Schulzenfest
TheBrownDog
Blue are players who we've signed. Red are players confirmed to have re-signed, retired or gone elsewhere. Black is for players whose future remains unclear.
FREE AGENTS
CONFIRMED: Matt White
Why we want him
One thing we still need in our side is speed, and Matt White has speed by the bucketload. He was probably a bit lucky to survive on Richmond's list as long as he has, but 2013 was by far a career best year for White. He flourished as a specialist sub coming on to provide run off of a HFF, and showed far more goal sense than he has in previous years. He may also have the potential to be used in other roles we have a need for, such as a tagger or small defender.
Why we don't
White has historically struggled to accumulate a lot of possessions and to hit targets (although his kicking in 2013, while still not fantastic, has been much improved on his previous seasons). Arguably a bit too similar to somebody like Kane Mitchell, although I'd argue that he's a slight upgrade on Kane, especially in the sub role. White is also 26, and players who have speed as their main weapon tend to have shorter careers than more rounded players when their speed drops away as they approach 30, so he may only have 2-3 years left at AFL level.
What would it cost?
3 year deal at approximately 300k.
Is it realistic?
It's done.
Paul Chapman
Why we want him
Look up 'big game player' in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of Chappy's face. He's won one Norm Smith medal in 2009 (a game in which he kicked the winning goal) and he was very unlucky not to win it in 2007. Stick him in the forward line for a year or two for some valuable experience/leadership and to free up Wingard/Monfries/Gray to spend more time in the midfield.
Why we don't
Will be 32 at the start of next season. Chances are we'd only get a year out of him, maybe two if we're lucky. The end can come very suddenly at his age, so it would be a bit of a risk, and we wouldn't want to be in a position where we were playing an out-of-form Chapman over a talented youngster to try to justify the recruitment decision.
What would it cost?
Depends. If Geelong let him go there would probably be a few clubs interested, and we'd probably have to play a bit extra to get him to move here from Victoria.
Is it realistic?
The Geelong board seems to think he's going to be let go at the end of the year, and Chappy is on record as saying he wants to play on and he'll look elsewhere if he has to. If there's not a huge amount of interest from Victorian clubs and Chappy is willing to move interstate to continue his AFL career, I think we'd be the favourite to get him due to his pre-existing relationship with Kern. This is definitely a move that I could see happening.
UPDATE: Hinkley has shown some trepidation at the idea of luring an older player like Chappy to the club via free agency and some Victorian clubs have reportedly shown interest in his services, so maybe this isn't as likely as I hoped.
Luke McGuane
Why we want him
There's a generational gap in our key forward stocks at the moment. Schulz's career is nearing the end, and Butcher and Shaw's careers are only just beginning. A stopgap KPF to fill the age gap between them would be nice. McGuane is no Wayne Carey, but he's no spud either. Has kicked 35 goals in his last 21 games, which is nothing to sneeze it.
Why we don't
McGuane isn't exactly the most athletic or consistent player going around, and the recruiters might feel like they're better off going with someone slightly younger.
What would it cost?
Probably not a huge amount. He's been out of favour at Richmond for a while, with Aaron Edwards seemingly overtaking him, and while he's a decent player he's not the sort of guy who would have multiple opposition clubs falling over themselves to sign him. 300k or so would probably be a fair offer for a player of McGuane's calibre.
Is it realistic?
Who knows? It probably is if Port identify him as a target and convince him that he'll get more opportunities at the Power. Maybe his former teammate Schulzy could get in his ear. But this is just a random idea I came up with which isn't even backed up by any rumours, let alone facts.
TRADE TARGETS
Jack Redden
Why we want him
Quality all-round midfielder who would be in the best 22 of every club in the competition. Doesn't have any glaring flaws in his game, and his defensive work is particularly notable.
Why we don't
Is he too generic? Does he give us anything we don't already have? Is it worth giving up a first rounder (make no mistake, it'll cost at least a first rounder) for a player who doesn't fill our needs for KPP's or outside speed?
What would it cost?
