Tippett!!

[0918330512]

There is a bit of criticism of Reg's disposal at times, but since the 90s we've nearly ALWAYS had a strong marking, key defender with questional disposal (Jayson Daniels, Andrew Dunkley, Andrew Schauble, Leo Barry?) & we've fared ok ..,

[Nico]

Grundy is one of our best week in week out and a pillar of the best defense in the AFL. I wouldn't have thought he'd want to go anywhere. I am assuming most of the wild speculation on here and elsewhere is just that, but losing Grundy would be the worst outcome for us out of this whole thing and I will trust the Swans staff to know this.

I agree Jono. No doubt Adelaide will be bringing up Grundy's name because Rutten is a bit long in the tooth, but we will also be looking to get the best possible deal done in our interests. Unless Grundy is uncontracted I would very very surprised we would even consider trading him. 7th in the B&F says he is highly rated for the role he plays.

[Matty10]

My main issue with a Grundy trade is that while our defense is a strength now, we are a little thin on for tall defenders. A serious injury to Ted, with no Grundy, and we're kind of stuffed.

That is the reality with all AFL teams. I am not sure that you can plan to keep senior players in the reserves just in case one of the selected 22 gets injured during the year. Real depth is all about how each team can cover injuries with the players they had drafted over the last few years plus older / out-of-form fringe players stepping up when offered a second chance.

I don't see how we can play LRT and Grundy (with the rest of our talls) in our best 22 - someone has to be playing in the reserves next year.

[Nico]

There is a bit of criticism of Reg's disposal at times, but since the 90s we've nearly ALWAYS had a strong marking, key defender with questional disposal (Jayson Daniels, Andrew Dunkley, Andrew Schauble, Leo Barry?) & we've fared ok ..,

Correct. Dunks was a woeful kick and Leo was one of the great sprayers of all time and put himself into a potential HTB situation numerous times. Makes Reg look downright highly efficient. Keep him I say.

[Nico]

That is the reality with all AFL teams. I am not sure that you can plan to keep senior players in the reserves just in case one of the selected 22 gets injured during the year. Real depth is all about how each team can cover injuries with the players they had drafted over the last few years plus older / out-of-form fringe players stepping up when offered a second chance.

I don't see how we can play LRT and Grundy (with the rest of our talls) in our best 22 - someone has to be playing in the reserves next year.

We had great runs with injuries in 2005 and 2012. Odds are one or more of our talls will have injury problems in 2013. It seems though that a lot of clubs are going a bit taller lately mainly on the theory that the talls don't get any shorter as the game wears on, and no backline can afford to be too tall.

[Matty10]

We had great runs with injuries in 2005 and 2012. Odds are one or more of our talls will have injury problems in 2013. It seems though that a lot of clubs are going a bit taller lately mainly on the theory that the talls don't get any shorter as the game wears on, and no backline can afford to be too tall.

Provided that they are all very mobile and good below the knees (in comparison to the forwards). Too many talls in any team can be a liability.

[Mug Punter]

Why don't we just play hardball with the Crows: White + pick 22 or Tippett goes to GC for nothing, deal with it Adelaide!

Couldn't agree more. If we can't get that deal done then let the Crows get nothing for it, it's not a great deal for the Crows but it's vaguely fair....

If it doesn't come off then I'd just talent bank at this draft, rely on our internal improvement in 2013 and then go to the trade table next year fully cashed up to get the best free agent on offer.

Certainly I'd say we hold all the cards.

[nomae]

Couldn't agree more. If we can't get that deal done then let the Crows get nothing for it, it's not a great deal for the Crows but it's vaguely fair....

If it doesn't come off then I'd just talent bank at this draft, rely on our internal improvement in 2013 and then go to the trade table next year fully cashed up to get the best free agent on offer.

Certainly I'd say we hold all the cards.

Exactly... we've obviously proved we can win the flag without Tippett so in all honestly who gives a @@@@ if we don't get him...

[Wazza]

Couldn't agree more. If we can't get that deal done then let the Crows get nothing for it, it's not a great deal for the Crows but it's vaguely fair....

If it doesn't come off then I'd just talent bank at this draft, rely on our internal improvement in 2013 and then go to the trade table next year fully cashed up to get the best free agent on offer.

Certainly I'd say we hold all the cards.

I dont think we hold the cards we think we do, in poker terms I think we are sitting on 3 of a kind but the crows are sitting on a flush draw and we havent read their intentions well. IMHO Crows Trading pick 22 and White is no better than getting nothing for him, why would the crows want to send a player to us who could help us go back to back and potentially deny them a flag chance, just to be seen to do the right thing by Tippet? They could let him walk to the GC and deny the Swans a potential Premiership winning fwd this is a business after all.

