Originally Posted by
bloodspirit
I doubt the McGovern story. Absolutely no sources are quoted. It could be complete BS. At least in Moore's case the club confirmed that we had made inquiries.
I do rate McGovern highly but doubt we can afford him. The space cleared by Tippett and Macca will quickly be gobbled up by Buddy's contract (which just grows over the length of the contract, it was really back-ended to enable us to pay for him), by the no doubt increasing amounts factored into the contracts for Parker, Heeney, Mills (which were all resigned in the last couple of years to long term deals - along with JPK), and by the increasing amounts we will need to pay to our developing young talent (Lloyd, Jones, Florent, Hayward etc.).
I don't think we have an especially deep KPP list. Numerous other clubs seem to have better depth in this department. Most of our so called 'depth' KPPs are entirely untried and unproven, especially in the front half. McCartin has shown promise and has a good tank and competitiveness - but is he a goalkicker? Pink and Amartey may never make it. Either could be delisted this year even though both have shown promise. Blakey looks a great prospect but we haven't even drafted him yet. In the back half, AJ is on a prayer. Maibaum is going ok, and is improving, but we still haven't extended his original 2 year contract from when he was drafted (whereas Florent, Hayward and Cameron all got a third year promptly) so he is also at risk of being de-listed, particularly if we trade in Moore or some other KPD. Marsh is not the answer, I'm not sure that he even answers to the description of a KPP anyway (<190 cm, like Rampe). Aliir has some height and great athleticism but is in limbo. Inside the best 22 we have Buddy, Reid, Reg (who knows how long for) and Melican.
707, I agree with your de-list/retire/upgrade and I think other de-listings are on the cards but it's hard to say who. There are many players who may be renewed or may not. As noted above these include: all the rookies except Ronke and, I'd say, Fox plus Maibaum, Marsh and Newman. I don't think we'd de-list Marsh or Newman but if they are not going to play in the seniors they may well be better off going elsewhere and leave the club via trade. Aliir in the same category except I don't think we'd get value for him in a trade so I'd prefer we keep him. Then again might depend on him and any personal reasons he has for wanting to e.g. return to WA or Qld.
We still need to re-sign Lloyd, Aliir, Smith, Naismith, Towers and, of course, Reg.
Reflecting on all this, the prospect of trading in a KPP seems increasingly plausible to me. Someone who is more mature than Blakey/McCartin and someone more proven and certain than Maibaum/AJ/Pink/Amartey/Aliir. Probably to play back half since we have Buddy and Reid for the front half now and Blakey and McCartin in the pipeline for later.
Bookmarks