Players we chased... and the players we put in their position

[Mofra]

Yesterday's game (and earlier articles) got me thinking about a kid I really hope makes it - Ryan Gardner.

He's followed the Joel Hamling route somewhat (ex Geelong, stuck behind others, delisted), and after a few shaky games last year and at the start of this year he's starting to grow into his role. I thought it was telling we left him in defence and tried both Keath and Cordy up the ground.
He's worked three jobs after his delisting, been through all the lows of footy and now gets to play finals footy.

A trading period or two ago we needed a KPD and we asked the question about a kid who doesn't really take intercept marks but was no 1 in the competition for spoils - Dougal Howard. He's quick, can play on mid sizers and generally just gets the job done with little to put onto his highlight reel. He seems the prototype for the type of player Gardner could develop into.

Is there anyone else we chased, missed out on, but then found a guy who can play a similar role?

(In before someone says Matthew Bate...)

[Twodogs]

Hurley from Essendon? We probably wouldn't have had the means or the inclination to chase after Keath with him in the team.

[Mofra]

Hurley from Essendon? We probably wouldn't have had the means or the inclination to chase after Keath with him in the team.

Good one - the fact we chased him made Essendon overpay, which has right royally screwed them now.
In retrospect that couldn't have worked out better for us.

[Axe Man]

Good one - the fact we chased him made Essendon overpay, which has right royally screwed them now.
In retrospect that couldn't have worked out better for us.

Funnily enough there are rumblings that he's not happy and may want out (Hooker as well). Bet he wishes he made a different decision a few years back. My Essendon mate reckons he's cooked though, not worried if he leaves.

[Axe Man]

Chad Wingard - Bailey Smith. Not exactly the same type of player but this has worked out pretty well to date.

[Mofra]

Funnily enough there are rumblings that he's not happy and may want out (Hooker as well). Bet he wishes he made a different decision a few years back. My Essendon mate reckons he's cooked though, not worried if he leaves.

I think they're both in decline, if not cooked. The fact they're contracted until 2021 and 2022 respectively (on good money) makes me happy.

The obvious position and players we've chased - Matthew Lobbe and Stef Martin. We now have English (and Bruce, Dunkley, etc) playing ruck right now. English looks quite unique, but we did spend a first rounder on a ruck which is a little different + a few years of development.

[Bulldog4life]

I think they're both in decline, if not cooked. The fact they're contracted until 2021 and 2022 respectively (on good money) makes me happy.

The obvious position and players we've chased - Matthew Lobbe and Stef Martin. We now have English (and Bruce, Dunkley, etc) playing ruck right now. English looks quite unique, but we did spend a first rounder on a ruck which is a little different + a few years of development.

I was impressed with Tim's game yesterday. Getting better all the time. Kicking goals too.

[Sedat]

Chad Wingard - Bailey Smith. Not exactly the same type of player but this has worked out pretty well to date.

Interesting that Wingard is the highest rated small forward in the entire competition this year. It's a pretty hot field with the likes of Papley, Cameron and Butler. Wingard has been very good in an off-broadway and largely ignored team this year.

I was all chips in on him 2 years ago. I'm still a big fan, but not as big a fan as I am of Baz. Completely different players to be fair

[Mofra]

Interesting that Wingard is the highest rated small forward in the entire competition this year. It's a pretty hot field with the likes of Papley, Cameron and Butler. Wingard has been very good in an off-broadway and largely ignored team this year.

I was all chips in on him 2 years ago. I'm still a big fan, but not as big a fan as I am of Baz. Completely different players to be fair

Is that Champion data or another metric?
I thought he was playing more midfield time this year.

Interesting that there are whispers he might be 'gettable' this year too despite being under contract.

[Mofra]

Leftfield, but weren't we linked with Wylie Buzza at some point?
He's just been delisted by Port

[Sedat]

Is that Champion data or another metric?
I thought he was playing more midfield time this year.

Interesting that there are whispers he might be 'gettable' this year too despite being under contract.

Not sure, it was mentioned on one of the footy shows last week. Might have been AFL Ratings.

[1eyedog]

If we got Matthew Lobbe or Stefan Martin would we have drafted Tim English?

[Mofra]

If we got Matthew Lobbe or Stefan Martin would we have drafted Tim English?

I would have hoped yes - Martin to English is a nice transition age-wise.
Timmy looks pretty capable up forward right now as a ruck/forward.

[bornadog]

Not sure, it was mentioned on one of the footy shoes last week. Might have been AFL Ratings.

Rank	Player	Team	Position	Rating	Web
7	Toby Greene	GWS	Gen Fwd	96.2
38	Isaac Heeney	Sydney	Gen Fwd	89.5
39	Chad Wingard	Hawthorn	Gen Fwd	89.4

[GVGjr]

Leftfield, but weren't we linked with Wylie Buzza at some point?
He's just been delisted by Port

I think a few of us here thought he might be worth a rookie spot but I don't recall anything saying we were interested