I understand trepidations with DFAs. But the thing about guys like MacPherson and even our own DFAs in Baker, Poulter, Bramble etc is clubs in contention don’t want the bottom end of their list filled with 18 year olds that aren’t able to compete if needed.
We can pay the above guys 150k a year and know that they can come in and be an okay 18-23 ranked player in the squad and fill a hole short term. Best case scenario they kick on like Bramble. Worst case they do one or two years and get delisted.
Developing 3-4 18yr old draftees still happens most years but we can’t top up with that age group too heavily or you gut your list of playable depth.
Agree with this. The balance just needs to be right in terms of DFA v draftees and moving them on once they stop getting a regular look in. E.g. Scott and Keath are at that point now (imo) and Baker will be end of next year if he only plays another handful of games. Better to roll the arm over with another DFA in their place with different attributes or in a different position who might get a regular gig, like Baker last year or Bramble this year.