Work on the EOS lists after delistings has been completed. Has your club lost any important players? What types of players has your team delisted?
Also, look to see the focus of your club in the November Draft, then look for targets in our Likely Draftees 2024. Also, see our new 2025 page for an early list of next year's likely draftees.
The only other epilogue that we would like to do is a comparison of Richmond's Frees For and Frees Against in May 2024, when I posted my article at the bottom of this page, and how they finished EOS 2024, to see if my article, temporarily posted in a popular footy journal, had any effect.
Also, look to see the focus of your club in the November Draft, then look for targets in our Likely Draftees 2024. Also, see our new 2025 page for an early list of next year's likely draftees.
The only other epilogue that we would like to do is a comparison of Richmond's Frees For and Frees Against in May 2024, when I posted my article at the bottom of this page, and how they finished EOS 2024, to see if my article, temporarily posted in a popular footy journal, had any effect.
Prelude to 2024:
Over the course of the last few seasons, we see more more teams conforming in their list management to the Oz Footy List Manager model. Even North and Hawthorn, with terrible list management over the last few seasons, are now conforming to the model, while Adelaide and some others have clearly shown that adhering to the model brings steady improvement.
Over the course of the last few seasons, we see more more teams conforming in their list management to the Oz Footy List Manager model. Even North and Hawthorn, with terrible list management over the last few seasons, are now conforming to the model, while Adelaide and some others have clearly shown that adhering to the model brings steady improvement.
Team of the Year 2024
Likely Draftees 2024
Summary:
Well, the Under 18 National Championships are done and dusted, again.
We have a good list of about 50 players who have made significant contributions.
Those whom we expected early to do well have done so. Harvey Langford (190cm), Josh Smillie (194cm), Jagga Smith (181cm) and Tom Gross (181cm) have shown themselves to be outstanding midfielders.
Tyler Welsh (191cm), the son of Scott Welsh - Ex-Kanga premiership player (36 games), and Crow (129 games), and Bulldog (40 games) - is an outstanding mobile tall forward, and he should be a lock-in for the Crows.
Outstanding brothers, Ben (186cm) and Lucas Camporeale (185cm), sons of Scott Camporeale (Carlton, 233 games, and Essendon, 19 games) should be lock-in father/sons for the Blues.
Also, during the course of the championships, the status of Leonardo Lombard (178cm), as a small goalkicking midfielder has increased to outstanding.
However, the injury and loss of Noah Mraz (198cm), an outstanding tall defender, before the championships began was heartbreaking.
Key defender / forward, Jobe Shanahan (194 cm) was finally given a go in one of the last rounds, showed outstanding talent with near 20 disps, 9 marks, and 3 goals. His lack of selection for more games is intriguing, (wonder why?)
In the last game, we saw Xavier Lindsay and Tobie Travaglia do very well.
We wish all the boys the best of luck in their footballing futures.
Well, the Under 18 National Championships are done and dusted, again.
We have a good list of about 50 players who have made significant contributions.
Those whom we expected early to do well have done so. Harvey Langford (190cm), Josh Smillie (194cm), Jagga Smith (181cm) and Tom Gross (181cm) have shown themselves to be outstanding midfielders.
Tyler Welsh (191cm), the son of Scott Welsh - Ex-Kanga premiership player (36 games), and Crow (129 games), and Bulldog (40 games) - is an outstanding mobile tall forward, and he should be a lock-in for the Crows.
Outstanding brothers, Ben (186cm) and Lucas Camporeale (185cm), sons of Scott Camporeale (Carlton, 233 games, and Essendon, 19 games) should be lock-in father/sons for the Blues.
Also, during the course of the championships, the status of Leonardo Lombard (178cm), as a small goalkicking midfielder has increased to outstanding.
However, the injury and loss of Noah Mraz (198cm), an outstanding tall defender, before the championships began was heartbreaking.
Key defender / forward, Jobe Shanahan (194 cm) was finally given a go in one of the last rounds, showed outstanding talent with near 20 disps, 9 marks, and 3 goals. His lack of selection for more games is intriguing, (wonder why?)
In the last game, we saw Xavier Lindsay and Tobie Travaglia do very well.
We wish all the boys the best of luck in their footballing futures.
Adelaide 2024
List:
Adelaide continues strongly in its rebuild, adding to all its height groups. Even the loss of the experienced Doedee will be covered by the drafting of Curtin. Also, more juniors are being given opportunity with juniors - Rachele, Soligo, Michalanney, and Thilthorpe - already establishing themselves as core players.
Adelaide's area of concern is their lack of mature (25-27yo) and developing (22-24yo) taller-mediums (186-189cms), as these may be needed in wet-weather games, e.g., MCG, in the second half of the season.
If progress is linear, they should improve on their number of games won from 3 (2020), 7 (2021), 8 (2022), and 11 (2023).
Select 22:
Doedee's 2023 injury created opportunity for Hinge, Keane and Worrell to establish themselves as key interceptors in defence, but none are tall enough for a genuine tall opposition forward. I've put Curtain as an extra tall defender, which is probably an error, as Murphy (as a small defender) may add better balance.
Crouch played only 7 games in 2023 but still was in their top 3 for disposals and centre clearances, and should be an automatic midfield selection when fit.
Mid-Season:
Progress is not always linear and Adelaide's case the loss of Thilthorpe, Walker, Milera, and others has hurt them. Although still recovering from injury, Crouch is still their best in centre and general clearances, and disposals, while Dawson has played a more outside role. On the upside, more junior and developing players have cemented positions - Keane, Worrell, Michalanney, Dowling - which bids well for the club's future. The challenge is ensuring that these younger players are developed into tier 1 contributors. Soligo and Rankine are now solid inside midfielders. The next step is developing them, and others, into elite midfielders.
Adelaide may have a major review at season's end but, for them, let's hope it is one that provides more support to its footy group, rather than tearing it apart.
November Draft:
Tyler Welsh to eventually replace the aging Walker. Dodson will need 3-5 years to be AFL ready. Herbert, Sharp and Draper would be good, local, future midfielders.
Adelaide continues strongly in its rebuild, adding to all its height groups. Even the loss of the experienced Doedee will be covered by the drafting of Curtin. Also, more juniors are being given opportunity with juniors - Rachele, Soligo, Michalanney, and Thilthorpe - already establishing themselves as core players.
Adelaide's area of concern is their lack of mature (25-27yo) and developing (22-24yo) taller-mediums (186-189cms), as these may be needed in wet-weather games, e.g., MCG, in the second half of the season.
If progress is linear, they should improve on their number of games won from 3 (2020), 7 (2021), 8 (2022), and 11 (2023).
Select 22:
Doedee's 2023 injury created opportunity for Hinge, Keane and Worrell to establish themselves as key interceptors in defence, but none are tall enough for a genuine tall opposition forward. I've put Curtain as an extra tall defender, which is probably an error, as Murphy (as a small defender) may add better balance.
Crouch played only 7 games in 2023 but still was in their top 3 for disposals and centre clearances, and should be an automatic midfield selection when fit.
Mid-Season:
Progress is not always linear and Adelaide's case the loss of Thilthorpe, Walker, Milera, and others has hurt them. Although still recovering from injury, Crouch is still their best in centre and general clearances, and disposals, while Dawson has played a more outside role. On the upside, more junior and developing players have cemented positions - Keane, Worrell, Michalanney, Dowling - which bids well for the club's future. The challenge is ensuring that these younger players are developed into tier 1 contributors. Soligo and Rankine are now solid inside midfielders. The next step is developing them, and others, into elite midfielders.
Adelaide may have a major review at season's end but, for them, let's hope it is one that provides more support to its footy group, rather than tearing it apart.
November Draft:
Tyler Welsh to eventually replace the aging Walker. Dodson will need 3-5 years to be AFL ready. Herbert, Sharp and Draper would be good, local, future midfielders.
Brisbane 2024
List:
Brisbane's list promotes both interest and argument. Their moment appears now, as they inch closer but not quite getting to a premiership, yet what will their future list look like?
It appears that their recruiting group dislike smalls - no smalls on their list below 28 years old. Yet, Neale, Zorko, Cameron and McCarthy (all 28yo+) were all core players. Furthermore, Collingwood boasted Elliott, J.Daicos, Quaynor & Bobby Hill in their premiership team. Mind you, a quality player isn't defined by 1 or 2 cms, more or less (excuse the pun!)
Clearly, they've identified their lack of junior mobile talls by drafting Morris, Lloyd & Zakostelsky.
Select 22:
It appears that Brisbane will go into 2024 with much the same core team as 2023. Doedee should immediately come into defence to replace the retired Rich. Hopefully, Ashcroft returns sooner rather than later. Also, Fletcher & Sharp look exciting junior prospects for this season.
Midseason:
The first thing you notice about Brisbane's list is, why so many smaller mediums? What do they have so few junior and developing smalls, considering their team core - Neale, Zorko, Cameron and McCarthy are all smalls? BTW, congrats to Zorko on being able to adapt and transform into a running small defender.
