Old Mate wrote:The Pies started their rebuild after the 2011 grand final. Since then they have shown faith in their younger players getting games into them and now they are reaping the rewards. We are playing the old farts and delaying the development of kids like Templeton, Mckenzie, Goddard and McCartin who are being played on suburban fields.
I think it is a lot more than that.
Firstly:
As much as I hate to admist it the Pies have in the main drafted and traded extremely well since their last GF experience. Probably the No 1 team in the AFL in this period if you examine quality in for picks used/ players traded away.
I had my doubts on Buckley too, but he clearly has a vision for the type of team that he wants and is rebuilding. With the exception of the very talented Swan they have traded away anyone who was not conforming to the Pie's new ethic.
Secondly:
Yes the Saints have too many older players...but we have too few in our late twenties due to an era on inept drafting.
The Pies have 12 players aged 26-29
The Saints have only 5..........and this is why we have more older players at present. We are compensating with more older players due the lack of late-twenties players.
I expect 2, maybe 3, will go at the end of this season. Then more the season after.
Flying the World in comfort thanks to FF Points....