The Eagles have had a less than ideal season 2021, however still amazingly find themselves inside the eight despite some harrowing displays.
It seems as though Adam Simpson and his side's time in the sun is up, with many of their major stars heading into the twilight years of their careers and the competition starting to pass them by.
However, the slide down the table and into a rebuild might not be as painful or lengthy as it could be should the Eagles backroom staff get it right over the next few years.
5 Trade Targets:ย Adelaide
5 Trade Targets:ย Brisbane
5 Trade Targets:ย Carlton
5 Trade Targets:ย Collingwood
5 Trade Targets:ย Essendon
5 Trade Targets:ย Fremantle
5 Trade Targets:ย Geelong
5 Trade Targets:ย Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets:ย GWS
5 Trade Targets:ย Hawthornย
5 Trade Targets:ย Melbourne
5 Trade Targets:ย North Melbourne
5 Trade Targets:ย Portย Adelaide
5 Trade Targets:ย Richmond
5 Trade Targets:ย St. Kilda
5 Trade Targets:ย Sydney
In no particular order, here are five players which the Eagles recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
5. Jake Riccardi
The Giants forward exploded onto the scene in season 2020, booting eight goals in just his first three matches of AFL football.
Since then however, Riccardi hasn't been able to hit his stride as well as he did, only managing a pair of goals in the six matches he's been selected in this year.
Despite this, there is no doubt that the man has talent and he will eventually crack on and develop if he is given the right amount of playtime.
Contested mark ๐ฅ
55m goal ๐ฅJake Riccardi doesn't shy away from the big moment #AFLGiantsBlues pic.twitter.com/TTKPSqWhW3
— 7AFL (@7AFL) September 3, 2020
The 21-year-old is off-contract at the end of season 2021, and there would be a few suitors looking at him keenly should the Giants not tie him down.
Despite being from WA, Riccardi could be tempted into a switch to the Eagles should the right money be waved in front of him.
He would slot in nicely alongside the likes of Oscar Allen and Jack Darling during a transitional period for the club and would gain some invaluable match experience as well.
