Depth is a hard one to gauge. I think once a gameplan is up and running and the team is going well you start to see what we might call sub-par players being able to fulfil a role with the team structure. Therefore, a lot of players in good teams get overrated and a lot of teams lists get overrated. I would argue that most lists in the AFL, are of a similar value and that a teams structure and focus on effort create an illusion of depth.

Depth is the easy bit. The hard bit is getting the good players!

In a nutshell.

I never like it when posters say we should recruit X because he gives us depth. If he aint going to challenge for a top 22 spot then the Club should not sweat over getting him.

The specialized type who when they line up on the premier wingman of the game (Dale Thomas, Hill for example) get slaughtered! Bate's a damn good VFL player who just isn't up to AFL any more. See Brock McLean.

Oops, so let's just pick up Dale Thomas and that Hill character, then. Not so easy. Matthew Bate's not as good as those guys, obviously.