AT A GLANCE
Wins
15
Losses
6
2nd on the ladder
Season Summary
In what has become the norm for the 2020’s, the Defenestrators made the grand final. In the first 4 years of this league running, Paul couldn’t get over the prelim final hurdle, however now it’s seen with as much nonchalance as stepping over a curb. What was unique about this year’s campaign was that a first round bye was achieved by coming second – only the second time in Defenestrator history behind his 15-2, 1st place season in 2017. It came right down to the final week, but Paul hit form at the right time (thanks Nic Newman) and got himself into a position to add to the trophy cabinet once more.
Unfortunately for the Defenestrrators faithful they came up against the rampaging Soldiers unit who went nuclear to ensure their legacy wouldn’t be a one-and-done, and so for the second year in a row, the Defenestrators are left wondering what they can do differently to get past the final hurdle.
There is still plenty of talent on the list, and so the draft will be intriguing to watch and see how coach Paul goes about shaping his list. Is there thought of a rebuild on the horizon? Some key players are starting to get on, but there’s more than enough points here to be back in finals in 2024, and who knows? A fifth straight grand final would be a sight to behold.
top five Players
Adam Treloar
19 games
105.3 average
Ranked 17th for season
Jack Sinclair
23 games
102.2 average
Ranked 24th for season
Stephen Coniglio
23 games
101.6 average
Ranked 25th for season
Nic Newman
21 games
98 average
Ranked 32nd for season
Josh Kelly
19 games
97.9 average
Ranked 34th for season
ALL-AUSTRALIANS
Jack Sinclair
Stephen Coniglio
Jack Ziebell
2023 PRE-SEASON DRAFT
| Round | Pick | Player | Games Played | Average |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 9 | Ginbey (WC) | 9 | 60.44 |
| 2 | 19 | Allan (COL) | 0 | 0 |
| 3 | 29 | Shiel (ESS) | 10 | 79.4 |
| 4 | 39 | Newman (CA) | 20 | 95.95 |
| 6 | 59 | Sloane (ADL) | 18 | 78.33 |
| 7 | 69 | Hogan (GWS) | 16 | 71.25 |
| 8 | 76 | Ziebell (NTH) | 17 | 98.65 |
| 8 | 79 | D. Robertson (BL) | 3 | 52.67 |
| 9 | 89 | P. Wright (ESS) | 3 | 61.33 |
| 10 | 99 | Quaynor (COL) | 9 | 74.22 |
| 11 | 109 | A. Davies (GC) | 3 | 55.33 |
| 12 | 119 | J. Higgins (STK) | 10 | 62.3 |
| 13 | 129 | C. Cameron (BL) | 10 | 59 |
| 14 | 139 | Impey (HAW) | 19 | 81.42 |
| 15 | 149 | Busslinger (WB) | 0 | 0 |
| 16 | 159 | M. Roberts (SYD) | 0 | 0 |
| 17 | 169 | J. Sharp (GC) | 0 | 0 |
| 18 | 179 | Ralphsmith (RIC) | 1 | 64 |
| 19 | 189 | C. Dixon (PA) | 12 | 71.17 |
| 20 | 199 | J. Daniher (BL) | 20 | 77.55 |
Most Inspired Selection
Jack Ziebell
Pick 76
Who could have predicted the return of the seagull?
Jack Ziebell came off a terrific 2021 season, was thought of as a slam dunk keeper, and then was sent to the forward line to do nothing all of 2022. No one wanted him in 2023, but then Paul, in a masterstroke well beyond what us mere mortals could have done, picked him up in the hope of some improvement. This became one of the picks of the draft, going on to earn AA status as a forward, due to his role changing back into defence where he was the quarterback touching the ball every possession. An average of almost 100 is great to find in the first 2 rounds – to secure him in the 8th is sensational.
Honourable mention to Nic Newman (pick 39) and the run he had in the back half of the season (131 average across 4 games at one point).
Trades
Only 2 trades to dissect, and neither of them had a huge impact on the year, or on future assets. After a handshake agreement pre draft, Paul sent pick 19 to the Roughnecks who we thought were on the slow rebuild, in exchange for Salem in defence who went on to average 77. In chasing points now, not an unreasonable deal for all parties involved.