As stated above, a first rounder. And he's contracted, so Brisbane could hold out for more if they wanted to.
Is it realistic?
If the posters on this board can be trusted, Jack wants to come home and he wants to come to Port Adelaide. However, he's also still under contract for next year, and if rumours are to be believed Brisbane will be losing enough uncontracted players without giving up players who they can keep and they want to keep. If he was uncontracted then maybe, but as it is I can't see this deal happening. Not this year, anyway.
Mitch Robinson
Why we want him
He can accumulate, he can play defensive roles, and his attack on the ball is absolutely manic. Nobody goes harder at the ball than Mitch Robinson.
Why we don't
Disposal is dodgy, and he's probably more prone to the occasional baffling mistake than any other regular best 22 in the AFL. The question also has to be asked whether he's shown an interest in coming to SA because he wants to play for the Power or because he wants to hang out with his mate Eddie.
What would it cost?
Tough one to say. Realistically he's probably worth a pick somewhere between our first and second rounders, but Mick Malthouse isn't the type to give away players for unders, especially considering that Robinson is still contracted for next season.
Is it realistic?
Robinson has definitely met with Hinkley and has reportedly also been seen at Alberton. Given that, there's obviously some mutual interest between the two parties, but I find it hard to see an trade getting done for the reasons above. If he does leave the Blues, Robinson may also prefer to go to the Crows to play with Eddie than to come to Port. So I'd say it's probably unlikely.
Scott Gumbleton
Why we want him
Would slot into our forward line seamlessly. Schulz is a quality FF, but we haven't had a proper lead up CHF since Tredrea retired. Would also free Westhoff up to play his damaging utility role rather than getting stuck in the forward line.
Why we don't
Again, injuries. And we'd have to pay through the nose to get him to come to South Australia rather than staying in Victoria or going home to WA, because plenty of clubs will be after his signature if he wants out of Essendon.
What would he cost?
Probably our first rounder. If ****ing Chris Dawes is worth pick 20 and 45, Gumbleton will be worth at least a pick around 10. Likely to be a bidding war over his services if he wants out too.
Is it realistic?
It's not unrealistic that Gumby will leave Essendon, but if he does then he'll be hot property and Port are unlikely to be a club very high on his wish list.
Sam Day
Why we want him
We need more KPF's, with the jury still out on Butcher and Shaw. Sam Day was pick 3 a few years back, so he certainly has talent and upside. Athletic freak.
Why we don't
GC have given him plenty of chances to perform at AFL level, and to be honest he's disappointed (although we all know KPF's take time). He might be looked back on as the classic case of 'athlete over footballer'.
What would he cost?
First rounder at the very least, possibly more. Day is under contract, so we'd probably have to give up overs.
Is it realistic?
Most clubs wouldn't trade a pick 3 KPF three years into his career, but given their list concessions gradually eroding and their depth of young talent GC aren't most clubs. Is also a South Australian with a Hinkley connection, and Rooch is onto it so it sounds like some moves have been made behind the scenes. However, his contract situation probably decreases the likelihood of him coming to Port Adelaide this year.
Jared Polec
Why we want him
Although quicker ball movement has made our whole midfield look faster, with Pearce gone we still lack that super quick, outside, line-breaking midfielder that most teams have. Although he hasn't established himself at AFL level yet, Port have a good recent record at turning around the careers of high draft picks like Schulz and Ebert who failed to develop at their previous clubs.
Why we don't
Yet to establish himself at AFL level. Even at junior level he never found a lot of the ball, and we wouldn't want another Rodan on our hands. Also an injury risk.
What would he cost?
Brisbane would feel a bit shafted since they paid pick 5 for him a few year's back, but the reality is he's probably only worth a second rounder right now. Hasn't been able to crack Brisbane's side this season.
Is it realistic?
Has already flagged his intention to return home to SA. He was a Port supporter as a kid, and Port are in the better position right now and have better trade bait. The only way I could see us missing out on him is if the Crows make him an exorbitant contract offer.
