I’m not quite as pessimistic Hypen. The best version of our team looks good.
I think we’re set in the backline with Pearce and Hamling holding down the defensive key positions (I reckon they’ll be fringe AA defenders for the next five years) and a combination of Wilson, Ryan, Blakely, Logue and S Hill playing on the flanks. That’s a very good backline that will be better with another year together.
Our centre square of Sandi/Darcy, Fyfe, and Neale (with Mundy in spells) can be elite at winning the ball. Our outside runners in the Hills and Langdon are really good and another pre-season should see Brayshaw, Cerra and Banfield add to their output.
There is talent in the forward line, but even with another year there are a lot of question marks: Can some combination of Tabs, Cox and Apeness stay on the park and give us enough marking options week-to-week? Can we get anything out of McCarthy or Bennell? Will Walters be able to play a whole season? The best version of our forward line could be ok, but we’ve never seen it and there is reason to think we never will.
But for me the real question is will we see any more young players push up to be valuable contributors, either in the starting 22 or as injury cover. Langdon has taken a huge leap this year, as had Blakely before he was injured. Will anyone do that next year? Can a Duman or Tucker or North make a leap? I think a team's bottom 6 players shape success at least as much as your top 6. Our bottom 6 on the weekend (Duman, Matera, Giro, Jones, Sutcliffe and Tucker) aren’t really AFL quality, at least not yet in some cases.
Our trading and drafting has been good lately, so perhaps will we be able to slot another player (of the Wilson or Hamling calibre) in the forward line where we could use help. Will our first pick contribute as much as Brayshaw and Cerra, and will they be a forward?
Our best team next year is good enough for the finals, but with so little depth there’s no margin for error. How we add to that depth will determine how we go next year.
