Jon Ralph believes two highly active sides in NAB AFL Trade and Free Agency Period have become the competition’s new leaders for playing list depth.
The Herald Sun journalist declared that Essendon and Port Adelaide have the deepest lists in the AFL – the two teams that have been the busiest in offseason dealings so far.
The Power’s work in being able to bring in Tom Rockliff, Steven Motlop, Jack Watts, Jack Trengove and Trent McKenzie in the past month, with ex-North Melbourne forward Lindsay Thomas also believed to be close to a move to Alberton via delisted free agency, was commended by Ralph.
“To be able to bring in four or five really established players there (opens) the ability to push (Travis) Boak to a half-forward flank and to have the versatility for those like (Chad) Wingard to be able to play forward or midfield,” he told SEN’s Hungry For Sport.
Ralph also says he is “excited” by Essendon’s new-found list depth, despite still considering the 2017 finalists to be one star inside midfielder short of being serious contenders next year.
The Bombers picked up 2015 All-Australian Jake Stringer, ex-Giant Devon Smith and former Gold Coast speedster Adam Saad during the trade period.
Despite winning their first premiership in 37 years this season, Ralph still holds questions for the strength of Richmond’s list, believing their depth wasn’t tested this year after a remarkably kind run with injuries.
“I’m not getting excited by Richmond’s depth because I still look at them and think, they only had Nathan Drummond on their injury list for the last 10 weeks of the year. That is just unparalleled” he said.
“They’ve won the premiership, but let’s see how deep they are when they have four or five injuries. They might lose a (Trent) Cotchin or a (Dustin) Martin or an (Alex) Rance at some stage, for an extended period potentially, through 2018.”