Andrew Ireland Messiah

[wolftone57]

Andrew is being seen as a sort of messiah for the deal that may and probably will bring Buddy to Sydney. But I would like to know what the @@@@ we are going to be doing with our ruck division in two to three years. Mike Pyke will be thirty next year and we can expect about 2-3 more years. But are we to expect Tipp to be the back up ruckman next year and if so why pay so much for a second ruck forward. As a forward Tip has proven credentials but it all falls apart when he is asked to ruck. Why? Because he kicks far less goals. The year Adelaide had him only as a FF/CHF he kicked a big total but in 2012 as Ruck/Forward he kicked far less and was injured far more.

We could fast track Sam Naismith but I can't see that happening and going back to LRT as second ruck is just stupid. I think we need to now be really careful about drafting a ruckman and I think young Dawes from the Black Diamond League looks the goods. He is also a mature age player and can come onto the list as a rookie.
I would suggest that no other player looks for a raise in the near future.

By the way, Ireland suggested several other players were going too. I wonder who? He talked SEVERAL NOT ONE! I hope they haven't decided to get rid of all our talent like Lambchop.

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By the way I think this move is short sighted. Buddy is a BAD BOY! The Hawks didn't make a bid because they were not interested. They know they don't need him.

[zulu]

With Buddy the Swans "no dickheads" policy goes out the window. (how are they going to keep him out of the pub?) The ruck is not our only problem, we badly need a tall defender in in the Lake mold. Mummy was better in the centre than Pike, Tippett is not the answer there. our midfield is fine, but good ruckmen are hard to find. We can only hope the Swans have something up there sleeves, time will tell.

[liz]

When does Nic Nat come out of contract? He was born in Sydney so no doubt will want to come "home" in a year or so. And we'll need another recruitment scandal next year to keep the tongues wagging.

[Triple B]

But I would like to know what the @@@@ we are going to be doing with our ruck division in two to three years....

I'm confused, two weeks ago you declared that Naismith was the next Polly Farmer, but now we are screwed in 2-3 years time...

[Blood_Br05]

I remember hearing something about the swans signing David Hille from Essendon a few weeks back... Just for 1 maybe 2 years.

[wolftone57]

I'm confused, two weeks ago you declared that Naismith was the next Polly Farmer, but now we are screwed in 2-3 years time...

He is but at least two years down the track not yet. I also declared that then as well. Read the post properly instead of just picking the parts you want Tripple B. You always do that.

[Triple B]

I remember hearing something about the swans signing David Hille from Essendon a few weeks back... Just for 1 maybe 2 years.

Teddy, Jobe and Hille have been regular travelling companions post-season since Teddy's Bomber days, so they are pretty tight.

We could do worse for purely a backup ruckman prepared to toil away in the NEAFL unless needed. Having said all that, I have no idea how his body is and if he is prepared to come out of retirement.

[magic.merkin]

Hawks didn't offer buddy a contract or want to keep him!? News to me

Lamb isn't contracted....

Mummy didn't accept our 2 year offer. What are we going to do to force it? If they were worried about his longevity and output from a medical point of view and didn't want to over commit, why would you demand they should have?

Yes Pyke will be 30 in 3 years. but he hasn't been rucking against big bodies from 18. He has a few less km's on his odometer. I think we will need another stop gap before we use or lose naimsmith.

[ernie koala]

IMO, it's a shame we don't still have Currie on our list.

But given the way our recruiters operate, I'll be very surprised if they don't have something up their sleeve, in the form of a 'ready to go' ruckman.

[Auntie.Gerald]

wolfy

i think the rotation of Buddy, Tip, Pyke, Goodes, Rohan thru out the forwards is just mind blowing !

I think that we wont suffer to much at the centre bounce with Pykey and the Tip

[mcs]

With Buddy the Swans "no dickheads" policy goes out the window. (how are they going to keep him out of the pub?) The ruck is not our only problem, we badly need a tall defender in in the Lake mold. Mummy was better in the centre than Pike, Tippett is not the answer there. our midfield is fine, but good ruckmen are hard to find. We can only hope the Swans have something up there sleeves, time will tell.

Grundy and Ted clearly have a few years left in them. AJ will be the third tall once he gets back going, and that will make a huge difference to our overall defensive make up. In addition,n oone will be suprised to see Sammy Reid become a fine CHB. Then there is Richards Jr who in reserves this year showed that whilst young, with an immature body, looks to have a fine future ahead of him. I don't think we have too many issues to worry about down back.

As for the ruck, my guess is that they really do rate Naismith as a prospect. With the interchange cap coming in, I also think the game will move away from 2 rucks again, to more towards 1 main ruck that plays a lot of minutes, and a forward/2nd ruck. We will have issues in the ruck going forward, but to a point it all becomes fundamental. We are in the game to win flags, and as has been said on one of the other threads, this is a real marker in the sand. The club thinks we can win at least 1, if not more flags over the next few years, and are willing to take risks to achieve it.

As for Buddy and the 'no dickhead' policy - he's no bigger dickhead then BBB Hall was, and he did a job for us.

[sharp9]

With Buddy the Swans "no dickheads" policy goes out the window. (how are they going to keep him out of the pub?) The ruck is not our only problem, we badly need a tall defender in in the Lake mold. Mummy was better in the centre than Pike, Tippett is not the answer there. our midfield is fine, but good ruckmen are hard to find. We can only hope the Swans have something up there sleeves, time will tell.

Sam Reid and Alex Johnson are very handy ins for the backline.

[BillyRayCypress]

Yes Pyke will be 30 in 3 years. but he hasn't been rucking against big bodies from 18. He has a few less km's on his odometer. I think we will need another stop gap before we use or lose naimsmith.

Pyke will be 30 next year (2014).

[magic.merkin]

Oh right sorry, my maths suck haha.

Well i would dare say he has the kms of a 27 year old :d

[jono2707]

Pyke has not played AFL for that long a time but he was an international rugby player for some years prior - that is in many ways a more physically demanding sport so don't discount the impact of this......