2018 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Markwebbos]

Reposting my list of midfielders from my earlier State of Play comment ...

there's this gaping hole in between Parker and Kennedy. Hanners fits smack in the middle of that hole. When a team is truly in the premiership window (Richmond), as opposed to just getting it right with a bit of luck for one season (WB), that Parker the Kennedy demographic is usually filled with stars and other players at the top of their game. Rohan is also in that demographic.

My feeling is that we will be looking to fill the gap with a quality midfielder around 25-27 yo. Gaff or Shiels would fit the bill, but there's no way of knowing who is on our radar, and not likely to know until after the GF.

We might also be targeting the Saints pick 4 in order to draft either Smith or Rankine and keep the quality youth movement going strong. Maybe we will do both.

Ludwig, I'm with you.

Given that our biggest problem is in the midfield, since the Hanners thing surfaced, I have been telling myself that there is no way the Swans would offload Hanners (and now Rohan) without having one or more mature (and better) replacements in mind. Fingers crossed we are using Darcy Moore as a decoy.

[mcs]

Reposting my list of midfielders from my earlier State of Play comment

1. Kennedy 30
2. Parker 26
3. Cunningham 25
4. Jones 24
5. Hewett 23
6. Heeney 22
7. Mills 22
8. Dawson 22
9. Florent 20
10. Ling 20
11. Stoddart 19

there's this gaping hole in between Parker and Kennedy. Hanners fits smack in the middle of that hole. When a team is truly in the premiership window (Richmond), as opposed to just getting it right with a bit of luck for one season (WB), that Parker the Kennedy demographic is usually filled with stars and other players at the top of their game. Rohan is also in that demographic.

My feeling is that we will be looking to fill the gap with a quality midfielder around 25-27 yo. Gaff or Shiels would fit the bill, but there's no way of knowing who is on our radar, and not likely to know until after the GF.

We might also be targeting the Saints pick 4 in order to draft either Smith or Rankine and keep the quality youth movement going strong. Maybe we will do both.

What that list shows to me is that we really should be aiming up for around 2020-21 for our next big push for the flag (of course hoping to get close over the next couple of years). Kennedy may well be done before we get there, but Parker would be the elder statesman (in the Bolton mould of days gone by), with Heeney/Hewett/Jones/Mills/Florent all coming into their prime together. Keep the gang together, and find the couple of additions to the list to fill the gaps, and its not far off (assuming the younger guys progress as we hope). There may be short term pain on the horizon, but medium term I think we are shaping up ok.

[mcs]

Ludwig, I'm with you.

Given that our biggest problem is in the midfield, since the Hanners thing surfaced, I have been telling myself that there is no way the Swans would offload Hanners (and now Rohan) without having one or more mature (and better) replacements in mind. Fingers crossed we are using Darcy Moore as a decoy.

I would not be surprised at all if we look at Anthony Miles from Richmond as a cheapo 'recycled option' to bulk up our midfield options. Tallish, big bodied midfielder that doesn't mind getting the hard ball. Not top tier of course, but could easily give us 5+ years service, and would align well age wise with Parker. We were heavily linked last year I think it was to him, and he has just won the VFL best and fairest. Would get him for not too much either (late 2nd or early 3rd rd pick perhaps). He looks an obvious cheapo recycled midfield option if we don't have grander plans for in there.

[waswan]

Good post Ludwig, another most important piece of the "need for speed" direction the club seems to be heading is the coaches game plan
Granted we may not have the cattle to be there just yet but i think Horse is a long way from having said game plan.
The Melbourne game this year was the only time i can remember where we have switched and cut back and diced thru an opposition team, more of that footy please

On a side note, i find it funny we can have specific commentary on Buddys contract and what its worth in each year
Surely as lists have changed and we are playing more rookies and guys arent getting bonuses or are getting bonuses there is a small percentage of TPP that is to be left open.
I would assume we could then throw more money at any contract to "pay it off" quicker

[Ludwig]

I remember how excited Longmire was when Brandon Jack was going well and looking like an AFL. He probably used 'genuine pace' with every smiling sentence. I hasn't worked out well for us drafting speedy players. We spend 2 1st rounders on Rohan and Jetta, and they've certainly underperformed for those picks. It didn't work out with Towers or Hiscox either.

There aren't always good speedy players available when your pick comes up. As Liz said above, we had to take 3 preference selections with 1st rounders in recent times and that probably forced our hand with he Mitchell trade. We really couldn't leave it for another year.

The list as a whole is nonetheless getting faster. The guys coming in to replace Macca, Reg and Smith are all a lot quicker. Every player in our forward line is quick. The midfield is still a work in progress.

The weight of numbers might just tip the scale next year and we will cross that imaginary line from a slow plodding team to a quick offensive team.

[The Big Cat]

From what Tom Harley said on SEN on Sam McClure's program tonight it sounds like personal issues are at play in both Hanner's and Gaz's decision to return to Melbourne, although he declined to elaborate beyond what we already know. Harley said that the two had differing situations.