Scott Lycett
Why we want him
Adds another young ruck to our list of prospects. Better to have somebody like Lycett on the list as back-up than to be stuck with a dinosaur like Renouf. Plus he's a Port Magpies boy.
Why we don't
Three years into his career and he's still yet to show anything at AFL level. Had a golden opportunity to grab a spot at AFL level with Naitanui's injury, but he didn't take it and Callum Sinclair overtook him.
What would he cost?
No idea TBH. Maybe a late second/early third rounder.
Is it realistic?
Cox is nearing the end of his career, so the Eagles will be keen to have a replacement for him, but after this year Sinclair would have overtaken Lycett in the pecking order. The Eagles still probably wouldn't be in a hurry to give him away, but Sinclair's form certainly makes it more likely now than it would have seemed at the start of the year.
Levi Greenwood
Why we want him
He's a Port Magpies boy. Hard-nut. In decent form playing as a tagger for the Roos at the moment, and we do need a tagger to prepare for the upcoming retirements of Kornes and Cassisi in the next year or two.
Why we don't
When he's bad, he can be really bad. See last year for proof. Also, he tends to worry a bit more about getting the ball himself than most taggers do, which can lead to his opponent occasionally getting away from him.
What would he cost?
He looks to be saving his career at North at the moment, so we'd probably have to give up at least a third rounder or something in that range. There's also a fair chance that North won't be particularly accommodating at the trade table after the Ben Jacobs fiasco last year.
Is it realistic?
The Power have shown interest in him in the past (his name was brought up in the Jacobs discussion), so there is a realistic prospect of the club chasing him. However, he'd probably have to genuinely want out for this trade to happen. North won't be keen to deal with us after last year, so the only way I could see us having Greenwood on our list next year is if he walked out on North and specifically nominated us for a trade. Although, as a Port Magpies boy who's been a fringe player at the Kangaroos in recent years, there's a decent chance that he could do that.
Christian Howard
Why we want him
South Australian, high draft pick, very good kick. Would be decent depth at worst and could develop into a first 22 half back at best.
Why we don't
Possibly too similar to what we already have. He's pretty much a smaller version of Stevenson.
What would he cost?
Probably not a lot. Was a first rounder a few years back but he certainly hasn't come on as much as the Dogs would've hoped. Third or fourth rounder or a swap for a fringe player the Bulldogs have an interest in would probably get the job done.
Is it realistic?
I doubt the Dogs will be keen to keep him. It's possible that he could come home to SA seeking a fresh start, and it's possible that we'd back ourselves in to get the best out of another South Australian first round draft pick, but I don't think it's very likely.
DELISTED FREE AGENTS
Maverick Weller
Why we want him
Classic 'footballer over athlete' type player who's been squeezed out by the unprecedented amount of talent on GC's list. We need more options to play as a tagger or small defender, and Weller has spent time in both positions. Has a previous relationship with Hinkley at the Gold Coast.
Why we don't
Only managed 4 games this year for a team that finished 14th. We'd be banking on him showing some improvement, but at 21 he's certainly young enough to do that.
Is it realistic?
Will most likely be a highly sought after player this offseason, so we'd be relying on our reputation as an improving young side and his relationship with Kern to lure him over. Working in our advantage is that he's Tasmanian, so there's no 'go home' factor with him that might make him pick another side over us.
Joel Wilkinson
Why we want him
One of the best athletes who's ever played at AFL level. Could be an option to fill our glaring need for a quick stopping small defender.
Why we don't
If Weller is a footballer over an athlete, Wilkinson is an athlete over a footballer. He has the physical tools to potentially become a star with further experience and the right coaching, but he's a project player who would require plenty of patience.
Is it realistic?
Probably won't be quite as highly sought after as Weller, but I'm sure a few clubs will back themselves in to try to turn him into the player that his strength and athleticism gives him the potential to become. Originally from NSW, so he also doesn't have any go-home factor that would lure him to the 10 Victorian clubs over us. If Hinkley wants him we could probably get him, but that remains to be seen.
