Mitchell watch

[Ludwig]

Yes but we played a GF with all those players playing plus Mitchell and McVeigh and we couldn't win. Sure everyone is going to improve but so are all the young GWS and Bulldogs' players. We will have Reid and AA to bring improvement next year (out Laidler and Richards) but then we have Towers? Sinclair? Richards? Marsh? Robbo? Newman? BJ? Rose? Talia? to fill the spots vacated by Mitchell and Benny. Newman showed he has what it takes to perform in a big Final. Maybe Robbo or Rose can step up but I don't remember either of them standing out in the NEAFL GF. If we want to match it with GWS who seem to have us covered, we have got to get a couple more strong, skilled players!!

I don't think we should base our list strategy on one game. It's not a reflection of our season as a whole. We are up there in the top echelon of teams and in the process of making of few adjustments to improve it. Newman and Rose played well in the NEAFL final and throughout the year. Robbo had a poor game, but missed most of season with injury. Based on comparative NEAFL performances, it is a good bet that both Rose and Newman are up to AFL standard, but of course it's always difficult to make long term projections so early in one's career.

The salary caps prevents clubs from warehousing elite players. It's a matter of getting the balance right between starters, developers and depth players at the right price. Mitchell is a player worthy of a big salary for a club in need of his talents. But for the Swans he's a bit of excess baggage. I want to see the ball in the hands of Heeney and Mills. They are much more damaging players. It's like have Judd and Dangerfield in the same team.

[Odysseus]

...
p.s. Very interesting to note that the low profile Jakey Lloyd finished one spot higher than Tommy in the B&F.

Very interesting, indeed! That would have passed me by if you hadn't brought attention to it. Jake is one of my (many!) favourites, so thanks for your p.s. (as well as your post).

[stevoswan]

Very interesting to note that the low profile Jakey Lloyd finished one spot higher than Tommy in the B&F.

I noticed that and thought maybe that was the clincher for him......'Gee, the coaches still undervalue me!' ......I thought he would have rated higher in the count, top 5 or 6 maybe, not 8th.

[MattW]

Mitchell's a very good young player but we're one club who can probably afford to lose someone of his type and not suffer overly. Just opens a spot for Mills to move into the midfield next year. I imagine the Swans decided not to go overboard in matching offers he received from elsewhere with one eye on the next contracts of Mills and Heeney (and others).

Yes, I agree. It wouldn't make sense to break the bank for Mitchell given we are comparatively well stocked in his position, particularly with players who will be paid much more in their next contracts.

It's impossible to know whether our offer provided him with a real option to commit to the club despite earning less than he could have at Hawthorn. Total supposition on my part, but I wonder whether he felt more wanted by Hawthorn and didn't feel that attached to us.

I'm not his biggest fan, but he is clutch. He tends to kick for goal well under pressure and obviously played well in the two biggest games of the year (although not decisively).

I'd have thought Breust plus 2nd rd pick is realistic, and Breust would make for a very handy replacement for McGlynn. Otherwise 1st rd, possibly plus someone like Langford might happen.

Finally, someone mentioned Mumford. This might be an unpopular view but I won't be convinced the loss is that significant until he plays well in a premiership winning team.

[0918330512]

It's like have Judd and Dangerfield in the same team.

Yup, if I was a list manager I'd hate to have both of them. If I was a coach having Judd & Danger causing opposition midfields massive headaches would suck.

Actually, opposition mids might not mind it, with those 2 taking votes off each other in the same side the Brownlow field might be wide open

[Hotpotato]

I'm sure Kinear and Co will have a few ideas up their sleeve post Mitchell ...
They pretty much impress every year.

[MattW]

I'm not so sure. I hope the Swans go after him. He's just about to turn 26, in his prime...Offer him a long, back ended, contract.

If we could persuade him to the red and white he would be a fantastic inclusion. He's durable, classy, pacy, and a proven big game player.

He averages 2 goals, 16 disposals, 4 tackles per game ...as a forward pocket.

Given it looks like Heeney will move to the midfield next year, and McGlynn is gone, he would be a perfect pick up.

I completely agree. I hope it happens.

[Xie Shan]

I'm happy to call bull@@@@ on this!

He could have easily said "I don't know, I'm meeting the club next week" and left it at that. Instead he told an outright lie, he said he had signed a new deal when he had done nothing of the type. He told an outright lie and whilst it's "only" to a club fan I think it reflects really poorly on him as a person.

Agree with this, the most diplomatic response would have been to say he didn't know. Only time will tell I guess. I suspect that after being notified of Tom's wishes, the club will probably consider its position before deciding whether to up their offer. It remains to be seen whether this will be enough for Tom.

[tlock]

Make Hawthorn pay a premium for Mitchell. Take their pick 14 this year and next year's first round pick

[The Big Cat]

Breust is on more dough than we offered Tommy

[ernie koala]

Breust is on more dough than we offered Tommy

Really....Then fill us in...

How much was Mitchell offered?..

And how much is Bruest's current contract?

Or are you just guessing like the rest of us?

[bloodsbigot]

If we don't get a fair trade for him and Hawks give us someone like Langford, I reckon we should just let him go straight to the draft.

I'll bet the swans accept something like pick 14 though. We'll get reamed.

- - - Updated - - -

Breust is on more dough than we offered Tommy

Plus lite and easy payments.


There's no way we'll get Breust. No way.

[aardvark]

Saints are rumoured to be offering pick 10 for Mitch.

[Billericay]

It looks like the GC Suns want players not picks for O'Meara (6-8 players are on the table). And GCS have high draft picks and should get one more for Prestia... so why couldn't Gold Coast swap picks with Hawthorn and send O'Meara and a high first round pick (6 or 8) to the Hawks and get pick 14 and a bunch of players in return. Hawks then send pick 6 or 8 onto us for Mitchell II

[liz]

It looks like the GC Suns want players not picks for O'Meara (6-8 players are on the table). And GCS have high draft picks and should get one more for Prestia... so why couldn't Gold Coast swap picks with Hawthorn and send O'Meara and a high first round pick (6 or 8) to the Hawks and get pick 14 and a bunch of players in return. Hawks then send pick 6 or 8 onto us for Mitchell II

Because none of the players the Hawks seem willing to part with would be of much interest to the Suns, not for such a high draft pick/O'Meara, anyway.