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With sixteen clubs attention now firmly fixed on the upcoming free agency, trade and draft windows, these are seven of the untold stories from the early days of the AFL off-season.
1. Mark Thompson coaching Gary Ablett
Since Gold Coast made the decision to conduct a full scale review of football operations, talk has moved to an experienced coach upending Guy McKenna as Gold Coast coach.
The popular and hot name has been Thompson. However that seems to be forgetting about the last season that Thompson and Ablett had together, where it was clear that their relationship had deteriorated to the point they were not speaking.
While they have apparently cleared the air over the years it is still a stretch to imagine Ablett endorsing Thompson. If Ablett does have the key say in who coaches the Suns next year, it will not be Thompson.
2. Hawthorn are going to need to rebuild
Not on-field of course as they are have as strong a list as there has been in the AFL, but there will be some off-field renovations.
With the highly regarded Luke Beveridge moving onto a new challenge and Brendon Bolton surely going landing a senior job after his stunning stint earlier in the year, the Hawks are going to need to rebuild their coaching and football department.
Along with the depth of talent on the park, it is the depth of talent that they have in the coaching box that has played a key role in their on-going success. Getting the right people in is going to be important for Hawthorn and a challenge they no doubt understand and are on the front foot with.
3. Restricted free agency is nothing to fear
A lot of talk has begun to grow of player’s moving clubs through free agency. However a number of the big names being talked about as moving in 2014 or in 2015 are restricted free agents.
Restricted free agents should be nothing to fear. Matching a contract should be considered a no-brainer for a talented footballer.
The general consensus will always be that the current club will match the playing fee, so why go through the effort of trying to lure a free agent.
Restricted free agency is really only going to be a tool for depth players to gain opportunities. Unrestricted free agency will be the only fear for clubs.
4. Mixed signals from the Saints
St Kilda have been adamant that they want to get three picks in the top 20 of the 2014 draft to help continue their rebuilding. So it’s surprising that the Saints are so openly shopping around the number one pick.
Unless of course given they have scouted the potential draftees more than most. This is a draft without the standout top picks but has really good depth across the top 25.
No doubt this seemingly generous offer by the Saints is only going to come to fruition if a club is able to provide them with two picks in the 10-20 range. Clearly that is where St Kilda believe the value is going to be in this year’s draft.
5. Trade target baggage
Mitch Clark was considered a saviour at Brisbane. Did not work out. Mitch Clark was considered a saviour at Melbourne. Did not work out.
Which club is really going to invest in a player that has serious and significant concerns and has not played a meaningful game of football in over 12 months?
He is in an age demographic that suggests his best football may be behind him. Similarly Heriter Lumumba appears a tough fit for young clubs that are rebuilding and may struggle to fit into the culture of some of the better performing clubs.
With these two being seen as two of the best bets in the trade period, it could be a major letdown as the weeks progress.
6. Adelaide need discipline
If there is one thing that came across from Patrick Dangerfield’s performance at the Brownlow Medal was that this was a player lacking discipline. It would be easy to say that this was simply an Aussie larrikin enjoying a night out, however it could be read that this is where Adelaide are currently struggling.
This appears to be a club that does not have the strive to be great. Over the past five seasons, with the exception of a preliminary final in 2012, this has been a team that seems to struggle to see improvement.
Maybe that lack of improvement can be put down to a lack of discipline and a lack of desire to be the best that they can be.
It is a tough ask for a new coach coming in, but really the appointment of Leigh Tudor could be an outstanding one given his success previously and an apparent real appetite for discipline and getting the most out of players.
7. Deals still on the table
It remains ridiculous that ASADA can want to make deals with Essendon players. While there is no doubt the AFL is mindful of losing three quarters of a list in one swoop, every action has a reaction and the ongoing actions of Essendon meant the reaction should be stern from ASADA.
Players have not wanted to deal until now and there is a list of athletes all around the world that have not been afforded the luxuries that Essendon players seem likely to receive.
Ignorance is not acceptable and that should be the tough line stance that ASADA takes given Essendon’s performance over the past two years.
Two-year bans with no backdating. Make the punishment fit the crime. This was a team that tried to systematically cheat the system and they should conversely be taught the age old adage that cheats will never prosper.
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