I hope Carlton picks up a handful of the delisted free agents. It might fly in the face of a sound list management strategy, but the narrative resonates with me.
Isn’t that enough?
I’ve always been picked last, or around the middle, depending on the event. Not quite fast enough, tall enough and good enough. Scared of the ball, the person with the ball and, on the odd occasion, terrified of everyone when I have the ball.
Physically and mentally, I’m like Swiss cheese. I’ve bowled 10,000 tennis balls against a wall, and I still can’t land it. My very amateur tennis career can be divided into two parts: being up 4-2, and losing 6-4. Even this story, it’s not particularly good.
So, when I see a list of players that have been jettisoned, my first instinct is to welcome them. My clan. To a team that that has been told a million times over that they are a rung below. At the same time past their best and five years away.
There are players on that list of delisted free agents who made it for a while but – ultimately – didn’t make it. Who could make it if the game were different, if their coach was different, if they were played in a different position, in a different time, if the team they played for was less successful, or more successful.
There is a case for giving these players a second chance and, over the years, we have. We’ve picked up so many players who were cut once, offered a glimpse of hope, then cut again. The frustration among Carlton supporters is growing.
To me, that frustration is misplaced.
I’m from a different, more empathetic generation. One that doesn’t recognise genuine, long-lasting footballing success. The Chris Judd age was the closest thing, and even that period of mediocrity felt awkward and uncertain.
At this point, I’m probably conditioned toward failure. I don’t think I’d belong to a team that parachutes in the Patrick Dangerfields and Dylan Shiels and Tom Lynchs of this world.
They just aren’t raggedy enough.
I’m all about the Jacob Townsends. A big-bodied midfielder and a smaller bodied forward who was on the fringe, changed positions, clawed his way into a premiership-winning team, killed it, eventually lost his place in that team and was politely abandoned.
Bring me the Daniel Menzels. Four knee reconstructions, came back a hero, kicked goal after goal and told to never return.
There’s a host of players with different backstories that I have made up: Jarryd Blair, Kyle Cheney, Michael Barlow, Hugh Goddard and so on. They are all facing different circumstances and challenges but, in an obscure and slightly irrational way, I identify with them.
I hope they come to a team that wants them.
Or, at least, a supporter who does.
Lroy
Guest
Blair and Menzel will both get picked up on someones rookie list. Interested to see how Partington from WCE fares, he has killed it at WAFL level, played a few AFL games games last year but has been let go. He might be worth a punt.
alan plummer
Guest
Garlett's a dud.....Townsend wont be there. Goddard (hugh will be)....Ohhhhhh and Fisher is a gun.....1st rover....Setterfield will play on a wing by mid year....
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Come on Macca, give him a chance at the Blues with Fas.
JamesH
Roar Guru
I reckon Menzel is a perfect fit for the Swans. They already have the pressure forwards in Papley and Ronke. What they need is a lead-up target who reliably kicks goals.
Aron
Roar Pro
He'd fit in somewhere.
Macca
Roar Rookie
They could do a hell of a lot better!!
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
The injury mid season didn't help him. No defensive game has been raised but some vague rumours of clash with a staff member. This was only on North fans sites so take it with a grain of salt probably. Perhaps once they had a chat with Polec he was out of luck? Always gave 110% so it will be interesting to see if someone is interested.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Hartung is an enigma. Was killing it at North it seemed then dropped like a hot spud. What's up with that? No defensive game?
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Menzel is doing a medical for the Swans, Blair should be picked up by Gold Coast, Blues or maybe the Doggies.
JamesH
Roar Guru
My thoughts too! A fun read.
JamesH
Roar Guru
He and Menzel will surely find a home. They're too good not to be on an AFL list.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
I'll be surprised if someone doesn't pick up Hartung.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
A side could do worse than picking up Jarryd Blair. He was basically 23rd on the Pies list most of the year and leaves nothing in the tank.
Dutski
Roar Guru
No room for Menzel? I find somewhere to squeeze him in
Aron
Roar Pro
I've missed a lot of players here (and I'm not sure if I properly answered your question! The coulda-been-champion team definitely includes Cory McGrath.)
Aron
Roar Pro
Hmm, off the top of my head (be gentle, I've taken a lot of Codral) B: Plowman Jones Simpson CHB: Docherty Weitering Garlett M: O'Brien Cripps Petrevski-Seton CHF: Townsend C Curnow Fasolo F: Pickett McKay McGovern R: Kreuzer Dow Kennedy INT: E Curnow Fisher Marchbank Williamson E: Newman, Thomas, Lang, Barlow, Silvagni, 12 other delistees and one draft pick.
Dutski
Roar Guru
Hey Aron As someone who batted 11 and didn't bowl, I hear you! Apart from winning your sympathies, where do you see these coulda-been-champions fitting into your coulda-been-champions Blues team? (Great writing, by the way)
Aron
Roar Pro
Thanks! We're of two minds.
Liam Salter
Roar Guru
Intriguing piece, Aron. Off-season always brings out the most peculiar articles, and this is one of 'em - it's good though! To be honest I'm somewhat like you - not psychically gifted in any way, tried a half dozen sports but ain't good at any. Very flinchy too - try throwing a ball at me, and I'm probably more likely to duck rather than catch!! Oh well. At least we can write!
Aron
Roar Pro
Thanks! I have something between the cold and the flu at the moment, so it was written in a bit of a weird haze.