Where are we on the destination club list?

[glasseyevfx]

Today on the AFL site I noticed Geelong (Mitch Duncan) advertising the idea that Geelong are a 'Destination Club'.
My feeling has been that Collingwood had been the destination club for a long time based on success in the early days of the VFL. But where do we sit now?
I remember a discussion with my Lions fan father-in-law (there was a couple of awkward few years) that I thought that the lions were destined for a history of middle of the table due to the idea that Brisbane was a hole but had a fair catchment for young talent and AFL breaks.
I also like the Dons historical mindset that they were a club that 'drafts and trains' rather than trades. It sometimes worries me that instead of growing our own we have traded as much as we have. Is there fault or lack of focus on our development program?
In our favor I believe we have the best facilities and a large supporter base making us perhaps top five but what else can the pies contribute to climb that list?

[MatthewBoydFanClub]

Depends on what sort of player we're talking about. If it's a young KPP struggling to get a game at another club Collingwood would be an ideal destination. If it's a slow plodding midfielder we're talking about please find another club to play for.

[glasseyevfx]

without any allegiance to a particular club - if I were a footballer hoping for a club I think my list would be something like this
Sydney
Geelong
Adelaide
Hawthorn
Collingwood
Richmond
Western Bulldogs
Essendon
Melb
Port
St Kilda
North
Suns
GWS
Dockers
Carlton
Lions

I expect the Drugs problems at Essendon and WC would have seen a dramatic drop down the list.

[Piethagoras' Theorem]

Well, let's just say, if Adelaide were the Bahamas, we're probably Lake Nyos

[HAL]

[thesoretoothsayer]

A club that's been drifting down the ladder.
A football department in upheaval.
A coach who may or may not be there at the end of next year.

Why go to CFC except for a big bucket of cash?

[glasseyevfx]

Well I rate Pies high because your going to play in front of a large crowd every week and like finding a gym you want good facilities - I believe Brisbane train in a hole below the gabba

[David]

[Jezza]

The Suns would have to be one of the worst clubs for any prospective player to consider playing for as it stands.

That's unless you love the party lifestyle!

[cityslick1]

About 13th I reckon...

No finals for five years, unsuccessful coach with a rep for poor people skills, poor player development, pressure from media, fans and high profile prez largely unrivalled by opposition clubs. Ageing captain and poor talent in the 18 - 20yo bracket. Salary cap pressure due to poor recruiting decisions. Recent History of high profile players leaving the club. Racist gaffes, low profile leadership team, no dominant stars.

vs great location, big blockbuster and plenty of MCG games. Great club history, great facilities... apparently. High profile assistant coaches and football director. Coach with big rep as a player. Financially strong and huge member base.

As it stands, the cons outweigh the pros.. until we can get out onfield problems sorted.

Sadly, due to coaching and player talent shortfalls, the following clubs are imo ahead of us right now...

Geelong
Essendon
Carlton
Hawthorn
Bulldogs
Melbourne
Richmond
Adelaide
Sydney
GWS
Power
St kilda

[Big T]

Due to the circus Eddie and the media create, I would say we are low.

[Dave The Man]

Very Low at the Moment

[Damien]

Rubbish. We are always near the top as a destination club simply because we are Collingwood. That's not arrogance or being delusional. That's just the way it is.

[Big Dan]

Hate to say it, but only North & Bullies are below us (in Victoria).

IMO, I reckon destination (in Victoria) clubs can be broken down as follows:

IN THE PREMIERSHIP/FINALS WINDOW:
Geelong
Richmond
Essendon
Hawthorn

ON THE CUSP OF SOMETHING BIG &/OR CLEAR PATHWAY TO SUCCESS:
Melbourne
St Kilda
Carlton

ONLY FOR THE MONEY:
Collingwood
Bulldogs
North

I've ranked the Bullies so low only because i've a feeling they are about to implode. Very real chance to miss the 8 again in 2018.

Hawks I ranked high purely on they just missed the 8 with a massive injury list - get Rioli, Ceglar, Birchall, etc back to playing regular footy, they'll win more than they lose. Having the best coach in charge a massive plus.

[Cruisinwithdids]

Collingwood are not a destination club anymore. The MCGuire/Buckley regime and short term recruiting, when success if a medium to long term proposition will set the club back in the coming few years.
Hawthorn, Sydney and Geelong stand out as destination clubs which have strong sustainable football programs that do not depend of hierarchy, ego or figureheads embroiled in internal power struggles. They just look for the best possible people to fill specific roles in their organisations. They don't always get it right, but everything they do is for the good of their clubs, not individuals.