If you’re operating in a “state of desperation”, it is likely that you will make a poor decision where an emotional response overrides rational thought. We don’t need to rush in at the moment. Locking into a lengthy contract in a seller’s market is likely to lead to a poor outcome ie. buyer’s remorse.
Nice work Simon. Your point re Blanck sitting pretty much in the same spot as McKay and Ratugolea is spot on. Locking in either McKay or Ratugolea on a long term at big $$ just doesn't make sense. Someone (perhaps it was you) made a very good point on a recent podcast about going for the best player who is available is quite different to getting one of the best players to fill that role. We agree that an intercepting quality key defender is a priority, but just because McKay and Ratugolea are available, doesn't mean they are the right players to get.
Equally, your point re Frost is telling - yes he's had a tough job playing on the best forwards in a team that before his injury was losing heaving fairly consistently, but those numbers are terrible. The other disappointing player there was Scrimshaw - very low spoil rate and very high contest loss rate.
Blanck needs to be persisted with. He is 22 (3-4 years younger than Ratugolea and McKay), has only done the one pre-season and has had a real baptism of fire having played on the best key forward each week. In the interview with Peter Burge earlier this year, Burge was excited about Blanck's athletic profile and what he could become. So, there's upside with Blanck, unlike with Ratugolea who after so long in the system are pretty much known quantities. While he'll never be a high possession defender, if Blanck can negate the opposition's best forward each week, we'd be very happy with that, and it frees up the other tall defender to be attacking.
Perhaps that player we are searching for is already on our list - Jeka has had a very solid finish with Box Hill and his late season form in 2022 was very compelling and saw him play several games late in the season as a key defender. And of course, there's Denver, who if asked to play a more attacking role, may still work as a key defender, plus we'll pick up 197 cm Will McCabe in the upcoming draft.
In terms of players we need, there's also a key forward to partner Mitch and again in Ryan or Denver, perhaps that player is on our list and with the loss of Brockman and Punky nearing the end, a high-quality small forward is also a priority.
Left Field food for thought and short term solution. Ask GWS for Nick Haynes (yes he is 30), take his $1m contract for 2024, offer him a 2 year deal (reduced $ for year 2) and ask GWS for their pick 13 (which could end up pick 19) if they win the flag. Nick Haynes is a great intercept defender and struggles for a game at GWS. Trade Frost to North Melb given they lose McKay to Essendon or Sydney. Don’t think the hawks will land him.
True, fair point, but still don’t think he is close to elite and you are going to have to pay him a fortune to come as Essendon are apparently leading the race. If we got him he would be close to our highest paid player and I just don’t know how that will sit with the rest of team. We should stay in the hunt so Bombers pay a fortune but aim not to get him…
"Money is a non-issue". Don't buy it, I'm sorry. Money is always an issue. Successful team ala Hawks of 13/14/15 and the recent Geelong side had a clear policy of not overpaying, to spread the $ for team success. Paying very top dollar for a very non-top player not smart at this stage of the rebuild. Far better to wait or develop our own. Not like we are going to be threatening for flag in next couple of years.
Dougal will be 28 when next season starts and was left out of the Saints side late in the season for Bulldogs reject Zane Cordy. Might be better to give Jeka a go.
It was reported Howard had broken a bone in his wrist a month prior to the final. He was a close call to be selected. The games I have seen him play I thought he did well on the gorilla type forwards. Jeka is more a CHB type and can use his intercepting skills across half back. Howard plays more on the last line of defence.
At present we still have Denver,Jiath, and possibly Kosi as a swing player down back this is not to say that we stop looking there are many times good players have a shocker,or play with injuries then our poor supporters cry get rid of them remember our Conor surprised us this year on his improvement let’s hope other’s can step up.
Bugger......I think in the draft then we should try to get young Duursma. I think I read somewhere that his brother wants to leave Port so perhaps we could land both. Add to that young McCabe and would be happy bringing those 3 to the Hawks
Agree with conclusion. Should persist with Blanck, and play Jeka. He is big (1.98) and has good foot skills and will make it with persistence.
If you’re operating in a “state of desperation”, it is likely that you will make a poor decision where an emotional response overrides rational thought. We don’t need to rush in at the moment. Locking into a lengthy contract in a seller’s market is likely to lead to a poor outcome ie. buyer’s remorse.