Maybe pick 22 Jesse White + one of Everitt/Spanger.

He is worth every cent of the 800,000+ and if we do snag him our fwd line starts to look impressive, Tippett + Reid + Morton + LRT & Goodes Mumford Pyke and the MF chipping in WOW!

[ScottH]

Scott, I like you, have agonised over Grundy's disposal, but sometimes club supporters are a bit close to the action and a bit picky. in 2009 Teddy got an absolute pizzling for his nervousness, indecisive play and turnovers. Look at him now. I have watched a couple of replays of early season games on Fox and his work was pretty good. Round 5 against the Hawks his work with Ted on double teaming Buddy was superb and I didn't see a turnover from him. His GF was almost faultless. Shaw, Mattner and Malceski have been criticised for poor turnovers. What Grundy doesn't get wrong is courage, backing up team mates, dropping into the hole and generally reading the play coming in very well. He is part of a very good backline and right now I would rather not have him traded. Why fiddle with something that works.

I think you need another comma in those first few words!!

I don't think Ted's disposal has improved that much, I think his decision making and confidence in his own ability has improved.
Grundy has been in our back 6 for as long as Ted, I think. Ted has improved in leaps and bounds, Reg has been solid.

We'd have to give up someone decent in my books, and besides some of the fringe players we got last year, there isn't that much the the Crows my want to seal the deal.

We also have Heath Campbell coming through, and he looked very much like a younger Ted in the GF this year.
They have spoken about the special bond the back 6 have, and that they know each other well, that is what makes them play so well together.
It would be a shame to break it. But our forward line has been lacking all year, even though we have managed some decent scores.
I reckon we are more in need of a Fwd than a back.
Grundy also has more footy left in him than the other 3 you mention.
I'm certainly not wanting him to go, I would love him to stay, but these things happen in footy sometime.

[Captain]

Baffles me why people on here don't rate Grundy or his disposal.

[Matimbo]

I dont think we hold the cards we think we do, in poker terms I think we are sitting on 3 of a kind but the crows are sitting on a flush draw and we havent read their intentions well. IMHO Crows Trading pick 22 and White is no better than getting nothing for him, why would the crows want to send a player to us who could help us go back to back and potentially deny them a flag chance, just to be seen to do the right thing by Tippet? They could let him walk to the GC and deny the Swans a potential Premiership winning fwd this is a business after all.

Maybe pick 22 Jesse White + one of Everitt/Spanger.

He is worth every cent of the 800,000+ and if we do snag him our fwd line starts to look impressive, Tippett + Reid + Morton + LRT & Goodes Mumford Pyke and the MF chipping in WOW!

My opinion on your poker analogy is that Tippett himself has done the Crows no favours by declaring his position publicly. Yes, the Crows may be chasing a flush draw as you say, but all the other players at the table know this. It puts the Swans negotiating team in a much stronger position knowing that if the the Crows don't hit their flush draw (ie make a good trade) by the end of the trading period, Tippett can walk and they lose everything. On the other hand, we can throw any number of trade options at them but at the end of the trading period, we can still fold with no loss - we simply stay with what we've got. The Crows would be in a much stronger bargaining position if Tippett had worked quietly with his club management. Makes me wonder if he is either a bit naive or alternatively, angry at them and wanting to punish them.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I wonder how much Lewis Johnson will benefit from Tippett's departure?

[Lucky Knickers]

My opinion on your poker analogy is that Tippett himself has done the Crows no favours by declaring his position publicly.

I don't think that in the days of intense media scrutiny players have options to keep things quiet when they are out of contract. He put off his contract talks but in September the media machine started going crazy and headlines like: "Crows recruiter fears Tippett will walk", "..Tredrea says Crows should drop Tippett...", "My gut says Kurt will stay - Sando_" "Thompson's Tippett Doubt" "Face the wrath of Roo..."
Very difficult to work quietly with your management in those circumstances.
We'll get the deal done.
I sincerely hope we don't lose Reg. KPPs take a long time to develop and I think Reg is developing beautifully.

[Nico]

Exactly... we've obviously proved we can win the flag without Tippett so in all honestly who gives a @@@@ if we don't get him...

I just had a call from a Hawthorn supporter. He is envious that we got Tippett. He said Roughead has been ordinary and would have filled that spot easily. Not that Tippett is in Buddy's class but he acknowledged he won't be there for ever.