Nick Lower
Why we want him
We need a tagger, and Nick showed some good form in that role for the Bulldogs in the first half of the year before getting injured. His brother being in the Big Brother house might also get us some free publicity
Why we don't
You don't get delisted from three clubs if you don't have flaws in your game. Nick can find the footy and stop an opponent from finding the footy, but his disposal is very dodgy. Not sure he'd fit into the Hinkley gameplan.
Is it realistic?
Few players get a second chance, even fewer players get a third chance, and a fourth chance is just about unheard of, especially at one of the clubs they were delisted from in one of the previous chances. That said, we do have a completely different coaching staff now than what we had when he was last on our list, and Lower is probably the best freely available tagger going around right now. It's probably unlikely that we'd give Nick a fourth chance at AFL level, but I've heard worse ideas. I think he'd be a good stopgap option until we can develop a younger tagger.
Josh Growden (edited from RangaInTeal 's post)
Why we want him
An SA lad, still young at 20ish with three years in the system. Fills a need as an outside ball carrying line breaker similar to Polec. Has skill and a dash of X factor.
Why we don't
He hasn't cracked the best 22 of a side that'll finish in the bottom two this year (however he is coming back from a broken leg). May seem to slot into that "flanker" category we seem to already have an abundance of.
Is it realistic?
He'd most likely be willing to come back to his home state for a second chance at an AFL level, so another player who we could probably obtain if we wanted him. Haven't heard a peep about him outside of this board though, so unless and until this rumour picks up speed outside of a few fans of his on Bigfooty, I'm not convinced.
PLAYERS WE MISSED OUT ON
Adam Cooney (re-signed)
Dale Thomas (signed with Carlton)
Eddie Betts (signed with Adelaide)
Colin Sylvia (signed with Fremantle)
Alan Didak (ruled out by Kern)
Aaron Davey (retired)
Graham Johncock (retired)
Dustin Martin (re-signed)
Jack Watts (re-signed)
Tom Bellchambers (re-signed)
Daniel Gorringe (re-signed)
Daniel Currie (re-signed)
Terry Milera (re-signed)
FREE AGENTS
CONFIRMED: Matt White
Why we want him
One thing we still need in our side is speed, and Matt White has speed by the bucketload. He was probably a bit lucky to survive on Richmond's list as long as he has, but 2013 was by far a career best year for White. He flourished as a specialist sub coming on to provide run off of a HFF, and showed far more goal sense than he has in previous years. He may also have the potential to be used in other roles we have a need for, such as a tagger or small defender.
Why we don't
White has historically struggled to accumulate a lot of possessions and to hit targets (although his kicking in 2013, while still not fantastic, has been much improved on his previous seasons). Arguably a bit too similar to somebody like Kane Mitchell, although I'd argue that he's a slight upgrade on Kane, especially in the sub role. White is also 26, and players who have speed as their main weapon tend to have shorter careers than more rounded players when their speed drops away as they approach 30, so he may only have 2-3 years left at AFL level.
What would it cost?
3 year deal at approximately 300k.
Is it realistic?
It's done.
Paul Chapman
Why we want him
Look up 'big game player' in the dictionary and you'll see a picture of Chappy's face. He's won one Norm Smith medal in 2009 (a game in which he kicked the winning goal) and he was very unlucky not to win it in 2007. Stick him in the forward line for a year or two for some valuable experience/leadership and to free up Wingard/Monfries/Gray to spend more time in the midfield.
Why we don't
Will be 32 at the start of next season. Chances are we'd only get a year out of him, maybe two if we're lucky. The end can come very suddenly at his age, so it would be a bit of a risk, and we wouldn't want to be in a position where we were playing an out-of-form Chapman over a talented youngster to try to justify the recruitment decision.
What would it cost?
Depends. If Geelong let him go there would probably be a few clubs interested, and we'd probably have to play a bit extra to get him to move here from Victoria.
Is it realistic?
