I think that is a pretty good summary.Our drafting since 2020:
2020:
DGB- injury prone, has shown some, but plays a role that typically requires time without injury to develop... and he's been injured
Seamus Mitchell- was a slow burn when overcoming injury, has shown plenty in the last 18 months,
Connor Downie- Gone
Brockie- Traded, rated highly, great selection if he had stuck around
Saunders- gone
2021:
Ward- workhorse, moves well but has had his issues with concussion. Currently played out of position and is one of our best runners
Connor Macdonald- Best performing player since Daysy I'd argue. Shown plenty and is clearly integral to our future
Sam Butler- continues to grow. Hasn't cemented himself in best 22 but is making his case for it, especially if VFL form continues, then translates to AFL
Serong- Tall swingman, developing very nicely by all accounts
Ned Long- gone
2022:
Frenchie- shown elite traits all throughout, developing nicely and is clearly impressing the right people despite the pot shots he cops online
Weddle- We're already building our game plan around players like Weds. Has the potential to be our best by the end of the year
HH- Could be the second coming of Pendles, man looks clean and composed even with two on him. Developing incredibly quickly
J O'Sul- If he wasn't so injury prone there's a chance he could have debuted.
BMac- going along nicely, looks up to the job and is pushing hard for senior spots when not injured
Bennetts- Other than social media features, Bennetts has made a massive impact, winning best first year cap last year
In terms of overhauling our list, I'd say we've done an amazing job in a short amount of time, 2021 and 2022 look like drafts that'd yield 5+ starting 22 players. 2020 was a down year due to COVID, but I'm not as forlorn about DGB as some- if he can bounce back from this injury I'd think he has a shot earning himself another year or two.
When you factor in our MSD/PSD selections I'd say we've had a turn around of roughly 13 best 22 players in a four year period, all of which have seen players replaced with improvements- and that's without the development going into the players yet!
In three years time, from this cohort we will still have players eligible for the u22 AA- typically an award associated with young players who are developing into something special.
I'm not so sure about some posters here, but part of the joy of rebuilding is seeing that turnover and seeing how it grows over the coming years. The doomsayers love a reason to overreact and the Melbourne game was an easy one to, but jeez I can't believe some of the comments.
However, after watching some of the young guns running around at North and others, I feel we still lack some really high end talent. It does seem we are destined for another bottom of the ladder finish, so i believe we need to go hard at the top of the draft to find elite player(s). Either a game changing mid or a mobile talented CHF. Ideally recruit or FA an experienced KPB.
We are also lacking a tallish, quick skillful winger which we may find in the middle of draft or trade in. Not overly excited by Bailey Smith unless he is affordable. We cannot sell the ranch.
I don't believe we have too many pieces to fill, but there are a couple of glaring gaps.