So Cook admitted last night that the Beyond Blues are top heavy and it’s a list management challenge as a result. Reckons they have to go to, or focus on, the Draft for the next couple of years.
They sound like they’re in a similar position to GWS. They’re gonna be dumping players.
Just remains to be seen who and what they’ll get for them. I reckon they’ve got a lot of high priced junk that’s gonna be hard to offload for any value eg Martin (terrible move that), McGovern, etc.
They’re gonna have to hope that their young kids come through. Cowan, Binns and Hollands look ok. Lemmey unproven so far. Motlop ok. Durdin ok. Not sure after that. If De Koening walks, which is a good chance, dunno if they can rely on their current crop to prop them up.
Big issues for these Beyond Blues.
Carlton have provided a list build masterclass on how to do it wrong.
Overpay for flankers and hope they can become mids - Jack Martin, Zach Williams and Adam Saad.
Overpay for second-tier mids who can't become top tier - George Hewitt, Matthew Kennedy & Blake Acres
Bad tall retreads from other clubs- Marchbank, Plowman, McGovern.
Go and get all of these icing-on-the-cake types before you have made finals and built a base.
Bad drafting - Paddy Dow, Lochie O'Brein
The question is, who will be the Brodie Grundy, Tom Mitchell or Adam Treloar? Who will be available for a cheap trade and salary dump?
Tom De Koning is gone, that's one. Reckon Geelong end up with him. Who else? Is Sam Walsh gettable? is Harry McKay? I'm thinking they get so frustrated with Harry that he is a chance to be the one. If Lemmey is showing anything in the 2's (and I haven't head a peep, good or bad) then maybe they think it's time.
Now would, you if your Richmond would you throw next years 2nd to take Harry and his 700k salary? I'd be looking long and hard.
Might not be McKay but it will be someone.