We have had good depth for a few years now. No one would have done better with our injury list.
That is surprisingly accurate. We've had just so many injuries over the last couple of years that would cripple most teams. Look how the Drug Cheats fell off the cliff when they had an injury sequence like ours! That said, missing our better players still hurt us. And I do think our depth appears stronger now, even if we have lost some points of difference.
Yes, it is that time of year again, when players get moved on. We've announced 3 changes today: [1] Tarni Brown: daughter of Collingwood's ..., we traded for Tarni a couple of drafts back. She played most games last season, but has a 'medical condition' (unspecified), which left her off the park this years. She has decided to retire, as she doesn't think she can perform at the highest level any longer. [2] Eliza Wood: our VFL Captain this year, she was promoted when Kerryn Peterson took a year off to have a baby. She didn't manage a senior game this year, mainly die to senior injury. I have no idea if she will go back to our VFL side or not, as her knee will take some time to recover from. [3] Charlotte Brewer: another SSP selection, replacing Eliza Wood when she got injured. Charlotte didn't play a game this year.
It will be interesting to see if Kerryn Peterson returns. She had her baby in August.
Already there have been rumours of young talent from elsewhere looking to come here.
Brooke Boileau (Adelaide) has requested a trade to us. Lauren Bella (Gold Coast) also looks headed our way.
I guess we're looking for replacements for Breann Moody aka Harrington and Jess Good, who aren't getting any younger. Harrington is 28 and may be looking to start a family. Jess Good is 31, after starting late (she was 26 when we drafted her). Both girls have been fantastic this year, one of the reasons we've been winning games.
There were plenty of lessons to learn from last night, but one really sticks in my mind; you have your better players available and you are much more likely to contend.
When was the last time the boys had a whole list to choose from? Early 1996. That is an entire generation without having our best line-up available. Not sure what our AFL program can do, but Innes and his minions can see what is required.
That said, can you see anyone who didn't play last night making a case for a spot next week? Skepper is one who comes to mind, even if her form has been pretty ordinary this season. However, 3 weeks ago I was saying that Maddy Guerin was having a less than stellar year. In the last 3 weeks she has been nothing short of brilliant. Last night she had huge numbers: 24 possessions, 11 tackles and 7 clearances. That is Cripps-like.
Of our lowest 4 possessions getters, one was Jess Good who dominated the ruck! Maddie Hendrie didn't get a lot of ball, but she did her job. I don't think she would be under pressure. Tara Bohanna only had 7 possessions and scored only 2 points, but there is no way known she'll miss. Gab Pound? 5 possessions and only 66% game time.
