2018 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[sprite]

Libba still unsigned ..


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He is expected to get a one year contract from Footscray, which seems to indicate even they don't rate him. Why should we?

[Markwebbos]

Libba still unsigned ..

I’ve been pushing my Libba conspiracy theory for some time now. Glad others are joining me. Think he’d be worth taking a punt on, if he’d leave the kennel.

[AnnieH]

No Libba.
His father.
Enough said.

[0918330512]

I’ve been pushing my Libba conspiracy theory for some time now. Glad others are joining me. Think he’d be worth taking a punt on, if he’d leave the kennel.

Hasn’t he had 2 ACLs?

[jono2707]

I like the way young Libba goes about it. We could do with his grunt, if fit. Why not?

Still hate his dad though.

[S.S. Bleeder]

Can he be held responsible for the sins of his father?

No, but he has enough of his own sins to be comparable to his old man.

[Cosmic Wizard]

I'd probably give one of them a rookie list spot. But it would be mainly for the positive reinforcement value for others in the academy. That is, just to stress that there is a realistic path, from the academy to the Swans list. On similar lines, I would also be tempted to give someone like Ryan Hebron a spot: who after being a toppy from the academy, went to Sydney Uni and won their best and fairest. Which may send the positive message, that if you miss out on a spot in your draft year, there's still a pathway through the NEAFL, if you apply yourself and improve your game.
Which in the long term, should both strengthen the Swans and strengthen the NEAFL.

Sorry but "recruiting from the Academy because its there" is an appalling idea.

That how we got Foote, who was never going to make it and just became another useless list clogger.

The 99% of kids who are in the Academy are going to be good amateurs, that its.

Occasionally there might be a gem, but that may happen ever five years or so.

There are far better prospects in SA, Vic or WA who deserve a chance at AFL.

And they might just turn out to be good footballers.

[longmile]

Don't know if old news but this was on the AFL website today:

"Unsigned: Harry Marsh, Jack Maibaum, Dan Robinson, James Rose, Robbie Fox, Toby Pink

Defender Nic Newman was close to agreeing to terms with North Melbourne before eventually being traded to Carlton. James Bell will be a Swan for another season, while Rose is close to a one-year extension. The wait goes on for Marsh, Maibaum, Robinson, Fox and Pink."

With Rose resigning looks like it will be Marsh who makes way. You'd think Pink would have to go too.

[barry]

You would think Fox has shown enough. I thought he had a good year.

[KTigers]

Sorry but "recruiting from the Academy because its there" is an appalling idea.

That how we got Foote, who was never going to make it and just became another useless list clogger.

The 99% of kids who are in the Academy are going to be good amateurs, that its.

Occasionally there might be a gem, but that may happen ever five years or so.

There are far better prospects in SA, Vic or WA who deserve a chance at AFL.

And they might just turn out to be good footballers.

So the challenge then is for the Academies and the junior system in Sydney/NSW to turn more higher quality footballers.

[Kumarangk]

Sorry but "recruiting from the Academy because its there" is an appalling idea.

That how we got Foote, who was never going to make it and just became another useless list clogger.

The 99% of kids who are in the Academy are going to be good amateurs, that its.

Occasionally there might be a gem, but that may happen ever five years or so.

There are far better prospects in SA, Vic or WA who deserve a chance at AFL.

And they might just turn out to be good footballers.

Hard but fair ! So Eddy was punching at shadows a couple of years back ! I think the academy is great value but it is difficult to get the kids initially in to the game when AFL is not splashed all over the media as it is in 4 other states.

[Merdo5555]

Are there any big name free agents coming off contract next year? Hopefully a relatively quiet year will mean something big next year. Would like to see some more speed and skill in the middle.

[longmile]

Are there any big name free agents coming off contract next year? Hopefully a relatively quiet year will mean something big next year. Would like to see some more speed and skill in the middle.

No Neale, no Shiel, so who'll be 2019's big free agents? - AFL.com.au

No one of interest to be honest.

[dejavoodoo44]

Sorry but "recruiting from the Academy because its there" is an appalling idea.

That how we got Foote, who was never going to make it and just became another useless list clogger.

The 99% of kids who are in the Academy are going to be good amateurs, that its.

Occasionally there might be a gem, but that may happen ever five years or so.

There are far better prospects in SA, Vic or WA who deserve a chance at AFL.

And they might just turn out to be good footballers.

Odd use of the words, "appalling idea"? I mean, to my way of thinking, an appalling idea would be a deranged bozo like Trump, thinking that it would be just fine, if he went on stage and celebrated the assault of a local journalist, the same day that he was supposed to be getting tough on the Saudis for murdering a journalist. Putting forward a sensible idea, that should marginally improve the fortunes of the Swans, is hardly appalling.
In regards to Foote, he was probably a bit unlucky to be delisted, as he got injured when he was improving and could probably have made the grade as a lockdown style of player. And I do find the term, list clogger, to be misguided: as it makes the not very reality based assumption, that there are a heap of gun players out there, that will be able to get, if we only just got rid of the players who aren't hugely talented stars. The reality of the situation, is that most of the people who get to be on AFL lists are never going to be stars. Instead, what you need to support the stars, is plenty of lesser players with good attitudes, who are willing to do what is required of them and who have a positive attitude about both playing a team role and to improving their skills. If a club was to think that they could regularly cull the bottom third of their list, and somehow replace it with gun players, using draft picks, rookie picks and cast-offs, then that would be a recipe for becoming just like Carlton or the Suns.
As far as gems that may come along every five years or so, Heeney and Mills came along in consecutive years. While with appropriate development, Bell could end being very good. There's also plenty of local players, that probably would've came through the academy, if it was there. Rampe, Jack, McVeigh, Naismith, etc.
And I really doubt if the interstate prospects, that we can take with our rookie picks, are going to be significantly better than the best of our academy kids. So we might as well create a system that helps to protect against the go home factor, and that also helps to establish a stronger, deeper Aussie Rules culture in NSW; as it is culture, that tends to win premierships.

[stevoswan]

Can he be held responsible for the sins of his father?

Yes....because he's just like his father......a dirty DH who wouldn't in fit at our club.