Alex Docherty reviews the list changes, from lowest to highest on the 2014 ladder.
The trades have been made and free agents secured or lost. Draft picks, from the raw talented kids to mature age recruits, selected. Rookies have been added, some of them merely staying at the same club albeit under a different designation. And even the international project players identified and given an opportunity in a new sport.
That’s all folks, AFL team lists are now finalised for season 2015 and BigFooty is here to asses how your team, along with the 17 others, fared.
CARLTON
In:
Traded: Kristian Jaksch, Mark Whiley (Both From GWS Giants), Liam Jones (From Western Bulldogs)
Delisted Free Agency: Matthew Dick (From Sydney Swans)
Drafted: Blaine Boekhorst (Pick 19), Dillon Viojo-Rainbow (Pick 28), Clem Smith (Pick 60), Jayden Foster (Pick 63)
Pre-Season Draft: Jason Tutt (Pick 2)
Rookie Draft: Billy Gowers (Pick 6), Bradley Walsh (Pick 24), Tom Fields (Pick 41), Fraser Russell (Pick 58)
Out:
Traded: Jeff Garlett (To Melbourne)
Free Agency: Jarrad Waite (To North Melbourne)
Retired: Nick Duigan, Heath Scotland
Delisted: Josh Bootsma, Tom Temay, Andrew McIness, Jaryd Cachia, Luke Reynolds, Mitch Robinson, Brock McLean, Kane Lucas
Overview: Carlton’s prime concern is a lack of run and carry. They addressed this need by selecting mature-aged recruit, Blaine Boekhurst at pick 19 and Dillon Viojo-Rainbow at pick 28. Former Bulldog Jason Tutt also provides some pace and will look to establish himself in amongst Carlton’s best 22 in 2015. The loss of Jarrad Waite to North Melbourne has been offset with the acquisitions of Kristian Jaksch from Greater Western Sydney and Liam Jones from the Bulldogs in addition to the selection of Jayden Foster through the draft. Jaksch can play at either end of the ground, while Jones has a good set of hands and is capable of anything on his day as a forward. Mark Whiley and Clem Smith will bring some much needed physicality to a team that labelled “soft’ in recent years.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
In:
Traded: Tom Boyd (From GWS Giants), Shane Biggs (From Sydney)
Delisted Free Agency: Joel Hamling (From Geelong)
Drafted: Toby McLean (Pick 26), Lukas Webb (Pick 27), Declan Hamilton (Pick 39), Bailey Dale (Pick 45), Caleb Daniel (Pick 46), Zaine Cordy (Pick 62, Father/Son Selection)
Rookie Draft: Roarke Smith (Pick 5), Jordan Kelly (Pick 23), Daniel Pearce (Pick 40), Brett Goodes (Pick 57)
Rookie Elevations: Lin Jong, Jack Redpath
Out:
Traded: Ryan Griffen (To GWS Giants), Adam Cooney (To Essendon), Liam Jones (To Carlton)
Free Agency: Shaun Higgins (To North Melbourne)
Retired: Tom Williams, Daniel Giansiracusa
Delisted: Tom Young, Christian Howard, Brett Goodes (Rookie-Listed), Alex Greenwood, Mark Austin, Jason Tutt, Daniel Pearce (Rookie-Listed)
Overview: The Bulldogs had a tumultuous off-season, offloading a Brownlow medallist in Adam Cooney, seeing disgruntled captain Ryan Griffen walk out of the club, sacking coach Brendan McCartney and then signing 2013 number one draft pick, Tom Boyd to a seven-year, seven million dollar deal. They lost Liam Jones and Shaun Higgins, but the major damage was done by Griffen and Cooney’s departures. The Dogs did acquire Shane Biggs from Sydney, who should get more time to utilise his running ability and accurate kicking skills. With six selections on draft night the Dogs identified players with speed and ball-use as a priority. Toby McLean, Bailey Dale, Caleb Daniel and Declan Hamilton all bring pace and a nose for goal. Lukas Webb has a sweet left footn appropriately enough given it was poor use by foot that killed the Dogs more often than not last season. They could’ve done with an extra tall defender, but obviously feel they have that sorted, after the signing of Joel Hamling from Geelong and the Father/Son selection of Zaine Cordy.
BRISBANE LIONS
In:
Traded: Dayne Beams (From Collingwood), Allen Christensen (From Geelong)
Delisted Free Agency: Mitch Robinson (From Carlton)
Drafted: Liam Dawson (Pick 44), Harris Andrews (Pick 61), Josh Watts (Pick 65), Jaden McGrath (Pick 73), Josh McGuinness (Pick 81), Josh Clayton (Pick 86, Father/Son Selection)
Rookie Draft: Billy Evans (Pick 4), Hugh Beasley (Pick 22), Cian Hanley (Pick 56), Matthew Hammelmann (Pick 75)
Out:
Traded: Joel Patfull (To GWS Giants), Jack Crisp (To Collingwood)
Retired: Jonathan Brown, Brent Moloney, Ashley McGrath
Delisted: Andrew Raines, James Polkinghorne, Jordan Lisle, Patrick Wearden, Isaac Conway, Sam Michael, Nick Hayes
Overview: The Lions added All Australian gun Dayne Beams and highly rated speed machine Allen Christensen to their already impressive midfield group of Rockliff, Redden, Rich and company/ The addition of Mitch Robinson from Carlton will add some more grunt in the midfield. At the draft the Lions went tall by selecting Josh McGuinnes and Josh Watts as compensation for losing dual best and fairest winner Joel Patfull to the Giants. Jaden McGrath brings creativity and pace to the table. Academy selections Liam Dawson and Harris Andrews will bring depth into the defense and ruck stocks respectively.