Brisbane are feeling the aging pinch, despite still being competitive. And, in their desperation, they are not quite getting the types they really need.
Their list is now scant of speedy goalkicking midfielders. And their lack of midfield talls has led to them recalling the aging Lester, and Darcy Fort is still their best 2nd ruckman. (Why isn't Kalin Lane being given a go?) To their credit, Wilmot, Reville and Morris have been given opportunity.
November Draft:
The younger Ashcroft will and should be atop their lists. They might also have a go at Gold Coast Academy's Leonardo Lombard. They may also be forced into trading some of their "too many" smaller mediums for extra draft picks to get some more mobile talls.
Brisbane's list promotes both interest and argument. Their moment appears now, as they inch closer but not quite getting to a premiership, yet what will their future list look like?
It appears that their recruiting group dislike smalls - no smalls on their list below 28 years old. Yet, Neale, Zorko, Cameron and McCarthy (all 28yo+) were all core players. Furthermore, Collingwood boasted Elliott, J.Daicos, Quaynor & Bobby Hill in their premiership team. Mind you, a quality player isn't defined by 1 or 2 cms, more or less (excuse the pun!)
Clearly, they've identified their lack of junior mobile talls by drafting Morris, Lloyd & Zakostelsky.
Select 22:
It appears that Brisbane will go into 2024 with much the same core team as 2023. Doedee should immediately come into defence to replace the retired Rich. Hopefully, Ashcroft returns sooner rather than later. Also, Fletcher & Sharp look exciting junior prospects for this season.
Midseason:
The first thing you notice about Brisbane's list is, why so many smaller mediums? What do they have so few junior and developing smalls, considering their team core - Neale, Zorko, Cameron and McCarthy are all smalls? BTW, congrats to Zorko on being able to adapt and transform into a running small defender.
Brisbane are feeling the aging pinch, despite still being competitive. And, in their desperation, they are not quite getting the types they really need.
Their list is now scant of speedy goalkicking midfielders. And their lack of midfield talls has led to them recalling the aging Lester, and Darcy Fort is still their best 2nd ruckman. (Why isn't Kalin Lane being given a go?) To their credit, Wilmot, Reville and Morris have been given opportunity.
November Draft:
The younger Ashcroft will and should be atop their lists. They might also have a go at Gold Coast Academy's Leonardo Lombard. They may also be forced into trading some of their "too many" smaller mediums for extra draft picks to get some more mobile talls.
Carlton 2024
List:
If progress was linear, Carlton's list should have seen them playing finals in 2022, but progress has caught up and took them to a prelim in 2023.
Their key strength is the growing maturity in their key positions, and their much faster younger growing legs.
One would expect them to progress further.
The knock is where to fit all the mature talls, especially forward, and especially in the second half of the year.
Also, there appears to be a gap in their junior (18-21) & developing (22-24) mobile key forwards & backs (190-199cms), their long term future.
Select 22:
A maximum of two key forwards - Curnow & McKay - and two first ruckmen - Pittonet & De Koning, sees Silvagni consigned to the matinee.
Also, with Docherty up the ground, the more-mobile and younger Kemp adds to their defence.
And, their bench indicates their depth of talent.
In emotional self-turmoil (we hate Carlton), I think 2024 could well be their year, if progress is linear.
Midseason:
Fortune has favoured the Bluebaggers this season, as one would expect of maturity. Yes, the foreseeable wave has finally hit. Silvagni's injury reduced them to the two-only key forwards they required. Walsh's almost instant recovery, and a season relatively injury-free for Cripps, has helped them. Also, more small goalkicking forwards have been a tonic for them too. Carlton must hit now as their core sits in squarely in the mature zone. They're not going to have that many more years left. Newman, Saad, McGovern, Acres and Cripps are already twilighters and they haven't won a first one in this era yet.
No doubt, they are thin for junior and developing mobile talls. How they make up for this will be crucial to their continued success.
Their bottom of the ladder Seconds - both Carlton and Northern Bullants - indicate a lack of future depth.
November Draft:
The two Camporeale boys would be atop of their list, but neither is a key position player. Any of the junior talls - Trainor, Shanahan, O'Farrell and Faull, and the injured Mraz, should be considered.
Footnote: News today of Carlton's alleged salary cap squeeze leaves me shaking my head and laughing - they never learn. They haven't even won the premiership yet and they're facing a salary cap squeeze. Guess it's this season or bust.
If progress was linear, Carlton's list should have seen them playing finals in 2022, but progress has caught up and took them to a prelim in 2023.
Their key strength is the growing maturity in their key positions, and their much faster younger growing legs.
One would expect them to progress further.
The knock is where to fit all the mature talls, especially forward, and especially in the second half of the year.
Also, there appears to be a gap in their junior (18-21) & developing (22-24) mobile key forwards & backs (190-199cms), their long term future.
Select 22:
A maximum of two key forwards - Curnow & McKay - and two first ruckmen - Pittonet & De Koning, sees Silvagni consigned to the matinee.
Also, with Docherty up the ground, the more-mobile and younger Kemp adds to their defence.
And, their bench indicates their depth of talent.
In emotional self-turmoil (we hate Carlton), I think 2024 could well be their year, if progress is linear.
Midseason:
Fortune has favoured the Bluebaggers this season, as one would expect of maturity. Yes, the foreseeable wave has finally hit. Silvagni's injury reduced them to the two-only key forwards they required. Walsh's almost instant recovery, and a season relatively injury-free for Cripps, has helped them. Also, more small goalkicking forwards have been a tonic for them too. Carlton must hit now as their core sits in squarely in the mature zone. They're not going to have that many more years left. Newman, Saad, McGovern, Acres and Cripps are already twilighters and they haven't won a first one in this era yet.
No doubt, they are thin for junior and developing mobile talls. How they make up for this will be crucial to their continued success.
Their bottom of the ladder Seconds - both Carlton and Northern Bullants - indicate a lack of future depth.
November Draft:
The two Camporeale boys would be atop of their list, but neither is a key position player. Any of the junior talls - Trainor, Shanahan, O'Farrell and Faull, and the injured Mraz, should be considered.
Footnote: News today of Carlton's alleged salary cap squeeze leaves me shaking my head and laughing - they never learn. They haven't even won the premiership yet and they're facing a salary cap squeeze. Guess it's this season or bust.
Collingwood 2024
List:
Two things to like about the Carringbush's premiership: 1. their ex-Richmond coach, McCrae, and 2. their Richmond game-style. (They can keep their supporters.) The list is as you would expect for a team that has already been in a premiership window for a handful of years, a good number of proven star-level twilight players, a good number of mature, developing, and junior players across the height groups. As far as a list is concerned, they only need to focus on retiring twilight players not part of the core, and adding juniors across the height levels for the future.
The knock: how many developing players do you lose to maintain non-core twilighters?
Select 22:
A premiership team is hard to alter, but usually 2-3 players change. Already, Adams & Ginnivan have gone. Also, McStay, through season-long injury, cannot be considered. Johnson, 26yo, talented but still a rookie, could be moved into CHF, but still needs to add another 5-10kgs. Schulz, a small forward from the Dockers, should grab a spot. Also, there are quite a few who could have walked into other team's 22s but couldn't crack this one, as you would expect from a premiership team.
Midseason:
They say that luck happens to those who prepare for it as a contingency.
It is a credit to the Collingwood list management that they could endure so many injuries in a season and still be a premiership contender.
Major and minor injuries to a quarter of the list - De Goey, Pendlebury, Mitchell, Howe, Elliott, Mihocek, Frampton, Kreuger, Johnson, and Cox - would have ended most teams chances. The injuries have been felt, but the list's depth has overcome.
Whether they can overcome all the injuries and still climb Everest again this season is yet to be seen. As "Dimma" taught, and McCrae learnt: It's all in that last stage, step by step.
BTW, Apologies for leaving out Steele Sidebottom, as he's a great accumulator of disposals, but he has dropped off, so far, this season. Hopefully, he can lift with the excitement of September.
November Draft:
As said, the Carringbush list looks good. It does have a minor gap in its developing mediums but has identified it and drafted junior mediums. They could go for Smith or Gross, if still available (unlikely), or Hollow, Moreas, O'Sullivan or Lindsay.
Two things to like about the Carringbush's premiership: 1. their ex-Richmond coach, McCrae, and 2. their Richmond game-style. (They can keep their supporters.) The list is as you would expect for a team that has already been in a premiership window for a handful of years, a good number of proven star-level twilight players, a good number of mature, developing, and junior players across the height groups. As far as a list is concerned, they only need to focus on retiring twilight players not part of the core, and adding juniors across the height levels for the future.
The knock: how many developing players do you lose to maintain non-core twilighters?
Select 22:
A premiership team is hard to alter, but usually 2-3 players change. Already, Adams & Ginnivan have gone. Also, McStay, through season-long injury, cannot be considered. Johnson, 26yo, talented but still a rookie, could be moved into CHF, but still needs to add another 5-10kgs. Schulz, a small forward from the Dockers, should grab a spot. Also, there are quite a few who could have walked into other team's 22s but couldn't crack this one, as you would expect from a premiership team.
