You finished 3rd in the same sense that Port came 3rd this year - nowhere near it.You’re reaching!
We finished 3rd last year. Like Collingwood derailed by injuries this year.
We have 1 player over 30 YOA, Collingwood have …9.
Including 6 likely to retire next year;
Sidebottom
Pendlebury
Howe
Mitchell
Crisp
Elliott
Who will replace these guys?
Re this years draft - please send me one reputable persons opinion that it is “commendable” depth & nothing special at the top end..
Houston is a great player - not sure given all of the above bringing in Schultz & Houston is a great move for your list.
Weird list for retirees. What about Crisp playing over 230 games in a row among constant high B&F finishes suggests he’s on the cusp of retiring? Howe continues to play great footy at both ends. Plays on. Pendlebury and Elliott still have footy in them. Can play on.
Do you understand that several players retiring opens up space to lure players in via free agency? That is an option. Collingwood are a club targeting the top end every year they can. They are an attractive club to players.
Schultz and Houston are not 32. They are 26 and 27. Perryman is 25. They will be at the club in 5-6 years time. Probably longer. Why do you talk about them like they’re veterans?
Draft picks even in strong drafts are just draft picks. Xavier Clarke went top 10 in the great 01 draft. Billings went pick 3 in 2013. Chayce Jones went top 10 in 2018. You still have to get the picks right and develop them right. If you can cut out the middle man and get right to the established players who still have plenty of years of footy, you do that.