Providing the greatest probability for a team to move from the bottom of the table to back in the top8 and competitive is such an incredible puzzle to solve.
A web approach vs a mono approach re list management and peak performance, has arguably been the key. It is always an insightful process to remind ourselves where the vast majority of best 22 players come from.
There is no doubt that just because you have early picks in the draft doesnt mean success on the field. We have seen this with Melb, Carlton, Gold Coast, GWS. Equally some teams have recruited on the run with minimal top draft picks and been successful.
So far our key recruits with 1st round draft picks have been Ollie, Mills, Heeney, Stephens, Blakey, Hayward, Ling. Do these 7 players dominate a game? Not really.........but maybe soon? The Blakey experiment with midfield game time could look very different in 2021 / 22? Mills could move into the midfield if our backline goes to a next level. Heeney maybe delayed as a significantly difficult injury to heal quickly. Stephens could dominate like a Gaff on the wing. We will see !
The late picks > a high performing list needs a Parker, Rampe, Lloyd, Paps, Cunningham, Dawson, AA, Fox, Oriordan, Melican, McInerny Wicks ie these later picks to come through and be consistent contributors in the best 22.........In fact one would argue this segment determines a list more than any other, if done right as it makes up half a best 22 !
A high performing list needs to nail the mid range picks to become dominant players - Hewett, Rowbottom, Reid, McCartin, Gould, Warner etc
A high performing list needs some serious elite and or value trade opportunities to arise and count - Kennedy value through to Bud elite. Jury is out on Brand, Clarke, Thurlow and Taylor who we are fairly dependant on to bolster our best 22 via experience / mature bodies.
Finally injuries obviously hurt or hinder.......a club needs a run of injury free - Ling a top draft pick through to Bud etc out for long periods hurts our best 22 significantly.
.........
I am excited by Stephens potential and a pick3 type opportunity this draft. Yet our ability to trade value players, trade elite players and to select mid range to late picks that go onto to dominate like a Rampe is just as important if not way more so !
A web approach vs a mono approach re list management and peak performance, has arguably been the key. It is always an insightful process to remind ourselves where the vast majority of best 22 players come from.
There is no doubt that just because you have early picks in the draft doesnt mean success on the field. We have seen this with Melb, Carlton, Gold Coast, GWS. Equally some teams have recruited on the run with minimal top draft picks and been successful.
So far our key recruits with 1st round draft picks have been Ollie, Mills, Heeney, Stephens, Blakey, Hayward, Ling. Do these 7 players dominate a game? Not really.........but maybe soon? The Blakey experiment with midfield game time could look very different in 2021 / 22? Mills could move into the midfield if our backline goes to a next level. Heeney maybe delayed as a significantly difficult injury to heal quickly. Stephens could dominate like a Gaff on the wing. We will see !
The late picks > a high performing list needs a Parker, Rampe, Lloyd, Paps, Cunningham, Dawson, AA, Fox, Oriordan, Melican, McInerny Wicks ie these later picks to come through and be consistent contributors in the best 22.........In fact one would argue this segment determines a list more than any other, if done right as it makes up half a best 22 !
A high performing list needs to nail the mid range picks to become dominant players - Hewett, Rowbottom, Reid, McCartin, Gould, Warner etc
A high performing list needs some serious elite and or value trade opportunities to arise and count - Kennedy value through to Bud elite. Jury is out on Brand, Clarke, Thurlow and Taylor who we are fairly dependant on to bolster our best 22 via experience / mature bodies.
Finally injuries obviously hurt or hinder.......a club needs a run of injury free - Ling a top draft pick through to Bud etc out for long periods hurts our best 22 significantly.
.........
I am excited by Stephens potential and a pick3 type opportunity this draft. Yet our ability to trade value players, trade elite players and to select mid range to late picks that go onto to dominate like a Rampe is just as important if not way more so !
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