We know who won the flag and the Norm Smith, but that doesn’t mean there are no more winners in the AFL until first bounce next year. Here are some of the big winners of the off season, along with some honourable mentions.
Next up in the series are the mid-pack and the cellar dwellers of the trade season 2014.
Brisbane Lions: B+ to A-
The only thing they could have done more is recruit a big forward or moved up the draft order to get one. However, the undeniable class of Collingwood star Dayne Beams is an absolute get for the Lions – no matter what the price.
Beams is definitely Collingwood’s second-best player behind Scott Pendlebury. The man is a walk up to any side with his ability to win the ball and kick goals at crucial times. A real matchwinner.
There is plenty more. Throw in a young Allen Christensen, who adds brilliantly to their outside running ability and at a bargain price of pick 21.
Remember the Lions midfield which features Tom Rockcliff – a spiritual leader and ball-magnet.
Don’t forget Dan Rich, a classy operator if and when he can get injury free. Plus Dayne Zorko and Jack Redden and 2015 looks better already.
The Brisbane Lions are the biggest winners of the off season.
Gold Coast: B+
An All-Australian from a grand final side for nothing and a talented youngster who is built like a house of bricks in Mitch Hallahan for a swap of late picks. Whoever coaches the Suns next year will have the best ever Gold Coast list at their disposal.
The trade of Hallahan for late picks which have very little value is a bargain, especially given his last season in 2014 resulted in a VFL best and fairest.
A hard-nosed midfield who will definitely win the inside ball for the Suns will instantly take the load off of Gary Ablett and Co.
Nick Malckeski from Sydney is an inspired move to bulk up a backline already containing the talents of Jarrod Harbrow and Trent McKenzie plus David Swallow. He offers leadership, class and composure in a young team, that’s priceless.
Prepared to back their young talent from the draft in to shoot for the finals, there is a really good look to the Suns outfit for the next season.
In summary: Two first 18 players for next to nothing, brilliant, brilliant work down on the Gold Coast.
Port Adelaide: B to B+
Maybe controversial but for a team which was a kick away from the grand final, they did address a critical weakness in their team and strengthened considerably. Port got their man in Paddy Ryder, regarded by some as one of the best ruck forwards in the AFL.
Provides a quality option up forward to help support a lone target in Jay Schulz and provides a quality chop-out for Matt Lobbe in the ruck. His tap-work is quality, as is his work rate, wouldn’t be surprised if he saw an All-Australian jumper end of 2015.
They did miss Dan Gorringe but had no real need for him due to the age of Lobbe and Ryder and pinch-hitting ability of Jackson Trengove. Port Adelaide as is tradition continue to improve their list with some very good deals, a worthy name on this list and could well make the grand final with this list. Watch this space.
Honourable mentions: Melbourne
Addressed the need for a small forward with Jeff Garlett. Gartlett is a classy player with a good eye for goal when on-song and will provide another avenue to goal the Demons have sorely lacked in recent years.
Sam Frost replaces James Frawley and while isn’t of the same ilk, is a ready-made player with some upside so could prove an inspired choice. Heriter Lumumba from Collingwood is an interesting one. His personality could really fit in with a young group, or it could get really, really awkward down at AAMI Park. Will provide dash and grunt through the backline/midfield area and perhaps even a goal-scoring avenue similar to Bernie Vince with his long kicking.
Still maintaining picks two and three for an Angus Brayshaw and Peter Wright, things look nice for the Demons in years to come.
The reason they didn’t make the top three is simple. The failure to replace big key forward Mitch Clark is a definite sticking point, the pressure on Chris Dawes who had a very average 2014 and the yet-to-debut Jesse Hogan has been raised. The Hogan situation rings of Jack Watts but hopefully I am proved wrong.
A Luke Lowden would have been a bonus especially with Jamar ageing he provides a target up forward and can do some nice things in the ruck. A Travis Varcoe may have also been of use to provide some more outside run.
However a decent post-season from the rebuilding Demons.
Geelong
Mitch Clark. The risk worth taking or the man who needed avoiding? If he fires Geelong’s forward line is potent and one which scares many a defence. Tom Hawkins and Clark in tandem is almost a 120-goal a season partnership – provided both stay on field.
A pick inside the top ten is a handy bonus particularly with the Cats juggernaut allowing for the youngster to develop and mature.
The Rhys Stanley move seems to resemble a money ball offer and a strange one considering how many tall forwards the Cats already have.
Perhaps a quality third tall is his go to position but definitely not a proven goal kicker yet.
Most likely picked up for his versatility through forward, ruck and defence if needed.
However, they lost Allen Christensen for low-value at pick 21 as he is definitely worth more and Travis Varcoe who admittedly needed a new start at another club.
If Stanley is a replacement for either one that’s very strange. Needed at least one player to replace one of the two speedsters perhaps a Jason Tutt or Sam Blease who could blossom under the teaching of Chris Scott at the cattery.
Solid but many risks where taken by the Cats and it remains to be seen if these will come off.
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Things heating up in Canberra!
We’re taking a look at one player from each team that needs to make a difference this week, starting with the ANZAC Day games.
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