Midseason:
They say that luck happens to those who prepare for it as a contingency.
It is a credit to the Collingwood list management that they could endure so many injuries in a season and still be a premiership contender.
Major and minor injuries to a quarter of the list - De Goey, Pendlebury, Mitchell, Howe, Elliott, Mihocek, Frampton, Kreuger, Johnson, and Cox - would have ended most teams chances. The injuries have been felt, but the list's depth has overcome.
Whether they can overcome all the injuries and still climb Everest again this season is yet to be seen. As "Dimma" taught, and McCrae learnt: It's all in that last stage, step by step.
BTW, Apologies for leaving out Steele Sidebottom, as he's a great accumulator of disposals, but he has dropped off, so far, this season. Hopefully, he can lift with the excitement of September.
November Draft:
As said, the Carringbush list looks good. It does have a minor gap in its developing mediums but has identified it and drafted junior mediums. They could go for Smith or Gross, if still available (unlikely), or Hollow, Moreas, O'Sullivan or Lindsay.
Essendon 2024
List:
Essendon are, again, another of those teams that you reckon should be playing finals but aren't. Its list looks good and there are mature players. However, behind that facade, the matrix indicates that their smaller mediums (181-185cms) are still developing or juniors, and they're thin for big-bodied taller-mediums (186-189cms). Actually, it reminds me of Essendon when Sheedy first arrived in 1981, too many genuine talls - Max Crow, Justin Madden, etc, and they traded in those mediums. Wow, what a flashback! Who did they trade in ...?
If progress was linear, Essendon should have played finals in 2022 and 2023. Maybe 2024 will be their catch-up year.
Select 22:
Goldstein, Gresham, and McKay are automatic selections. Duursma will be competing against 'youngens' who had a better 2023, so he'll have fight his way in. And, Caddy isn't that far from being AFL-ready. Still, too many talls to select from, and not enough big-bodied midfielders, but Duursma, Wanganeen, Kelly, Weideman were in the mix.
Midseason:
As said earlier, looking at its list, Essendon should be playing finals and, this season, it's well on the way to doing so. The team has continued to develop with the inclusion of Durham as an inside midfielder and Parish playing a more outside role. Nate Caddy looks a beaty and will be an excellent replacement for Stringer.
With Draper now being preferred, there appears to be an opportunity for other clubs to look at the 22yo, 203cm Bryan, who in 1 game had 20 HOs, 15 disps, 4 tackles, but couldn't take a mark. Although Bryan is still contracted until 2025.
November Draft:
Adrian Dodoro has done and still does an excellent job but will be handing his role over to Matt Rosa at the end of the year. For Essendon, there is an even spread of junior talent, and they are under no pressure to choose any particular type. How many clubs would love to be in that position?
Essendon are, again, another of those teams that you reckon should be playing finals but aren't. Its list looks good and there are mature players. However, behind that facade, the matrix indicates that their smaller mediums (181-185cms) are still developing or juniors, and they're thin for big-bodied taller-mediums (186-189cms). Actually, it reminds me of Essendon when Sheedy first arrived in 1981, too many genuine talls - Max Crow, Justin Madden, etc, and they traded in those mediums. Wow, what a flashback! Who did they trade in ...?
If progress was linear, Essendon should have played finals in 2022 and 2023. Maybe 2024 will be their catch-up year.
Select 22:
Goldstein, Gresham, and McKay are automatic selections. Duursma will be competing against 'youngens' who had a better 2023, so he'll have fight his way in. And, Caddy isn't that far from being AFL-ready. Still, too many talls to select from, and not enough big-bodied midfielders, but Duursma, Wanganeen, Kelly, Weideman were in the mix.
Midseason:
As said earlier, looking at its list, Essendon should be playing finals and, this season, it's well on the way to doing so. The team has continued to develop with the inclusion of Durham as an inside midfielder and Parish playing a more outside role. Nate Caddy looks a beaty and will be an excellent replacement for Stringer.
With Draper now being preferred, there appears to be an opportunity for other clubs to look at the 22yo, 203cm Bryan, who in 1 game had 20 HOs, 15 disps, 4 tackles, but couldn't take a mark. Although Bryan is still contracted until 2025.
November Draft:
Adrian Dodoro has done and still does an excellent job but will be handing his role over to Matt Rosa at the end of the year. For Essendon, there is an even spread of junior talent, and they are under no pressure to choose any particular type. How many clubs would love to be in that position?
Fremantle 2024
List:
Two things strike me about Freo's list, being: 1. the lack of smalls, and 2. the number of mature (25-27yo) players playing less than a core season. Switkowski is an average small but, through lack of list pressure, still gets a game. Clearly, they have drafted too many junior talls, at the cost of junior and developing smalls. For Fyfe and Taberner, great past players, but what future?
Select 22:
Freo's team will rely entirely on last year's list, hoping that the non-core players of 2023 will have better seasons. If Darcy is not fit, Reidy needs to be given game time.
Midseaon:
Freo has improved mostly from within. A whole string of developing and junior players have improved - Wagner, Sturt, Young, Treacy.
The exception is Jeremy Sharp. Who can believe Sharp was delisted by Gold Coast late last year? Isn't it inspiring to see developing players like Sharp improve at a new club.... as did Jordan Clark (ex-Cats) before him.
Congrats to Nat Fyfe on recovery after an injury-plagued couple of years. Unfortunately, O'Meara seems to be dropping off the pace.
The only riddle is, why isn't Will Brodie getting opportunity? Maybe, some other club's opportunity.
November Draft:
A couple of goalkicking rovers would be good, with one taking the mantle of champion from Michael Walters, maybe (now there's a pun...) Malakai Champion (172cm, Subiaco WA) can do it.
Two things strike me about Freo's list, being: 1. the lack of smalls, and 2. the number of mature (25-27yo) players playing less than a core season. Switkowski is an average small but, through lack of list pressure, still gets a game. Clearly, they have drafted too many junior talls, at the cost of junior and developing smalls. For Fyfe and Taberner, great past players, but what future?
Select 22:
Freo's team will rely entirely on last year's list, hoping that the non-core players of 2023 will have better seasons. If Darcy is not fit, Reidy needs to be given game time.
Midseaon:
Freo has improved mostly from within. A whole string of developing and junior players have improved - Wagner, Sturt, Young, Treacy.
The exception is Jeremy Sharp. Who can believe Sharp was delisted by Gold Coast late last year? Isn't it inspiring to see developing players like Sharp improve at a new club.... as did Jordan Clark (ex-Cats) before him.
Congrats to Nat Fyfe on recovery after an injury-plagued couple of years. Unfortunately, O'Meara seems to be dropping off the pace.
The only riddle is, why isn't Will Brodie getting opportunity? Maybe, some other club's opportunity.
November Draft:
A couple of goalkicking rovers would be good, with one taking the mantle of champion from Michael Walters, maybe (now there's a pun...) Malakai Champion (172cm, Subiaco WA) can do it.
Geelong 2024
List:
Geelong are slowly entering the rebuild cycle, although quarter of their list are still twilighters. The other noticeable thing about their list is the number of mature (25-27yo) and twilight (28+yo) players, who are are not core players through either injury or form. Yet talented juniors like Sam Simpson along with Riccardi & Whyte (all gone) weren't given a fair chance. So, the Geelong footy management has a lot of working out to do over the next few seasons.
Just a note, why did Geelong draft the WA junior ruckman, Mitch Edwards (2023 draft), if they already had the extremely talented junior ruckman, Toby Conway (2022 draft)? (Maybe, they know something about Conway that we don't.) Some other club's future gain, I guess.
Shaun Mannagh, from the Suns VFL premiership team (33 disps, 6 goals), may be one to watch.
Select 22:
Change is slow at "Sleepy Hollow", Scott has his favourites, so the team will stay pretty much the same. I have included the aforementioned Toby Conway, who needs and deserves extra senior game time.
Midseason:
Change is happening at Geelong, though slow, it should pick up momentum.
The defence is solid, and needs more support rather than tinkeing. though it does rely on Stewart's intercepts. Knevitt (193cm) and Humphries (182cm) are understudies to watch.
Great to see Conway getting and taking a go of it. He's now outdoing Stanley. Neale is another, kicking almost 2 goals a game, overtaking Hawkins' just 1 goal a game. Dempsey (187cm, gee, he's put on 3cm since last December) is an excellent outside junior too.
November Draft:
Geelong just needs to focus on picking up juniors - a genuine goalkicking rover and mobile talls are their priorities.
Geelong are slowly entering the rebuild cycle, although quarter of their list are still twilighters. The other noticeable thing about their list is the number of mature (25-27yo) and twilight (28+yo) players, who are are not core players through either injury or form. Yet talented juniors like Sam Simpson along with Riccardi & Whyte (all gone) weren't given a fair chance. So, the Geelong footy management has a lot of working out to do over the next few seasons.
