James Frawley

[Conor_Dillon]

Sydney don't pay overs for backmen...can anyone tell me who our last glamour/high paid defender was...Roosy maybe?

Our current backline is made up of discards - Richards, Shaw, Laidler, rookies - Grundy, Smith, Rampe. Then there's Malceski - pick 64. and we can also include the injured A.J - pick 57,

Being a good defender is as much, if not more about effort, determination and mental toughness as opposed to sublime skill.

[Melb Blood Bro]

It's occurred to me that maybe Matt80 is Mike Shehan. After all, he is semi-retired with plenty of time on his hands.

Seriously though. Mitchell is good enough to be in our best side in medium to long term. It's just that he's been injured and unable to string enough games together. He was a little out of form several weeks ago and was dropped. To my knowledge that is the only time he's ever been sent back to the ressies. We would be insane to trade him.

He will be in our core of midfielders for the next several years along with, Kennedy, Hannaberry, Heeney and Mills. I would imagine that one or two out of Perris, Hewitt, Lloyd, Jones, Bird, BJ, Parker, Cunningham, Lloyd & Jetta will be traded or spend time in the forward and back lines.

In relation to Frawley, he will be too expensive and we wouldn't be able to afford him even if we wanted to (mind you I said the same about Buddy when that rumour was going around). I would prefer us to target someone with our first pick in the next draft and concentrate on the development of our current stock. I think we can get more out of our players than any other side in the AFL. We have AJ (hopefully), Rampe, Reid, Jones and Laidler. Biggs and Aliir are looking promising and I'm sure one of the many other options (Walsh, Rohan, lockyer, Richards, etc) will come good.

[GongSwan]

I think AJ will eventually step into the fb/chb role, if he gets his knee right. Otherwise we have X and a few extra forwards who could play back

[mcs]

It's occurred to me that maybe Matt80 is Mike Shehan. After all, he is semi-retired with plenty of time on his hands.

Seriously though. Mitchell is good enough to be in our best side in medium to long term. It's just that he's been injured and unable to string enough games together. He was a little out of form several weeks ago and was dropped. To my knowledge that is the only time he's ever been sent back to the ressies. We would be insane to trade him.

He will be in our core of midfielders for the next several years along with, Kennedy, Hannaberry, Heeney and Mills. I would imagine that one or two out of Perris, Hewitt, Lloyd, Jones, Bird, BJ, Parker, Cunningham, Lloyd & Jetta will be traded or spend time in the forward and back lines.

In relation to Frawley, he will be too expensive and we wouldn't be able to afford him even if we wanted to (mind you I said the same about Buddy when that rumour was going around). I would prefer us to target someone with our first pick in the next draft and concentrate on the development of our current stock. I think we can get more out of our players than any other side in the AFL. We have AJ (hopefully), Rampe, Reid, Jones and Laidler. Biggs and Aliir are looking promising and I'm sure one of the many other options (Walsh, Rohan, lockyer, Richards, etc) will come good.

To me, Mitchell is in the same position almost as Parker was in late 2012 when he was in and out a bit, and spent a lot of times in the sub vest. Clearly going to make it at the level, and just waiting for the chance to really solidify his spot. He is going to be a gun if his body lets him be one, and we would be absolutely mental to even think about letting him go.

The suggestion of Parker potetnially being traded is even more prepostorous than trading Mitchell He is the second coming of Jude, and is already a gun, and will only get better. Lloyd is also showing a hell of a lot of promise, so much so you listed him twice. I do agree though that out of the rest of that list, there is a fair chance one or two may go in some description. I can't see Bird going anywhere though - he is having a superb season, and is a very under rated player by most outside of the club (including a hell of a lot of Swans fans).

[Melb Blood Bro]

To me, Mitchell is in the same position almost as Parker was in late 2012 when he was in and out a bit, and spent a lot of times in the sub vest. Clearly going to make it at the level, and just waiting for the chance to really solidify his spot. He is going to be a gun if his body lets him be one, and we would be absolutely mental to even think about letting him go.

