The club did take Keeler a key tall forward in the draft, but he will need a year or two of development before he is exposed to AFL defenders. To their defence they did approach Weideman, as I recall he meeting Ratts etc at the club. Im sure in hindsight after losing King, Gallagher & co wished they had of went a bit harder at Weideman or Schache. Particularly when they were prepared to give a GOP like Cordy a 3 year contract to add as a backup up key defender.bobmurray wrote: ↑Sat 17 Dec 2022 10:50pmThe Key forward shortage seemed to be the one thing that wasn't a priority in the free agency, trade and draft periods in the off season, quite surprising for me as the club progressed through those stages, now that King is injured it could be a costly oversight. I doubt Eyre is the answer. Ross thinks we only have to cover 2 goals a game until King returns, based on King's early 2022 season returns.Impatient Sainter wrote: ↑Sat 17 Dec 2022 12:24pmPerhaps you are right, but I think you are under rating the improvement our midfield will display. Our weakness is our key forward stocks apart from King, we basically have no other proven key forward. I class Membrey as a medium sized forward.
The Dogs have lost their best player this season (Dunkley) and Hunter who was an important outside cog in their list. They do have some good key position players coming through, but their strength in the past has been their midfield. Smith will move into the middle but they will have to replace his outside run. Lobb will be a good 2nd tall/ruckman & Jones will add to their defence, but whether he can return to past form after a year out is yet to be seen.
They have definitely filled their holes in the key tall roles but Dunkley average 25 disposals 4 clearances & Hunter 20 disposals will deplete their mids.
It will be a big ask but hopefully Jack Hayes is ready to go round 1 and Sharman can step up and produce to his potential. With Higgins looking in career best fitness, Butler really applying himiself to training, Gresham back perhaps we can fill the massive void King will leave?
Saint Mike I am sure your projection of Phillipou will be correct, he will be a star! But given his need to add a bit of size etc, I would hold him back from the first round and see how he goes in the practce matches, VFL before throwing him in. He might be a better player than Owens, but we saw how overawed he was this year playing in round 1. Apart from finals round 1 is often the hottest game of the year, so there is no need to rush these kids give them time and let them earn their position in the side.