The Geelong board seems to think he's going to be let go at the end of the year, and Chappy is on record as saying he wants to play on and he'll look elsewhere if he has to. If there's not a huge amount of interest from Victorian clubs and Chappy is willing to move interstate to continue his AFL career, I think we'd be the favourite to get him due to his pre-existing relationship with Kern. This is definitely a move that I could see happening.
UPDATE: Hinkley has shown some trepidation at the idea of luring an older player like Chappy to the club via free agency and some Victorian clubs have reportedly shown interest in his services, so maybe this isn't as likely as I hoped.
Luke McGuane
Why we want him
There's a generational gap in our key forward stocks at the moment. Schulz's career is nearing the end, and Butcher and Shaw's careers are only just beginning. A stopgap KPF to fill the age gap between them would be nice. McGuane is no Wayne Carey, but he's no spud either. Has kicked 35 goals in his last 21 games, which is nothing to sneeze it.
Why we don't
McGuane isn't exactly the most athletic or consistent player going around, and the recruiters might feel like they're better off going with someone slightly younger.
What would it cost?
Probably not a huge amount. He's been out of favour at Richmond for a while, with Aaron Edwards seemingly overtaking him, and while he's a decent player he's not the sort of guy who would have multiple opposition clubs falling over themselves to sign him. 300k or so would probably be a fair offer for a player of McGuane's calibre.
Is it realistic?
Who knows? It probably is if Port identify him as a target and convince him that he'll get more opportunities at the Power. Maybe his former teammate Schulzy could get in his ear. But this is just a random idea I came up with which isn't even backed up by any rumours, let alone facts.
TRADE TARGETS
Jack Redden
Why we want him
Quality all-round midfielder who would be in the best 22 of every club in the competition. Doesn't have any glaring flaws in his game, and his defensive work is particularly notable.
Why we don't
Is he too generic? Does he give us anything we don't already have? Is it worth giving up a first rounder (make no mistake, it'll cost at least a first rounder) for a player who doesn't fill our needs for KPP's or outside speed?
What would it cost?
As stated above, a first rounder. And he's contracted, so Brisbane could hold out for more if they wanted to.
Is it realistic?
If the posters on this board can be trusted, Jack wants to come home and he wants to come to Port Adelaide. However, he's also still under contract for next year, and if rumours are to be believed Brisbane will be losing enough uncontracted players without giving up players who they can keep and they want to keep. If he was uncontracted then maybe, but as it is I can't see this deal happening. Not this year, anyway.
Mitch Robinson
Why we want him
He can accumulate, he can play defensive roles, and his attack on the ball is absolutely manic. Nobody goes harder at the ball than Mitch Robinson.
Why we don't
Disposal is dodgy, and he's probably more prone to the occasional baffling mistake than any other regular best 22 in the AFL. The question also has to be asked whether he's shown an interest in coming to SA because he wants to play for the Power or because he wants to hang out with his mate Eddie.
What would it cost?
Tough one to say. Realistically he's probably worth a pick somewhere between our first and second rounders, but Mick Malthouse isn't the type to give away players for unders, especially considering that Robinson is still contracted for next season.
Is it realistic?
Robinson has definitely met with Hinkley and has reportedly also been seen at Alberton. Given that, there's obviously some mutual interest between the two parties, but I find it hard to see an trade getting done for the reasons above. If he does leave the Blues, Robinson may also prefer to go to the Crows to play with Eddie than to come to Port. So I'd say it's probably unlikely.
Scott Gumbleton
Why we want him
Would slot into our forward line seamlessly. Schulz is a quality FF, but we haven't had a proper lead up CHF since Tredrea retired. Would also free Westhoff up to play his damaging utility role rather than getting stuck in the forward line.
Why we don't
Again, injuries. And we'd have to pay through the nose to get him to come to South Australia rather than staying in Victoria or going home to WA, because plenty of clubs will be after his signature if he wants out of Essendon.
What would he cost?
Probably our first rounder. If ****ing Chris Dawes is worth pick 20 and 45, Gumbleton will be worth at least a pick around 10. Likely to be a bidding war over his services if he wants out too.
