For Discussion

[DJC]

Re the bold part. I disagree.
Silvagni will only get a game if we are dead last and tanking in the last couple of rounds. Otherwise, we'd be lucky to see him in 2017 i think. He hasn't even played footy for what 6 months?

The others may well get game time, but i'd suggest a lot later than you predict and only if injuries hit. Curnow is my tip to get gametime first. But i don't expect to see him before the halfway point.

The reason?
All the GWS/Adelaide boys we've got, together with the players we have coming back from injuries last year.
Players like Thomas, Byrne, Sheehan, Graham were all unavailable for most of the season.

I dunno, i'd go through 30-35 players before i got to any of our new recruits.

I'm wearing my optimist hat Kruddler 

The fact that the original assessment doesn't take into account our retreads is the main reason why I reckon it's drivel!

However, Weitering should be in the mix from round 1 but probably not as a dedicated key defender.  I agree that Curnow is likely to be next cab off the rank as he seems more physically ready to match it with mature bodies.  Cuningham will need to light it up in the NBs if he is to get a run and McKay will probably come in as a third tall if he kicks a few bags in the NBs.

As you say, we have a lot of players with potential who, for one reason or another, didn't have much impact last season.  With the exception of Weitering, and probably Curnow, our newbies will have their work cut out to get a game.  However, I suspect that it will happen as part of their development, but they will not be gifted games.

That genuine competition for a game is one of the reasons I think we'll start to climb up the ladder.