Trading

[Jeffers1984]

What would happen if Ball retires? Would we just draft/trade a mature aged ruckman (ala Mott) or put all our eggs in the one basket and count on Doyle to last the whole year to help big Jol?

Erickson and the Big Earl certainly aren't ready yet.

[Newbie]

I think we are selling Saddo really short. That guy was our first pick of the 1997 draft which had proven to be a better draft than most others. Two or three years ago (before he was moved to CHB), he was rated as one of very few success coming out of that draft (among other first rounders: Luke Power, Ottens, Johnson and Tarrat).

Before moved to the CHB, he was highly rated. He is not a CHB but it does not mean he cant play. He is an already 100+ gamer. Knee reconstructions take longer to come back (the confidence issue). His knee reconstruction was only about 12 months ago.

So if we are looking to trade him, we should be looking for something decent in return. While he is not in our best 22, it does not mean he is not worth anything. Craig Bolton was not in the Lions best 22 while he was there.

[liz]

Originally posted by Newbie


So if we are looking to trade him, we should be looking for something decent in return. While he is not in our best 22, it does not mean he is not worth anything. Craig Bolton was not in the Lions best 22 while he was there.

I agree with your sentiments re Saddo's worth. The bloke can actually play, even if he is no superstar. I reckon he's exactly the kind of player who the Bulldogs need at the moment, given they are lacking height at both ends of the ground. However, I also think he's got lots left to offer Sydney if he stays with us.

'Tis worth noting that the Lions got nothing for Bolton when he left.

[Newbie]

Originally posted by liz
I agree with your sentiments re Saddo's worth. The bloke can actually play, even if he is no superstar. I reckon he's exactly the kind of player who the Bulldogs need at the moment, given they are lacking height at both ends of the ground. However, I also think he's got lots left to offer Sydney if he stays with us.

'Tis worth noting that the Lions got nothing for Bolton when he left.

IIRC, C Bolton had played very few games (less than 20-30 games) at the Lions and thus was generally unknown to other teams, certainly much less than Saddo who is generally known around the league.

BTW, anyone knows how Doyle is going? While we have all presumed Doyle as the natural replacement for Balls next season, I havent seen any mention of how he is progressing at the moment.

[SimonH]

Originally posted by liz
I agree with your sentiments re Saddo's worth. The bloke can actually play, even if he is no superstar. I reckon he's exactly the kind of player who the Bulldogs need at the moment, given they are lacking height at both ends of the ground.

That's the spirit-- the Bulldogs have got about 30 fast receivers who can take a grab. Their team seems to be entirely composed of them plus Chris Grant, in fact. We'll give Saddo and take our pick of the Dogs runners, thank you.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by SimonH
That's the spirit-- the Bulldogs have got about 30 fast receivers who can take a grab. Their team seems to be entirely composed of them plus Chris Grant, in fact. We'll give Saddo and take our pick of the Dogs runners, thank you.

Cooney???

[Jeffers1984]

Originally posted by Newbie
BTW, anyone knows how Doyle is going? While we have all presumed Doyle as the natural replacement for Balls next season, I havent seen any mention of how he is progressing at the moment.

Doyle was at the ARC aftermatch and he told everyone that he has only just got back to running with the group.

[Newbie]

Originally posted by ScottH
Cooney???

No chance. Saddo is a fringe player in a top 4 team (he is probably ranked around 20th-25th in our team). Bulldogs is a bottom eight team and thus the equivalent trade should be for a player around 15th-20th in their list. That is about as fair as it could be I think.

[ScottH]

Originally posted by Newbie
No chance. Saddo is a fringe player in a top 4 team (he is probably ranked around 20th-25th in our team). Bulldogs is a bottom eight team and thus the equivalent trade should be for a player around 15th-20th in their list. That is about as fair as it could be I think.

That was why the

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Pardom my ignorance but what's White Line Fever (foxtel or something?) and was any particular commentator the source of the theory?

Ditching bevan after one good year and one poor year seems a bit hairtrigger doesn't it?

Originally posted by Bleed Red Blood
I think that's entirely unfair. Saddingtons form was only questioned when he got a run of injurys in 03. He's been unlucky since and played out of position. Not untradeable but not as hopeless as he is painted by some here, imo.

I think it was questioned long before that when he didn't become the CHB we'd hoped for. His injury aloowed B2 and perhaps Dempster to go past him as a tall flanker.

Originally posted by Jeffers1984
What would happen if Ball retires? Would we just draft/trade a mature aged ruckman (ala Mott) or put all our eggs in the one basket and count on Doyle to last the whole year to help big Jol?
Erickson and the Big Earl certainly aren't ready yet.

Big Earl's a lot closer than that. No he won't be carrying the ruck in 2006, but I think he could be playing 10 minutes a quarter to relieve Jolly in the seniors next year if Big Jase pulls the plug.

[robbieando]

Originally posted by Ruckman
Ditching bevan after one good year and one poor year seems a bit hairtrigger doesn't it?

It sure does. I can't think of a reason why the club would trade Bevo after keeping the likes of James, Fixter, Sundqvist, Powell on the list for a longer period and less games in return. As I said before, I think Bevo and Saddo were picked out because they were on our emergency list, were young and have a fair few games under their belt.

Big Earl's a lot closer than that. No he won't be carrying the ruck in 2006, but I think he could be playing 10 minutes a quarter to relieve Jolly in the seniors next year if Big Jase pulls the plug.

We have Doyle who'll be given another chance to prove he can survive a season without getting injuried. If he can do that, we aren't that bad off in the ruck department that we would need to trade/draft a ruckman if Ball does retire as has been mooted.