Just a note, why did Geelong draft the WA junior ruckman, Mitch Edwards (2023 draft), if they already had the extremely talented junior ruckman, Toby Conway (2022 draft)? (Maybe, they know something about Conway that we don't.) Some other club's future gain, I guess.
Shaun Mannagh, from the Suns VFL premiership team (33 disps, 6 goals), may be one to watch.
Select 22:
Change is slow at "Sleepy Hollow", Scott has his favourites, so the team will stay pretty much the same. I have included the aforementioned Toby Conway, who needs and deserves extra senior game time.
Midseason:
Change is happening at Geelong, though slow, it should pick up momentum.
The defence is solid, and needs more support rather than tinkeing. though it does rely on Stewart's intercepts. Knevitt (193cm) and Humphries (182cm) are understudies to watch.
Great to see Conway getting and taking a go of it. He's now outdoing Stanley. Neale is another, kicking almost 2 goals a game, overtaking Hawkins' just 1 goal a game. Dempsey (187cm, gee, he's put on 3cm since last December) is an excellent outside junior too.
November Draft:
Geelong just needs to focus on picking up juniors - a genuine goalkicking rover and mobile talls are their priorities.
Gold Coast 2024
List:
Last season, Gold Coast were a hard team to fathom, another to lose their direction mid-season. Still, although 1 game down on their 2022 season, 2023 was their 3rd best winning performance in their history. The AFL is intent on increasing their Queensland market share and want Suns to play finals.
Their list is nicely balanced. Though, I wonder, why they are keeping a good handful of non-core twilighters? Hopefully the talented Budarick has recovered but will need more time. Hopefully, Miller, Long and Weller will play full seasons this time around. And, hopefully, Lukosias continues his 2023 improvement into the next season. King will be better this season too. The new juniors are very talented but will still need some more time.
One thing you can count on, under Hardwick, they will start fitter than in previous seasons.
Select 22:
I can't see much change to Gold Coast. Their new players are too young. They haven't traded in any mature talent. But, their improvement should come from within.
Midseason:
Good to see Gold Coast improving, but it appears more than just Hardwick improving their fitness.
The chess pieces have been moved around the board. Uwland and Flanders have added to the defence. Sexton and Day have returned from obscure twilight. Moyle (22yo) is ready and set to take over from Witts as 1st ruck. While, Clohesy (21yo, 2023 rookie) is improving too.
However, Caleb Graham (23yo, 194cm, tall defender) tearing it up with double digit intercepts in the VFL but can't get a game, might be another AFL club's opportunity.
Gold Coast will continue to improve but they need to move on non-core twilighters - Swallow, Lemmens, Ellis, Tsitas, Holman, Casboult and others.
The major concern appears to be a Hardwick legacy - too many smalls.
November Draft:
They just need to continue drafting talented juniors and anyone who can add something special to them.
Last season, Gold Coast were a hard team to fathom, another to lose their direction mid-season. Still, although 1 game down on their 2022 season, 2023 was their 3rd best winning performance in their history. The AFL is intent on increasing their Queensland market share and want Suns to play finals.
Their list is nicely balanced. Though, I wonder, why they are keeping a good handful of non-core twilighters? Hopefully the talented Budarick has recovered but will need more time. Hopefully, Miller, Long and Weller will play full seasons this time around. And, hopefully, Lukosias continues his 2023 improvement into the next season. King will be better this season too. The new juniors are very talented but will still need some more time.
One thing you can count on, under Hardwick, they will start fitter than in previous seasons.
Select 22:
I can't see much change to Gold Coast. Their new players are too young. They haven't traded in any mature talent. But, their improvement should come from within.
Midseason:
Good to see Gold Coast improving, but it appears more than just Hardwick improving their fitness.
The chess pieces have been moved around the board. Uwland and Flanders have added to the defence. Sexton and Day have returned from obscure twilight. Moyle (22yo) is ready and set to take over from Witts as 1st ruck. While, Clohesy (21yo, 2023 rookie) is improving too.
However, Caleb Graham (23yo, 194cm, tall defender) tearing it up with double digit intercepts in the VFL but can't get a game, might be another AFL club's opportunity.
Gold Coast will continue to improve but they need to move on non-core twilighters - Swallow, Lemmens, Ellis, Tsitas, Holman, Casboult and others.
The major concern appears to be a Hardwick legacy - too many smalls.
November Draft:
They just need to continue drafting talented juniors and anyone who can add something special to them.
GWS 2024
List:
It's beautiful to watch! What we saw two to 3 years ago, with Leon Cameron taking the first steps to gradually rebuild his list is almost there. GWS already have their first layer of mature (25-27yo) players across the height ranges, and have backed that up with talented developing (22-24yo) and juniors (18-21yo). Their challenge will be how to transfer out of their twilighters (28+yo). You can see through the year that Ward will pick up his 5 games needed for 300 - a great milestone for a relatively new team. If progress is linear, GWS will do even better this season.
Select 22:
Not a hard team to pick, with few holes, lots of talent, and gaining experience.
Midseason:
Considering GWS's injuries, especially in their defence, it is amazing they're still in finals contention. Cumming, Haynes, and the recovering Aleer have been struggling for game time. And, as we know, if a defence is unsettled, things can go southwards quickly.
But they're still in it, and congrats to Ward, getting his 300 games, but struggling.
November Draft:
GWS need pacy goal-kicking smalls. The Tigers have too many smalls, surely a deal can be done!
Otherwise, GWS can look towards mobile talls (190-194cm) and genuine talls (195-199cm). there are plenty there.
It's beautiful to watch! What we saw two to 3 years ago, with Leon Cameron taking the first steps to gradually rebuild his list is almost there. GWS already have their first layer of mature (25-27yo) players across the height ranges, and have backed that up with talented developing (22-24yo) and juniors (18-21yo). Their challenge will be how to transfer out of their twilighters (28+yo). You can see through the year that Ward will pick up his 5 games needed for 300 - a great milestone for a relatively new team. If progress is linear, GWS will do even better this season.
Select 22:
Not a hard team to pick, with few holes, lots of talent, and gaining experience.
Midseason:
Considering GWS's injuries, especially in their defence, it is amazing they're still in finals contention. Cumming, Haynes, and the recovering Aleer have been struggling for game time. And, as we know, if a defence is unsettled, things can go southwards quickly.
But they're still in it, and congrats to Ward, getting his 300 games, but struggling.
November Draft:
GWS need pacy goal-kicking smalls. The Tigers have too many smalls, surely a deal can be done!
Otherwise, GWS can look towards mobile talls (190-194cm) and genuine talls (195-199cm). there are plenty there.
Hawthorn 2024
List:
Hawthorn are continuing to draft good juniors over the height ranges, and a handful of those juniors have shown that they are ready to play seniors.
It will take them a few years before they are genuinely competitive. Hustwaite, though needing another 10kgs, can kick a goal. Jiath & Blanck, they look to be good interceptors. They are short for small forwards (excuse the pun!), which makes Ginnivan an automatic selection. But they will need others.
Select 22:
As said, Jiath and Blanck should be given regular defensive posts. I have picked 4 talls in their forward half, which is unrealistic, but that's mostly due to their lack of small to medium forwards. Again, that's why Ginnivan is automatic. Lewis should be better this year, given last season as recovery.
And, Chol needs open space to use his running and kicking to advantage.
Midseason:
This is where Oz Footy List Manager really kicks in. If you look at the Hawthorn lists of 2021 and 2022, you'll see how out of balance they were - then, far too many small-mediums. Yes, they've reduced these, and the only real loss was Bramble to Footscray. And, their junior list is spread evenly.
The consequence, they're now going up the ladder.
My guess, when their 22-24yo developing group hits into the 25-27yo mature group, that's when their premiership window will take off.
November Draft:
As their junior section is packed out evenly over the groups, the Hawkers only need to look at quality and may even trade picks to fill holes - maybe a spare developing key back to replace Frost and key forward to replace Gunston.
Hawthorn are continuing to draft good juniors over the height ranges, and a handful of those juniors have shown that they are ready to play seniors.
It will take them a few years before they are genuinely competitive. Hustwaite, though needing another 10kgs, can kick a goal. Jiath & Blanck, they look to be good interceptors. They are short for small forwards (excuse the pun!), which makes Ginnivan an automatic selection. But they will need others.
Select 22:
As said, Jiath and Blanck should be given regular defensive posts. I have picked 4 talls in their forward half, which is unrealistic, but that's mostly due to their lack of small to medium forwards. Again, that's why Ginnivan is automatic. Lewis should be better this year, given last season as recovery.
And, Chol needs open space to use his running and kicking to advantage.
Midseason:
This is where Oz Footy List Manager really kicks in. If you look at the Hawthorn lists of 2021 and 2022, you'll see how out of balance they were - then, far too many small-mediums. Yes, they've reduced these, and the only real loss was Bramble to Footscray. And, their junior list is spread evenly.
The consequence, they're now going up the ladder.
