Trent Croad

[Reggi]

I see that Freo are already shopping him around.

He doesn't like Freo

They don't like paying him big $$$

Bit of an over-rated player - could be handy for us as a key defender.

Worth enquiries - or stay away?

[TheHood]

Great point Reggi!

Trent is a super athlete and on his day, I enjoy watching him play, can be deadly in front of the sticks.

I think the obvious is that he loves Melbourne and probably would prefer to be there for starters.

Trent has always played for Trent and that attitude would have to shift dramatically. A defender does it for his team mates, a consumate selfless player. This is why Trent has always played forward - personal glory!

However if Sydney was an option for him and he was willing to come in as a selfless defender, that might be good. I think deep down he's a good fella and has the capacity to change should he wish to come to Sydney. Where ever he goes at the end of 2003, it will end up being for remedial purposes such is his career at the moment.

Would prefer to delist some of our Oxygen Theives (Warfe, Nicks & Frosty)and pay Mal Michael $400k though!

[Bart]

Originally posted by TheHood
Would prefer to delist some of our Oxygen Theives (Warfe, Nicks & Frosty)and pay Mal Michael $400k though!

Michael ? Nah. We've got Heath Hames

[TheHood]

Now that is funny!

[Ganjaman]

and he kicked a goal on the weekend.

[Charlie]

I think we need to shop around for a key defender. My favourite choice would definately be Michael... Croad would be ok as long as the price is right... Playfair from Geelong would be a great cheap choice, we could bring him home to Sydney at the same time.

[Newbie]

Freo would want something decent for him, I suppose. I would not mind to see him at CHB for us. He should do OK there. Forward does not suit him. This might release LRT to move up the ground (which should fit him too). It is all dependent on what we will need to give to get him and what he really wants.

Geelong is looking for a Key Forward, I dont think Trent Croad would be the answer for them. Sydney would probably the best place for him personally. Away from the light life and getting back to his comfortable position.

Also, would people think that we should keep our first two picks or should we trade them (for equivalent return)? Personally, I feel that we have got a decent group of 20-23 year olds, I would not mind to see us trade our first two picks to bolter this group up rather than drafting two young kids who would take few years to develop. By then, our 20-23 year olds group might have gone over the hill. A mass concentration of talent gives us a better chance to the flag, me think.

[Charlie]

Croad for Stevens and a 2nd round pick? It's about the right price I reckon.

[Craig]

Either Croad or Michael would be good. I don't see us getting Croad though as he wants to go to Vic.

[Bart]

You can be damn sure if he leaves that Freo will still be paying some of his wages

[Steve]

I remember going to Waverley each Hawthorn home game and watching Croad just run and run and run from CHB.

He just isn't suited to playing forward - as he said "I'm an athlete, not a footballer" - I always found it strange that Connolly was so committed to playing him at FF.

If there is any side he'd be suited to going to it would actually most likely be Sydney, considering our need for another key defender and Roos' game plan.

But I'm not sure I could handle the cringe factor - shots of him on the bonnet of a Ferrari parked at The Rocks with the bridge in the background etc etc

[SWANSBEST]

It looks like the Melbourne media have been frothing at the mouth about nothing . Maybe!!!




Schwab slams Croad speculation
7:17:33 PM Wed 2 July, 2003
Mic Cullen
afl.com.au
Fremantle Dockers chief executive Cameron Schwab has slammed the latest Trent Croad trade story, calling it ?nonsense? and ?fantasy?.

?Pub-talk journalism is how I describe it,? Schwab said. ?It?s the sort of discussion which might happen to a couple of blokes - who?ve had a few too many - over a bar somewhere.

?They?ve said ?well, gee, Geelong have freed up a bit of salary-cap space for a particular player ? they?re looking for a forward?, and all of a sudden they associate our forward with it.

?It?s got nothing to do with us.

?We?ve said that we?ve got no intention of trading Trent Croad.

?We?ve said that last year and we?ve said that this year, and to read in the paper that he was offered up as a trade is an absolute nonsense.

?I can safely say that there is not one iota or basis of truth to what has been talked about this morning.?

The story originated from the other side of the country because the local media were kept informed of club policies and intentions, Schwab said.

?It?s come from Melbourne because I don?t think they know what?s going on ? we?ve worked really hard with you guys to make sure that you?re well and truly in the loop in terms of what our football club?s about and where it?s actually going.

?It didn?t come from here because you guys know better and you understand where we?re coming from, and we?re thankful for that support.?

Rumours persist that Croad is homesick and wants to go back to a Victorian club, but Schwab said he had no idea why Croad was the one targeted so often for trade stories.

?I don?t know. We?re surprised ? we think he?s a very important player in our team structure, he?s currently playing centre-half-forward for us. He sits fourth on our goal-assists in our club at this stage.

?One of the strengths our club will have over a period of time is that it?s got a number of tall key-position options, and Trent Croad?s a key person within that.

?You don?t hear it from hear ? you don?t hear it from anyone around here ? he?s always been a high-profile recruit and therefore there?s higher expectations on him, but in terms of is the Fremantle Football Club satisfied with the role he?s playing? Yes we are, and I think the stats actually support that.?

http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=102544

[Newbie]

I would not read much into any denial by Freo. What else they could do in mid season? Admit to trade him? No chance.

[midaro]

Jade Rawlings

http://hawthornfc.com.au/default.asp?pg=players&spg=playerprofile&personid=31793

Out of contract at the end of the season. If we're going to fill our CHB gap from outside, this is the man.

[penga]

rawlings will be 27 next year, i think we should go for noone above 26