2017 trading, drafting, list management

[MattW]

Do we need a tall back? We have Reg and Melican, plus Rampe who can play tall. We have Aliir in the wings. And I suspect most of us are still hoping that a pre-season will see AJ develop a fitness base that will allow him to contend for senior footy.

I can understand drafting another tall defender to develop, and if the club decides to give Pink another year, I'd like to see him trialled in defence as I think he's better suited to defence than forward.

We need depth in talls but I don't think you'd recruit Watts as depth. And he's not even that tall anyway. Dawson probably has similar attributes, though clearly he's not yet as accomplished as Watts.



Goodwin's comments are a little strange in the light of Melbourne re-signing him last year. He makes it sound like there have been application issues with Watts for a few seasons, not just the past year.

He's undoubtedly a talented player and in 2016 looked like he'd finally developed into a consistent performer. I suspect a change of scenery would do him the world of good and if we were desperately crying out for a player like him, I'd be all for the Swans having a dip. Goodwin's comments make it very hard for Watts and Melbourne to stay together so, although he's contracted, Melbourne don't exactly have a strong hand at the negotiating table.

Watts is 196cm. That's Reid's height. The only players taller than him in our squad are Buddy and the ruckmen. I know he doesn't look that tall.

I agree we'd recruit him as a first 22 key forward - not depth and not as a defender. I also agree Goodwin's comments are odd. His comments box the club into a trade and erode his value. Also seem a little petulant.

[The Big Cat]

Watts could be that link man we haven't really had since ROK went into the midfield. If it is true he is being associated with us then I suspect Roos may have given a recommendation to both parties. In Roosy's book he seems to have a soft spot Jack.

[707]

Heath Shaw coming for basically free on a one year contract? I was told this today but haven't found anything yet to confirm what I was told. Anyone here heard anything on Shaw?

[Nico]

Heath Shaw coming for basically free on a one year contract? I was told this today but haven't found anything yet to confirm what I was told. Anyone here heard anything on Shaw?

I'll eat me hat if that one comes off.

[longmile]

If Watts is an in then you'd imagine that Tippett is an out

[dimelb]

Watts could be that link man we haven't really had since ROK went into the midfield. If it is true he is being associated with us then I suspect Roos may have given a recommendation to both parties. In Roosy's book he seems to have a soft spot for Jack.

As I recall Roos was very careful with Watts and very encouraging, knowing he needed to recover properly from getting bashed up by Collingwood in his debut match as a youngster fresh out of the draft. Improvement took some time but obviously he is a talent, and may well do better with us if he comes.

Where to place him, and who would he displace? I think that we have to make up our minds about Sinkers; for a while there he really looked the part as a full forward, but I suspect that's a role Watts would play better. Or we keep Sinclair as backup and play Watts on the wing and forward.

I wouldn't move Towers out after the way he consistently played last season. We have got him to the stage where he can make a useful contribution and I'd like to see us get the benefit of that.

[ugg]

Heath Shaw coming for basically free on a one year contract? I was told this today but haven't found anything yet to confirm what I was told. Anyone here heard anything on Shaw?

the day started with reports that the Giants has told Heath that his future was uncertain and ended with another report that he had secretly signed a contract extension till the end of 2019. The madness of trade week and it hasn?t officially started!

[S.S. Bleeder]

As I recall Roos was very careful with Watts and very encouraging, knowing he needed to recover properly from getting bashed up by Collingwood in his debut match as a youngster fresh out of the draft. Improvement took some time but obviously he is a talent, and may well do better with us if he comes.

Where to place him, and who would he displace? I think that we have to make up our minds about Sinkers; for a while there he really looked the part as a full forward, but I suspect that's a role Watts would play better. Or we keep Sinclair as backup and play Watts on the wing and forward.

I wouldn't move Towers out after the way he consistently played last season. We have got him to the stage where he can make a useful contribution and I'd like to see us get the benefit of that.

I would think that Watts would take the place of our 2nd ruckman. One ruckman seems to be the direction the game is heading and it would also make us more mobile. I would have some doubts about Buddy, Reid and Watts playing in the forward line. It seems too tall to me. I haven't seen much of Watts but my understanding in he's more consistent in the backline?

[Cainit]

Am i missing something with Towers. All year he's probably amassed a quarter of desent footy combined. He is simply crap and should be traded or delisted.

[707]

[QUOTE=Cainit;741570]Am i He's got better but still ranks with a number starting in 2 in our best 22 therefore must be on shaky ground. Once trade week/fortnight is over we can all have fun posting our best 22 for 2018. Mine will include a player with currently only one game to his name.

[Ludwig]

It would seem that any Watts deal would depend on offloading Tippett, as it's doubtful we could afford to carry both contracts. We have to accept that we made a mistake by having 4 ruckmen on our list and have to do what we can to pare down to 3 at most.

I'm a bit underwhelmed with Watts, but I like the general idea of having another competent tall utility and potential whipping boy on the list. I wouldn't be thinking in terms of who he would replace in our starting 22. He just goes into the pool of players fighting it out for a spot. He wasn't good enough to hold his place at Melbourne, so there's certainly no guarantee that he would do so at the Swans.

If Melbourne want Jake Lever they will have to free up some salary cap space. The second round draft pick which they are likely to get for Watts would be a big help in getting the deal done for them. With Lever at the Demons, you would think that Tom McDonald would become a permanent forward, further squeezing out Watts from a spot in their side.

[barry]

Three way deal.
Lever to Melbourne.
Watts to Sydney.
Tippett to...... Adelaide!

[waswan]

If he plays Alir and Melican and Reg than Rampe is that link up great kick we have been begging for
Watts on Wing in a Blicavs role maybe

[707]

Can't believe that Watts is considering Port. If he's worn down by the scrutiny and expectation at and in Melbourne, Adelaide would be a worse place to go. Massive amounts of press to fill and only two teams to feed it all. A move north as a anonymous player would take so much pressure off him which is why I think we may be a club of choice.

[Ludwig]

Can't believe that Watts is considering Port. If he's worn down by the scrutiny and expectation at and in Melbourne, Adelaide would be a worse place to go. Massive amounts of press to fill and only two teams to feed it all. A move north as a anonymous player would take so much pressure off him which is why I think we may be a club of choice.

You're right about the pressure he would be under in Adelaide, but he's almost certainly assured of a spot in their forward line. The Power would be desperately looking for another tall forward to partner with Charlie Dixon. Watts to PA looks a better fit than coming to the Swans, but that's just one factor to be considered.