Ants
August 31, 2026, 3:12am
2983
I think Jones’ contract makes him safe. That, and they were willing to give him games at the back end of the year – it felt like team selection was heavily influenced by who’s going to be at the club next year.
I think Edwards and McMahon will definitely go. The issue with both of them is that they’re not physical forwards – they’re lead and mark players. They can deputize for Caddy as more limited options, but I don’t think they work alongside him (Kyle Langford, as a similar type forward, certainly didn’t this year). They’ll turn 27 and 25 respectively next year, and I don’t see the case for mature guys who don’t appear to have a ceiling beyond being a back up.
I think Cox probably goes too, but has a better chance of getting a contract if we’re unsuccessful in the trade period. As a key forward, where he’s playing his best football in the VFL, he seems to have similar limitations to Edwards and McMahon. He can play elsewhere, albeit he hasn’t done it very well this year. Overall, the quality of his best games at VFL level and his potential for more versatility nudges him ahead for mine.
The other interesting one is Kayle Gerreyn. I presume the trial in defence is over, and he’d play forward next year if he’s retained. It’s an awkward one, in that they liked his talent to enough to spend a pick in the 30s on him in a very deep draft, but he’s shown very little in his first two years to suggest he’ll be a player. I’d guess he probably gets a one-year deal, but if he doesn’t, Cox’s chances of staying improve.
The other interesting variable is that there’s a handful of key forward prospects that could be in the range of the back end of the first round of the draft / early second second wherre we will have picks (e.g., Jack Pickett, Sam Gayfer, Ethan Herbert, Jack Slattery, Brady Wright). I think one of Cox and Gerreyn survive even if we grab one of those prospects, but I doubt both would.
Interesting post and I think worth discussing here. I don’t think we need another KPF. I’d keep Gerreyn, Cox and Wright and back them to provide support for Caddy and May. Cox only a one year deal though.
I do really like how Edwards has performed as a medium forward (not wing Brad!), but do think at 27 maybe we let him go.
I disagree on this with Gerreyn. Every time he’s played forward he’s kicked goals. Is a fantastic kick. Obviously got size on his side. Compare his stats up forward
I think Blitz gets impatient with young talls and expects too much too quickly.
3 Likes