Kane Cornes has questioned whether Port Adelaide, Brisbane and Geelong have done enough to strengthen their lists during the trade and free agency period.
The Power and Cats were eliminated in Preliminary Finals this season, while the Lions exited the finals in straight sets for the second time in three years.
As things stand, all three premiership contenders have been quiet on the player movement front ahead of Wednesday night’s trade deadline.
“I focus on Port Adelaide a bit, maybe too much, have they improved their squad that was well short in a Prelim Final?” Cornes told AFL Trade Radio’s The Early Trade.
“Peter Ladhams, as revealed by Riley Beveridge on Trade Exchange yesterday (Monday), is out, (Jeremy) Finlayson comes in, so it probably evens it out, really. It’s a one for one.
“Other than that, have they improved their squad from when they got smashed in a Prelim Final.
“Have Brisbane improved their squad from when they were well short in a final? Have Geelong done anything to improve themselves?
“There’s a couple of clubs that have been highly frustrating.
“This time is about giving your club and supporters hope, there’s a few clubs that have given no hope whatsoever that they’re going to be a better team than what they were in the finals or when Round 23 finished last year.”
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The Lions are trying to acquire contracted Geelong ruckman Darcy Fort, while the Cats are speaking to Hawthorn about ruckman Jonathon Ceglar, who is also contracted.
Geelong appears set to lose youngster Jordan Clark to Fremantle.