Which AFL club has the greatest depth in the run to the finalsHerald-Sun
July 21, 2015 12:26PMHAWTHORN might be raging favourites to complete the three-peat but is it Fremantle who boasts the greatest depth in the run to September?
Despite injuries to Michael Johnson (hamstring) and Hayden Ballantyne (pectoral) the Dockers have plenty in reserve.
Clancee Pearce, Zac Dawson, Paul Duffield and Tendai Mzungu are currently out of the side along with talls Zac Clarke and Jack Hannath.
While Hawthorn’s best 25-man squad is nigh on unstoppable, the next rung is not as strong.
West Coast might be vulnerable after losing Jeremy McGovern (hamstring) — the third Eagles key defender to go down injured this season.
Sydney, Richmond and North Melbourne are well placed but reliant on key planks standing up with largely developing players coming up through the ranks.
Collingwood’s depth is already being tested with injuries to star forwards Travis Cloke and Jamie Elliott.
SuperFooty has run the rule over the top 11 clubs to identify which contenders have the greatest depth.
Depth players are ranked in order of importance, while young developing players including rookies have been left off as it’s unlikely they’ll play a part in a premiership tilt.
RICHMONDINJURIESTy Vickery (suspension) 1 week
Nathan Drummond (knee) season
Jayden Short (ankle) season
Nathan Foley (knee) indefinite
Ricky Petterd (foot) indefinite
Shane Edwards (leg) 2-3 weeks
Todd Elton (knee) 1-2 weeks
Dan Butler (knee) test
Ben Griffiths (shoulder) test
DEPTHReece Conca
Chris Knights
Sam Lloyd
Steven Morris
Corey Ellis
David Astbury
Liam McBean
Connor Menadue
Matt Dea
Matt Thomas
WE SAY: Ben Lennon, Matt McDonough and Shaun Hampson have been given a chance but are likely to be forced out when Vickery, Griffiths and Edwards return in the next few weeks. Conca played a half in the VFL on the weekend in his return from a long-term hamstring injury and went OK; he’ll be pushing hard for a best 22 spot soon. Knights has played two-and-a-half matches in his injury comeback and could add some class across half-forward if his body holds together while Morris can play shutdown roles like the one he did on Chris Yarran. McBean and Lloyd offer potential goalkicking power and last year’s top draft pick Ellis did some nice things in his six senior appearances from Round 6-12. All up the Tigers have good cover but if any of their big five go down they will be very hard to replace.
http://www.news.com.au/sport/afl/afl-2015-which-afl-club-has-the-greatest-depth-in-the-run-to-the-finals/story-fnelctok-1227450696467