Justlokan
All Australian
- Aug 24, 2014
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What did you make of Richmond giving up a first and a second rounder for Prestia and Caddy when they had just finished 13th and lost seven of their last nine matches?
Martin was extremely close to joining, as was Kelly (who will be coming in two years). Add them both and a soft draw in 2018 and it's very conceivable North could have been pushing for a top four spot, such is the evenness of the competition.
A club like North can't win anyway. Fade into the background and we're irrelevant. But have a bold crack at players and we're desperate and should know our place. What do you do?
12 months ago, people were laughing at Richmond after the debacle of the Yarran trade. Before that people laughed at the Dogs for overpaying for Tom Boyd.
I also recall many "experts" congratulating my Pies when we picked up the likes of Treloar, Aish, Adams etc in trade periods. Things aren't always what they seem
My point is that it's easy for us experts to provide opinions on various trade scenarios when the reality is that we don't know how injuries, coaching, and good ol-fashioned luck are going to impact the success or otherwise of these trades.
I had no issue with North chasing Dusty and JK. The salary cap impacts can be managed and I'd rather go for known quantities like Dusty than gamble on a couple of kids who may or may not make it (and would take at least 2 years to be of full value). The other reality is that few draftees are instant hits like Judd. North had a #3 pick years ago in Lachie Hansen and while serviceable, hardly a match-winner.
Well done North for having a go. While I don't necessarily rate your coach, your list management approach makes sense.