gringo2011
Premium Platinum
This discussion should be in the trade thread.
But I agree with Bergholt on this one, there is a balance between drafting and trading to fill list gaps. We all know the long term affects on the list that trading out high draft picks and poor recruiting has caused. I dont think Bergholt is suggesting going all out at the draft and not looking to trade, rather than drafting a number a good kids each year and hopefully nailing those selections.
The better teams draft well, develop and release players to trade most years, thats mostly how they have been able to remain competitive for so long eg Sydney, Geelong, Collingwood. They have also had the benefit of NGA and father son players but smart clubs continue to do things well for decades, thats how they win flags.
We are not going to get a player like Henry for a 2nd round pick every year, sometimes its a matter of balancing the quality of the draft with whats available trade wise. Basically the list build policy should be fluid depending on all of the above. Just on Henry perhaps now you are prepared to give Gubby and SOS the kudos of identifying and getting this kid across, it was a master stroke but we need more!
Of course it's a balance and you can't get Henry every year but it shouldn't be a rule that we only draft players in. We should be looking at any opportunity to bring in talent when it's available.
Good side aren't shedding their good players. Often a side like Geelong let ordinary players go for picks who are desirable because they are from a good system. If you have a better younger kid coming through and have surplus sometimes it's smart business to let a few go. If you don't it's pushing yourself backwards and usually costs more time, money and picks to replace.