All came practically free and if they represent our bottom end by year's end we've made some serious in-roads in strengthening our list.

For all the good drafting of the last couple of yrs Newton, Riley and Michie at this stage seem to be a bust.

We still need to get better at drafting IMO.

Remind me what they cost us?

Remind me what they cost us?[/quote

3 spots on the list for possibly better players.

For all the good drafting of the last couple of yrs Newton, Riley and Michie at this stage seem to be a bust.

We still need to get better at drafting IMO.

I think Newton has acquitted himself well.

For all the good drafting of the last couple of yrs Newton, Riley and Michie at this stage seem to be a bust.

We still need to get better at drafting IMO.

They were trades, not draft picks.

They were trades, not draft picks.

Didn't mean draft exclusively Clint sorry should have also said trades.

My point is that we still need to get better at drafting/trading as we need to try and make every post a winner given our history in this area.

Don't get me wrong we have improved but can still improve more.

I think Newton has acquitted himself well.

Needs to show more IMO chook but in saying that he needs to be given chances in the seniors to do this.

These guys may have not become best 22 players but for the most part, they were net gain in that they have strengthened the list and provided better depth for when needed. Not a bust in my eyes, though it would have been nice if at least one of them came on enough to cement a spot. May still happen.

They were trades, not draft picks.

Or were they DFAs?

Recycled players from opposition clubs are obviously 'let go' intentionally - occasionally there may be 'behavioural' or 'cultural' issues but more often than not, they are simply not good enough to command a higher spot in their previous team's best 22.

Roos, Taylor & co have proven to be remarkably adept at identifying players who, whilst not top 22 at their previous club, nevertheless offer something to us ( which, it must be said, is not saying much for 2007 - 2013).

Newton, Michie and (to a lesser extent), Riley, are all young enough (relatively speaking) to provide some 'bottom 6' depth for the next 2 - 3 years until the truly talented youngsters we have drafted, ( and will hopefully continue to draft), fully mature.

Guys like Matt Jones et al will be long gone by then but, for present purposes, they have a role to perform that Roos and Goodwin will no doubt clearly articulate for them (e.g. for Matt Jones later today, tag Dal Santo and stifle his run & creativity).

For all the good drafting of the last couple of yrs Newton, Riley and Michie at this stage seem to be a bust.

We still need to get better at drafting IMO.

Wouldn't worry about that. Was all part o the plan to get as many contested ball winners to the club and see which ones had what it takes, and those guys cost us nothing really

Next step will be to bring in outside run and more skill

Thats how cactus the list was at the end of 2013... literally needs to be rebuilt one layer at a time

For all the good drafting of the last couple of yrs Newton, Riley and Michie at this stage seem to be a bust.

We still need to get better at drafting IMO.

You expect 100% of all trades and picks to work out? Unrealistic expectations come to mind.

My full rebuttal can viewed at post 32 in this thread

Didn't Newton and Riley cost us nothing anyway?

Seems a funny thing to criticise our list management for.

Didn't mean draft exclusively Clint sorry should have also said trades.

My point is that we still need to get better at drafting/trading as we need to try and make every post a winner given our history in this area.

Don't get me wrong we have improved but can still improve more.

Actually, we did draft Riley.

Actually, we did draft Riley.

Delisted Free Agent

Didn't Newton and Riley cost us nothing anyway?

Seems a funny thing to criticise our list management for.

Of course they cost us -Its called opportunity cost.

Lets just bring the geelong /collingwood effort not the essendon/st.kilda effort

Newton, riley and michie are far better depth players than strauss, tapscott and blease

I'm no fan of matt jones, but would they be using him to play on Harvey? He is quickish isn't he?

I think Harvey would be too smart for him.

More likely to play a defensive role to take away Atley's run.

Lets just bring the geelong /collingwood effort not the essendon/st.kilda effort

Go to the Match Preview thread if you don't fancy talking about our drafting.

Go to the Match Preview thread if you don't fancy talking about our drafting.

Exactly