Mick McGuane names the players every Victorian club needs as the trade period opens
IS being too young an excuse anymore? AFL great MICK MCGUANE says it’s time for the Western Bulldogs to throw out the birth certificates and find their hard edge. But can they add anything in the trade period to help?
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RICHMOND had almost every base covered in 2018 but the Tigers have one glaring player need — and Tom Lynch won’t fix it.
MICK McGUANE analyses what every Victorian club needs and who your team should be chasing in the trade period.
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CARLTON
WHAT THEY NEED
Personnel and patience. The Blues have been very active in chasing Dylan Shiel, Mitch McGovern, Will Setterfield, Jack Lonie and Alex Fasolo. They desperately need depth and class to tackle the areas in which they are deficient. If you look at the raw numbers, they are terrible — 17th for points scored, 18th for points conceded, 18th for time in forward half, and 18th for tackle differential. It doesn’t get much worse than that. The reality is that 2018 was year two of Carlton’s rebuild, not year three, like most people believe. Brendon Bolton’s first year wasn’t a rebuild. Apart from personnel, they need to be patient with the likes of Harry McKay and Tom De Koning to complement Charlie Curnow in attack, while the possible inclusion of McGovern and Fasolo would be a bonus. In defence, the return of a healthy Sam Docherty, Caleb Marchbank, Lachie Plowman and Tom Williamson will clearly make them better.
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WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Levi Casboult is available, but the big question is whether any other club is interested in him. He might yet stay a Blue, primarily as a back-up ruckman to cover for the injury-prone pair of Matthew Kreuzer and Andrew Phillips, rather than hinder the development of the exciting young Blues forwards.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can they get the balance right between defence and attack? Carlton’s ability to score is a serious worry. In the last three seasons they have only managed to score over 100 points on only two occasions and it is no coincidence they registered back-to-back wins in those games — Rounds 10 and 11 of the 2016 season. With the inclusion of better personnel to shore up their defence, with some added class in the midfield, and with the likely acquisition of McGovern, they have the potential to hit the scoreboard more often. Their forward 50m pressure must be a focus, and they must get the most out of players such as Jarrod Garlett, Jarrod Pickett and even Sam Petrevski-Seton. Lonie, too, would be a good addition to this.
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COLLINGWOOD
WHAT THEY NEED
As we saw in the Grand Final, one of the key areas of concern centres on the defensive set-up. Matt Scharenberg and Lynden Dunn will be coming back off knee reconstructions and there are still some question marks on the bodies of Darcy Moore and Ben Reid. That’s the reason why the Pies have been linked to Steven May and Marcus Adams, given the club needs a key defender as a priority, although Adams has elected to go to Brisbane. Who knows what might happen in that space for the Pies in the coming weeks?
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Alex Fasolo was out of favour for most of the season and is set to join Carlton. In terms of securing May, it is not looking as promising as it was a few weeks ago. If he remains a chance, it might mean the Magpies could have to offer up picks and players with Josh Thomas — as good a year as he had — being an option. Good to see Jamie Elliott signing a new deal, while Darcy Moore and Tom Langdon are set to stay. Elliott will be a bonus in attack if he can overcome his injury issues.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can the injury-prone stars play out a full season? From a team perspective, the Magpies don’t need to change much. They were able to execute a game style of high possession and manic pressure — and it worked. But the nagging question that won’t be answered for some time centres on a few individuals. The likes of Daniel Wells, Ben Reid, Jamie Elliott and Darcy Moore clearly make the team better, but have their bodies got the resilience to endure a full AFL season? The question remains about how hard you would potentially push them over the preseason to find out about their futures.
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ESSENDON
WHAT THEY NEED
A Jobe Watson big-bodied midfielder who can win first possession at clearances to distribute to their many outside mids including Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell and Darcy Parish. Dylan Shiel is the type of up and back runner they so desperately need, but they are trailing other clubs in the chase. Someone like him would give more stability and depth through the middle of the ground. We know the Bombers are interested in Jack Martin, but the Suns are doing their best to keep him. The return of Joe Daniher — a virtual new recruit if he can get his body right — will straighten the team up.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Don’t expect the Bombers to be big players in the trade period this time around. This time last year they were able to secure the trio of Devon Smith, Adam Saad and Jake Stringer, which showed the Bombers are now a destination club. That’s good news, considering the aftermath of the well-publicised sports supplements scandal. There are a few players yet to be recontracted, but it could be a quiet trade time for the Bombers.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How good does Cale Hooker want to be? He must come back in elite fitness after finishing eighth in the club best and fairest this year. That poses a question for me about how some of those Bombers want to be remembered in their post-football lives, considering the supplements saga that they lived through. Hooker can — and should be — a better player. From a team perspective, the coaching staff has a few things to work out. The main reason for Essendon’s slow start to the season was its ranking in the negatives for contested footy and clearances up to Round 8, and they were also ranked 15th for time in forward half. From Round 9 onwards, they got their territory game going, ranking fifth for time in forward half and inside 50 differential. That was off the back of being sixth for contested possession differential, second for uncontested possession differential, and second for clearance differential. They played with more dare and speed and reaped the benefits. More of that, please.