My guess, when their 22-24yo developing group hits into the 25-27yo mature group, that's when their premiership window will take off.
November Draft:
As their junior section is packed out evenly over the groups, the Hawkers only need to look at quality and may even trade picks to fill holes - maybe a spare developing key back to replace Frost and key forward to replace Gunston.
Melbourne 2024
List:
Melbourne's list is a very interesting one that appears to be divided into two worlds - its short term world and its long term one. Mind you, its short term decision-making is woeful - a string of poor decision "buy-ins" that haven't worked. Since their 2021 premiership, Dunstan, Grundy, Schache haven't worked and, recently, Fullarton and Billings look outside chances. Though, McAdam (ex-Adelaide, 1.6 goal/game average over last 3 seasons) looks worthwhile. Leaving Grundy out of last year's 'Semi' left footy followers shaking their heads - could have played him anywhere, "stick him in the backline", was even an option. And, they can't decide on their key forwards or backs, though Brown (FF) and Tomlinson (CHB) seem obvious.
On the other side, their long term recruiting has been very good, given limited draft selections, with future stars - Van Rooyen (CHF/FB/CHB), Jefferson (FF), and Tholstrup (RR/HF), McVee (HB), etc. (Richmond could learn something from this.)
Select 22:
Melbourne's best 22 seems obvious. Tomlinson is their best CHB option, since Petty just doesn't do enough. McAdam strengthens their forward half. While Rivers and McVee add strong and young interception and rebound to their defense. Jefferson still needs another 10kgs to be AFL ready, hopefully for them, sooner than later.
Midseason:
After losing Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, and Gawn to injuries, one would be sorely tempted to write off Melbourne in the short term. However, the Melbourne list management have actually been quite canny and reinvested their losses into the long term.
Look closely at their new wave of junior and developing smalls, mediums and mobile talls coming up. The gist is when they're going to put games into these. Van Rooyen is doing well. Turner and Howes have shown talent, while the very talented Jefferson has been left to rot in the VFL.
Brown was acquired from North to fill a hole in their 2021 list, so why is he still there? Same with Melksham and McDonald.
There's always that gap between a good recruiting department and poor player development once they get there.
November Draft:
Melbourne already have a good set of juniors with their only gap in the junior small section, needing another goal-kicking genuine rover. And, they don't appear to have a first ruckman between the twilighter Gawn and the junior Faris-White. Mirkov (Carlton), Bryan (Ess) and Reidy (Freo), Visentini (StK), or others might be considered.
(Again, you shake your head laughing at last year's Grundy decision - both getting him, omitting him in a crucial final, and then trading him.)
Melbourne's list is a very interesting one that appears to be divided into two worlds - its short term world and its long term one. Mind you, its short term decision-making is woeful - a string of poor decision "buy-ins" that haven't worked. Since their 2021 premiership, Dunstan, Grundy, Schache haven't worked and, recently, Fullarton and Billings look outside chances. Though, McAdam (ex-Adelaide, 1.6 goal/game average over last 3 seasons) looks worthwhile. Leaving Grundy out of last year's 'Semi' left footy followers shaking their heads - could have played him anywhere, "stick him in the backline", was even an option. And, they can't decide on their key forwards or backs, though Brown (FF) and Tomlinson (CHB) seem obvious.
On the other side, their long term recruiting has been very good, given limited draft selections, with future stars - Van Rooyen (CHF/FB/CHB), Jefferson (FF), and Tholstrup (RR/HF), McVee (HB), etc. (Richmond could learn something from this.)
Select 22:
Melbourne's best 22 seems obvious. Tomlinson is their best CHB option, since Petty just doesn't do enough. McAdam strengthens their forward half. While Rivers and McVee add strong and young interception and rebound to their defense. Jefferson still needs another 10kgs to be AFL ready, hopefully for them, sooner than later.
Midseason:
After losing Oliver, Petracca, Brayshaw, and Gawn to injuries, one would be sorely tempted to write off Melbourne in the short term. However, the Melbourne list management have actually been quite canny and reinvested their losses into the long term.
Look closely at their new wave of junior and developing smalls, mediums and mobile talls coming up. The gist is when they're going to put games into these. Van Rooyen is doing well. Turner and Howes have shown talent, while the very talented Jefferson has been left to rot in the VFL.
Brown was acquired from North to fill a hole in their 2021 list, so why is he still there? Same with Melksham and McDonald.
There's always that gap between a good recruiting department and poor player development once they get there.
November Draft:
Melbourne already have a good set of juniors with their only gap in the junior small section, needing another goal-kicking genuine rover. And, they don't appear to have a first ruckman between the twilighter Gawn and the junior Faris-White. Mirkov (Carlton), Bryan (Ess) and Reidy (Freo), Visentini (StK), or others might be considered.
(Again, you shake your head laughing at last year's Grundy decision - both getting him, omitting him in a crucial final, and then trading him.)
North Melbourne 2024
List:
North, after being a shambles for the last few years, at least the list seems to be coming under some control. When you have 13 changes to a list in an off-season, you can start to do that. The positive is that they've stop relying on twilighters, with only 4 players over 26yo. Their next step is to get rid of mature players who aren't up to it. I can easily spot 4 or 5 who aren't, and one or two of them were core players last year.
I can understand why North persevered with Thomas in 2023, despite his indiscretions. He's one of their few quality players.
What I do like is that with a young list, they've rotated their juniors through 2023. They need to continue doing that, getting games and working out the worth of their juniors. "Smalls by 20yo, mediums by 22, and talls by 24" needs to be their rule, with a couple of questionable junior smalls. Good luck, North, you'll need it.
Select 22:
First go at picking a team got me 10 worthy positional players, and two more on interchange but not top-18 worthy. Then, I had to make up a starting team with what was left. They have no small goal-kicking rovers. Fisher is a "walk-in" as first rover, though not a goal-kicker. "Larkey is their only key forward. Nyon, like Chol before him, never got a fair go at Richmond. In the VFL, Nyon, is tall, fast, can jump, mark overhead and kick. and has scored goals, when rarely played forward. The rest, well, they can work that out. I remember Wardlaw and Phillips as very useful Oakleigh Chargers' juniors, maybe they can make up the numbers.
Midseason:
For North, it's a slow process. They're doing it through the draft. Their list is overly packed with developing and junior mediums - small and taller mediums - they can't fit them all in, and they are short of developing mobile and genuine talls, and genuine goalkicking rovers. Why hasn't young Harvey had a chance?
My suggestion is for North to look closely at delistings from other clubs. The Tiges have too many talented smalls. Green and Coulthard aren't getting a go, and Clarke is injured. Look there!
StKilda, Footscray, Adelaide, and Freo have too many mobile and genuine talls. Look there!
November Draft:
Plenty of even talent in this draft, go hard at it again.
North, after being a shambles for the last few years, at least the list seems to be coming under some control. When you have 13 changes to a list in an off-season, you can start to do that. The positive is that they've stop relying on twilighters, with only 4 players over 26yo. Their next step is to get rid of mature players who aren't up to it. I can easily spot 4 or 5 who aren't, and one or two of them were core players last year.
I can understand why North persevered with Thomas in 2023, despite his indiscretions. He's one of their few quality players.
What I do like is that with a young list, they've rotated their juniors through 2023. They need to continue doing that, getting games and working out the worth of their juniors. "Smalls by 20yo, mediums by 22, and talls by 24" needs to be their rule, with a couple of questionable junior smalls. Good luck, North, you'll need it.
Select 22:
First go at picking a team got me 10 worthy positional players, and two more on interchange but not top-18 worthy. Then, I had to make up a starting team with what was left. They have no small goal-kicking rovers. Fisher is a "walk-in" as first rover, though not a goal-kicker. "Larkey is their only key forward. Nyon, like Chol before him, never got a fair go at Richmond. In the VFL, Nyon, is tall, fast, can jump, mark overhead and kick. and has scored goals, when rarely played forward. The rest, well, they can work that out. I remember Wardlaw and Phillips as very useful Oakleigh Chargers' juniors, maybe they can make up the numbers.
Midseason:
For North, it's a slow process. They're doing it through the draft. Their list is overly packed with developing and junior mediums - small and taller mediums - they can't fit them all in, and they are short of developing mobile and genuine talls, and genuine goalkicking rovers. Why hasn't young Harvey had a chance?
My suggestion is for North to look closely at delistings from other clubs. The Tiges have too many talented smalls. Green and Coulthard aren't getting a go, and Clarke is injured. Look there!
StKilda, Footscray, Adelaide, and Freo have too many mobile and genuine talls. Look there!
November Draft:
Plenty of even talent in this draft, go hard at it again.
Port Adelaide 2024
List:
In the 2023 summaries, it was clear that Port Adelaide lacked height in defence and depth in the ruck. In the off-season, they have addressed both these areas. Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher should walk into the two genuine tall defensive positions. Soldo and Sweet should share the rucking. This allows Finlayson and Marshall to play as genuine forwards, as both have a marginally better goal/game average than the aging Dixon.
