Crawford

[Snowy]

Reading between the lines, and observing the body language, Crawf is a chance to leave Hawthorn but because of his contact it would be on their terms. Sydney might appeal because of his acting aspirations. As I said before only get him for someone expendable.

[cressakel]

Re: Re: Crawford

Originally posted by midaro
Not more crack smoking please

30 years old
Coming off a long term injury
Flakey

Nothing. It would be a massive step backwards for us to draft Crawford. 2nd Round alone, or nothing (and that's just because I don't rate draft picks after the first round).

Shane Crawford's bozo, dope smoking, alcoholic brother was bad enough and a big waste of dog doo-doo, let alone Shane coming to the club with a chronic back injury and only two to three years left in the game.

Although, if the Swans offered Fosdike to Hawthorn with a possible 10 years service compared to Crawford's 2-3 years of service, before the Hawthorn hierachy asked for this trade Colless, Roos, Ireland and Barham should have their pens sharpened ready to sign the appropriate paperwork.

Humphrey B.Bear on a three year contract would be more beneficial to the Swans than Fosdike, as at least the quiet man will attract plenty of kids to Swans games as he hams it up before the game and during breaks - whereas Fosdike constantly plays crap selfish football to the detriment of the team.

[sharpie]

Re: Re: Re: Crawford

Originally posted by cressakel
Shane Crawford's bozo, dope smoking, alcoholic brother was bad enough and a big waste of dog doo-doo, let alone Shane coming to the club with a chronic back injury and only two to three years left in the game.

Although, if the Swans offered Fosdike to Hawthorn with a possible 10 years service compared to Crawford's 2-3 years of service, before the Hawthorn hierachy asked for this trade Colless, Roos, Ireland and Barham should have their pens sharpened ready to sign the appropriate paperwork.

Humphrey B.Bear on a three year contract would be more beneficial to the Swans than Fosdike, as at least the quiet man will attract plenty of kids to Swans games as he hams it up before the game and during breaks - whereas Fosdike constantly plays crap selfish football to the detriment of the team.

Ba-doom, ching! (meant to be the sound of drums after a joke)

Are we serious contenders for the flag in the next 2 years? Most people on this site would probably believe so, but does Roosy and Andrew Ireland? That is the question that needs to be asked. If so, are the players we'd have to seriously give up to get Crawf part of that 2 year plan?

And what happens if we dont win the premiership in 2 years, where do we go then? Suddenly we are without a gun midfielder (or 3 without Stuey and Willo), and our current younger promising midfielders have had 2 more years stagnating playing ressies and we would have missed another year of drafting new youth.

I believe these are the things that need to be considered before bringing in any emotion about players we like or do not like.

FWIW, my answers to the above questions would be something like this. I would think Roosy believes we can win a premiership in the next few years. He has stated the need for a gun midfielder, but it doesnt solve our need for a strong defender. And I believe it is far too much throwing all your eggs in the one basket by trading for a guy who will only give us 2 years. Why do people think he will play longer than that, he has stated this himself. In 2 years, premiership or not, we will be without Stue & Willo from our midfield, and then add Crawf to that and our midfield will be worse off than it is today, because there maybe less up & coming young guys on the list.

A far smarter approach (and Roosy seems to be quite a smart guy) would be to try and trade for a 23-26 yo midfielder who is good, but still short of fulfilling their potential. Geelong have a few, St Kilda are stacked, just to name 2 examples. This would give us a gun midfielder for at least another 6 years. This is a far more sustainable approach.

[NMWBloods]

Crawford is nearly 18 months younger than Williams, and I'm sure many people don't think we should get rid of Williams just yet.

I think Crawford in very good form could be enough to make us a legitimate contender. Once he's finished then our younger players will have matured nicely and hopefully we will remain a solid contender.

After all, think about our past two seasons and think of occasions when a player of Crawford's ability wouldn have made a difference.

[NMWBloods]

Re: Re: Re: Re: Crawford

Originally posted by sharpie
In 2 years, premiership or not, we will be without Stue & Willo from our midfield, and then add Crawf to that and our midfield will be worse off than it is today, because there maybe less up & coming young guys on the list.

I don't think that with Crawford in the side the young players will necessarily be pushed back into the reserves. They will still get opportunities to play in the firsts, however they will have the benefit of playing alongside better players.

Also, if we happened to give away (for sake of argument) Fosdike and a second-round pick, I don't think this would be unduly damaging to our midfield or our stock of youth in 2-3 years time.

Additionally, Crawford may say he has only two years left, but it doesn't necessarily mean that is definitely the case.

Still, I don't think he will leave Melbourne anyway.

[midaro]

On the premiership in the 'next couple of years' point ...well, there are premierships and there are premierships.

We may win a premiership in the next couple of years, through the Adelaide 1997-98 model - ie from the bottom half of the eight. But, many teams 'could' do this, and history indicates it is rare.

However, we will not win a premiership in the next couple of years, through being a dominant force all year and wining purely by being the best team - ala Brisbane 2001-2004 ( )

We simply do not have the talent.

McVeigh, Schneider, Buchanon, Fixter & Bevan all have midfield potential, but we dont (and can't) know how good they'll be, yet.

[swansrule100]

why not worry about the finals....

if crawf becomes available then worry about getting him...until then is it worth all this debate? :P

[Barry Schneider]

Rumour is that Brent Harvey is unhappy at North Melbourne.I reckon a rejuvenated Harvey would definitely add something to the Swans.He has been crap this year but he has been an elite player for years and is only 26.I reckon he would add more to the Swans than Crawford but it is only a rumour on a web site so probably crap.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Barry Schneider
it is only a rumour on a web site so probably crap.

...nah, surely not.

[Barry Schneider]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
...nah, surely not.

I think the modus operandi of a lot of posters is to post a stack of rumours with one bound to come true then you can claim you have inside knowledge.
Pretty funny that journos put these internet rumours into print and then they gain an air of credibility

[Nico]

Originally posted by stellation
I agree. I think, as much as people now mock his leadership abilities, if he could put in 2 or 3 seasons with the club it would help our young midfielders.

2-3 years in the midfield means a young player misses his calling.

[barry]

Originally posted by Nico
2-3 years in the midfield means a young player misses his calling.

Not if he replaces another midfielder (Fosdike).

[Nico]

Originally posted by robbieando
As Dr J said, if he was 2 years younger I would be hellbent on getting him to the club. However as it is he is coming off a serious broken arm, and 2 years of back problems before the broken arm, plus he has said he wants to give the game away after 2006.

A good player yes, but not one I'm willing to waste a 1st Round Draft Pick on.

Cronic back problems more like it. Try to get a good established player, but not a crock who wore a back brace during the season. One injury away from the wheelchair.
Remember Tingay who I think got onto the ground once for us. What a waste of a draft pick. Never again thanks.
Big rumour in Melbourne this morning is he will hang up the boots.

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by Nico

Remember Tingay who I think got onto the ground once for us. What a waste of a draft pick. Never again thanks.
Big rumour in Melbourne this morning is he will hang up the boots.

Bring him up as a runner. Seymour wanted to go back to Melb. It's a trade made in heaven...

[Nico]

Originally posted by barry
Not if he replaces another midfielder (Fosdike).

Always seems to happen Barry. Clubs go goggle eyed over a star on the wrong side of the hill and a young player plays off he bench for 1-2 seasons before the star calls it quits. Hell, South Melbourne fell for it adnausium.

Eade was good at denying young footballers. eg Fosdike and Bolton top 10 picks were played off the bench for 3 seasons until Roos arrived.