Ackermanis Trade Rumour again

[SXP]

Originally posted by ScottH
The funniest thing would be Crouch tagging him out of habit!!

On a serious note though. Regardless whether or not people like him, he is a star player and a chance to join the Swans for a very simple reason. If the Swans fail again to reach GF this year, then Roos will be tempted to bring another champion player into the fold. It will all depend how successful the Swans will be in the finals. We might see Aker in red and white next year after all.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by ROK Lobster
Because he would be amongst the best players in the team.

My argument is that whilst he might be the "best player", he would not be "in the team".

Mind you, I seriously doubt the "best" tag for next year anyway.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by SXP
If the Swans fail again to reach GF this year, then Roos will be tempted to bring another champion player into the fold.

And I'm all for that. But lets steer away from players with egos. Roos can just as likely upset the current (very successful so far) mix and blend of the team. Unless people are expecting that 1 man can beat 18? Hasn't worked for Brisbane this year.

[EMJ]

Wouldn't like to see him come here. He is an up himself person - especially after that goal he put his hand to his mouth etc as an acclamation to himself.
His injuries and his age would be against him.

All that worries me with this story is it quoted Ireland as the person interested in him.

We don't want him and we don't want to use Buchanan as a trade either.

[sharp9]

I thought that last time, but I've mellowed now and the fact is he is a sensational talent who would fit into any good team going around. Carping about him having an ego is just small minded insecurity from those who are intimidated by his genius.

He may be an individualist (especially off the field) but there is no doubt he is a team player...just ask his three time premiership team-mates if he made a significant contribution.

30 possessions, five goals and no clangers sounds like team play to me!

He's no softer than Willo, quite frankly, and if there were any team in the league that he would be right for it is the Swans because we have a large number of seriously solid nose to the grindstone midfielders who regularly beat oppositions in the is department. What we lack is an Aka type in the midfield mixwho can bust a game open when all else is equal.

BTW Brett Kirk is number two in the league for handball receives so being a receiver has **** all to do with being soft, it has to do with getting in the right place at the right time and having the respect of team mates to be the man one WANTS to give the ball to.

Senior brisbane players may well become bullies when they are being stood up to or beaten, but they have NEVER shirked a contest. As if Aka were soft, get real. He's played under LM for 6 or 7 years and done alright.

The thing is that when he is on song he wins contested ball without being touched because he is so quick and skillful and his timing is so beautiful that he can dash into a congested area, win the ball and send it 50 metres off his wrong foot to a team mate's chest WITHOUT the opposition getting a decent hand on him.

Let's not forget that this year he played a game generally rated by pundits as in the top five games ever played by any player in the history of football.

We would give a first round pick for him plus a 22 player (no pun intended) as we have plenty of talented youngsters already vying for limited spots. And seeing as 19 will be our first pick....

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by sharp9
BTW Brett Kirk is number two in the league for handball receives so being a receiver has **** all to do with being soft, it has to do with getting in the right place at the right time and having the respect of team mates to be the man one WANTS to give the ball to.

I agree - this seems to be a fairly frequent comment (receiver = soft and useless), seemingly driven by the Sydney obsession that all players should be on the bottom of the pack, yet it shows a distinct lack of football understanding.

[Schneiderman]

Originally posted by sharp9
Carping about him having an ego is just small minded insecurity from those who are intimidated by his genius.

A bit harsh on the opening, but you make good points.

I suppose it all comes down to hindsight. IF we were to get him, and IF he were to play at his brilliant best over the time he is here, and IF the team would improve as a result... masterstroke.

If its a big failure... well you know what happens then.

[giant]

Originally posted by Schneiderman
A bit harsh on the opening, but you make good points.

I suppose it all comes down to hindsight. IF we were to get him, and IF he were to play at his brilliant best over the time he is here, and IF the team would improve as a result... masterstroke.

If its a big failure... well you know what happens then.

I'm not sure if hindsight is all that helpful before the event.

[Go Swannies]

I must have missed the posts describing him as a soft receiver. Were there any?

My query is purely in terms of team structure. And saying he has made a great contribution to the Lions is not the same as saying he's a great team player. Reiwoldt may become a great player but I think he plays for himself. Crawf used to too - until he let go of the captaincy this year.

We may be able to turn Aker around - people in Melbourne at the shift in Baz who has become the ultimate team/goal assist forward. But if we don't him coming here may not be progress.

That's why I said that any team would welcome Aker but maybe not the Swans. I have said he and Hird are the only two players who can genuinely turn a match on their own. I don't think Buckley or Voss are in their class. So I rate him highly but would have serious reservations about how he'd fit in. But he's very smart so he might adapt.

[taurus]

Originally posted by NMWBloods
I agree - this seems to be a fairly frequent comment (receiver = soft and useless), seemingly driven by the Sydney obsession that all players should be on the bottom of the pack, yet it shows a distinct lack of football understanding.

Ummm, a quick visit to Bigfooty should make you understand that it's not JUST Sydney obsession.

I do agree with you that there is a wide spread view that a "receiver" is a dirty word. It seems that people expect every player should be at the bottom of the pack, pick up 25+ possessions, and accurately kick 50 meters after beating 3 opponents...

[NMWBloods]

Originally posted by taurus
Ummm, a quick visit to Bigfooty should make you understand that it's not JUST Sydney obsession.

Definitely correct there. I pointed to the Sydney focus because of 'our' love for players in and under - not sure why other supporters say it - perhaps lack of understanding.

I do agree with you that there is a wide spread view that a "receiver" is a dirty word. It seems that people expect every player should be at the bottom of the pack, pick up 25+ possessions, and accurately kick 50 meters after beating 3 opponents...

Certainly does seem like that at times. These same people would never select someone like Scott West or Travis Johnstone for example!

[Go Swannies]

Originally posted by taurus
Ummm, a quick visit to Bigfooty should make you understand that it's not JUST Sydney obsession.

I do agree with you that there is a wide spread view that a "receiver" is a dirty word. It seems that people expect every player should be at the bottom of the pack, pick up 25+ possessions, and accurately kick 50 meters after beating 3 opponents...

Na, just Jude - and he better not get his hair mussed either!

[liz]

The stigma seems to arise from the suggestion that a receiver doesn't go in and "get his own ball". If a player is like this he is less able to have an influence when things aren't going the team's way.

The reality is that very few - if any - AFL players fit that description. Even those capable of "carrying the ball" and "breaking the lines" have to contest as well. No one would ever accuse Akermanis, Cousins or Judd of being unable or unwilling to compete in the packs when they need to.

Nor do I think that we have any "receivers" as such in the Sydney side.

[DST]

Has an ego the size of the Sydney harbour bridge, but also has the talent and determination of equal size.

If the trade was on good terms, he would add considerably to our side for the next 3 to 4 years and could be the difference between just a GF berth and ultimate victory.

You just don't over look players of his ability due to perconceived notion of ego.

DST

[ROK Lobster]

Originally posted by DST
Has an ego the size of the Sydney harbour bridge, but also has the talent and determination of equal size.

If the trade was on good terms, he would add considerably to our side for the next 3 to 4 years and could be the difference between just a GF berth and ultimate victory.

You just don't over look players of his ability due to perconceived notion of ego.

DST

So few words, so much sense.