Obvious Gary has had a tough year and his wife is a Cobden girl as well so I can see his reasoning to be closer to their families. I was also told (by someone within another club) that the suspicion is that Gary being rested at times and his strange ommisions from the senior team may possibly be related to mental health issues.

Maybe Hanner's long term relationship breakdown may have something to do with needing a clean start.

One thing that Horse has always been strong on is player welfare ahead of footy which he sees as being just a game - Reg, Buddy, Goodesy, etc.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Ludwig, I'm with you.

Given that our biggest problem is in the midfield, since the Hanners thing surfaced, I have been telling myself that there is no way the Swans would offload Hanners (and now Rohan) without having one or more mature (and better) replacements in mind. Fingers crossed we are using Darcy Moore as a decoy.

I wouldn't get our expectations too high that we have a big fish in mind. Hanners and Rohan are currently contributing nothing to our midfield and trading them won't have a negative impact on that. The opportunity has arisen to trade them so we should grab it with open arms. It's possible that the club might be eyeing off a gun midfielder for the 2020 season.

[Meg]

One thing that Horse has always been strong on is player welfare ahead of footy which he sees as being just a game - Reg, Buddy, Goodesy, etc.

Agree. Something I admire so much about John Longmire.

[ernie koala]

I would not be surprised at all if we look at Anthony Miles from Richmond as a cheapo 'recycled option' to bulk up our midfield options. Tallish, big bodied midfielder that doesn't mind getting the hard ball. Not top tier of course, but could easily give us 5+ years service, and would align well age wise with Parker. We were heavily linked last year I think it was to him, and he has just won the VFL best and fairest. Would get him for not too much either (late 2nd or early 3rd rd pick perhaps). He looks an obvious cheapo recycled midfield option if we don't have grander plans for in there.

Agree, Miles would be a good fit, in the Swans no nonsense midfield mould....At a good price.

Hope they go for him.

[longmile]

Third for Miles

[KSAS]

Haven't seen this much Vic media focus on the Swans since we got Buddy. Seems to be a positive change of attitude with Saints fans towards the Hannebery deal, with many calling in suggesting he should be made captain & how he'll improve the team overall. Sam Maclure (SEN) was really pumping up Hannebery's tyres this evening as a super star, which further convinces me Hanners is worth more than a 2nd round pick when you take into consideration Saints are offering him elite level contract worth 3.2 million over 4 years.

My other concern if we do accept to give Hanners away for a 2nd rounder is that it will give clubs like Essendon the incentive to keep hounding away at Parker knowing they may have a chance of getting him for unders (next year).

Vic media are also curious how Swans are willing to let 2 contracted players go, which seems against their grain. This is leading to speculation Swans are planning to land 1or 2 big fish this trade period.

Was also interested hearing late this evening by SEN commentator, that he was informed by his AFL source that Tippet's contract WON'T spill into next year's cap because he had agreed to only take a very small percentage of his remaining contract. Which means even further cap relief!

[Aprilbr]

I certainly think that it’s time for both Hanners and Rohan to go. Hanners is probably only worth a second round pick though given form and age. I would be ecstatic if we got more but quite frankly I doubt that this will happen.

Rohan has really never reached his potential. A very disappointing season and a proven finals underperformer. Both have been great characters around the Club but it’s time. We need to reload a bit just like Hawthorn did a couple of seasons back.

Personally I feel that if ready made players of high quality are not available to us at a fair price then we are best trying to trade up to high draft picks and hope that our recruiting team can work their magic again in the draft. Most premiership teams are built on drafting top young talent. There is supposed to be plenty around this draft. One is likely to come to us in Blakey. Let’s try and bring in another. Watching the Dees the other night with Oliver and Brayshaw destroying the older Geelong midfield really underscored to me the value of going to the draft.


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[Syd Swan]

I expect Rohan to thrive at a new club. I think Sydney's game plan and the small confines of the SCG have held him back from reaching his full potential. Play in a team that run and spread the ball on a bigger oval and I think he will show what he is truly capable of. Hope he proves me correct as he seems a very genuine person and I wish him all the best.

[RogueSwan]

... Personally I feel that if ready made players of high quality are not available to us at a fair price then we are best trying to trade up to high draft picks and hope that our recruiting team can work their magic again in the draft. Most premiership teams are built on drafting top young talent. There is supposed to be plenty around this draft. One is likely to come to us in Blakey. Let’s try and bring in another. Watching the Dees the other night with Oliver and Brayshaw destroying the older Geelong midfield really underscored to me the value of going to the draft.


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I think you are overselling the draft impact here.
Melbourne turned a corner when Roos joined them.
In the three years following their last finals appearance (2006) they had 9 top 20 picks and still finished down the bottom of the ladder.
Granted, the science of recruiting is a lot better than ten years ago but, IMO, most premiership teams are built on more than just drafting high end talent.

[Markwebbos]

I think you are overselling the draft impact here.
Melbourne turned a corner when Roos joined them.
In the three years following their last finals appearance (2006) they had 9 top 20 picks and still finished down the bottom of the ladder.
Granted, the science of recruiting is a lot better than ten years ago but, IMO, most premiership teams are built on more than just drafting high end talent.

Exhibit A: Carlton