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.
ESSENDON
In:
Traded: Jonathan Giles (From GWS Giants), Adam Cooney (From Western Bulldogs)
Delisted Free Agency: James Gwilt (From St. Kilda)
National Draft: Kyle Langford (Pick 17), Jayden Laverde (Pick 20)
Rookie Draft: Shaun McKernan (Pick 12,), Kurt Aylett (Pick 30), Jake Long (Pick 47, Father/Son), Conor McKenna (Pick 62)
Rookie Elevation: Patrick Ambrose
Out:
Traded: Patrick Ryder (To Port Adelaide)
Delisted: Leroy Jetta, Kyle Hardingham, Sean Gregory, Johnny Rayner. Dylan Van Unen, Cory Dell’Olio , Fraser Thurlow, Kurt Aylett (Rookie Listed)
Overview: The Bombers spent most of the Trade Period trying to get suitable compensation for Patrick Ryder and eventually had to settle with picks 17 and 37. Pick 37 was used to acquire Brownlow medallist Adam Cooney from the Western Bulldogs. While Cooney’s class is undoubted, his fitness can be a question mark, although he has missed relatievly few games in receng seasons. Its a gamble, but one wrth taking. Kyle Langford was taken with pick 17 in the National Draft – awarded to the Bombers as paft of the negotiations over the punishment for goernance failings in the ongoing ASADA supplements saga – and Langford can play at both ends but looks more settled in the half-forward line. He reads the play well in the air and boasts sticky hands. Essendon also selected smooth moving Jayden Laverde, a tall midfielder that fits Essendon’s needs to a tee. Ex-Giant Jonathan Giles brings valuable ruck experience to offset the loss of Ryder.
RICHMOND
In:
Delisted Free Agency: Taylor Hunt (From Geelong)
National Draft: Corey Ellis (Pick 12), Connor Menadue (Pick 33), Nathan Drummond (Pick 52), Daniel Butler (Pick 67), Reece McKenzie (Pick 77)
Rookie Draft:Jayden Short (Pick 11), Jason Castagna (Pick 29), Kane Lambert (Pick 46), Matthew Arnot (Pick 61), Ivan Soldo (Pick 68)
Rookie Elevation: Anthony Miles
Out:
Retired: Jake King, Daniel Jackson
Delisted: Aaron Edwards, Brett O’Hanlon, Brad Helbig, Orren Stephenson, Todd Banfield, Cayden Williams, Ben Darrou, Matthew Arnot (Rookie-Listed)
Overview: Richmond had a quiet trade period, coming close to signing Melbourne’s midfielder Jack Tremgove before the former number two draft pick failed a medical on his troublesome foot injury. Taylor Hunt is a smart pick up as a delisted free agent and offers the Tigers plenty with his provne ability to play a negating midfield role. Richmond had a very good draft night picking up a classy midfielder Corey Ellis at pick 12. Elis uses the ball well by hand or foot and is at home in the clearances. Connor Menadue, Nathan Drummond and Daniel Butler bring pace and endurance, while tall forward Reece McKenzie oozes potential but will need time to develop his bod and game sense.
WEST COAST EAGLES
In:
National Draft: Liam Duggan (Pick 11), Tom Lamb (Pick 32), Jackson Nelson (Pick 51), Damien Cavka (Pick 66), Alec Waterman (Pick 76, Father/Son Selection)
Rookie Draft: Kane Lucas (Pick 10) Corey Adamson (Pick 28),Paddy Brophy (Pick 45)
Rookie Elevation: Callum Sinclair
Out:
Retired: Darren Glass, Dean Cox,
Delisted: Ashley Smith, Jacob Brennan, Blayne Wilson, Adam Carter
Overview: West Coast ignored the trade period to focus more on the draft, as befits a club in the middle of a rebuild They were looking for a classy midfielder with their first pick and most certainly got one in Liam Duggan. Duggan has excellent decision-making skills, is very composed under pressure and is an elite user of the footy. Tom Lamb brings the elite endurance and athleticism perfectly suited to the open spaces of Patersons Stadium. Damien Cavka and Jackson Nelson will bring quality depth to West Coast’s undermanned midfield, while father/son selection, Alec Waterman is an inside midfielder with excellent decision making skills.