On the eve of finals another trade to again try and get more points in defence, this time bringing Brodie Smith in. The fact this only cost a 4th round pick (with a 9th returned) means there was no real risk associated with the deal, and Nelson got an extra top 40 pick out of it.
| Date | Team 1 | Received | Team 2 | Received |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| July 21, 2023 |  | Defenestrators Round 4 Pick |  | Brodie Smith Te Puke Pukekos Round 9 Pick |
| February 2023 | | Christian Salem |  | Defenestrators Round 2 Pick (pick 19 – Ed Allan) |
LIST AT END OF 2023 SEASON
| Player | Games | Average | Player Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| Adam Treloar Midfielder | 19 | 105.3 | 17 |
| Jack Sinclair Defender / Midfielder | 23 | 102.2 | 24 |
| Stephen Coniglio Midfielder / Forward | 23 | 101.6 | 25 |
| Nic Newman Defender | 21 | 98 | 32 |
| Josh Kelly Midfielder | 19 | 97.9 | 34 |
| Sam Walsh Midfielder | 15 | 94.6 | 46 |
| Max Gawn Ruck | 20 | 92.1 | 53 |
| Tom Mitchell Midfielder | 23 | 91.8 | 57 |
| Isaac Smith Midfielder / Forward | 22 | 85.7 | 86 |
| Darcy Cameron Ruck / Forward | 16 | 84 | 95 |
| Conor Nash Midfielder | 23 | 82 | 104 |
| Brodie Smith Defender | 22 | 81.4 | 108 |
| Nick Vlastuin Defender | 21 | 81.2 | 109 |
| Jarman Impey Defender | 22 | 80.6 | 114 |
| Shannon Hurn Defender | 13 | 80 | 117 |
| Christian Salem Defender | 14 | 77.5 | 130 |
| Dion Prestia Midfielder | 20 | 75.9 | 146 |
| Rory Sloane Midfielder | 22 | 74.5 | 162 |
| Jesse Hogan Forward | 20 | 73.9 | 168 |
| Jason Johannisen Forward / Defender | 11 | 73.5 | 175 |
| Harry Perryman Midfielder / Defender | 19 | 70.5 | 205 |
| Brent Daniels Forward | 17 | 70.2 | 209 |
| Dylan Shiel Midfielder | 12 | 69 | 224 |
| Zac Fisher Forward / Midfielder | 12 | 69 | 225 |
| Jamie Elliott Forward | 21 | 66.8 | 240 |
| Sam Draper Ruck | 14 | 66.6 | 246 |
| Jack Scrimshaw Defender | 16 | 66.5 | 247 |
| Conor McKenna Defender | 23 | 65.1 | 256 |
| Jack Bowes Defender | 17 | 60.7 | 309 |
| Hugh Greenwood Midfielder | 14 | 59.3 | 329 |
| Reuben Ginbey Defender / Midfielder | 17 | 57.9 | 349 |
| Paddy Dow Midfielder | 10 | 56.7 | 362 |
| Brandan Parfitt Midfielder | 9 | 55.1 | 379 |
| Thomson Dow Midfielder | 4 | 55 | 383 |
| Daniel McStay Forward | 12 | 53.8 | 404 |
| Rhylee West Forward | 12 | 51.7 | 426 |
| Elijah Hollands Midfielder | 9 | 51.1 | 438 |
| Finlay Macrae Midfielder / Forward | 1 | 47 | 486 |
| Jai Culley Midfielder | 5 | 41 | 546 |
| Deven Robertson Midfielder / Forward | 13 | 38.6 | 569 |
Player To Watch in 2024
Sam Walsh
Coming off an interrupted pre-season last year, Sam Walsh was, and still is, one of the most important Cogs (yes, pun intended. Sorry Stephen) in this midfield. He has the ability to go nuclear on any given day, and with many of the Defenestrator mids getting on in years, the time is now for Sam Walsh to take the mid 1 mantle and maybe even challenge for a Dangergawn medal.
Not so much a player, but more a position to watch will also be the ruck line. Paul kept 3 rucks last season, will he do the same for 2024? Especially if there is still no utility slot?
