You make an excellent point in relation to Dean Bailey being a big wrap for easing young midfielders into the mix by playing them across half back.

This will suit Strauss perfectly because he played half back for large parts of the season for the Oakleigh Chargers last year.

I like Sam Blease also, but with a lighter body, a very serious injury sustained this year (broken leg) and the fact he is still completing his VCE, I expect Strauss to play more AFL games in 2010.

I’m a huge Colin Sylvia fan also. You may have noticed that I currently have him in my dreamteam and I’ll also pick him up next year assuming he completes a full pre season.

Matt Lobbe has also moved up my pecking order now that Max Bailey’s price will be much higher than I anticipated in 2010.

The Dees are going to shed more players in the offseason and are starting to restructure the roles of some of our senior players who’ve traditionally run through the middle. You’ve seen be beginning of it this season – Davey and Sylvia pushing off the wings trying to be our outlet players for forward line delivery, Cam Bruce sweeping across half back and I’m hoping to see Brad Green play a more permanent forward roll a-la Brad Johnson.

At the very least Strauss adds depth for the future. He’ll definitely get games next season, how many is probably depending on his pre-season training and cup form, as well as that of some of our more fringe players who run through the middle now – Jones, Valenti and Junior Mac if he goes on.

It’s also interesting to note that Bailey is a big wrap for starting new/young midfielders across half back as an outlet player where they can get a fair bit of ball and get a feel for the speed of AFL without being in the engine room or a key position. I wont be surprised if either Strauss or Blease get a run in the Jack Grimes Memorial position next season.

//end essay.