2018 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Markwebbos]

I am sure that North's offer is worth a lot more money. Why wouldn't he go there seeing that his family is in Melbourne. No brainer, I don't think he is going to the Swans.

Maybe he’s going to another Melbourne club like Hawthorn

[707]

Only reason Gaff chooses us is the anonymity of playing in Sydney, particularly after you've king hit a kid. Couldn't leave his front door in Melbourne without being recognised and copping "clever" remarks. Can fly hourly to and from Melbourne if needed, can't do that from Perth.

Gaff ticks a lot of boxes for us if we are in the equation.

[U.S. Swan]

There are several things that don't make sense about a Gaff recruitment.

• Why would he go to the Swans when he already has a good deal on the table from WC, reported to be 900k. Why not just stay at WC if you're not going home.
• We are unlikely to offer any more money than WCE, except perhaps a very long contract, like 7 years.
• It's hard to know what the attraction is.
• As a RFA, WC could match the offer from a club that was offering around the same compo package as they were. The AFL compo pick to WC will be around pick 20, not so good for such a player.

But there is one that does click:

The Swans approached Hannebery some time ago about the possibility of moving to another club, so this move has been in the works probably from mid-season. As a free agent, Gaff was effectively known to be available for the entire year, so there was plenty of time to lay the groundwork for a deal of this magnitude, i.e. clearing the cap space with the Hannebery trade at an early date so negotiations could go ahead for Gaff. There's no trade required, so no need to negotiate with the club. All the other possible players, especially Wingard, all being contracted, would have been unknown or uncertain to move mid-season, when I suspect a lot of this planning took place. It would seem unlikely that we would go so far as pushing Hanners out the door when the other side of the equation was so uncertain, as all would have to be negotiated with the club, as to both the releasing of the player from his commitment to the club and the compensation required in return.

Hard to get a read on it. There are some missing pieces to this puzzle.

Not saying he is going to Sydney, but if he stays at West Coast, there will be nothing but constant reminders and discussion about "the incident". If he goes elsewhere (other than Fremantle), it's discussed ad nauseum the game he returns and then it fades away...

[lwjoyner]

wih LLoyd locked in and newman maybe off to nth who else to go. What is happening with Robinson, Foote ,Rose, Towers assuming Rohan gone.

[YvonneH]

Will they wait until after the Club Champion dinner to tell those who will be delisted?

[Auntie.Gerald]

I think gaff is very important for Sydney

We really don’t have that top5 type of winger that is extremely adept at making great entry passes to our forward line

Gaffs strength is the over lap run and very accurate high quality kicks to the forwards

He is a very good decision maker and being left footed he has the easier entry pass to buddy’s fav spot near the arc over on the left

Gaff and buddy working together on the left would be fairly dangerous

Gaff is a long way ahead of shiels when it comes to serious quality forward entry kicks

Gaff is a long way ahead of any of our players also re quality forward entries that give us a better chance of getting 6points

[S.S. Bleeder]

Apparently the Aints will be selecting Max King with their pick 3. He's been doing his knee rehab under their supervision. Zero chance of us get a swap of picks with them.

[liz]

Apparently the Aints will be selecting Max King with their pick 3. He's been doing his knee rehab under their supervision. Zero chance of us get a swap of picks with them.

They won't if Gold Coast pick him first (with their pick 3) - Saints' first is likely to be number 4.

[Markwebbos]

They won't if Gold Coast pick him first (with their pick 3) - Saints' first is likely to be number 4.

I thought the Saints were "definitely" using their pick 5 (!?!?) on Dylan Shiel.

[barry]

Can't see why gaff would leave WC.

[Markwebbos]

Can't see why gaff would leave WC.

He wants to be closer to family
Doesn't like Perth
Wants to leave town after punching Andrew Brayshaw
Wants to earn more money
Wants to follow Sam Mitchell to Hawthorn

[Markwebbos]

Another free agent that is rarely discussed, inside beast, has a connection to the Swans, and would come cheaper than Gaff... LIBBA!

[barry]

He wants to be closer to family
Doesn't like Perth
Wants to leave town after punching Andrew Brayshaw
Wants to earn more money
Wants to follow Sam Mitchell to Hawthorn

"Closer to family" is BS. They are grown men, not 13 year old boarding school students wetting the bed.
He's on great $$ now and his team is in premiership window. Mad to leave.

[stevoswan]

He wants to be closer to family
Doesn't like Perth
Wants to leave town after punching Andrew Brayshaw
Wants to earn more money
Wants to follow Sam Mitchell to Hawthorn

4 good points there.....the last one sucks!

[stevoswan]

"Closer to family" is BS. They are grown men, not 13 year old boarding school students wetting the bed.
He's on great $$ now and his team is in premiership window. Mad to leave.

As if it's because he wants his Mummy! His father (an even older 'grown man') is severely ill and he wants to be closer to him. Sometimes it's not 'all about footy'. That's why a 1 hour flight from the quieter 'AFL escape' that is Sydney would be so suitable and convenient for him!