Big name yet to re-sign

[Conor_Dillon]

Damian Barrett on The Footy Show is claiming there's a big name at the Swans who is unhappy and yet to re-sign.

They're going to reveal who later, but does anyone have any thoughts on the identity of this mystery player?

Hopefully no substance to the report!

[ugg]

Ryan O'Keefe?

[Conor_Dillon]

Ryan O'Keefe?

I hope you're right, but surely that's not enough to be a story?

[Matt79]

Buddy

[swansrob]

ROK or LRT I wouldn't be surprised by. Someone on Twitter asked Andrew Pridham if it was Mal... I certainly hope that's not the case!

[Rod_]

surely they must mean Tippett.... 2 years plus 2....?

[Matt79]

(Players out of contract end 2014) *Thanks to Bigfooty*
Shane Biggs (Rookie List)
Craig Bird
Harry Cunningham
Tom Derickx
Matthew Dick
Adam Goodes
Alex Johnson
Jeremy Laidler
Jordan Lockyer
Nick Malceski
Harrison Marsh
Tim Membrey
Tom Mitchell
Sam Naismith (Rookie List)
Ryan O'Keefe
Mike Pyke
Xavier Richards (Rookie List)
Daniel Robinson (Rookie List)
Lewis Roberts-Thomson
Rhyce Shaw
Dean Towers
Tommy Walsh

Looking at that list you would suggest perhaps Malceski, Bird or Mitchell.

[GongSwan]

surely they must mean Tippett.... 2 years plus 2....?

Why would Tippo be unhappy, getting paid for no games. I thought Bird was the only player not contracted, I know Cunningham signed for another 2

[ugg]

Malceski was on the list of free agents released a month ago. If his manager is any good, he would wait until the AA team is named before asking for more money.

Re-signed Cat James Kelly off free agents list - AFL.com.au

[Matt79]

I reckon for sure the name they spring out will be Malceski. If it is, I won't be losing any sleep over it. Don't get me wrong, I love him, been and still is a great servant of the club and is having an All Australian Year...but...he will be 30 in August. If other clubs want to take a 30 year old on a big deal (more than what we can offer) than good luck to them and Malcho. I'd much rather we put our money into tying up on young guns (Mitchell) etc for the long term.

[Conor_Dillon]

Absolutely no chance of Mal leaving the swans! I thought Mitchell was contracted till end of 2015? Are those bigfooty lists always accurate?

I was thinking it could be more along the lines of Sydney trying to extend someone beyond 2015 but them not wanting to commit just yet.

[Matt79]

Absolutely no chance of Mal leaving the swans!

Why?

[ShockOfHair]

Hard to believe it's Melcho because of his age and the fact that the club stood by him during his long layoffs with injury.

It's a Damien Barrett story, meaning it has come from a player manager knowing that Barrett will beat the crap out of it. Sounds a bit desperate going public at this time of year, especially when the club is looking for names to rule a line through.

...
On the other hand, thinking of the fate of the previous premiership goal-kicker, maybe it is Melcho.

[joemoore12]

What a beat up! Basically said Mal is a free agent and there has been some interest in him from other clubs.....WOW, GROUNDBREAKING BLOODY NEWS DAMIAN!

No mention of him being unhappy and finished by saying 'there is an expectation that a big name will be squeezed out due to Buddy deal etc.....'. What a non-event!

[Mug Punter]

Malceski is a great player for us but the reality is we will lose the odd player with our squad depth and salary cap pressure.

I'd much prefer lose him than any of our young guns.

Given our well documented salary cap pressures I am sure that he will be hard to keep. He is 30, still a gun player but about to sign the last contract of his career. If would be very very hard for him to knock back a 3 year deal elsewhere if he is paid, say, an extra $150,000 - $200,000 per season and I'd wish him all the best if he was to go.