Other than filling holes, Port has worked to draft juniors to broaden out their junior list. Charleson and Anastasopoulos are small forwards, while Walsh (tall forward) and Lorenz (medium midfielder) round out the junior list.
Select 22:
As said, the two tall defenders, Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher, are walk-ins. Soldo and Sweet should share ruck duties, though Sweet still needs to be raised from a mature rookie. As such, Soldo, already on the senior list, will get first 'dibs'. However, 2 years ago, Sweet was better than English but wasn't given opportunity. And, Soldo is susceptible to injuries. Finlayson and Marshall should be surrounded by small and medium goalkickers. While Ollie Lord, a junior tall, with 13 games last year, may be the wild-card improver.
MidSeason:
My goodness, Port like their talls! 4 in defence - Ratugolea, Allir, Zerk-Thatcher, Houston - and 5 in attack - Marshall, Georgiades, Dixon, Lord and Finlayson - and 3 first ruckmen - Soldo, Sweet, and the junior, Visentini, is AFL-ready. And, they have few or no smalls running around them.
What has happened to McEntee and Narkle? Why haven't Charleson and Anastasopoulos been given half a chance?
North, have a look here!
November Draft:
Draper or Newton as junior smalls, and Herbert and Hargrave or some other as smaller mediums. Plenty there!
In the 2023 summaries, it was clear that Port Adelaide lacked height in defence and depth in the ruck. In the off-season, they have addressed both these areas. Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher should walk into the two genuine tall defensive positions. Soldo and Sweet should share the rucking. This allows Finlayson and Marshall to play as genuine forwards, as both have a marginally better goal/game average than the aging Dixon.
Other than filling holes, Port has worked to draft juniors to broaden out their junior list. Charleson and Anastasopoulos are small forwards, while Walsh (tall forward) and Lorenz (medium midfielder) round out the junior list.
Select 22:
As said, the two tall defenders, Ratugolea and Zerk-Thatcher, are walk-ins. Soldo and Sweet should share ruck duties, though Sweet still needs to be raised from a mature rookie. As such, Soldo, already on the senior list, will get first 'dibs'. However, 2 years ago, Sweet was better than English but wasn't given opportunity. And, Soldo is susceptible to injuries. Finlayson and Marshall should be surrounded by small and medium goalkickers. While Ollie Lord, a junior tall, with 13 games last year, may be the wild-card improver.
MidSeason:
My goodness, Port like their talls! 4 in defence - Ratugolea, Allir, Zerk-Thatcher, Houston - and 5 in attack - Marshall, Georgiades, Dixon, Lord and Finlayson - and 3 first ruckmen - Soldo, Sweet, and the junior, Visentini, is AFL-ready. And, they have few or no smalls running around them.
What has happened to McEntee and Narkle? Why haven't Charleson and Anastasopoulos been given half a chance?
North, have a look here!
November Draft:
Draper or Newton as junior smalls, and Herbert and Hargrave or some other as smaller mediums. Plenty there!
Richmond 2024
List:
Richmond may be the contemporary 'Sleeping Beauty'. After eating the apple of 3 premierships, it fell into a coma for another 3, then woke up after McCrae, Kingsley and Hardwick all left. Certainly Hardwick's kiss goodbye did wake them up. Their other big loss is statistician/IT expert Hayden Hill, who has followed Hardwick to Gold Coast.
The positive is that their list managers have got the list somewhat back into control. First item on the agenda is to clean out the twilighters. Unfortunately, only Cotchin, Riewoldt and Tarrant had 2023 ending contracts. I expect more to go at 2024's end. Koschitzke fills an enormous gap in the list, considering both Colina and Hayes-Brown haven't played a senior game yet, and may never. Also, that both have no senior experience is why the Tiges have had to tie up another valuable spot with the aging Naismith. So, 3 back up ruckmen shows poor list management. Especially with Ryan improving so much.
Then, there is the matter of too many smalls (180cms or less) on the list, giving away too much size advantage to their opponents.
Tiges need to get their list in order before they can begin improving, and it may take some time.
Select 22:
A couple of statistical points worth scanning: 1. Brown and Trezise had better intercepting and metres gained averages than the regular flankers, including Grimes, and should be left there; 2. Young's 2023 intercepting was better than Gibcus's 2022 intercepting average, so Gibcus needs to fight his way back in; and, 3. Ryan's hit-outs and goal-kicking average in 2023 was better than Koschitzke's 2023 at Hawthorn, which should put Ryan ahead. But, with Nankervis's aging and injuries, both should get opportunities this season. Finally, Dow is a much better midfielder than Graham, especially in centre and general clearances, and disposals, and should move ahead of him.
Midseaon:
Some of the clueless reckon that without injuries, the Tiges would be playing finals. "Tell 'em they're dreaming!"
In fact, from a poorly balanced list, the injuries have forced the Tiges into eventually recruiting where they needed to a couple of years ago.
The Tiges list problems:
1. Too many smalls, 6 on the list at most. The Tiges have 10. The younger smalls can't get a go.
2. Not enough developing and mature mediums, so they struggle in the midfield.
3. Not enough mobile talls.
4. Injuries have forced them into recruiting genuine talls, but too many of them are key backs. Yes, Young & Gibcus are long term injuries. Lynch has played four games this season, and 4 last season. Fawcett returned home soon after getting drafted. And, Koschitzke can't kick a regular goal if his life depended on it.
5. They have few regular goal kickers, and their transition into I-50 is atrocious.
6. They picked up a 31yo Naismith, and have 3 developing ruckmen - Ryan, Colina and Hayes-Brown - who can't get a senior game for one reason or another.
It is imperative that the Tigers re-recruit Blake Caracella to Tigerland. He was the one in the mid-2010s who built the Tigers' transition into I-50 to premiership level. McCrae took over, but McCrae's now at Collingwood. Tiges desperately need Caracella back at any price.
Also, a string of twilighters can be delisted too.
November Draft:
1. Early draft picks. Too much time since 2020 has been wasted. Jagga Smith is easily no.1 pick, and he's already played in the Tiger Twos.
2. They can clear out the twilighter list, possibly keeping only Vlastuin, Broad and Nankervis. (Lynch's best was 3 years ago.)
3. Trading any two of Short, Rioli, Baker or Bolton could gain extra early picks. Personally, I'd trade Baker and another of Short or Rioli, and keep Bolton, a more dangerous player.
4. Trading Prestia and Graham to teams already in a window would help too. Hobbs of Essendon might be an opportunity.
5. Taller midfielders to compete against the Cripps and Bontempellis of the AFL - Langford, Smillie, and/or the tall key F/B Shanahan.
Richmond may be the contemporary 'Sleeping Beauty'. After eating the apple of 3 premierships, it fell into a coma for another 3, then woke up after McCrae, Kingsley and Hardwick all left. Certainly Hardwick's kiss goodbye did wake them up. Their other big loss is statistician/IT expert Hayden Hill, who has followed Hardwick to Gold Coast.
The positive is that their list managers have got the list somewhat back into control. First item on the agenda is to clean out the twilighters. Unfortunately, only Cotchin, Riewoldt and Tarrant had 2023 ending contracts. I expect more to go at 2024's end. Koschitzke fills an enormous gap in the list, considering both Colina and Hayes-Brown haven't played a senior game yet, and may never. Also, that both have no senior experience is why the Tiges have had to tie up another valuable spot with the aging Naismith. So, 3 back up ruckmen shows poor list management. Especially with Ryan improving so much.
Then, there is the matter of too many smalls (180cms or less) on the list, giving away too much size advantage to their opponents.
Tiges need to get their list in order before they can begin improving, and it may take some time.
Select 22:
A couple of statistical points worth scanning: 1. Brown and Trezise had better intercepting and metres gained averages than the regular flankers, including Grimes, and should be left there; 2. Young's 2023 intercepting was better than Gibcus's 2022 intercepting average, so Gibcus needs to fight his way back in; and, 3. Ryan's hit-outs and goal-kicking average in 2023 was better than Koschitzke's 2023 at Hawthorn, which should put Ryan ahead. But, with Nankervis's aging and injuries, both should get opportunities this season. Finally, Dow is a much better midfielder than Graham, especially in centre and general clearances, and disposals, and should move ahead of him.
Midseaon:
Some of the clueless reckon that without injuries, the Tiges would be playing finals. "Tell 'em they're dreaming!"
In fact, from a poorly balanced list, the injuries have forced the Tiges into eventually recruiting where they needed to a couple of years ago.
The Tiges list problems:
1. Too many smalls, 6 on the list at most. The Tiges have 10. The younger smalls can't get a go.
2. Not enough developing and mature mediums, so they struggle in the midfield.
3. Not enough mobile talls.
4. Injuries have forced them into recruiting genuine talls, but too many of them are key backs. Yes, Young & Gibcus are long term injuries. Lynch has played four games this season, and 4 last season. Fawcett returned home soon after getting drafted. And, Koschitzke can't kick a regular goal if his life depended on it.
