Whilst I don’t want to do a 2015-2017 level rebuild it’s clear that our roster needs some sharpening up. Unlike the last rebuild we do have a pretty solid core of good players there this time around though which helps.
The following players I'd want to keep as the nucleus for our side in the medium-long term.
KP
Klemmer
DSaf
JSaf
Gags
Best
Clifford
Friz
Brailey (if he makes a successful return from injury)
Young
Lee (if he manages to return to pre-foot injury form)
Croker (as everyone has big wraps on him)
Thompson (assuming he continues to improve)
Then there's some guys who I think are worth keeping on cheap deals to provide some depth and fill out the top 30, although I'm sure some of these guys would get a gig elsewhere for better money and wouldn't necessarily stay to be a fringe first grader here.
Tuala
Hunt
Mann
Clune
Fitzgibbon
Outside of that everyone else we have in the squad can go as far as I'm concerned.
I think our main areas that we need to prioritize upgrading are second row/lock, we need at least two more first grade quality second rowers at the club. I also have concerns about whether Brailey will last in the long term given he's had two ACL injuries already so if I was looking after recruitment at the club I'd also have my eyes open for a couple more hookers as it's clear that we at least need a new backup given Randall doesn't cut it and we might need to replace Brailey in the next year or two if he can't get past his injury woes.
Also I haven't given up on Clune as a decent first grade halfback option but we probably need someone a little more dominant in that position long term so I imagine the club will look to upgrade there as well.
good list
Too many average wingers being kept for my liking though. We need big, mobile, strong wingers that bend the line and get our sets off to a great start coming out of our own end - the importance of this cant be understated in the modern game.
Young is our only winger that gets a pass - plenty of tomorrows and could be anything.
Tuala - I'd keep as back-up , he is still developing and I think we are yet to see his best - plenty of tomorrows.
Hunt - is bog average at the best of times , experienced yes but he's a winger so not a great bearing in game day - thanks for the memories.
Lee - cant make it onto the field, made of glass and is well past his prime - isnt a modern winger prototype.
another player I'd say bye bye to is Fitzgibbon - I have yet to see anything other than vanilla since his break out season ( what was it 1 season ?) reached and past his ceiling already. - money better spent on a red hot prospect.
