AFL slaps trade ban on Swans

[paper_rival]

Hawks delist three to make room in the nest - AFL.com.au

Hawks delist three to make room in the nest but when the Swans delist and trade players out to make room in the nest for Buddy and Tippett there's no feasible way it was within the rules, it's cheating and improper use of the COLA. Right?

[desredandwhite]

While the AFL is banning us from trading for no legitimate reason they are actually allowing Essendon and PA to pursue a loophole that would be an flagrant abuse of the rules - Essendon pushes ahead with Paddy Ryder free agent scheme

I doubt it will come off, but who knows with this AFL management. Why are some clubs allowed to openly abuse the spirit of the AFL rules, while others are defamed for following the rules?

Hypocrites. Allowing Essendon to go ahead with that would disadvantage ALL other clubs. Why should all other clubs go back one draft place, just because Essendon can't get the deal done with Port??? If you CHOSE to release a player from their contract, you should not get any further compensation from the AFL.

[Cardinal]

In amongst the noise there is a view that suggests we have purposefully deflated the base contracts of players, knowing they would inflate up to their market value with the addition of COLA. The view is that it is this that has allowed the "extra" cap space to pull in the superstars. When you read the AFL's statement on this issue, the only way that I can reconcile what they are saying is if you take that view as being correct. Clearly the Swans refute this and have said all along they've negotiated in good faith and the COLA has then come on top.

Would've liked to have been a fly on the wall in the discussions between the Swans and the AFL on this one.

This is just spin to justify what is a punitive decision without a crime. I would love to see the evidence. Under COLA the pool available to fund player salarys was higher. The Swans may also have greater market power becasue of their effective higher salary cap. But the idea that we were able to exercise that power to attract players without actually having to spend more money (thereby freeing up all the COLA for Buddy) is a joke.

[CureTheSane]

Would be interesting if the Swans refused to trade Membury due to this.
Might take a different turn if a player is suffering because of the AFL rather than the juggernaut SSFC

Looking at it logically, if the Swans have known this for a month (3 weeks before the trade period) and DIDN'T make a massive issue of it immediately after the GF, then they really aren't going to now.
Probably crying a bit to appease fans, but seem not to want to cause a stir...

[Red]

I wonder whether this is all really about Joel Patfull?

As we know, he wants to be traded to a "Sydney club" this year. Is this just the AFL's way of ensuring that club is GWS?

[Ampersand]

Would be interesting if the Swans refused to trade Membury due to this.
Might take a different turn if a player is suffering because of the AFL rather than the juggernaut SSFC

He's out of contract so he can just go to the PSD and we'd get nothing. Big risk for him and St. Kilda though. As I said though, it puts the Saints in a tough position because they have some high draft picks. Can't see them giving up pick 41 for Membrey (who from memory was drafted at pick 46) and pick 60 is probably too low. Pick 60 + a fringe player might have done it, but as we know, the AFL won't allow that.

Every time I type that I just can't believe this is a reality!

[Red]

Would be interesting if the Swans refused to trade Membury due to this.
Might take a different turn if a player is suffering because of the AFL rather than the juggernaut SSFC

I'd love to keep Membrey anyway, and especially in light of this latest development.

But if he nominates for the PSD he'll end up at the Saints anyway, as is their reward for being utterly crap this year.

Unless Goodes agrees to play for pride alone next year, I doubt we can raise the funds to convince Membrey to stay now.

[Ampersand]

But if he nominates for the PSD he'll end up at the Saints anyway, as is their reward for being utterly crap this year.

That's true, but will they want to use pick 1 on him? And if they don't will he still be available come the second round?

GWS did it with Jed Lamb, but he had at least shown he could hold his own in the seniors. Membrey's only played one game.

The overriding point is that the AFL have really messed up not only the Swans but potentially other clubs.

(PS: I understand that it's unlikely that Membrey won't be picked up by St. Kilda first pick but who knows what their plans are in the PSD)

[CureTheSane]

Saints may have someone else in mind with that pick, so might have wanted the deal done earlier.
Possibly one team at least who should be supporting us.

[Red]

That's true, but will they want to use pick 1 on him? And if they don't will he still be available come the second round?

GWS did it with Jed Lamb, but he had at least shown he could hold his own in the seniors. Membrey's only played one game.

The overriding point is that the AFL have really messed up not only the Swans but potentially other clubs.

(PS: I understand that it's unlikely that Membrey won't be picked up by St. Kilda first pick but who knows what their plans are in the PSD)

At this stage you'd think that's the Saints' intention. Of course if a big fish is in the PSD pond at the end of Trade Week, who knows what could happen?

That's what I'd be telling Tim anyway.

[Beerman]

This is completely understandable and in fact I am surprised that the AFL have taken this long to get to this point. AFL HQ have clearly had enough of Matt80's crazy trade theories and have stepped in to put a stop to them. (The COLA talk is just a smokescreen).

I don't hold it against them - in fact I'm surprised at the lack of gratitude shown on this forum for the two years of relative* peace we're about to enjoy.

Let's look at the upside, people!

* After all, there's still his crazy team selection theories!

[Pmcc2911]

Patfull's manager confirmed they were talking to the swans about 6 weeks ago, wonder if this was the catalyst, given he has now signed with Lesser Western Sydney.
Lions defender Joel Patfull completes switch to GWS - AFL.com.au

[rojo]

Yes, it seems that Patfull was like Buddy. He wanted to move to Sydney and would have loved to have come to the Swans (one suspects). The AFL decided they were not going to let that happen. The Swans haven't got a suitable pick to swap for him as it turns out but it is as Voss said - a joke.

[AnnieH]

Have the swans called in the QCs yet?

[S.S. Bleeder]

Have the swans called in the QCs yet?

Things have been very quiet. I assume the big wigs in Sydney have been in meetings with their solicitors. I hope they go all the way and get in injunction to suspend the trade period. The AFL will really have egg on their face then.