For the teams who don’t make the AFL finals, it can be a frustrating and miserable time waiting for the off-season. Yet there’s the draft to look forward to, the free agency period and the excitement and surprises that occur at the trade table.
Every AFL fan wants their team to improve in 2016, so here are a few points of interest and key questions your club has to consider in the off-season.
Imagine, for a day, you are in the inner sanctum of an AFL club. You have big decisions to make. Who are you going to delist, re-sign, trade and take a risk on?
Starting with Collingwood, here are five questions the Magpies must consider in the off-season.
1. Midfield depth: A good headache for Nathan Buckley to have?
As is well documented by now, Collingwood’s season ended in disappointment after missing out on the finals and finishing with a mediocre record of 10-12.
Like most of the other teams that sit between the 9-13 spots on the ladder, Collingwood has its problems but their midfield depth is not one of them. Or is it?
Here are a few names for your discretion: Scott Pendlebury, Dane Swan, Taylor Adams, Steele Sidebottom, Jack Crisp, Travis Varcoe, Levi Greenwood, Jordan De Goey, Brent Macaffer, Ben Kennedy, Jarryd Blair, Nathan Freeman and possibly Adam Treloar and James Aish. The Dayne Beams deal from a year ago isn’t looking so bad now.
Pendlebury and Swan had wonderfully consistent years, and were rewarded with nominations in the initial 40-man All Australian squad.
Varcoe and Crisp should be up for recruits of the year. Macaffer is coming off a knee reconstruction and will be raring to go next year. Freeman hasn’t played a game yet but the club has high expectations. Greenwood looked in great shape in his limited appearances to round out the season and De Goey showed why he will be a 200-game player for the black and white in his debut season.
Having midfield depth is a major advantage once the realities of a 22-round AFL season hits an AFL club. Injuries and suspensions means clubs have to be flexible and ready to replace one player with another with limited effect on the rest of the team.
With the sub rule on the way out, the likes of Kennedy and Blair will see more time in the midfield. But with limited spots (6-8) in the middle of the ground, will all of these players get a chance to represent the black and white next year?
It’s a great problem for the coaching staff to have. But will it lead to players seeking more opportunities elsewhere in the future? Are the Pies too deep in the midfield and lacking in other areas?
2) Are the Pies going to be too tall?
The Pies toyed with playing two ruckmen all year. There were a few combinations that they experimented with.
First we say Grundy and Witts play together. Then it was just Witts when Grundy went down with a neck injury. We then saw Witts drop down to the VFL and Grundy shoulder the load. We saw glimpses of Darcy Moore and Jesse White as the second ruckman as well. But with rumours swirling of Collingwood’s pursuit of Carlton’s Matthew Kreuzer, and the possible departure of Jarrod Witts to GWS in the trade for Treloar, are the Pies going into 2016 a little too top heavy?
In defence, they have Nathan Brown, Jack Frost, Ben Reid (swingman), as well as medium sized defenders in Marsh, Toovey and Goldsack. Up forward, there is Travis Cloke, Darcy Moore and Jesse White. And in the ruck, they have Brodie Grundy and a TBA in the off-season as his back-up.
With the sub rule gone, the days of playing two ruckmen and subbing one out to inject more run and energy are done.
With transition football dominating the league, are the Pies going to be too tall and perhaps, too slow when it comes to footy in 2016?
3) Jesse White – does he deserve one more chance?
On paper, Jesse White is your prototype AFL forward. 102 kgs and 196cm, he’s light on his feet, he’s incredibly athletic, he has speed to burn and he is a solid contested mark.
There’s only one problem. Okay, no, there are a few problems. His accuracy, his consistency and his desire to play AFL football have been questioned for years, but the scrutiny on Jesse White intensified this year (deservedly), when he had his moments to shine, and in all honesty, he disappointed.
So does Jesse White get another chance in 2016? After crossing from Sydney in 2014, he has played as the second forward target to Travis Cloke for Collingwood. In 2014 he kicked 20 goals, and in 2015, he kicked a career high of 27 goals for the season.
White provides an important chop out for Grundy in the ruck, but with the possible inclusion of Matthew Kreuzer (who can play as a marking forward target), will Jesse White become redundant to Nathan Buckley’s plans for an attack on the finals in 2016?
4) The Scharenberg Saga – Trade him or Keep him?
Selected with pick six in the 2013 AFL Draft, Matthew Scharenberg’s start to his AFL career hasn’t been the brightest. After foot injuries and an ACL last season, he finally made his debut in 2015 and finished with four games to his name.
Experts are saying that Scharenberg’s potential is limitless. His poise and ability to read the play for a teenager has Collingwood fans salivating. However, Scharenberg’s football isn’t what’s making headlines in the papers. It’s his contract. And for a 19-year-old interstate footballer, that isn’t a great sign.