Is it realistic?
It's not unrealistic that Gumby will leave Essendon, but if he does then he'll be hot property and Port are unlikely to be a club very high on his wish list.
Sam Day
Why we want him
We need more KPF's, with the jury still out on Butcher and Shaw. Sam Day was pick 3 a few years back, so he certainly has talent and upside. Athletic freak.
Why we don't
GC have given him plenty of chances to perform at AFL level, and to be honest he's disappointed (although we all know KPF's take time). He might be looked back on as the classic case of 'athlete over footballer'.
What would he cost?
First rounder at the very least, possibly more. Day is under contract, so we'd probably have to give up overs.
Is it realistic?
Most clubs wouldn't trade a pick 3 KPF three years into his career, but given their list concessions gradually eroding and their depth of young talent GC aren't most clubs. Is also a South Australian with a Hinkley connection, and Rooch is onto it so it sounds like some moves have been made behind the scenes. However, his contract situation probably decreases the likelihood of him coming to Port Adelaide this year.
Jared Polec
Why we want him
Although quicker ball movement has made our whole midfield look faster, with Pearce gone we still lack that super quick, outside, line-breaking midfielder that most teams have. Although he hasn't established himself at AFL level yet, Port have a good recent record at turning around the careers of high draft picks like Schulz and Ebert who failed to develop at their previous clubs.
Why we don't
Yet to establish himself at AFL level. Even at junior level he never found a lot of the ball, and we wouldn't want another Rodan on our hands. Also an injury risk.
What would he cost?
Brisbane would feel a bit shafted since they paid pick 5 for him a few year's back, but the reality is he's probably only worth a second rounder right now. Hasn't been able to crack Brisbane's side this season.
Is it realistic?
Has already flagged his intention to return home to SA. He was a Port supporter as a kid, and Port are in the better position right now and have better trade bait. The only way I could see us missing out on him is if the Crows make him an exorbitant contract offer.
Scott Lycett
Why we want him
Adds another young ruck to our list of prospects. Better to have somebody like Lycett on the list as back-up than to be stuck with a dinosaur like Renouf. Plus he's a Port Magpies boy.
Why we don't
Three years into his career and he's still yet to show anything at AFL level. Had a golden opportunity to grab a spot at AFL level with Naitanui's injury, but he didn't take it and Callum Sinclair overtook him.
What would he cost?
No idea TBH. Maybe a late second/early third rounder.
Is it realistic?
Cox is nearing the end of his career, so the Eagles will be keen to have a replacement for him, but after this year Sinclair would have overtaken Lycett in the pecking order. The Eagles still probably wouldn't be in a hurry to give him away, but Sinclair's form certainly makes it more likely now than it would have seemed at the start of the year.
Levi Greenwood
Why we want him
He's a Port Magpies boy. Hard-nut. In decent form playing as a tagger for the Roos at the moment, and we do need a tagger to prepare for the upcoming retirements of Kornes and Cassisi in the next year or two.
Why we don't
When he's bad, he can be really bad. See last year for proof. Also, he tends to worry a bit more about getting the ball himself than most taggers do, which can lead to his opponent occasionally getting away from him.
What would he cost?
He looks to be saving his career at North at the moment, so we'd probably have to give up at least a third rounder or something in that range. There's also a fair chance that North won't be particularly accommodating at the trade table after the Ben Jacobs fiasco last year.
Is it realistic?
The Power have shown interest in him in the past (his name was brought up in the Jacobs discussion), so there is a realistic prospect of the club chasing him. However, he'd probably have to genuinely want out for this trade to happen. North won't be keen to deal with us after last year, so the only way I could see us having Greenwood on our list next year is if he walked out on North and specifically nominated us for a trade. Although, as a Port Magpies boy who's been a fringe player at the Kangaroos in recent years, there's a decent chance that he could do that.
Christian Howard
Why we want him
South Australian, high draft pick, very good kick. Would be decent depth at worst and could develop into a first 22 half back at best.
Why we don't
Possibly too similar to what we already have. He's pretty much a smaller version of Stevenson.
