Bradshaw a Swan

[RedRosie]

Control Alt Delete Primmy. That will close it and the RWO forum but everything else is ok.

[Cheer Squad]

Forget Bradshaw

We should only go after Bradshaw if we think he's going to be part of our next premiership team. Given that he's 31 next month, somehow I doubt it.

We've defied AFL gravity for as long as we can - probably longer than we should have - and as far as our next premiership team goes, we're better off going along with the system, bottoming out for a few years, and obtaining the highest possible draft picks. There's no point worrying about Gold Coast and the GWS venture; there's nothing we can do about that.

Everything we do concerning list management has to ensure that players like Jesse White, Nick Smith, Craig Bird, and Josh Kennedy amongst others, are part of our next premiership team.

There's no point of spending up big to obtain players like Bradshaw and Fevola at the expense of future premiership players.

[Foreign Legion]

[QUOTE=DeadlyAkkuret;463356]Looks like we have competition from Carlton.


LINK

[liz]

what I mean is, they pay the player the maximum amount that they can actually fit in the club's cap.

In which case, it won't really be that much of a tool for outbidding other clubs since most don't have much room to manouevre in their salary cap. And if they do, why the need for some trick to scare other clubs off?

[Industrial Fan]

Two separate issues:

1. Not too hung up on the 'get experienced player X to help train up player Y' theory. Depends on how good a teacher player X is, which you can't tell just by watching him run around. But in a more general sense, all young players learn better at a club that has a cohesive gameplan, good discipline and a culture of winning. Having proven quality players in your best 22 helps with all of that.

2. To say 'X is a full forward, Y has looked best playing at full forward, therefore X and Y can't play in the one team' doesn't add up in the modern game. You look at the practical realities of what each player provides and whether they can work in tandem in the forward 50 arc. If the answer is yes, then as I think Roos once quipped, the janitor can do the official team placings on a Thursday evening.

Whether BBBH was named at CHF or FF, and whether MOL was named at FF, FP or elsewhere, we always knew they were going to turn up, do their respective thing, and try to stay out of each other's space, each week.

Baz and Plugger were a pretty good example of point 2 in the few games they played together.

[Auntie.Gerald]

there is no reason why we couldnt have White, Bradshaw and a Grundy etc floating in the Forward and HF lines.........

The club has been very clear in articles the last few days that White needs support and that speaks volumes of keeping Goodes free on the ball at Wing or off the HF line but free to roam

From memory Goodes had the most inside 50m takes in 2009 for the Swans yet when you cast your mind through each of the games..........it is when he is on the run moving forward that he gets so many of his marks.............not so many leading out like a FF or CHF......

[707]

It's not only about the goals Bradshaw kicks, and he does so from range and with accuracy but it's also about allocation of defenders by the opposition.

If White is our best forward, he'll draw the best defender but with Bradshaw there White may get the second best defender and against many teams that may be a significant drop in class, all to Whites advantage.

In reality, didn't Bazz & Micky both play a type of FF role simultaneously?

I think it's well worth the punt.

On another matter, Plafair has until 13 November because that's when the last delisting is due before the draft, that gives you X number of picks at the draft.

If not done so by then, Kennelly will be delisted prior to the Pre Season draft to allow us to pick up Bradshaw.

Wouldn't be surprised to see us us pick 55 in the draft on a recycled player, a lot of useful types may be available and a better punt than kids that far out in a shallow draft. I reckon there will be more recycled players taken this year than ever before.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Plus 2010 will be on an up cycle........me thinks from 12th to pushing the top8...

Bradshaw at the right price is an important player to give our emerging players a target to hit that is above average with the ball and the mark !

there does not seem to be any other strong options for 2010 or 2011

[Cheer Squad]

Plus 2010 will be on an up cycle........me thinks from 12th to pushing the top8...

Bradshaw at the right price is an important player to give our emerging players a target to hit that is above average with the ball and the mark !

there does not seem to be any other strong options for 2010 or 2011

What's the point? He's on the wrong side of 30. Why get used to him - assuming he stays un-injured - when we could be developing someone else? The days of extending our run in the finals are over. We need to re-build and re-stock for our next premiership tilt. Bradshaw is most unlikely to be part of that.

[Auntie.Gerald]

The debate is healthy........but I cant see a clear strategy that you have outlined re recruitment that is better than taking Bradshaw for 2010, 2011 minimum

It appears pinned on 2 or 3 youth becoming 50 goal kickers in 2010 ??

That aint going to happen !

so what is strategy for 2010 and 2011 ?

who would you recruit for 2010 and 2011?

....we have alot of $ and we have lost 70 to 80 goals pa minimum to replace with Mick and Barry gone..........it is very obvious that if we loose one of Goodes or White for an extended period of teh season we are screwed in our ability to maintain posession in our 50m let alone get goals

i personally dont think it is best to alter a tremendous on baller like Goodes to become a stilted CHF and or out and out Forward........he can do it but he also can rip a team apart if he has someone to deliver to week in week out..........Bradshaw and White are two targets !!

There are so many levels to this argument of getting the team balance right for 2010 and 2011 vs 2012 and beyond

Culture
Sponsorship
TV screening
Supporters
Competitiveness now vs future

ensuring that we can maintain a challenge for the top 8 in 2010 and 2011 hopefully top 4 is an absolute must..........do you think Roos and the lads havent looked into 2010 and 2011 and discovered that there really isnt anyone else outside or inside the club now that we can get 50 goals plus from

I would love to say White and or Johnston could but that is a massive stretch and not one I would put money on

Saints had 250goals from there top 5 players

who is going to do that without a Bradshaw........ who had 58 last year?? in a year that Brownie killed it and demanded a lot of ball......


im open

[Bas]

We should only go after Bradshaw if we think he's going to be part of our next premiership team.

Yes. Next 3 years.

[Captain]

Actually, I spoke to his borther recently and his brother said Scott had fond memories of Sydney. For what that's worth.

So I guess he was just a hack and has no excuse for it.

[Cheer Squad]

Yes. Next 3 years.

I'd love to see it happen but I doubt it. We'll be lucky to hold our position over the next couple of years, let alone move up the ladder.

[Robbo]

Yes. Next 3 years.

I don't think there would be too many people who truly believe we will have a premiership tilt in the next 2-3 years.

Getting Bradshaw is dumb IMO. Where does it leave Daniel Currie now? With Mumford and Seaby both rucking, the forward line was looking likely for him. But with White, Bradshaw, Johnstone and possibly Goodes up there how is he going to fit in?

[Auntie.Gerald]

i think we need a touch of reality

Currie at 200cm an out an out forward........hope so !......but it is a pipe dream right now

c'mon..........we need 50 goals plus from a player now in addition to what we are nurturing....we just lost 80 a season minimum, Hall, Mick and Amon

we need a dominant FF / CHF now

our players deserve to have a team that can compete by responsible recruitment now