Collingwood have wanted to re-sign ‘Shaz’ all year, but with the youngster saying his contract “will just take care of itself”, and reportedly asking for $350-400k a year, could the homesick South Australian be on the move?
There’s no doubt both the Crows and the Power would be interested in Scharenberg, but should the Pies engage in trade talks or move to sign and keep the young utility prospect?
With Treloar and possibly another big name coming to the club on big money, what should the Pies do? Scharenberg for a first rounder? Or do you see him in Collingwood’s future?
5) Is it finals of bust for the Pies in 2016?
Honourable loss after honourable loss, the Pies were unable to claim any major scalps in 2015 and failed to land a spot in the final eight.
As we look towards 2016, the question marks over Nathan Buckley’s contract linger. Will his contract be extended? Is it finals or bust for Buckley’s Pies in 2016?
The strategy is clear: get games into the youth and continue to recruit players within the 21-27 year old age bracket
Other than the Bulldogs and the Saints, the Pies could have one of the most exciting young lists in the competition. Malthouse’s ratpack are long gone and Buckley’s boys look determined to return to the finals with an exciting brand of football.
But with the competition looking healthier than it has in some time, and with ladder positions fiercely competitive (especially from fifth-14th) the Pies find themselves on the outer.
Next year, experts will go in having the Pies finishing anywhere from sixth to 12th, as true to form, they are capable of just about anything. Their best can compete with anyone, but catch them on a bad day, and you could be looking at a 40 point victory.
The expectations and pressure on Buckley will be heavier next year, but will we see some black and white deep into September?
Five important questions. What are your answers?
Tricky
Guest
Mister Football, I could dig up the stats and have in the past but not right now however the dogs and the giants are younger but more experienced - guys like the Bont and the package have nearly 50 games experience each and the bont is not even 22 yet (Think Stringer is 22 or younger as well). There's probably half a dozen or so like this at the kennel and in 3 seasons they'll be around the 100+ games already. Sure you might not reach the heights you have this season, but your window will open up regardless some time soon in the future the giants are very similar in age and game time as you guys as well....................... And The way we're goin well quite frankly we just won't be able to match it sadly.
Mister Football
Roar Guru
Tricky do you have any stats on the average ages of clubs lists? I hear that our list (dogs) was one of the youngest, if not the youngest, so what we achieved this season is pretty amazing in that context - on the other hand - as history tells us repeatedly, there are never guarantees of a natural progression - that goes for every club - by my reckoning, there are a dozen clubs who feel they on the brink of glory.
Tricky
Guest
I do not share the optimism of some our supporters here. The dogs and giants lists are younger and more experienced, the pies will be no match for either of these teams come 2 seasons from now and will stay mid tier as their current senior players will be on the wrong side of 30. No window for the Pies and will be stuck in mediocrity for some time to come sadly. Currently our game style is grunt but we lack execution skill and that is due to inexperience and when that experience comes like I said our current seniors will be on the wrong side of 30 - we need that skill to make the most of our forwards. Could you imagine Cloke in a team like Freo, purely on weight of numbers he'd be kicking 70+ a season.
Steve mcglashan
Guest
Not sure about us being top heavy however more games from greenwood, the further development of broomhead and a bit more pace and class in the midfield should allow pendles and swan to spend some time forward. White's not up to the level and witts is clearly a spud
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Jesse White should get 1 more year but Moore will be played in front of him. He is only useful as a back up plan at this stage. He has wasted his talent.
Dan in devon
Guest
Well being in the UK I did not watch many games besides the pies so I am not sure what Treloar will add to the side. But I would like to see a better defensive pattern across the half back; something along the lines of a holding winger/midfielder who can drop into space when the opposition counter-attacks. The obsession with statistics has diminished the value of positional play.
lyn
Guest
I agree NO Kreuzer - we don't want anything to do with the Lazy Blues and with all is injuries forget it
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
Silly comparison with Pendles as unlike Danger no chance of him going anywhere. As unrestricted free agent he can just walk, so no trade really required. Giving up Scharenberg and a selection I think would satisfy Danger as far as the Crows getting something back. As for Crouch. Would take him in a heartbeat. Once he gets over his injury concerns he will be an absolute gun. Unfortunately picked him in a few of my UF teams this year thinking he was in for a huge year, and would have had injury not cut him down.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
I highly doubt a 2nd round pick is enough. Curtly Hampton wants to come to the Crows. He is a late 2nd round draft pick at best. I didn't say I don't like him. The Crows do but not as part of a Dangerfield swap. Like I said a first round draft pick and an A grade player not a 2nd round draft pick and an injury prone player for one of the games best players. How about we take Pendlebury and give you a 2nd round pick and Brad Crouch? He's been injured for 18 months. By your standards thats a fair deal. Adelaide knocked back picks 2 and 3 last year for Danger. It cost one man his job for saying lets do the deal. The Crows are hardly going to go backwards in their thinking
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
You might not like him, but Crows do. Scharenberg and 2nd round pick should get it done.