5. They have few regular goal kickers, and their transition into I-50 is atrocious.
6. They picked up a 31yo Naismith, and have 3 developing ruckmen - Ryan, Colina and Hayes-Brown - who can't get a senior game for one reason or another.
It is imperative that the Tigers re-recruit Blake Caracella to Tigerland. He was the one in the mid-2010s who built the Tigers' transition into I-50 to premiership level. McCrae took over, but McCrae's now at Collingwood. Tiges desperately need Caracella back at any price.
Also, a string of twilighters can be delisted too.
November Draft:
1. Early draft picks. Too much time since 2020 has been wasted. Jagga Smith is easily no.1 pick, and he's already played in the Tiger Twos.
2. They can clear out the twilighter list, possibly keeping only Vlastuin, Broad and Nankervis. (Lynch's best was 3 years ago.)
3. Trading any two of Short, Rioli, Baker or Bolton could gain extra early picks. Personally, I'd trade Baker and another of Short or Rioli, and keep Bolton, a more dangerous player.
4. Trading Prestia and Graham to teams already in a window would help too. Hobbs of Essendon might be an opportunity.
5. Taller midfielders to compete against the Cripps and Bontempellis of the AFL - Langford, Smillie, and/or the tall key F/B Shanahan.
St Kilda 2024
List:
Interesting times for St Kilda. First look at the list indicates more than a handful of mature and twilight players who aren't core players but still on the list.
Further, focus needs to placed on the number of twilighters still playing a core role on the list. If Lyon is genuine about his new 'learnings' as an AFL coach, he must look to who is in his core in 3 years time, rather than now.
The positive is that their junior and developing age groups are conforming to the model. Yes, there is a lack of developing (22-24yo) mobile and genuine talls, but they've made up for it by drafting extra junior (18-21yo) talls and, more so, giving early opportunity to Caminiti, Owens, Philipou, and others.
The recruiting of Henry was a must, considering the loss of Gresham. Henry should walk into their first roving position but needs to do more with it in terms of clearances and goals. And, 'goodness-knows' who he's going to be changing with (probably a taller-medium midfielder). Again, the positive is that 'new-bees' - Henry, Dow and Bonner - all add to the team.
Select 22:
The back half picks itself through solid experience. King will improve as he continues recovery from injury. Heath, a 21yo, 204cm ruckman, needs to be given game time now. The three 'newies' - Henry, Dow, and Bonner, make up the 22, but all should be in the starting 18 by season's end.
Midseason:
Much of St Kilda's disappointment this season can be levelled at their inability to develop a top-level midfield. Rather than developing midfielders, they have moved defenders into midfield roles. This has led to a lack of genuine rovers getting opportunity. For example, Henry, a midfield achiever at the Dockers, is now confined to a part-time, off the bench, small forward role. Another, Dow is only getting part-time opportunity.
Further, young ruckman Max Heath is burning up the stats at Sandy, but can't get a look in over the aging Campbell.
On the other hand, strong and tall Schoenmaker has made the most of limited opportunity.
November Draft:
The Sainters' junior list has good depth and spread, except for smalls. That's where their focus needs to be.
Interesting times for St Kilda. First look at the list indicates more than a handful of mature and twilight players who aren't core players but still on the list.
Further, focus needs to placed on the number of twilighters still playing a core role on the list. If Lyon is genuine about his new 'learnings' as an AFL coach, he must look to who is in his core in 3 years time, rather than now.
The positive is that their junior and developing age groups are conforming to the model. Yes, there is a lack of developing (22-24yo) mobile and genuine talls, but they've made up for it by drafting extra junior (18-21yo) talls and, more so, giving early opportunity to Caminiti, Owens, Philipou, and others.
The recruiting of Henry was a must, considering the loss of Gresham. Henry should walk into their first roving position but needs to do more with it in terms of clearances and goals. And, 'goodness-knows' who he's going to be changing with (probably a taller-medium midfielder). Again, the positive is that 'new-bees' - Henry, Dow and Bonner - all add to the team.
Select 22:
The back half picks itself through solid experience. King will improve as he continues recovery from injury. Heath, a 21yo, 204cm ruckman, needs to be given game time now. The three 'newies' - Henry, Dow, and Bonner, make up the 22, but all should be in the starting 18 by season's end.
Midseason:
Much of St Kilda's disappointment this season can be levelled at their inability to develop a top-level midfield. Rather than developing midfielders, they have moved defenders into midfield roles. This has led to a lack of genuine rovers getting opportunity. For example, Henry, a midfield achiever at the Dockers, is now confined to a part-time, off the bench, small forward role. Another, Dow is only getting part-time opportunity.
Further, young ruckman Max Heath is burning up the stats at Sandy, but can't get a look in over the aging Campbell.
On the other hand, strong and tall Schoenmaker has made the most of limited opportunity.
November Draft:
The Sainters' junior list has good depth and spread, except for smalls. That's where their focus needs to be.
Sydney 2024
List:
The strength in the Sydney list is that they have nearly been able to replace injured and retiring players. I've said nearly because tall defenders are still a minor problem for them. The aging Rampe is still one of their best intercepters, despite his now becoming a non-core player. Francis and Melican, as mature players, need to step up to become core defenders. Hamling, from the Dockers, is another third-tall defending option.
The positive is the number of developing and junior players - Chad Warner, Rowbottom, McLean, Amartey, Blakey, Gulden, Campbell, and McDonald - who've stepped up to become core players.
With Melbourne's precedent, I wonder why Grundy was recruited, as Ladhams is now a mature player, and the developing McAndrew needs more game time. I suspect that Ladhams may be in the coach's bad books, with the club needing a more reliable first ruckman.
Adams and Jordan will both need to compete strongly to gain places in the core team.
Select 22:
As said, Sydney need to give games to taller defenders to gain experience. Amartey proved last season an able replacement for the now-retired Franklin. Ladhams v Grundy will see the path blocked for McAndrew, unless one of the aforementioned misses games. Mills and McInerney, with disappointing 2023 seasons need to lift in 2024. Finally, young Sheldrick could be a junior to watch with some impressive games last season.
Midseason:
As said, Sydney's strength is in their replacement of injured and retiring players. Confidence in their list allows them to go to juniors, when in need.
The team has remained stable largely throughout.
November Draft:
Sydney will look to add juniors to their taller mediums (186-189cm) - e.g. Sharp or Travaglia - and mobile talls (190-194cm) - e.g. Langford, Smillie, Shanahan or Trainor.
The strength in the Sydney list is that they have nearly been able to replace injured and retiring players. I've said nearly because tall defenders are still a minor problem for them. The aging Rampe is still one of their best intercepters, despite his now becoming a non-core player. Francis and Melican, as mature players, need to step up to become core defenders. Hamling, from the Dockers, is another third-tall defending option.
The positive is the number of developing and junior players - Chad Warner, Rowbottom, McLean, Amartey, Blakey, Gulden, Campbell, and McDonald - who've stepped up to become core players.
With Melbourne's precedent, I wonder why Grundy was recruited, as Ladhams is now a mature player, and the developing McAndrew needs more game time. I suspect that Ladhams may be in the coach's bad books, with the club needing a more reliable first ruckman.
Adams and Jordan will both need to compete strongly to gain places in the core team.
Select 22:
As said, Sydney need to give games to taller defenders to gain experience. Amartey proved last season an able replacement for the now-retired Franklin. Ladhams v Grundy will see the path blocked for McAndrew, unless one of the aforementioned misses games. Mills and McInerney, with disappointing 2023 seasons need to lift in 2024. Finally, young Sheldrick could be a junior to watch with some impressive games last season.
Midseason:
As said, Sydney's strength is in their replacement of injured and retiring players. Confidence in their list allows them to go to juniors, when in need.
The team has remained stable largely throughout.
November Draft:
Sydney will look to add juniors to their taller mediums (186-189cm) - e.g. Sharp or Travaglia - and mobile talls (190-194cm) - e.g. Langford, Smillie, Shanahan or Trainor.
Westcoast 2024
List:
Two things strike me regarding Westcoast's list: 1. the large number of mature and twilight players who were not core players in 2023, and 2. how few core players (11) from 2023 are still on the list. McGovern played 10 games in 2022, and 9 games in 2023, yet remains on the list. Yeo - 10, 12, 5 and 10 games over the last 4 years for a 30yo is unacceptable. The gist is that the Westcoast list has been allowed to drift. 'Non-star' players have reached maturity with less than 100 games. Also, an almost empty developing (22-24yo) tier remains. Looking back at their 2023 list, Westcoast have shoveled out about 10 players from that developing tier - a sharp consequence of not developing their previous juniors correctly.
The positive is that they are now 'jam-packed' with juniors. That, with the empty developing tier, means that juniors shall be getting senior opportunities earlier than usually expected - more so, if Westcoast's mature and twilight players continue to play 'half-seasons'. However, where are they going to play all their developing and junior rucks? Outside of ex-Giant Flynn and Basil Williams, where are all of Jamieson, Barnett, Jack Williams, Livingstone, Maric and Archer Reid going to play?