What would he cost?
Probably not a lot. Was a first rounder a few years back but he certainly hasn't come on as much as the Dogs would've hoped. Third or fourth rounder or a swap for a fringe player the Bulldogs have an interest in would probably get the job done.
Is it realistic?
I doubt the Dogs will be keen to keep him. It's possible that he could come home to SA seeking a fresh start, and it's possible that we'd back ourselves in to get the best out of another South Australian first round draft pick, but I don't think it's very likely.
DELISTED FREE AGENTS
Maverick Weller
Why we want him
Classic 'footballer over athlete' type player who's been squeezed out by the unprecedented amount of talent on GC's list. We need more options to play as a tagger or small defender, and Weller has spent time in both positions. Has a previous relationship with Hinkley at the Gold Coast.
Why we don't
Only managed 4 games this year for a team that finished 14th. We'd be banking on him showing some improvement, but at 21 he's certainly young enough to do that.
Is it realistic?
Will most likely be a highly sought after player this offseason, so we'd be relying on our reputation as an improving young side and his relationship with Kern to lure him over. Working in our advantage is that he's Tasmanian, so there's no 'go home' factor with him that might make him pick another side over us.
Joel Wilkinson
Why we want him
One of the best athletes who's ever played at AFL level. Could be an option to fill our glaring need for a quick stopping small defender.
Why we don't
If Weller is a footballer over an athlete, Wilkinson is an athlete over a footballer. He has the physical tools to potentially become a star with further experience and the right coaching, but he's a project player who would require plenty of patience.
Is it realistic?
Probably won't be quite as highly sought after as Weller, but I'm sure a few clubs will back themselves in to try to turn him into the player that his strength and athleticism gives him the potential to become. Originally from NSW, so he also doesn't have any go-home factor that would lure him to the 10 Victorian clubs over us. If Hinkley wants him we could probably get him, but that remains to be seen.
Nick Lower
Why we want him
We need a tagger, and Nick showed some good form in that role for the Bulldogs in the first half of the year before getting injured. His brother being in the Big Brother house might also get us some free publicity
Why we don't
You don't get delisted from three clubs if you don't have flaws in your game. Nick can find the footy and stop an opponent from finding the footy, but his disposal is very dodgy. Not sure he'd fit into the Hinkley gameplan.
Is it realistic?
Few players get a second chance, even fewer players get a third chance, and a fourth chance is just about unheard of, especially at one of the clubs they were delisted from in one of the previous chances. That said, we do have a completely different coaching staff now than what we had when he was last on our list, and Lower is probably the best freely available tagger going around right now. It's probably unlikely that we'd give Nick a fourth chance at AFL level, but I've heard worse ideas. I think he'd be a good stopgap option until we can develop a younger tagger.
Josh Growden (edited from RangaInTeal 's post)
Why we want him
An SA lad, still young at 20ish with three years in the system. Fills a need as an outside ball carrying line breaker similar to Polec. Has skill and a dash of X factor.
Why we don't
He hasn't cracked the best 22 of a side that'll finish in the bottom two this year (however he is coming back from a broken leg). May seem to slot into that "flanker" category we seem to already have an abundance of.
Is it realistic?
He'd most likely be willing to come back to his home state for a second chance at an AFL level, so another player who we could probably obtain if we wanted him. Haven't heard a peep about him outside of this board though, so unless and until this rumour picks up speed outside of a few fans of his on Bigfooty, I'm not convinced.
PLAYERS WE MISSED OUT ON
Adam Cooney (re-signed)
Dale Thomas (signed with Carlton)
Eddie Betts (signed with Adelaide)
Colin Sylvia (signed with Fremantle)
Alan Didak (ruled out by Kern)
Aaron Davey (retired)
Graham Johncock (retired)
Dustin Martin (re-signed)
Jack Watts (re-signed)
Tom Bellchambers (re-signed)
Daniel Gorringe (re-signed)
Daniel Currie (re-signed)
Terry Milera (re-signed)
