AFLW 2024 - Round 6 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
Cap space: some.
I'm a lot more positive about the Cats recruiting and think they did recruit for needs. They chose not to top up, because their stars are nearly gone with one already gone. I'm sure they were hoping they'd still be good enough to get them there again, but too many injuries early bit them hard.
Have ammended, thank you.
That's one reason why I think you should churn the bottom of your list every year rather than holding on to guys who are alright like Bianco, Ruscoe, etc for additional depth. There's a salary cap saving as well as the extra opportunity to find a quality player.
Agree, they nailed strategic needs, just don't think that when a team is in the premiership window, that the focus should be on strategy. Take the Bowes deal for example, this year the combination of Bowes and Clarke cost the Cats somewhere between $700,000 - $800,000 in salary cap, the return was 18 games between the two, with Bowes returning somewhere less than 16 disposals per game - in a tactical sense, that's a poor return for a team in the window. Compare that to say, the return that we've got our of Mitchell and McStay - cost is a little higher (not that much with the Hawks paying a % of Titch's salary), but a much better short term return.
How old are Bowes and Clark?
I think we're more into Holmes than Clark.
It's short term versus long term. They backed their guys to be able to go again without re-enforcement whilst also trying to avoid a Hawthorn style plummet.
I reckon we will end up with Naughton at some point too. Just a hunch.
My point is that from a tactical sense, age and potential doesn't matter, just return on investment whilst you're in the premiership window. I'm not saying that over the next 5 to 10 years that the Bowes deal won't turn out well in terms of the return the Cats get out of these players, but that doesn't really matter unless they contribute to the Cat's going deep into September during that time.
Agree, my point is that long term decisions like that whilst you're in the premiership window might not be wise.
Macrae isn't leaving. Fairly confident. Given he's under contract, we'd want a first and only a first for him in the rare instance he does ask for a trade.
Bianco and Ruscoe would be on peanuts and are critical depth. There's now enough noise to suggest they'll leave and given we're not naming either as emergencies, even when Murphy went down in the case of Ruscoe, it's a sign they know they're on the way out.
Reckon this is optimistic.
I'd do it, but I'm not premiership at all costs. I'm happy when we're winning and are a chance. Eg. Whether or not we win the flag, I think we've had a great year. So I'd be looking to avoid bottoming out, which is the risk of going all in when you're in a window.
5th year players are on a fair bit more than first year players.
In strategic management ‘the means justifies the end’
We don't need another 30+ midfielder.
He's a bit like Cloke in that he breaks your heart so often with his erratic goal kicking. You can't enjoy his spectacular marking when you know what follows could be such a let down.
