Looking at our list to look for holes I would order each player in each postion as such. I would play the 'Italics' players in the team first on current form/potential.
Firstly a great topic and OP Stripes
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Tall Forwards - (2 or 3)
Riewoldt, Griffiths, Post, Rance, Westoff
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 6/10
We have the Coleman medalist who is still only 21. Griff has shown a few signs that he could be a great CHF for us in the future but time will tell. We have 2 young average toilers as backups and a development player lining up in Coburg reserves at present.
I agree with your italic selections as far as mid-long term Stripes but at present it's Jack then daylight despite Griffs being our lucky charm this year. Rance would go into the tall defender category moreso than tall forward for mine. Post was disappointing this year at either end of the ground and Westhoff is a long way off to be classed as depth. Depth wise I'd give us a 3/10. In desperation after Griffs did his shoulder we tried McGuane and even Thursty forward and that was a total failure as they kept dragging their man to the contest where Jack was. We need another key forward to add depth IMO.
Mid/Small Forwards - (3 or 4)
Collins, White, Nason, Taylor,
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 4/10
Collins popped up this year and White used his increased size and speed to cause some headaches but overall crumbing/small scoring options remains an area we need more of. Hopefully Taylor can be that crumber as well as marking option too but has shown little to date.
Defensive Forwards - (1)
King, Hicks, Nahas,
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 4/10
In the later half of the year little King made this spot his own using his natural aggression to contain forwards while peeling off and then using his penerating kicks to hurt them the other way. Hicks has promise but will need time and Nahas has gone backwars and may not survive the cull.
I'd give both these groups a 2/10 at this stage. Really we got hardly nothing consistently out of small or midsized forwards as far as good scoring. I'd doubt they gave opposition coaches any sleepless nights. It's still a wait and see approach for Nason and Taylor after just one year in the AFL. I wouldn't have Taylor and Nason together in the same category. Taylor is 189cm so he's your midsized forward who is capable of playing tall on the lead as well as small and smart when the ball hits the ground; Nason on the other hand is your small roving forward. With Morton moving into the midfield we lost a mid forward who could kick goals. We need 1-2 more at least. It's interesting that midsize forwards have been the main avenues for goals in the top sides this year. Where is our next Stevie Johnson, Didak or Rioli?
I wouldn't have a separate group for defensive forwards. A small forward should be a defensive forward as well. Dangerous both offensively around the goals and defensively chasing down and tackling opposition players inside forward 50. Kingy was our best at it this year but he's really only filling in until someone of more natural ability and skill takes his place on our list. Nahas isn't up to it while Hicks is very small. I agree with Redan that White is more an outsider midfielder/finisher than strictly a small/mid forward. Collins likewise. Having said that a small forward is probably the last piece of the puzzle for Hardwick given his experience at Hawthorn. Rioli being the last piece for the tilt at the 2008 flag when drafted in 2007.
Inside Midfielders - (3 or 4)
Cotchin, Martin, Foley, Tuck
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 9/10
Cotchin and Martin are already very good midfielders could, by all signs, turn elite. Foley was class but injury ended his season before it began and could haunt him in the future. Tucky played back but was moved back into the middle more as the year progressed and remains a 'contested-ball monster'. He still lacks the polish and poise of Cotch and Martin though. Our strongest area of the ground imho.
I don't think I'd give it a 9/10 which would put our inside mids in the top bracket of the comp.
but contested footy is a strength of ours at least from the perspective that when we can match other sides in the contested footy we are usually competitive. Cotch and Martin are our class mids whereas Tuck is a honest reliable toiler. Foley's future is up in the air having missed the best part of two seasons. We lack depth as we found out when Cotch was rubbed out for 4 weeks and Jacko 3. You can't have enough ballwinners IMO.
Outside Midfielders - (2 or 3)
Morton, Edwards, Webberley
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 3/10
Edwards had a breakout year and Morton came back into the team and played well. Webberly was also very goo in his first season. While signs a positive it remains an area we are weak. We need more players with speed and elite desposal by foot to lift our side in the future. I'm not sure if our current outside midfielders will get to that level.
Agree with your summary here Stripes. Hard to find the elite quality current on our list that we need as outside and linebreaking mids that gut-run in both directions all day. As you said a major area of weakness.
Taggers - (1 or 2)
Jackson
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 5/10
Jackson is incredible important to our midfield structures both containing the oppositions most damaging ball user and laying the blocks/physical work needed to create the space for our players to work in around the stoppages. Jackson has the speed, endurance and athletism to stay with almost any player. While he remains relatively young we do need another player to take his place if he is injuries/suspended. We have no depth here.
I wouldn't have this as a separate category. Bartel tags for Geelong at times and he's a class mid. In the long term we need quality mids who can do multiple roles so we are versatile and can cover injuries. Jacko is okay but if he was upgraded I wouldn't be disappointed.
Tall Defenders - (2 or 3)
Moore, McGuane, Astbury, Gourdis, Thursfield, Grimes
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 8/10
While our tall defenders are still average at present we have built up a great deal of depth and potential in this area. In fact we have created a healthy competiton for places at present.
As far as tall defenders who are spoilers then yes we have depth in that area. However a modern backman needs to rebound and distribute the ball outside defensive 50 as well as he defends. From the later viewpoint I'd give us a 4/10. Moore is not too bad while Astbury has shown he do both roles. Thursty and McGuane are strictly old school defenders. Gourdis is still unknown and has question marks over his footskills whereas Grimes is too young to judge. We have too many of the same type of tall defender and we need a bigger body defender. I can't see moving forward with all 3 of Thursty, McGuane and Moore. McGaune being moved out of defence this year and tried up forward makes him vunerable and possible trade bait for mine. I don't think he has the footy smarts to take us up the ladder.
Mid/Small Defenders - (3 or 4)
Deledio, Newman, Connors, Farmer, Tambling, Dea
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 7/10
Our running backline is excellent with our best uses playing behind the ball. Conversely though we lack the type of small/mid defenders who can shut down a dangerous small forward such as a Milne. We have depth and potential here though.
Agree with your summary here Stripes.
Rucks - (1 or 2)
Graham, Vickery, Browne
Current Quality/Depth Rating= 4/10
Graham was exceelent early but ran out steam. Vickery also showed good signs but ran his race early too. Vickery has excellent movement for a big fellow but seemed to be still learning how to play this year. Browne remain raw. Three rucks is not enough on a list.
While we still struggle big time in the ruck at times it's not a high priority to deal with at this stage. Also the top 5 sides this year have first ruckman that weren't developed. They were traded for in their mid-late 20s: Jolly, Ottens, Gardiner and King, Hudson and Mumford. With free agency coming we can wait and poach a decent mature ruckman as required.
So in terms of draft needs....
A ballwinning mid or two who can play outside, works hard both ways and has elite footskills with penetration.
A tall key forward
A bigger body key defender/rebounder
A classy midsize forward
