By Jai Bednall, Sunday Mail
ANDREW Collins believes the deepest list he's seen in his five years as West Adelaide coach will help his club end the longest finals drought in the SANFL this season.
The Bloods' 2011 season finished disastrously as they fell from a 5-1 record and top spot on the ladder after seven rounds to an 8-12 mark and seventh position.
A key reason for the mid-season form slump was injuries to key players, so Collins made a point over summer of increasing the depth of his playing list.
``We think that we have more depth in our football club now then we've ever had in my time,'' Collins said.
``Injuries did hit us really hard (last season) and we weren't able to cover off the loss of talent. This year we believe we have quite a few extra players that we can go to.''
The departures of best and fairest Steven Morris and fellow top liners Jarrod Silvester and David Piasente makes it hard to argue the Bloods have improved their best 21 from last season.
But Collins certainly believes his top 30 is stronger in 2011, which could prove crucial if injuries are a problem again.
``With the addition of the players we've got coming back from injury Shannon Green, Adam Hartlett, Chris Schmidt, Nat Caruso and Ben Fisher and then the addition of recruits Michael Still, Joel Tippett and the return of Taite Silverlock, Tyson Slattery and Nick Westhoff, we're pretty positive about where our squad's at,'' he said.
AFL-listed Ben Newton, Brad Crouch, Rory Laird and Daniel Webb will also be expected to spend the bulk of the season at Richmond, adding further depth.
``To have four of the best kids on AFL lists in our team for most of the year is a real positive for us too,'' Collins said.
The majority of West's recruits for this season still have their best years ahead of them.
It's an admirable strategy Collins is employing ensuring the Bloods are preparing for the future despite being under enormous pressure this year.
``You've got to have courage and do what's right not only for now but for the long term,'' he said.
After a season in which they ranked last in inside 50s and averaged almost 30 less disposals than their opposition, the Bloods need to win more of the ball if they are to climb up the table.
Collins spoke of his desire to secure a new ruckman at the end of last season, but at this stage the only fresh option is former NBL basketballer Neil Mottram, who has begun training with the club.
Mottram, 30, hasn't played football for 10 years and isn't expected to feature early in the season.
``It's just going to take time,'' Collins said. ``He'd probably have the most powerful body in the SANFL. He's 208cm, 115kgs of muscle and does have really strong athleticism.
``But we won't be able to get him playing for the first part of the season. I don't think many clubs have recruited in that area, so Ryan Willits, Peter Nelson and Daniel Webb are still keen for the battle.''
James Ezard has begun full training after having off-season shoulder surgery, while fellow midfielder Ben Macreadie has started running after having screws removed from his shin.
The Bloods
Coach: Andrew Collins
Captain: Ryan Ferguson
Last year: 8 wins, 12 losses (seventh)
Best and fairest: Steven Morris
Top goalkicker: Brad Fisher (31)
In: Joel Tippett (Gold Coast), Michael Still (Werribee), Nick Westhoff (Richmond), Brad Crouch (Crows, mini-draft) Chris Schmidt (Crows), Tyson Slattery (Essendon), Taite Silverlock (Essendon), Paul Elisseou (West Perth)
Out: Jarrod Silvester (work), Steven Morris (Richmond), David Piasente (retired), Michael Shearer (Flagstaff Hill)
Trial games: v Port, Eagles, Sturt
Season opener: v South @ Noarlunga, March 24
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