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Of the mature options available to us (and the potential price) I rate Haynes as the best available. He is not a genuine KPD, but can play tall.VFL development role?
For posters thinking this is an old bloke at the end and past it, you are wrong. Haynes is currently behind the spectacular list of key/tall options at the disposal of the Giants. Taylor arguably the best KPD in the game, Buckley a very under rated stopper who has developed his offensive game in recent times (ask our Charlie his opinion of Buckley or indeed the 3rd tall Connor Idun) Harry Himmelberg is almost an optional extra in that spectacular defensive unit. GWS are gettable with quality small forwards, we struggle because they are the best around at blunting our star talls. Then they have young KPD Leek Aleer who is only a small downgrade on Taylor and Buckley.
Haynes would be a walk up start at probably any other club in the competition, despite his age. The riches they (GWS) have are to be envied. Haynes has earned a million a year, last year and this off the back of back ended contracts. He is All Australian and B&F. He has been overlooked in favour of an elite young defensive unit. They are paying and playing the now and the future. Haynes reportedly is happy to play for “ordinary” money. Think any offers at GWS would be basic and he is eying a return to Victoria, cutting out interstate suitors.
I would prefer a genuine KPD in the wings and don’t particularly want another third tall type pushing Kemp out of the team, but Haynes has not gone in to massive decline and has some positives on the side of mentorship. We have been bereft of leaders in defence. Bear in mind that our general developed during a dark period of our history and has not had much mentorship of his own.
No brainer for mine. Love the idea of a mentor for Kempy, or someone to release him to be tried in other roles.
Not a fan of the spitballing for the old or flawed players from oppo teams, I want the draft for our next generation of players, but Haynes gives us decent options. Plenty around the league are proving age is just a number. He will be hungry (ravenous) to go out on a high.