I've been thinking about our genius trading record. We had an incredible few years but the last 2 we haven't done that well, i would contend.
PRE 2020 season:
Neale - paid a bit but absolute star.
Cameron - paid a bit but gun
McCarthy - paid very little, great player
Adams - interesting one, paid a little bit, missed a whole season, but when he was on the park this year he was exceptional, so still a clear win for me
Hodge - great acquisition did exactly what he was meant to, played better than we had hoped
Lyons - one of the great bargains in the club's history.
2020 AND BEYOND
Ah Chee - been decent. Still think a good trade but probably hasn't come on like we hoped. Still a pass.
Daniher - a tricky one. No picks given, but plenty of cash. Played every game, kicked goals. Wasn't jumping well by the end of the season and was struggling to kick 50m. Maybe getting tired. Judge after another season
Cockatoo - Need another season to judge. Needs to get his speed back or be willing to go faster. Hope he can be a gun still but not proven yet - couldn't pick him on his current output so jury's out
Birchall - played nearly every game. Clearly not fit and a long way from the Birchall at Hawthorn. Hasn't made us a better team or defence. I am very keen to see the back of him but didn't pay anything so can't call a failure.
CEY - looks an awful choice right now. We needed a big bodied mid but not a slow one. And inexplicably for a player who had played 39 games in 8 years he got a four year contract. Strangest acquisition we have made in this era. Has remained injury prone.
The other aspect is the players we have let go in the past couple of years.
KEAYS - would clearly be in our squad now. Tricky one as needed midfield time we couldn't give. Would be much better cover than Matho.
CUTLER - haven't watched him really closely but getting a game at Essendon and seems to be doing okay. Such a nice long kick and good pace.
WITHERDEN - thought he really regressed and understood trading him out. But playing Birchall (no upside) over Witherden seemed odd.
TAYLOR - always liked Lewy but not doing much at Sydney
WALKER - would have been a very handy inclusion this year I reckon, forward giving a contest and part time ruck. But no world beater.
You can't get every decision right. But we've had a few misses the past couple of years and I hope we have learnt something from it.
No more players in unless they are best 22 locks.
And I think we probably have enough players in the squad now with extended injury histories.
PRE 2020 season:
Neale - paid a bit but absolute star.
Cameron - paid a bit but gun
McCarthy - paid very little, great player
Adams - interesting one, paid a little bit, missed a whole season, but when he was on the park this year he was exceptional, so still a clear win for me
Hodge - great acquisition did exactly what he was meant to, played better than we had hoped
Lyons - one of the great bargains in the club's history.
2020 AND BEYOND
Ah Chee - been decent. Still think a good trade but probably hasn't come on like we hoped. Still a pass.
Daniher - a tricky one. No picks given, but plenty of cash. Played every game, kicked goals. Wasn't jumping well by the end of the season and was struggling to kick 50m. Maybe getting tired. Judge after another season
Cockatoo - Need another season to judge. Needs to get his speed back or be willing to go faster. Hope he can be a gun still but not proven yet - couldn't pick him on his current output so jury's out
Birchall - played nearly every game. Clearly not fit and a long way from the Birchall at Hawthorn. Hasn't made us a better team or defence. I am very keen to see the back of him but didn't pay anything so can't call a failure.
CEY - looks an awful choice right now. We needed a big bodied mid but not a slow one. And inexplicably for a player who had played 39 games in 8 years he got a four year contract. Strangest acquisition we have made in this era. Has remained injury prone.
The other aspect is the players we have let go in the past couple of years.
KEAYS - would clearly be in our squad now. Tricky one as needed midfield time we couldn't give. Would be much better cover than Matho.
CUTLER - haven't watched him really closely but getting a game at Essendon and seems to be doing okay. Such a nice long kick and good pace.
WITHERDEN - thought he really regressed and understood trading him out. But playing Birchall (no upside) over Witherden seemed odd.
TAYLOR - always liked Lewy but not doing much at Sydney
WALKER - would have been a very handy inclusion this year I reckon, forward giving a contest and part time ruck. But no world beater.
You can't get every decision right. But we've had a few misses the past couple of years and I hope we have learnt something from it.
No more players in unless they are best 22 locks.
And I think we probably have enough players in the squad now with extended injury histories.