Nice work Simon. Your point re Blanck sitting pretty much in the same spot as McKay and Ratugolea is spot on. Locking in either McKay or Ratugolea on a long term at big $$ just doesn't make sense. Someone (perhaps it was you) made a very good point on a recent podcast about going for the best player who is available is quite different to getting one of the best players to fill that role. We agree that an intercepting quality key defender is a priority, but just because McKay and Ratugolea are available, doesn't mean they are the right players to get.
Equally, your point re Frost is telling - yes he's had a tough job playing on the best forwards in a team that before his injury was losing heaving fairly consistently, but those numbers are terrible. The other disappointing player there was Scrimshaw - very low spoil rate and very high contest loss rate.
Blanck needs to be persisted with. He is 22 (3-4 years younger than Ratugolea and McKay), has only done the one pre-season and has had a real baptism of fire having played on the best key forward each week. In the interview with Peter Burge earlier this year, Burge was excited about Blanck's athletic profile and what he could become. So, there's upside with Blanck, unlike with Ratugolea who after so long in the system are pretty much known quantities. While he'll never be a high possession defender, if Blanck can negate the opposition's best forward each week, we'd be very happy with that, and it frees up the other tall defender to be attacking.
Perhaps that player we are searching for is already on our list - Jeka has had a very solid finish with Box Hill and his late season form in 2022 was very compelling and saw him play several games late in the season as a key defender. And of course, there's Denver, who if asked to play a more attacking role, may still work as a key defender, plus we'll pick up 197 cm Will McCabe in the upcoming draft.
In terms of players we need, there's also a key forward to partner Mitch and again in Ryan or Denver, perhaps that player is on our list and with the loss of Brockman and Punky nearing the end, a high-quality small forward is also a priority.
Thanks for the article and analysis.
I really want Jeka to make it. Hoping he gets another 12 months and has an injury free 2024 to see what he can do.
Left Field food for thought and short term solution. Ask GWS for Nick Haynes (yes he is 30), take his $1m contract for 2024, offer him a 2 year deal (reduced $ for year 2) and ask GWS for their pick 13 (which could end up pick 19) if they win the flag. Nick Haynes is a great intercept defender and struggles for a game at GWS. Trade Frost to North Melb given they lose McKay to Essendon or Sydney. Don’t think the hawks will land him.
You have to look at who they have around them and context
Esava has Tom Stewart
Blanck has Sicily
McKay has...?...plus he has the ball coming at him more often and with better quality than either
True, fair point, but still don’t think he is close to elite and you are going to have to pay him a fortune to come as Essendon are apparently leading the race. If we got him he would be close to our highest paid player and I just don’t know how that will sit with the rest of team. We should stay in the hunt so Bombers pay a fortune but aim not to get him…
Doesn't need to be elite. Just needs to be better than what they currently have.
He can be an effective foil for Sicily and make him better for longer
Leveraging and extending effective life of our most important player is good strategy
3 years younger then Sis and 3 years older then Blanck means he fills a hole
Money is a non-issue. Players are smart enough to understand team balance
BTW he intercept marks at the same rate as Sis. Tough combo. to play against.
"Money is a non-issue". Don't buy it, I'm sorry. Money is always an issue. Successful team ala Hawks of 13/14/15 and the recent Geelong side had a clear policy of not overpaying, to spread the $ for team success. Paying very top dollar for a very non-top player not smart at this stage of the rebuild. Far better to wait or develop our own. Not like we are going to be threatening for flag in next couple of years.
Sounds like Dougal Howard might be on the trade table. Could he be the answer to fill our FB issues and not break the bank.
Dougal will be 28 when next season starts and was left out of the Saints side late in the season for Bulldogs reject Zane Cordy. Might be better to give Jeka a go.
It was reported Howard had broken a bone in his wrist a month prior to the final. He was a close call to be selected. The games I have seen him play I thought he did well on the gorilla type forwards. Jeka is more a CHB type and can use his intercepting skills across half back. Howard plays more on the last line of defence.
At present we still have Denver,Jiath, and possibly Kosi as a swing player down back this is not to say that we stop looking there are many times good players have a shocker,or play with injuries then our poor supporters cry get rid of them remember our Conor surprised us this year on his improvement let’s hope other’s can step up.
Could Zerk Thatcher be a possibility given he wants to leave?
He is a lock for the Power
Bugger......I think in the draft then we should try to get young Duursma. I think I read somewhere that his brother wants to leave Port so perhaps we could land both. Add to that young McCabe and would be happy bringing those 3 to the Hawks
I would be happy with both Duursma’s. X plays on the Wing which is what we wanted Liam henry to do. I would rather X.