GEELONG
WHAT THEY NEED
Strong transition runners with some outside speed. That’s essential. But, for mine, just as important is a serious discussion about the next generation of leadership within the team. Who is the Cats’ next skipper, if Joel Selwood decides to relinquish the honour at some stage? Is Patrick Dangerfield captaincy material? Mitch Duncan is 27, and Tom Hawkins will be 31 next year. Who is the leader of Geelong’s emerging leaders group? The development of the next group of likely leaders coming through is vital for Geelong going forward, and it is an area the club needs to keep working on.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Tim Kelly was one of the remarkable stories of the season, but he wants to go home to Perth, and to West Coast specifically. The Cats must play hard ball and get what they want for this trade to proceed. They should be asking for a first-round pick and a player, considering Kelly ran equal second in the best-and-fairest, only half a vote from the winner. The player I would be bargaining for is Jarrod Brander. He is a key forward, a pick 13 in the 2017 national draft, he stands 195cm and is only 19. He has a Geelong Grammar connection, even though he is from Mildura. He could be a long-term successor to seven-time club leading goalkicker Tom Hawkins.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
What is the Cats’ brand? I would challenge Chris Scott to bed down an identifiable brand of footy. That will lead to trust and consistency. This year their game style changed too often for my liking. It was all-out attack for the first three rounds, then all defence for the next three months and late in the year the players were freed up again. Maybe those changes made for the inconsistencies that led to losses to teams such as Essendon, Adelaide and the Western Bulldogs, who all finished below them. It may also explain why they struggled against the leading sides as well. The other question revolves around Cam Guthrie. He is locked into a long-term deal at the club, but hasn’t been able to find the great form he carried a few years ago. Scott Selwood seems to have taken his tagging roles. Could a hard call be made on him at some stage?
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HAWTHORN
WHAT THEY NEED
Yes, they have the Brownlow Medallist, but the Hawks do need more talent in the midfield. That’s why they have pitched so hard at Dylan Shiel, along with the Blues, Saints and Bombers. Shiel would be a perfect option for the Hawks’ modest midfield depth. They rank 12th in contested possession differential, with Tom Mitchell leading the way with an average of 16 contested possessions and Jaeger O’Meara with 9.8. The recruitment of Shiel would also fast-track the development of James Worpel and Harry Morrison.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Taylor Duryea has been linked to the Swans and Brendan Whitecross could move home to Queensland. Obviously, if the Hawks remain in the hunt for Shiel — the Blues are working overtime to claim him too — they would have to give up some players in return. In the view that Rory Lobb has a decision to make on his future, maybe players such as Jon Ceglar and Marc Pittonet could be freed up.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Does Tim O’Brien have what it takes to be Jarryd Roughead’s replacement in the future? As good as he has been, we all know that Roughy could be entering his final preseason as a player, but who’s going to replace him. Tim O’Brien could be that man, considering his game against Melbourne in Round 7 last year. That gave us an indication of his talent when he took 10 marks — five of them contested — and he converted two goals. But we don’t see that output often enough, and at 25, there are no more excuses for him. The other question is whether we will ever see the best of defender Grant Birchall again. He has played five games in two seasons. While we know he is so important to Hawthorn’s game style and team defence, can he make it back again?
MELBOURNE
WHAT THEY NEED
I’m reasonably comfortable with their list and their brand. Their midfield is tough and is ranked No.1 for contested possession differential and third for pressure applied, which results in a strong territory game. They are No.1 for inside 50 differential and second for turnovers created in the forward half and points scored from turnovers. They need to strengthen their backline, as they were opened up defensively at times. The Demons were the fourth-easiest team to goal against once the ball was inside 50m. Put simply, they need to do everything they can to get Steven May into their colours, and Jake Lever will also help when he comes back from his knee injury.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Jesse Hogan is the biggest name. He might become an important part of any possible transaction to get May, with Hogan touring the Dockers’ facilities last week. He will be a loss, but the Demons know the importance of getting a key defender. Others such as Dom Tyson, Dean Kent and Aaron Vandenberg look to be on the move.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can they overcome their humiliating and embarrassing preliminary final loss to West Coast?As their coach Simon Goodwin said after the loss to the Eagles, it is all about getting to work over summer and doing the hard yards again. They have to work on the physical and mental side of the game, but are capable of doing that. Put simply, the Demons need to be stronger for longer, and more consistent throughout the season. They had some slip ups, which cost them a top four home-and-away berth, and they need to eliminate those hiccups in 2019.
