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: Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Brisbane
5 Trade Targets: Carlton
5 Trade Targets: Collingwood
5 Trade Targets: Essendon
5 Trade Targets: Fremantle
5 Trade Targets: Geelong
5 Trade Targets: Gold Coast
5 Trade Targets: GWS
5 Trade Targets: Hawthorn
5 Trade Targets: Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: North Melbourne
5 Trade Targets: Port Adelaide
5 Trade Targets: Richmond
5 Trade Targets: St. Kilda
5 Trade Targets: Sydney
In no particular order, here are five players which the Eagles recruitment team would do well to target and potentially poach.
3. Nathan Broad
A bit of a left-field recommendation is three-time Tigers premiership player Nathan Broad.
Despite being maligned by Richmond fans when performances don't go to plan, Broad is in his own right a solid prospect down back.
He is able to float in and take intercept marks, highlighted by his average of 6.7 intercepts per game - an elite figure for a defender.
Defender
Disposals
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On top of this, he is able to affect a contest and averages 3.9 spoils per game, another elite figure for his position, and runs at 83.9% efficiency by foot.
The fact of the matter is that Shannon Hurn is nearing the end of his career at nearly 34 years of age, and the Eagles need a solid defender to slot into the backline once he hangs up his boots.
Broad wouldn't take up a big chunk of the salary cap and would likely be happy playing back in his home state in a solid rearguard.
