Lewis Johnston

[BSA5]

I think we have to realise - along with all the other clubs - that we're going to lose some players to GC and GWS that we'd rather keep.

I'd let go of Vespremi simply because he seems to be injury prone. In Johnston's case, he hasn't even played seniors yet, but has missed a whole year because of injury. Barlow - there's a question mark about how hungry he is. I agree Pyke might go, and probably Bevan. But there'll be others.

I think it's unfair to call Johnston injury prone; they found he had a small deformity in his foot which required surgery which is what knocked him out for the year, but is now removed and no longer an issue. Not like OP or bad hammies, which tends to be recurrant.

[Primmy]

Johnston is still a kid. 19 I think. He is a natural, he needs this year to build himself, I don't want to see him anywhere but here, same with most of them. Ves is the one worry. He is so capable, and he keeps breaking (I think of H James with a shudder), if he can get through this year without a recurrent problem, then I hope he stays. Why wouldn't he. Somehow Western Sydney and Patrick Vezpremi just don't gell.

[707]

GC and GWS can only sign uncontracted players so that puts all of our new recruits out of their reach as they are on 3 or 4 year contracts.

GC and GWS will both have stacks of really talented kids so will target very good players 24-28 years old I'd reckon, guys that will provide a core for 3-4 years and then be delistable/tradable to give game time to the multitude of talented and by then 19-22 year olds on their lists.

So who in that age group would be out of contract and with sufficient talent would be targetted. Then, would they be tempted to leave?

I believe we've pobably got room in our future salary cap to financially accommodate targetted players.

[IrishSwanPerth]

He will take over from Bradshaw, when he hangs up his boots, will have the enough experience be then, Swans future is looking good. Cher Cher

[UglyDuckling]

when players are first drafted in the national draft they are put on (usually) a two year contract that would mean that those drafted in the 2008 nationall draft would come out of contract at the end of this year that is Johnston, Hannebery & Heath making them available for Gold Coast to have a crack at this year. Those drafted last year Rohan, Jetta, Reid, TDL and Sumner will be out of contract at the end of 2011 making them available for the second year of Gold Coast if they havnt taken anyone yet or for GWS to have a crack at. From memory Vezpremi extended his contract last year (for 2 years) that would mean he would be out of contract at the end of 2011.

Im sure the club is all over it trying to get the talented young players resigned i would make Hanners and Johnston a pretty high priority but the highest priority would have to be McVeigh he is mid 20's now, a gun and exactly what Gold Coast and GWS would be after

[Steve]

GC and GWS can only sign 1 uncontracted player per club, so there is no risk of having multiple players leave to take up bigger offers or pursue greater opportunities.

Only way for GC and GWS to take more than 1 player from us is for them to persuade players to let their contracts lapse, enter the draft, and use one of their early picks to select them.

I have a feeling GWS will take a strategic approach and deliberately not take any of our players. Just to be able to say they didn't want a Swans player, no-one was worthy of becoming a GWS player etc etc - all for the marketing and promoting the rivalry etc.

If it was 5 years ago they might have considered doing the opposite and targeting a Goodes, but I can't see anyone (probably other than Kieran Jack) that they would now want that would be in their targeted age bracket that they could market heavily and it be worth it.

[swansrob]

Cher Cher

What does she have to do with this?

[dimelb]

What does she have to do with this?

"Cher Cher" is Irish for "Cheer Cheer", just as "bought" is Irish for "both". See post 32 on this thread:
to boo or not to boo (Jolly and Hall split thread)

[Bas]

GC and GWS can only sign 1 uncontracted player per club, so there is no risk of having multiple players leave to take up bigger offers or pursue greater opportunities.

Only way for GC and GWS to take more than 1 player from us is for them to persuade players to let their contracts lapse, enter the draft, and use one of their early picks to select them.

I have a feeling GWS will take a strategic approach and deliberately not take any of our players. Just to be able to say they didn't want a Swans player, no-one was worthy of becoming a GWS player etc etc - all for the marketing and promoting the rivalry etc.

If it was 5 years ago they might have considered doing the opposite and targeting a Goodes, but I can't see anyone (probably other than Kieran Jack) that they would now want that would be in their targeted age bracket that they could market heavily and it be worth it.

Is it also correct (assumption on my part) that both GC and GWS will have the opportunity to trade their early draft picks for older established players as well?

Kieran would be an obvious choice. I read somewhere recently that his youngest brother is also playing Aussie Rules.

[swansrob]

"Cher Cher" is Irish for "Cheer Cheer", just as "bought" is Irish for "both". See post 32 on this thread:
to boo or not to boo (Jolly and Hall split thread)

Cum extrem de complicat.

[hammo]

Ves is the one worry. He is so capable, and he keeps breaking (I think of H James with a shudder),

Come on he's not that fragile! I think you'll find most young players suffer some sort of injury setback in their first few years. I don't think Paddy's injuries indicate he's breaking - e.g. last year's finger tendon.

[Triple B]

What does she have to do with this?

Looks like it snuck thru slips Rob ... lol

[707]

Yes, other than being able to take one uncontracted player from each club for a draft pick by the AFL, both C and GWS can trade players for picks or youngsters already on their list for mature players just as other clubs do during trade period.

I doubt K Jack would be tempted by GWS, he owes a lot to the Swans for giving him the opportunity and I'd reckon he's got red and white blood in his veins now. Think he'd like younger brother to join him too :-)

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I'd reckon he's got red and white blood in his veins now.

I reckon most people do.

[Primmy]

Boom tish!