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NORTH MELBOURNE
WHAT THEY NEED
They need midfielders who can accumulate, hence their quest for players through the free agency and trade period. They have missed out on Andrew Gaff, who has decided to stay with the Eagles, knocking back a massive offer. Jared Polec and Aaron Hall will make the move, however. The Kangaroos average the sixth fewest disposals of any side and only two players averaged more than 22 disposals this year — Shaun Higgins (27) and Ben Cunnington (25). That’s not good enough. They need to get their hands on the ball more, and that’s why the Roos have been so active in chasing talent.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Ryan Clarke has been mention as a possible trade to Sydney. Braydon Preuss looks as if he is on the move for greater opportunities at another club, with Melbourne being one of the most interested parties. Preuss couldn’t break into the Kangaroos side this year, given Todd Goldstein’s return to form, but Demons ruckman Max Gawn has already said he thinks both of the big men can play in the same side.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can Ben Jacobs overcome his concussion issues? The Kangaroos are a much better team with Jacobs in the side, and they sorely missed him when he had to sit out much of the second half of the season. If he can get back to the player he was — the one who shut down the likes of Dylan Shiel, Dan Hannebery, Trent Cotchin and Nathan Jones — it will be a huge boost for the Roos. Another area that needs to be addressed is North Melbourne’s forward half pressure. They must find the groove they were in during the first half of the season, when that was their asset, instead of how it fell away in the second half of 2018.
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RICHMOND
WHAT THEY NEED
Not much ... given that Tom Lynch seems a certain starter in 2019. They are very well placed to launch an assault on next year’s flag. Lynch is a huge benefit to the Tigers, providing another avenue to goal, and to ease the pressure on Jack Riewoldt a bit, though the Richmond forward didn’t seem too stressed this year with another stellar season. Having those ‘Twin Towers’ in attack will create some serious headaches for opposition defenders.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Reece Conca is off to Fremantle. Sam Lloyd will end up at the Bulldogs. Corey Ellis will go to the Gold Coast, and Anthony Miles might join him, while Tyson Stengle might reconnect with his home town of Adelaide. With Tom Lynch coming, there were always going to changes.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
How can they fix their clearance issues? Richmond’s new midfield stoppage coach Adam Kingsley must immediately get to work on their stoppage structures. There wasn’t a lot wrong with the Tigers’ game in 2018, but their only weakness was their clearance work. They ranked 18th in clearance differential. Whether they like it or not, that eventually got them, with Collingwood scoring 60 points from stoppages in the preliminary final. And don’t give me the line that this was by design.
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ST KILDA
WHAT THEY NEED
A-grade talent. It’s as simple as that. That’s the reason they have chased so hard on Dan Hannebery, and why they desperately want Dylan Shiel as well. St Kilda must be better at identifying the best available A-grade talent — and securing it. Remember that footy clubs choose players; players don’t choose footy clubs. Hannebery is a question mark in terms of whether his body is battered. Can he revisit his form from three years ago, and will his body allow that to happen? Shiel would be the right type of midfielder the Saints need, but is he worth the $1.3 million per season they are reportedly offered him?
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Tom Hickey has played 67 games in six seasons with the Saints, and only 18 in the last two years. Jack Lonie could be Blues-bound after playing only 11 games this season. Jack Steven is going nowhere, despite Geelong’s interest.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Can Jack Billings, Jade Gresham and Jack Steele go to another level? Let’s hope so, because the Saints desperately need them to. Steele must continue his tight-checking midfield role, which was a win this season. Billings knows how to create scoring opportunities, but his conversion lets him down. 14.19 is not a good return for a running forward. Gresham kicked 35.20 and ran fourth in the best and fairest, but from an external point of view, he can look lazy at times and seems to have another gear he can go to.
WESTERN BULLDOGS
WHAT THEY NEED
To get their contested footy mojo back. That was their No.1 strength in their premiership season and it has completely fallen away since. They were ranked No.1 for that in 2016, but this year they were ranked 16th. Their inability to score is a massive concern. They rank 15th for points scored and 16th for scoring once inside 50m. That’s the reason why they are chasing Chad Wingard so hard.
WHO’S ON THE TABLE
Luke Dahlhaus has already gone to Geelong, Jordan Roughead could potentially find a new home, while Mitch Honeychurch and Tom Campbell are not yet certain of their futures.
BURNING SUMMER QUESTION
Is being too young an excuse anymore? In my view, the answer to this is a big no. Birth certificates don’t matter anymore, and I don’t think you need to be experienced to play desperate footy. We all know how young the Bulldogs were at times this season. Their selected 22 this year had an average age of 23.54, which was the youngest of any side. That makes for inconsistent performances, in the contest and in pressure. But it is no longer an excuse. Desperate footy isn’t an age issue. The Dogs need to find that hard edge again in 2019.
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