peter chrisp
Guest
Dan you are perhaps a little right, as suggested above by some of the Pies supporters if we have exactly the same side for next year will that make any difference? I doubt it? Now your thoughts on hopefully picking up Treloar to me that would be a massive bonus.
dan in devon
Guest
I said this before but will say it again - the pies need to modify their game plan or otherwise they will continue to lose many close games. Their cover defence is often non-existent and when other teams turn them over there are quick goals to be had as too many players are either out of position or committed to the stoppages.
Edgar Slosh
Roar Guru
Scharenberg for Danger? You are kidding me. A first round plus an A grade player is the minimum. Not an injury prone prima donna
Gecko
Roar Pro
Pies midfield in 2015 looked far more robust than in 2014 but didn't look more creative or more skilled. With Taylor Adams and Jack Crisp giving them new robustness, they still need a creative midfielder like the one they lost, Dane Beams, or like Dangerfield. Or maybe Aish or Treloar (or their own Tim Broomhead) could grow into that role in 2016 or 2017. Plenty of exciting possibilities but just right now, the Pies' midfield looks a bit gruntish.
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
I realise Danger is restricted FA but he wants Adelaide to be duly compensated and Scharenberg would fit the bill. Not sure about Aish. I don't think he will be going to Collingwood, but could be wrong.
peter chrisp
Guest
Being a Pies fan should we give Jessie White one more year? While i listened to Collingwood many times on the radio throughout 2015 most of the "expert" commentators were giving very little praise to J.W. in other words he's pretty hopeless & and does very little to help The Pies cause, not sure what most Pies fans think 27 goals is i guess a reasonably good effort? Although Moore is very young but looks a real fine, do we keep him in the forward line or place him in the ruck on odd occasions? Treloar would be a pretty good acquisition to replace Witts? Although not quite sure if Dangerfield moves on will, he ,or is it only speculation? Could The Crows dangle a bigger carrot for him to stay a Crow? Towards the end of the season it was suggested & almost a done deal that he will be on his way to Geelong automatically? All in all we Pie fans what are the chances of getting Dangerfield to Collingwood, Treloar would be great but could we have both.
Josh
Expert
Since Danger is a Free Agent picks, Scharenberg etc wouldn't really come into it... if he wanted to come, he can come free of charge. I don't think the Pies have the cap space, not if they pick up Treloar and Aish.
Jamie Radford
Roar Pro
No you're not Tim. I wrote an article on Dangerfield and one of the scenarios was to Collingwood, and as I said in that, until Scharenberg re-signs it's a good chance of happening. http://www.theroar.com.au/2015/08/25/where-to-for-patrick-dangerfield/ Personally I think, and hope we have him and Treloar, and everything else is just smoke. Though I have also read recently that O'Meara is a chance, which I wouldn't be unhappy about either. Also think Bucks will be given an extension over the off season. The club will not want the distraction of speculation throughout the season, so will nip it in the bud. They can always sack him later and pay out the remainder anyway if things go to pot. Agree with Josh above about Jessie White. Another year to run on his contract, and may as well give him a chance playing alongside Cloke and Moore. At worst he can fill in if Moore needs a rest, or he or Cloke get injured. At best he could actually fulfill his potential. Pies out of the race for Kreuzer as of today, so Witts probably safe unless he has to be given up for Treloar. He wants to stay but he is from NSW so might be talked into it. GWS definitely interested. All in all feeling pretty good about 2016 and beyond, and if we do get Danger as well as Treloar, will be feeling even better.
Kaks
Roar Guru
Heard whispers that Collingwood will definitely make a serious play for Dangerfield with Scharenberg used as a bargaining chip.
While we're at it
Guest
Pies have a lot to look forward to with young Moore up front, he could be a real gun of a son of a gun (imagine if he played for GC, you can do the line), but is their midfield too top heavy with talent, and conversely the rest of the talent spread a little thin? Their start to 2015 was encouraging, but the draw was pretty helpful, and it all went downhill from there. A few "honest" losses, but a more seasoned team will rebound and pick up a few wins along the way whereas the Pies seemed to stop believing they could win. Dangerfield would be a great get, but I don't see the value in Witts for Treloar for GWS, Looking steady as she goes, 7-12th again next year.