2017 trading, drafting, list management

[wolftone57]

I know many people at Scotch College, so although I don't know him personally, I have a very good understanding about him.

Whether you know people or don't know people at Scotch the fact is it is still only rumour and innuendo. Have you got proof? What is the status of the people you allegedly know?

The other thing is I agree with Liz it is a spiteful comment. Not only that it is a racist comment and without proof if viewed by Cyril or anyone connected with cyril could be open to legal action.

I believe one of the reasons he got the scholarship was not the colour of his skin but the extent of his ability with the Sherrin. Scotch and other major footy private schools often give scholarships to elite young footy talent. Schools like Assumption, Melbourne Grammar, Caulfield Grammar, Wesley College, Xavier College all give scholarships to boys from underprivileged backgrounds who have footy ability. In SA both Rostrevor and Sacred Heart also do. The footy ability is not any part of the documentation or advertised but believe me when I say that some students of middling to low academic ability have won scholarships who just happened to be stars on the footy field. Being Independent Schools Champions was very important to Sacred Heart when I was a student there and still is. As was beating Assumption College in their annual Grudge Match, in fact the players were admonished if they lost. The year I was there two players were drafted in from the North and we beat Assumption College. Mind you Glenelg Tigers dined out on Sacred Heart players for their juniors for years and still does. By the way not all those who get scholarships are Indigenous, they might just be from underprivileged outback families.

29 AFL players have come from Sacred Heart alone, including our own Nic Fosdyke. There are 6 premiership players and one club captain, Matthew Pavlich.

[Ludwig]

I think there is slight miscalculation here, because Edwards is a rookie and we also need to upgrade or delist either O'Riordan or Murray (my guess is O'Riordan).

Picks after the 1st round will push out due to FA compensation of Rockliff, Trengove and Motlop.

As it stands now, assuming AJ goes to the rookie list, we are looking at picks 14, 33 and 52, one Cat A and one Cat B rookie.

It seems like the Rockliff and Trengove moves may knock out PA's compo pick for Trengove, if it does pan out that way. I'm surprised they let that one slip if that is the case, so maybe we are back to picks 14, 32 and 51. I'm sure they could have gotten at least an end of 2nd round pick for Trengove, if not higher.

[ugg]

Yes it's been calculated as end of 2nd round compo pick, but as you say will be wiped out once they sign Rockliff (and maybe Motlop too!)

AFL Trade paperwork update:
PAdel not match WBulldogs' Free Agent offer to JTrengove.
PA to receive rd 2 compo pick, currently #30.
1/2 ...

— Patrick Keane (@AFL_PKeane) October 6, 2017

[wolftone57]

Problem is Aliir is not a KPD. And I doubt he will ever replace Grundy. He is 3rd tall defender at best. And he is not going to displace Rampe from that role. You yourself have suggested he play forward, ruck or wing to get him into the team.
When it cones to trading him, it depends on which Aliir we are talking about trading. The 2016 version or 2017 reserves version. I'd keep the 2016 version, but I'd trade the 2017 version for a KPD.

I think we have to restructure Rampe's role. He was caught out a few times by the opposition playing super talls on him. I don't think going into the Cats match with just Rampe and Reg was a good look. They just played the extra tall and Dangerfield and we had no options for change. Rampe has to change rolls and Maibaum or Melican have to take the super tall players. We have runners now but we need to change Macca's role as well. He was caught out as a back player too often bty being easily brushed aside. Our backs have to be stronger than their opponents now. That is the way footy is going, they have to be stronger, faster, more mobile, cool under pressure and kick better.

[wolftone57]

I think Watts is worth a shot, use our second rounder along with our first for Gold Coast Saad. Lloyd,Dawson and Rohan can rotate more in the middle to allow Parker up forward. How quick would we suddenly become? Tower gets dropped for Watts who can pinch hit in he ruck when required. Sinclair, Watts,Buddy, Papley with rotation Parker, Rohan, Jack and Dawson as our forward line. Along with Reid who should play more defence though next year 30/70 split.

I don't think we have a hope in hell of getting Saad. Pundits are saying Suns want a first or second for him.

[longmile]

Geelong enter the ring for Watts after Stringer looks likely to go to the Dons

[Levii3]

GW$ are asking Heath Shaw to "consider" his options for next year?
What the what?
With any luck, they'll finish 19th next year.