The suggestion of Parker potetnially being traded is even more prepostorous than trading Mitchell He is the second coming of Jude, and is already a gun, and will only get better. Lloyd is also showing a hell of a lot of promise, so much so you listed him twice. I do agree though that out of the rest of that list, there is a fair chance one or two may go in some description. I can't see Bird going anywhere though - he is having a superb season, and is a very under rated player by most outside of the club (including a hell of a lot of Swans fans).

I might add though that I think Parker is far better than Jude at the same age. I don't recall Jude being this good at 21 and there were a number of years there where Jude wasn't developing (remember the talk of trading him?). And I would certainly never trade Parker. He'll be on our half forward line. Out of the whole list I identified I can only see the following few who could potentially leave; Hewitt (enticed back to Adelaide), Lloyd (the first not the second), Jones (enticed back to Melb) & Jetta.

[707]

The Swans need to address the issue of a replacement for Richards pretty soon. Wouldn't be surprised if they target a backman from somewhere in this year's trade period...If he was to get injured this year it would be disastrous. Grundy is just as important. Best not think about that scenario.

That's why LRT is so valuable in the ressies. Can step straight in if needed and will perform really well.

[TheGong]

Get in a ready made replacement for next season and you will effectively push one of Richards, Reg, or new player to the NEAFL, barring injuries. Ted isn't showing any signs of slowing down at the moment and could easily have at least two more seasons left in him.

The Swans have been addressing the eventual need to replace Richards (and every other player on the list to greater or lesser degrees) by recruiting longer term options. We already have Reid and Walsh on the list, both of whom could step in and play a key defensive role this year if needed. Possibly LRT too, though his NEAFL form hasn't been sparkling and this will probably be his final year. Walsh may or may not stick around after the end of this year, but hopefully we'll get AJ back at some point, and we have another Richards and Aliir as developing options. Someone like Abe Davis may join the list for next year as a potential defensive option, and we could pick up another in this year's draft.

Sure, we are a little exposed right now if we lost either Ted or Reg but I can't see the point in splashing out big dollars on someone like Frawley for next season when we don't really need him next season. Better off getting a cheaper option that is competent and doesn't mind playing NEAFL if they have to, or banking on Reid to be our fall back option. Who knows who might be on the market in a couple of years time, when we really do need to replace Ted, or what our salary cap situation might look like.

In the past we have recruited players prior to ther being an urgent need. Ted Richards was recruited in 2006 when we still had Craig Bolton - retired 2010, Leo Barry - retired 2009 and LRT - still playing.

If we are able to procure a quality player I am sure we could fit him in. I can't see why Frawley and Richards could not play as KPD with Grundy as third tall.

If Frawley or someone similar is there and at a reasonable price, we would be negligent in not recruiting him.

With Tom Mitchell, no one wants to see him go but if we are offered a good trade again we would be negligent to not consider it. We look like having a surplus of midfielders soon so if we can use that to strengthen another position we should do it.

[Ludwig]

In the past we have recruited players prior to ther being an urgent need. Ted Richards was recruited in 2006 when we still had Craig Bolton - retired 2010, Leo Barry - retired 2009 and LRT - still playing.

If we are able to procure a quality player I am sure we could fit him in. I can't see why Frawley and Richards could not play as KPD with Grundy as third tall.

If Frawley or someone similar is there and at a reasonable price, we would be negligent in not recruiting him.

With Tom Mitchell, no one wants to see him go but if we are offered a good trade again we would be negligent to not consider it. We look like having a surplus of midfielders soon so if we can use that to strengthen another position we should do it.

I think Liz's analysis was right on this one. The situation with Frawley and Richards are quite different. Frawley is an established star and would be coming with a big salary demand, while Richards was struggling for a spot at Essendon. An established KPP at this stage would only push another established player, like Grundy to the ressies, as Liz suggested.

I would be far more inclined to look for another younger key defender. Unfortunately most of the spare ones are on the GWS list. I was a bit keen on Jaksch, but haven't been too impressed by his performances this year.

I think crunch time on the KPP front will come at he end of the 2015 season when the Richards-Grundy combo might be heading over the horizon. But who knows what our situation will look like at that point. As of now, there still XR, Allir, Reid, Walsh, AJ and perhaps Abe Davis and any other KPP we might pick up at the end of this year as likely replacements for the pair. So we may have a completely different take on our KPD at that time.

