know what we have got.
Now to look at our list and discover who is a keeper verses a leaver.
- We have 45 players on our list - three above the maximum and we have 4 on the LTI list.
- We have picks 2, 20, 25, 38 and 74 plus all our future picks.
- We picked up a bunch of depth players in the SSP and will need to make some tough calls on these players.
- We have 19 players in the 22 to 25 year old bracket that are solid at best but not the basis of a rebuild with the exception of Oscar.
- none look best 22 with Harry potentially the next KPD in best 22 once he learns to play in his taller body
Turned 23 - Allen, Dixon, Petruccelle, Foley, Naish and West
- Oscar is the gem and the automatic next CHF. He should never ruck again and one of the few youth that give hope.
- the rest look at best solid WAFL and depth
Turned 24 - Strnadica, Jones, Waterman, Petrevski-Seton, Rotham and Witherden
- none say definitively best 22 but are probably in the 20 to 30 ranking level.
Turned 25 - Cole and Clark
- Cole is best 22 as someone who can take on the fast small forwards and a keeper while Clark is solid depth and I suspect has more to be seen.
I am anticipating 2 retirements (JK and Hurn) plus another 7 to 8 delistings. The majority of which will come from this 22 to 25 year olds.
Of the 19, 10 are contracted beyong 2022 being Allen, Waterman, SPS, Petch, XON, Cole, Foley, Rotham, Clark and H Edwards.
That leaves 9 out of contract and vulnerable - Witherden, Jones, B Williams, West, Naish, Jamieson, Dixon, Joyce and Strnadica
The younger ones out of contract include Trew, Winder and L Edwards who all turn 20 in 2022. Note that we have nobody on our list born in 2021. As such, I would be inclined to offer all three of them a 1 year extension. I would like to see Winder replace Petruccelle on the forward flank. Trew - he is a prove it in the WAFL first. An Luke and his injury are likely to be a story later on but not a high cost to retain.
So what do need to see to make our decision as to which of the 9 get cut. Do some of the players that played in the early rounds deserve a run with the better team around them? Who might need a change of position?
Easy decisions for those out of contract:-
1. Joyce - never an issue of talent. His body is not up to the rigors of AFL - CUT
2. Strnadica - not a KPF but is a ruckman. Not looking the goods, worth the pick up but probably time to CUT.
3. Dixon - similar story to Strnadica and similar outcome - CUT
4. West - has a heart, can play a role but solid depth. I would rather be getting games into Clark and Culley. CUT
5. Jones - reinvested as a rebounding HBF and looking alright. Not the best decision maker or ball user but will take the game on with pace. KEEP
6. Witherden - has proven he can play at the top level and useful depth, especially if retain the control defensive chip game - KEEP
7. B Williams - has not developed like I thought he would and it will be a matter of losing one of he or Jamieson - CUT (refer below)
8. Jamieson - was always a longer term and it will be a matter of losing one of he or B Williams - KEEP (refer above)
9. Naish - was one of the few positives in the early rounds but has flaws. I would love to see him given a chance on a wing with Yeo behind him on the HBF and Cripps in front on the HFF - if left in WAFL then CUT but ask him to stay a Beagle with an eye to a possible elevation in 2023
So my list changes would see 5 to 6 being cut.
Of those that are still in contract, they worry me as most do not say "I am the future".
Things I would like to see starting the last 8 games:-
1. Waterman - not good enough as a forward and time to see if he can make it as a defender. Has not become the link up player (Tom Lynch Crows) that I hoped for and I would rather get games into Culley in the next 1.5 seasons plus Oscar is the next tall and he will replace JK.
2. SPS - no idea where to play him. Can he play the high half forward, a rotating mid or a good ball user HBF? He has looked injured since he arrived and I now understand why Carlton were perplexed as to where and how to use him. Time to decide and give him the permanent role to perfect and find out for real.
3. Petruccelle - I may be wrong on this but I have had enough. Runs different speed to our goal v oppo goal, panics under pressure and has little game sense. If we got an enquiry for a trade, I would take it. Pity on him as I had higher hopes for him when drafted.
4. Rotham - completely over him and would be asking his agent that he is likely WAFL only and to find a home for him other that the Hip-E Club.
5. Clark - I would like to see him given a consistent run as a midfielder in the seniors. He looks like better depth than XON, West and Naish.
6. Foley is an interesting one. I thought we were going to get a winger but we got him as a HBF. I would be OK getting him back on a wing at WAFL and seeing if he can play the role.
7. XON - the credits in the bank MC stuffed up after the Pies game and I will be intersted to see how he returns. Looked alright v South Freo and if that continues,
SPS, Petch, XON, Foley Rotham and Clark
8. H Edwards - I am being patient here as he looks like his growth spurts have hurt his coordination. Doing OK as the tall defensive option but will battle with Bazzo to get game time as the 3rd tall. I remain hopeful. Guv's ribs may offer up more opportunities for the rest of 2022.
Who are my players I would offer up as trade target or push their manager to instigate a move?
1. Gaff - enough written about him. I would be prepared to pay some of his salary in 2023 and take a late second for him
2. Rotham - under contract until 2024 but I am over him and cannot see him flourishing under Simmo. I do hope a club can reinvent him.
3. Nelson - he is a FA so will get nothing. Offers solid depth and not fussed if he stays of goes.
4. Waterman - if he does not like the option of going to defence and wants to play as only a forward.
5. Petruccelle - not likely offered much but he is looking more and more a list clogger. I hope I am wrong.