They're also pushing Mummy towards retirement as well. Wilson requesting trade to Freo Tomlinson offered 4-5 years from saints Smith Kennedy also out. They're losing a lot of players from their best 22 this year.

[wolftone57]

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.

You forgot Maibaum and I'm still not convinced about Rampe on talls. A tall of a certain kind, 2 x Riewoldt, Cameron (although Cameron took him to the cleaners in the 2016 final), Darling (Darling is not really that tall) he is good on. But if they are marking beasts or really livewire (Danger) he gets caught out. Pink looks as though he has another year as he has not been delisted yet and he is not taking up list space as he is a Rookie. I would not move him back but would build him up considerably, especially his upper body strength. He had two problems in 2017, he was pushed off the ball by stronger opponents and he seemed to lose the run of play at times. That is a problem with some young developing Key forwards. I think he could develop into a key forward of the likes of Jack Riewoldt, only better, who is also taller and can take the big pack mark through strength alone. At his weight he held ground against many much stronger and heavier backmen this year and at only 18 had a lot of upside. I think he will develop nicely due to his wonderful pace and balance for a lad his height and gangly disposition. I did notice toward the end of the season his build changed from the pre-season. By next season he'll be a built aerobic beast.

As to Jack Watts. He has all the ability that a player needs to be an out and out star. He is not a KPP though. A leading forward, mid or third tall back yes, a big pack mark ala Reid, no. He can play ruck quite convincingly. What I would do to get him is offer Tippett as a direct trade and we both cut our losses as to salary. I mean he would only be looking at $300,000 to 400,000 now as his stocks are pretty low and Tippett about the same. Any other deal would be stupid trading.

[Cosmic Wizard]

I think there is slight miscalculation here, because Edwards is a rookie and we also need to upgrade or delist either O'Riordan or Murray (my guess is O'Riordan).

Picks after the 1st round will push out due to FA compensation of Rockliff, Trengove and Motlop.

As it stands now, assuming AJ goes to the rookie list, we are looking at picks 14, 33 and 52, one Cat A and one Cat B rookie.

I was just showing there are a lot a changes to our list even before the trade period begins in earnest.

Laidler was the surprise for me; thought they would have kept him on for depth at least.

Seems to have been "offered" a coaching position.

[wolftone57]

Who in the 22 that ran out last, would watts replace?

Probably half of them Barry. They weren't too impressive

[wolftone57]

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.

No, he had a pretty consistent season actually. So you are missing it. Go back and watch some footy on Big Footy Replays, every game there. Take a look at the stats. Probably one of our better players in the Cats disaster. The problem is we all get blindsided by our dislike for a player or two, instead of looking at the facts. The same goes for our fave players.

[stevoswan]

No, he had a pretty consistent season actually. So you are missing it. Go back and watch some footy on Big Footy Replays, every game there. Take a look at the stats. Probably one of our better players in the Cats disaster. The problem is we all get blindsided by our dislike for a player or two, instead of looking at the facts. The same goes for our fave players.

I agree with this wolftone....which makes your earlier idea that replacing Towers with Watts would make us faster (admittedly you added speedy Saad to the mix as well), somewhat perplexing. Towers is quicker than Watts and his career is on an upward trajectory at the moment. Do we really want to stall his progress yet again?

[stevoswan]

Actually, forget Saad, his heart is set on returning to Melbourne and family according to 'Trade Talk' @ afl.com.au

[stevoswan]

Geelong enter the ring for Watts after Stringer looks likely to go to the Dons

Sticking with my theory that Jack Watts prefers to be 'comfortable' and avoids brave moves, al a going interstate ("I would like to stay at the Demons" etc), Geelong looks a good prospect. I don't have a lot of confidence we'll get him. I could also be wrong......

[rojo]

Damien Barrett on afl.com is suggesting that KT could follow Dew to the Suns. Evidently they get along very well. An interesting possibility especially for those who want us to get ride of KT.

I don't understand all the love for Watts - is he the kind of player who has the grit/composure to stand up in a grand final? Why are Melbourne letting him go? They are building to go a step further next year and at least finish in the top 8. They must have identified him as a player who for whatever reason will not help them do this.