The time might come when it would seem best to swap a quality midfielder for a quality KPP, and I have commented that this looks a strong possibility by shear weight of numbers, but it's a bit too early for that now.

[Doctor]

It was suggested by Mike Sheehan and absolutely shot down by Gerard Healy if memory serves. No issues with Matt80 bringing it up as it was talked about OTC but I'd have thought Gerard was closer to the club than Mike. I love Mike btw as he one of the few genuine Victorian press guys who understand what the A in AFL stands for.

[goods78]

I was about to suggest that Matt80 could be Mike.....but MBB beat me to it.

Does anyone think that the media gets their tips from these threads as Deadlyakkuret suggested?

As I have mentioned previously, I don't think the Swan's would trade him. But if I was playing 2's whilst the 1's were playing finals, there would be no consolation for me being the best depth player in the comp. He might want to be traded if he does not get more opportunities and I would not begrudge him (nor ROK, LRT and others that might think they have something to offer at the top level of another club).

[Matt80]

I was about to suggest that Matt80 could be Mike.....but MBB beat me to it.

Does anyone think that the media gets their tips from these threads as Deadlyakkuret suggested?

As I have mentioned previously, I don't think the Swan's would trade him. But if I was playing 2's whilst the 1's were playing finals, there would be no consolation for me being the best depth player in the comp. He might want to be traded if he does not get more opportunities and I would not begrudge him (nor ROK, LRT and others that might think they have something to offer at the top level of another club).

I've been acknowledged as the Red and Whites "left field" ideas man. Mike Sheahan did say before he spoke about a potential Mitchell / Frawley trade that this one is from "left field". I found his use of the term "left field" interesting.

Mike may be looking at Red and White but I think he makes his comments based on sound logic.

I think many people on Red and White let themselves down because they can't bear to think that any Swans player would want to leave the club. In trade situations the heart rules the head.

Mike Sheahan and I are using our heads to look at trade situations. I personally think there are two other prominent Swans players who could be headed for the trade table at the end of 2014, but I'm not going reveal my thoughts at this stage.

[Flying South]

Who in their right mind would want to be traded to melbourne. If you want the chance to win a premiership you stay with the Swans. We can't afford Frawley. And I think he is too slow for a modern KPD. Go to the draft or poach an untapped young talent from another club. But I think with Reid, AJ and developing kids, we are looking OK. Could even try Paddy Mitchell or Derickx down there.

[0918330512]

I've been acknowledged as the Red and Whites "left field" ideas man. Mike Sheahan did say before he spoke about a potential Mitchell / Frawley trade that this one is from "left field". I found his use of the term "left field" interesting.

Mike may be looking at Red and White but I think he makes his comments based on sound logic.

I think many people on Red and White let themselves down because they can't bear to think that any Swans player would want to leave the club. In trade situations the heart rules the head.

Mike Sheahan and I are using our heads to look at trade situations. I personally think there are two other prominent Swans players who could be headed for the trade table at the end of 2014, but I'm not going reveal my thoughts at this stage.

Speaking on behalf of Mike now? Oh I can't wait for your next two proposals! Let's just wait & see how Tom Mitchell pans out before we have another 8000 posts regarding Ryan O'Keefe and LRT are heading to Melbourne or Goodesy & JPK or whoever you plan to offer up next. Any chance you can leave some of the trade talk until the actual trade period starts ... or at least until the season is over? Don't forget, retirements will affect senior positions next year.

[Melb Blood Bro]

Speaking on behalf of Mike now? Oh I can't wait for your next two proposals! Let's just wait & see how Tom Mitchell pans out before we have another 8000 posts regarding Ryan O'Keefe and LRT are heading to Melbourne or Goodesy & JPK or whoever you plan to offer up next. Any chance you can leave some of the trade talk until the actual trade period starts ... or at least until the season is over? Don't forget, retirements will affect senior positions next year.

Good idea. Any speculation at the moment is purely guess work so why drag it up? At the moment a player might have an idea of what they want to do but chances are that only his parents, partner and manager would know what they're thinking. Those on the inner sanctum of the club may have a gut feeling but that would be about it.

[DamY]

I don't always agree with Matt80 but there's nothing wrong with having different points of view, keep up playing devils advocate