2018 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[AnnieH]

Say what? Surely you jest Annie!

I can't see why not!!
They haven't de-listed him yet and he's had a year off to get better.

[Markwebbos]

Maybe you should sign him up to Annie's Allstars?

[KSAS]

The salary cap relief with Hanneberry, Rohan etc could simply be a strategy for the long term retention of some of our outstanding young developing players - Florent,Hayward, Melican, even Jones. Have I missed anyone - Ling, Stoddard? Nothing wrong with internal development.

McCartin, Ronke, Papley, Dawson, O'Riordan & Armtey who I reckon has an excitement factor about him even though he hasn't played senior game as yet.

With the impending retirements next year of Macca, Reg & Jack I reckon we have short term cap space relief covered if we land a big fish like Gaff & Moore this year. For the long term, Buddy has only 4 years left on his contract by my calculations, which means we could soon start offering back ended contracts if any of our young uns become bonefide stars. You also have JPK & Smooch entering the over 30 bracket, which at this stage we don't know how many seasons they have left in the tank (quite a few I hope!).

[barry]

Is the Gaff to Sydney based on anything more than RWO hope?

[Markwebbos]

Is the Gaff to Sydney based on anything more than RWO hope?

Not really, no.
But are any of the unconfirmed stories more than rumour and speculation at this time of year.

[AnnieH]

Maybe you should sign him up to Annie's Allstars?

Yeah, nah.
Can't afford him.
I have a salary cap, just like everyone else.

[Swansman79]

Tony Sheehan didn't rule it out when I asked him directly. I think we are having a crack

[stevoswan]

Jumping at shadows as usual Stevo? YFOSAU.

Where did I say that Gaff is a mummy's boy? I didn't. I made generalised comments about footballers in general and we were right. I fact, the players I had in the back of my mind were players like Rocca, Grant and most of the GWS and GCS players who have gone home to Victoria.

.

They were mummy's boys who were using it as an excuse to leave a club they weren't happy at. I think Gaff's situation is a little different. You're 'generalised' comment seemed to be pointing straight at Gaff, seeing you were championing Barry's 'sooky Gaff' comments. Judge not, lest etc.....

[stevoswan]

I can't see why not!!
They haven't de-listed him yet and he's had a year off to get better.

i reckon there's something in that. He should be cherry ripe!

[RogueSwan]

Say what? Surely you jest Annie!

Annie has heard a number of "rumours" in this thread. Best not to bite

[barry]

They were mummy's boys who were using it as an excuse to leave a club they weren't happy at. I think Gaff's situation is a little different. You're 'generalised' comment seemed to be pointing straight at Gaff, seeing you were championing Barry's 'sooky Gaff' comments. Judge not, lest etc.....

''Sooky Gaff". My god.

[Bloods05]

''Sooky Gaff". My god.

That does pretty much sum up your comments, Barry.

- - - Updated - - -

Annie has heard a number of "rumours" in this thread. Best not to bite

Annie is just reporting faithfully what she hears when she talks to herself.

[Nico]

Club would've definitely preferred a fit & firing Tippett this year, but I reckon his late retirement call due to injury concern caught the club out by surprise (otherwise it would've been made early post last season if it was club induced). I think this inspired the club to re-adjust its thinking with its list management strategy in that it gave them incentive to chase bigger fish if they were able to make further cap space by clearing under performing players like Hanners & Rohan, based on their yielding $$$$ contracts. Reid may think he'll be so next year if he doesn't get on the park & perform, particularly if we get Darcy Moore.

I have the feeling club felt it really needed to re-invigorate it's list after struggling to make the 8 the past 2 seasons & more of the same next year if if didn't.

That makes a lot of sense.

[Go Swannies]

Is getting rid of Dan and Gary ruthless enough for those on here who say that some players get games other than on merit?

[Nico]

Is getting rid of Dan and Gary ruthless enough for those on here who say that some players get games other than on merit?

I think the last 2 years has shown us that at finals level we don't have the personnel. In some ways we perhaps should have been a bit ruthless in trimming the list each year. It appears to me that Hanners moving was known earlier within the club (plenty of currency) and Gary Rohan may well have told the club when he had his personal issues. Regardless, I am happy that finally brownie points don't count. Now that Lloyd has signed it will be interesting to see which fringe players we keep.

We have a number of young players who have shown great potential, and you only have to see the dramatic improvement in Collingwood's list this year to realise that could be us in 2019. By signing Grundy and McVeigh we have retained core defensive players. To me the defence is fine. It is the midfield and forwards that the improvement must come from. Nick Blakey looks the goods but how many first year players come in and have a big impact? We can't expect him to be the difference. I would like to see a big pre season from Ronke, build his tank and chuck him into the midfield. Mills back will be a big plus.

I have been watching footy for decades and the potential I see in McCartin is immense. For the youngest player in the draft to retain his spot in a top 8 team says something. He was essentially a boy playing against mature men. In a couple of close wins he was in the thick of it both up the ground and close to goal. He was able to lift at vital moments. Watch out for him to give us a big boost in 2019.