I think Cotch could be a chance to retire at years end, despite having another year to go on his contract.
In his early twenties, he stated publicly that he'd be happy to go out in his late twenties if he could snag a flag by then.
Well, that premiership box has been triple ticked.
His willingness to sacrifice his game, and his now banged-up body, for the team has been outstanding.
But his selfless bash and crash game style and being the extractor for others is also because he is untrustworthy by foot.
With the stand rule diluting our one wood pressure game and increasing the premium on kicking skills, he has been clearly exposed this year.
I can't see Cotchin playing in the backline due to his kicking inefficiency, and he doesn't really have the wheels for a pressure forward, or the accuracy.
Based on his performances this year, I think his time is up and I hope he reads the tea-leaves and goes out while there's still a little juice left.
With the benefit of hindsight, Houli should have retired at the end of last year, and Markov kept.
Markov's kicking is suss but he is a superb aerobic athlete, and being in his mid-twenties, in the right demographic.
A two year contract extension in the hope that Ralph-Smith and/or Cumberland could eventually go past him would have been the go.
We are being smashed out of the centre and on exposed form our Next Gen mids are only average imho.
Jack Ross is one dimensional, has no left foot, and is slow. He is not the answer.
RCD is not a natural footballer and we risk investing years in him for only modest return.
Naish is a nice kick but slow for a wingman and does not relish the contest.
The above three are unlikely to make it in a top side imo and Hartley should be planning to upgrade all.
Haven't seen enough of Dow at AFL level yet, but once again his kicking is a worry. Martyn still basically an unknown.
Of our established midfield stars, Prestia and Lambert (along with Cotchin) are now officially injury prone older players.
Stocking up on quality mids is our most pressing need and thank goodness we have 6 picks in the first three rounds this year.
In the forward line, Castagna and Aarts are role playing battlers that could work in our manic pressure game.
But again, with the Stand Rule opening up play and increasing the premium on (kicking) skills, their deficiencies are more obvious and costly.
At least one position needs to be upgraded with skill so I would be blooding Maurice junior this year.
In the backline, Dave Astbury has been a loyal servant and hopefully can stay on the park for 1-2 more years, but his football body is obviously aging.
Ben Miller and Gathy might stay but only because we are so lacking in credible alternatives. Nyuon - who knows?
Pretty obvious we need to recruit or draft a quality key backman.
Caddy's papers have obviously been stamped, and Egg won't get another chance next year, while Matthew Parker's selection already looks questionable imo.
With the benefit of hindsight, Parker was a top up for a side looking to challenge in September, which we clearly no longer are.
He is an average kick and that's my main problem with him - as we already have way too many ball butchers.
Young kids worth persisting with: CCJ, Ralph-Smith, Maurice Rioli junior, Noah Cumberland, Will Martyn. And of course Stacky.
The point is - there's not that many in the 2's.
In short, we should go for a major major list overhaul at years end.
I completely understand why we positioned at the start of this year for another tilt.
However, subsequent to finalising our 2020 List Management , HO brought in the Stand Rule, which has changed the game.
And then in 2021, we have been decimated by injuries to a far greater extent than any other side.
But it needs to be recognised that many of those old man injuries aren't going to magically reverse.
They are the result of tired old battered bodies holding up the white flag.
When the tide turns, it can recede real quick.
In my view, if you're not challenging, you're rebuilding.
No point just hoping things will improve - time for strong List Management action.
