2018 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[S.S. Bleeder]

Gold Coast was built as a money-laundering haven for crooks of all shapes and sizes. Still serves that function. Now run by crooked cops and bikers for their underworld/big business masters.

Despite that, not a bad place to visit and I have some friends who live thereabouts comfortably and happily

Crooked cops? You're FOS.

[bloodspirit]

How about staggering the salary cap as an additional equalisation measure? E.g. an extra $100k of cap space for each position after the premiers up to $1.7m extra for the wooden spooners. The overall cap is over $10m/yr so it’s less than an extra percent for each place down the ladder.

[Markwebbos]

Sydney defender Zak Jones will plead his case for a switch to the midfield in 2019

Category: | Herald Sun

SYDNEY star Zak Jones will once again plead his case in the off-season for a switch to the midfield.

Jones, 23, had the same discussion with coach John Longmire last summer, to no avail, but is preparing again to push for a more prominent role.

Longmire was up front with Jones about his desire for him to stay in defence this year, and once the decision was made, the hard-nosed competitor got on with the job.

In Jones’s view, the off-season is for negotiating, the season is for playing.

Jones has a year still to run on his contract at Sydney and, despite making no secret of his desire to play in the midfield, he is adamant he sees his future at the Swans regardless of Longmire’s response this time.

A victim of the Swans’ overflowing midfield stocks, Jones has carved out a specialist role for himself at the back and, as Longmire forecast in January, he will be a key in Saturday’s elimination final against Greater Western Sydney at the SCG.

It’s not a matter of make-or-break for Jones, but just like his edgy approach on the field, he is no shrinking violet.

“It’s completely up to John really. I’m happy playing my role, but at the same time I’d love to get in the midfield,” Jones said.

“If it’s my time to go in the midfield, I’ll take that, but if it’s not, I’m happy with that too, as long as I’m playing my role.

“It’s more pre-season — we did a bit more midfield stuff and the conversation was about then. Horse (Longmire) said to me, ‘You’re probably going to play a bit more back’, and I think you just roll with how it goes.

“Things change pretty quickly in this industry.

“In season you don’t really push it too much, but definitely in pre-season there’s a few jokes out there that you throw out that I’m trying to push into the midfield a little bit.

“But he says, ‘We need you down back’, so I’m happy with that.

“I signed a two-year deal and I was pretty happy with the Swans. I’m definitely happy here and I see my future here for sure.”

[aardvark]

I wonder if the Dees will offer him a mid spot at the end of next year?

[Markwebbos]

I hope a move to the Swans midfield next year would forestall that

[Ludwig]

A key for Jones playing in our midfield will depend on O'Riordan holding down one defensive spot and Matt Ling coming into the side as a HBF. There are other options which we could try and we still have to wait to see how the post season player movements work out.

[Markwebbos]

Hasn’t Ollie been playing down back the last few weeks? What his role been?

[S.S. Bleeder]

I wonder if Jones would have the ability to take on the inside mid role we need? He was a mid fielder when we recruited him. We should be trying to keep him happy if possible. Hate to lose him.

[Ralph Dawg]

After that insipid Cats performance last night, in particular their complete lack of forward 50 tackling and pressure, wouldn't surprise me if they do make a play for Gary Rohan. Geelong boy, new Dad, would love to be close to family no doubt (although Sydney have supported him so well over the years).

[barry]

There is a certain symetry with the cats and Rohan. Cat 3-9 in finals, Rohan.....

[Ludwig]

After that insipid Cats performance last night, in particular their complete lack of forward 50 tackling and pressure, wouldn't surprise me if they do make a play for Gary Rohan. Geelong boy, new Dad, would love to be close to family no doubt (although Sydney have supported him so well over the years).

And the way Menzel has played this year, Geelong may be looking for another forward option. It's taken 9 years of hoping, but I've finally had enough. I'd be happy to see Gary go. I hope he's worth a 2nd round pick, but not at all positive we can get one for him.

PS: Barry, I was wrong on this one and you were right.

[Mel_C]

Apparently Hanners has broken up with his partner. Does anyone know if she's from Melbourne or Sydney? It may be a hint as to whether he is staying or going ????.

[AB Swannie]

So... it's sorted... pick 13. No chance that we keep this pick.

[troyjones2525]

Apparently Hanners has broken up with his partner. Does anyone know if she's from Melbourne or Sydney? It may be a hint as to whether he is staying or going [emoji6].

May be another reason for his poor form! Emotional pain can play as big a part as physical pain when it comes to players form. They need to be in the right head space to perform at this elite level. Case in point Todd Goldstein this year compared to last when he was going through a relationship break-up.

Sent from my SM-G955F using Tapatalk

[0918330512]

Not sure if anyone would be genuinely interested in Hanners after the last few weeks (surprised they were after the last couple of years). I’d hazard that his trade value has probably dropped significantly.