Select 22:
The field is open, selecting a 22. McGovern and Barrass are their leading interceptors on average, but didn't play enough games in 2023. Harry Edwards looks a beauty, despite only 2 games in 2023. Bazzo and, possibly, Jack Williams will be their understudies. The midfield will be the opportunity area at Westcoast, with Kelly being the only core inside midfielder. The door will be open to any junior who can pick up an average of 20+ disposals, 2+ clearances, and near a goal a game. There's plenty of opportunity at Westcoast, except, that is, for their junior rucks.
Midseason:
The instability of the Westcoast's team over the year is directly related to their changing list. Credit to them that they have given so many juniors opportunity. For the unfortunate Simpson, in the end, few coaches survive a list turnover. Simpson's sin was holding onto his twilighters for too long, and waiting too late to introduce juniors. (Go back to their 2021 and 2022 lists to see where the damage was done.)
The model tells us that when these juniors hit the mature (25-27 yo) section, the Westcoast premiership window will reopen.
November Draft:
The junior portion of their list is very well stocked across all the height ranges. Westcoast can continue their search for outstandingly talented juniors and can trade picks off for developing players from other clubs who aren't getting a go.
Two things strike me regarding Westcoast's list: 1. the large number of mature and twilight players who were not core players in 2023, and 2. how few core players (11) from 2023 are still on the list. McGovern played 10 games in 2022, and 9 games in 2023, yet remains on the list. Yeo - 10, 12, 5 and 10 games over the last 4 years for a 30yo is unacceptable. The gist is that the Westcoast list has been allowed to drift. 'Non-star' players have reached maturity with less than 100 games. Also, an almost empty developing (22-24yo) tier remains. Looking back at their 2023 list, Westcoast have shoveled out about 10 players from that developing tier - a sharp consequence of not developing their previous juniors correctly.
The positive is that they are now 'jam-packed' with juniors. That, with the empty developing tier, means that juniors shall be getting senior opportunities earlier than usually expected - more so, if Westcoast's mature and twilight players continue to play 'half-seasons'. However, where are they going to play all their developing and junior rucks? Outside of ex-Giant Flynn and Basil Williams, where are all of Jamieson, Barnett, Jack Williams, Livingstone, Maric and Archer Reid going to play?
Select 22:
The field is open, selecting a 22. McGovern and Barrass are their leading interceptors on average, but didn't play enough games in 2023. Harry Edwards looks a beauty, despite only 2 games in 2023. Bazzo and, possibly, Jack Williams will be their understudies. The midfield will be the opportunity area at Westcoast, with Kelly being the only core inside midfielder. The door will be open to any junior who can pick up an average of 20+ disposals, 2+ clearances, and near a goal a game. There's plenty of opportunity at Westcoast, except, that is, for their junior rucks.
Midseason:
The instability of the Westcoast's team over the year is directly related to their changing list. Credit to them that they have given so many juniors opportunity. For the unfortunate Simpson, in the end, few coaches survive a list turnover. Simpson's sin was holding onto his twilighters for too long, and waiting too late to introduce juniors. (Go back to their 2021 and 2022 lists to see where the damage was done.)
The model tells us that when these juniors hit the mature (25-27 yo) section, the Westcoast premiership window will reopen.
November Draft:
The junior portion of their list is very well stocked across all the height ranges. Westcoast can continue their search for outstandingly talented juniors and can trade picks off for developing players from other clubs who aren't getting a go.
Western 2024
List:
Credit to the Westerner's footy managers, as they have the courage to clear out twilighters (28+yo) and mature (25-27yo) players who either aren't core players or starring. This allows them to progress talented juniors (18-21yo) and developing (22-24yo) players, with Weightman, Bailey Smith, Ed Richards, Naughton, and Ugle-Hagan, already well-experienced.
The only area of concern is their column of big-bodied tall-mediums (186-189cms), which looks very thin. I understand that they use mobile talls (190-194cm) in Macrae, Bontempelli, and Bailey Williams as midfielders, but they tend to be one-paced, lacking the zip of smaller midfielders, and not being able to run for 4 quarters. In my opinion, in the last drafting season, as they already had the 20yo junior ruckman, Darcy, they should have focused more on smaller-medium (181-185cm) and taller-medium (186-189cm) midfielders, instead of two new junior ruckmen.
Select 22:
Good smaller defenders have been few and far between at the Bullies. Johannisen has played half of the last two seasons, while Daniels does not rate highly in intercepts. Bramble, from Hawthorn, at a 15+ disposal and almost 5 mark average may be the answer, so I've started him in the smaller back pocket. Darcy, on the bench, can gain game-time changing with English. Poulter looked good last season, and shows hints of being a consistent second or third tall defender. Vandermeer has improved too, and could be an immediate replacement for Bailey Smith (seemingly out for 2024), or be a smaller defender or second tier midfielder. Mind you, it wouldn't surprise me at all that Beveridge puts the elite junior Sanders straight onto the wing to debut from Round 1.
Midseason:
The Bulldogs seem to be presently doing well enough but it hides the fact that half their team now lay in the twilight zone.
What's more, we can see gaps in their mature and developing ranks. Beveridge has done well to introduce developing and juniors into his team, but one can foresee a crash when Trelour, Liberatore, Macrae, Bontempelli, Jones, Johannisen, and Keath decline.
November Draft:
Clearly, mediums, both smaller (181-185cm) and taller (186-189cm) will be their focus in the draft.
Credit to the Westerner's footy managers, as they have the courage to clear out twilighters (28+yo) and mature (25-27yo) players who either aren't core players or starring. This allows them to progress talented juniors (18-21yo) and developing (22-24yo) players, with Weightman, Bailey Smith, Ed Richards, Naughton, and Ugle-Hagan, already well-experienced.
The only area of concern is their column of big-bodied tall-mediums (186-189cms), which looks very thin. I understand that they use mobile talls (190-194cm) in Macrae, Bontempelli, and Bailey Williams as midfielders, but they tend to be one-paced, lacking the zip of smaller midfielders, and not being able to run for 4 quarters. In my opinion, in the last drafting season, as they already had the 20yo junior ruckman, Darcy, they should have focused more on smaller-medium (181-185cm) and taller-medium (186-189cm) midfielders, instead of two new junior ruckmen.
Select 22:
Good smaller defenders have been few and far between at the Bullies. Johannisen has played half of the last two seasons, while Daniels does not rate highly in intercepts. Bramble, from Hawthorn, at a 15+ disposal and almost 5 mark average may be the answer, so I've started him in the smaller back pocket. Darcy, on the bench, can gain game-time changing with English. Poulter looked good last season, and shows hints of being a consistent second or third tall defender. Vandermeer has improved too, and could be an immediate replacement for Bailey Smith (seemingly out for 2024), or be a smaller defender or second tier midfielder. Mind you, it wouldn't surprise me at all that Beveridge puts the elite junior Sanders straight onto the wing to debut from Round 1.
Midseason:
The Bulldogs seem to be presently doing well enough but it hides the fact that half their team now lay in the twilight zone.
What's more, we can see gaps in their mature and developing ranks. Beveridge has done well to introduce developing and juniors into his team, but one can foresee a crash when Trelour, Liberatore, Macrae, Bontempelli, Jones, Johannisen, and Keath decline.
November Draft:
Clearly, mediums, both smaller (181-185cm) and taller (186-189cm) will be their focus in the draft.
Editorial: The Tigers - the great unwanted. 13/5/2024
Two years ago, I spoke with Hayden Hill, the then stats-guru of the Tigers about the dastardly way the umpires treated them. The statistics tell us that the umpires intentionally or unintentionally discriminated against the Tigers and still do. He agreed and said that the Tiger leadership had gone to the AFL leadership, and the latter had done nothing.
What makes our 3 premierships in 2017, 2019 and 2020 even better, is that we beat the umpires' prejudice as well as our playing opponents.
Late last week, even the chief AFL writer, Mark Robinson, had pointed out a small part of the statistics, agreeing with my point. But his observation is only a small part of it. Now, I'm going to lay it out here for you, showing evidence from 2017 to now, R9 2024
Firstly, what we know is that the Tigers continually sit at or near the top of the Frees Against (below).
Early last year, I had the opportunity to speak with a very "keen" AFL umpire.
I asked him: Why do the umpires consistently pay more free kicks against the Tigers than any other club?
His response: You know the Tigers, they tackle too aggressively ..."
But that's only half the story.
If you also look at Frees For (below), you see that the Tigers are consistently at the bottom, year after year.
Next, I questioned that "keen" umpire: Why do the Tigers get consistently less free kicks than any other club?
He couldn't and didn't answer that question.
Next, I questioned that "keen" umpire: Why do the Tigers get consistently less free kicks than any other club?
He couldn't and didn't answer that question.
Now, Tiger supporters, enough is enough!
The Tigers have young players starting their careers and wanting a fair go. It is about time the umpires gave them a fair go - NOW!
The Tigers have young players starting their careers and wanting a fair go. It is about time the umpires gave them a fair go - NOW!