The debate about topping up a slipping, ageing list or opting for a complete rebuild has been a regular area of concern for all AFL clubs.
While clubs like Geelong and the Sydney Swans have successfully managed to add pieces to remain competitive without requiring a complete list cleanout, others have gone down the total rebuild path, including Richmond, North Melbourne and Carlton.
Both options have their merits, although Kangaroos coach Alastair Clarkson said recently he doesn't think any club will "go there ever again ... unless you see opportunity to improve your list" when it comes to a rebuild.
Clarkson oversaw an incredibly successful rebuild when he took over the Hawks back in 2005, aided by a stunning recruiting period from the club that yielded the likes of Luke Hodge, Buddy Franklin, Cyril Rioli and Jarryd Roughead.
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He has found a rebuild far tougher at North, with the Roos winning a total of 11 games in his three seasons at the helm.
AFL commentator and Port Adelaide great Kane Cornes disagrees with Clarko, however, believing there are examples of successful recent rebuilds in the competition.
“I disagree with Alastair Clarkson that you can’t rebuild," he said on SEN Breakfast. "I look at Adelaide and go, that’s the exact reason that you can rebuild.
"I look at Hawthorn – both of those two teams are playing finals off the back of an aggressive rebuild.”
Another team that Cornes wanted to single out were the Tigers.
Coming off three flags in 2017, 2019 and 2020, Richmond opted for a total rebuild and set about banking draft picks through a series of trades.
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While it is still very much a work in progress for a side that won five games this season, Cornes feels they are right on track for future success.
“I absolutely love what they’ve done,” he said. “They had some good will to be able to do it and wear the pain because of the success that they’ve had.
“They were in a perfect position. They had the great advantage of the Gold Coast doing stupid things by giving ridiculous prices to their players, which made the decision to let (Daniel) Rioli go easy.
“It appears as though they’ve nailed their picks, which is a lot easier to do when you have elite picks and a lot of them.
"(Sam) Lalor is phenomenal, we don’t talk about him at all because of the injury but he is something else.
"Hopefully they can get him right and then go again to this year’s draft. They’re in a great spot.”