AFLW 2022 Rd 6: Carlton vs Fremantle

[kruddler]

Downie may have been worthwhile as a deep target for a year or two whilst seeking a younger kpp

Downie was used to fill a hole at CHB towards in her last season. She was next to useless for most of the time, and managed about 5 possessions a game and was clearly not going to get any better.

The question was, do we persist with her, knowing her output would be on the decline, from an already relatively low level, or do we start pushing the kids through and give someone like Paige Trudgeon a similar role. We obviously moved Downie on, and Trudgie has exceeded most people expectations and actually been in the votes the last 2 weeks.
So, in isolation, that move has worked.

To add to that, we made that decision with Serena Gibbs earmarked as our next key forward. We moved Downie on and then found out that Gibbs would be sitting out the year (eg similar to Jones and the mens.......screwed on both accounts).
That being said, we also have 2 other options we want to try, Jess Good and Imogen Milford.
Unfortunaly both have missed multiple weeks due to H+S protocols which has compounded the loss of Downie (and Harris).

Simply put, the AFLW lists are not big enough to 'carry' someone as backup.
70% (21) of your list is playing in the 1's each week.
10-20% (3-6) of your list is usually injured at any given time.
That means you have 3-6 players who are fit enough to play 1's, but are not picked.

Given that 10% (3) of your list is recently drafted players....usually 18yo's.
There isn't really a whole lot you can do in terms of personnel.