2017 trading, drafting, list management

[Mug Punter]

Not even just 3rd party deals. It somewhere got lost that the cost of living is significantly higher in Sydney than in other cities in Australia. Perth came close at the height of the mining boom but has now receded somewhat. For the highest paid players, the impact might be trivial but even earning up to $300k or so, it does make a difference. And that's not saying that you can't live comfortably in Sydney on a significantly lower salary. Just that a higher proportion of your salary does go on the basics and when the Swans were competing with other clubs to attract and maintain players, the COLA helped to address the differential.

And of course, COLA wasn't abolished. Those towards the lower end of the salary range still get a rental allowance to recognise the higher cost of living - particularly property - in Sydney.

I think COLA served its purpose but isn't at all appropriate for us anymore.

A lot is heard about how expensive Sydney is but it really is property prices and there is a earnings and wealth threshold where is effectively negligible and that is when you are in the property market without a mortgage, at that stage earnings are the key.

I do think it is important that the lower paid players in Sydney get rental assistance and I am glad they do. As for the others, it isn't often I agree with Kochie but his view is that the Swans are a gold plated club in a huge market and that any off field opportunities will mean that salary assistance was just not required. So, really the player managers in particular need to start doing their job and I am sure there is a legal way the club can help facilitate off field deals

[Cosmic Psycho]

Okay, I know there's a fair bit of interest going around for Sam Reid this season, but what's the mail in Zak Jones? I know North are keeping an eye on him. So what is the situation, currently? He is out of contract at season's end and as I understand it, he isn't a free agent. So does that put us in a good position to keep him? ie he accepts an offer presented or risks the draft, where he can't control his destination.

What are your thoughts on keeping Zak? IMO, he is a gun and will be an integral part of the team moving forward.

[AB Swannie]

I'd much prefer to keep Zak than Sam but both would be nice. Zak is coming into his prime and offers so much run and hardness. I would imagine if he was to leave, we would be looking to get a decent 1st round pick in return.

[Industrial Fan]

The best thing about Jones, is that he looks really coachable. Still has that look about him that suggests he might glass someone at any moment, but has really tempered the stupid stuff he was doing in his first 10-15 games.

Still has that hard edge but doesn't tend to stray over the line. The Lions game was full of niggle and Jones was at the centre of pretty well every spot fire sticking up for his team mates.

Footy wise he seems to make good decisions as well - not much talk about his disposal these days.

He's gone from (at least in my books) whipping boy to a must retain.

Happy to be wrong on him that's for sure.

[bloodspirit]

I reckon we'll keep both. Perhaps the players are holding off until the new CBA and TPP is finalised to strengthen their bargaining position. Meanwhile they can work on their form to increase their value too.

[bloodspirit]

The best thing about Jones, is that he looks really coachable. Still has that look about him that suggests he might glass someone at any moment, but has really tempered the stupid stuff he was doing in his first 10-15 games.

Still has that hard edge but doesn't tend to stray over the line. The Lions game was full of niggle and Jones was at the centre of pretty well every spot fire sticking up for his team mates.

Footy wise he seems to make good decisions as well - not much talk about his disposal these days.

He's gone from (at least in my books) whipping boy to a must retain.

Happy to be wrong on him that's for sure.

I agree. I don't think Zak was ever a whipping boy - except for his hotheaded brainfades. But now he is a feisty, fiery player who I would compare (in a good way) with Heath Shaw. I think Heater also plays with a lot of passion and sometimes rashly oversteps in the heat of the moment but is a great player. Whereas I would contrast both of them with Toby Greene, who, although undoubtedly a brilliant player, is repugnant and nasty in a bad way and I wouldn't want a bar of. That said, even Greene could possibly come good and redeem himself as he matures and if he gets good guidance.

[Billericay]

We have to keep Zak jones. And I'd like to see them play Rohan in a similar role.

[Mug Punter]

I reckon we'll keep both. Perhaps the players are holding off until the new CBA and TPP is finalised to strengthen their bargaining position. Meanwhile they can work on their form to increase their value too.

With Tippett coming off the wages bill at the end of next year and Buddy's salary becoming the norm for Franchise Players (hate that term...) I cannot see any reason why we won't keep both but I suspect our form over the rest of the season may have an impact. I also hope we have tucked away a bit more than some other clubs but that is probably wishful thinking.

I'll still be very worried if they are still unsigned by the end of June but at the moment we do have the mitigating factor of the TPP to be agreed so I hope it is just this holding up proceeding. Problem is I can just see them both being very highly sought after.

If we do lose them both, and let's not kid ourselves that this is not a possibility, then we will be into serious rebuild territory but going in with strength. Jones we'd want the Dees' first rounder for and I'd expect Pick 19 at the least for Reid so we'd be looking at four top 25 picks this draft plus an early 40s. Add that to this years crop and Mills, Heeney etc and we'll have one of the best young lists in the game

[The Big Cat]

Mick Warner saying on OTC tonight that the Melbourne clubs are circling Zac Jones. David King saying Richmond and St Kilda have the space to get him. Healy says he's a required player at the Swans but King says their cap is too tight. (Obviously King is privy to each club's TPP documents!!!)

[liz]

If Jones wants to maximise the dollar value of his next contract, we'll lose him. There will be several clubs with the capacity to pay him more than the Swans can. Will depend on what his priorities are, and how satisfied he is living in Sydney.

[Ludwig]

Everyone is also saying that the Saints will get Fyfe. There goes that salary cap. Richmond will need to make a big contract offer to keep Dusty. What they really need is another forward. They will surely enquire about Reid, but I think Reid's family situation is more than likely to keep him in Sydney. Zak seems like a very passionate and loyal person and I think he will accept any reasonable offer from the Swans. He's not a free agent, so another club has to offer up something that's acceptable to us. You would think Jones would be the top priority for Tom Harley. It's not often the Swans lose a player they want to keep.

[Bloody Hell]

We need a more coordinated effort for the ladies of Sydney to cast a spell over (sink their claws into) the required players. Time to take one for the team.

[Boddo]

If anyone thinks there will be some bidding war for Zak, if he decides to leave, will be seriously disappointed. In days gone by yes but not anymore. If Zak decides to leave he chooses his club n then it's up to Sydney to get the best possible outcome for the club. e.g. Mitchell chose hawthorn n then we spoke to them about a suitable trade.

[waswan]

Whilst I agree he is required I think his open market value is overstated
Mitchell got reportedly $700K over 5 yrs and Jones isn't at that level of consistency yet, same as what Treloar got.
I love the kid but he hasn't shown that level yet

I reckon he should/will get a 3 yr deal around 500K/year then demand a big contract at 25/26 yrs of age if he continues his trajectory

[Cosmic Psycho]

I'm sure they're looking at the situation involving Tippett coming off contract at the end of next year, and possibly back-ending a contract offer. We also have Macca coming off contract, and at 32 is definitely winding down. I think there's room to sign him, and we're in a much different situation than we were at the end of 2016 with Mitchell.