2019 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[longmile]

The more I think about it, the more I'm convinced that to be successful, you need to be able to win quick clean ball at the contest. Any delay, and the opposition just gets organised so quickly in defence that it's almost impossible for the forwards, no matter how good, to score.

We need to be proactive in the same way the Lions were in getting Lachie Neale. The reality is that our ball winners are in decline and there is no player from within the club currently to fill the void. We need to bring ready to play midfield bulls into our team. Who they are, can be debated but if we throw the kitchen sink at a Daniher type, I fear we're wasting our time.

Amazing considering our midfield 3 years ago. I know there has been a lot of unforeseen circumstances but our recruiters need to seriously have a look at themselves. Went from undisputedly the best midfield in the comp to arguably the worst. (and we missed out on Dunkley...)

[bloodspirit]

My thoughts about these trade ruminations is that they are mostly unduly optimistic. Generally, if we all think it's a good idea, it's unrealistic. We will have to pay a price to get something worth having into the club and that price will involve some pain and/or risk and might not work out. Gifts just don't come along that often (unless you're Hawthorn - Mitchell, Scully). I take your example about Lachie Neale, Ralph, but didn't Brisbane give up something like 2 first rounders for him? Yet here we have people baulking at giving up one first rounder for Joe Daniher who may have serious injury questions hanging over him but who is worth a lot more at his best.

While I take the point that we have won a fair few Brownlows and not so many premierships over our history and that's not the ratio you want to have, since the time of Colless we have done much better. We recruited Plugger, Bazza, Tippett and Buddy and the only one of those that failed was Tippett and that was because he didn't get on the park enough not because he wasn't good enough.

So, as usual, I am boringly defending the club. I'm not saying they don't make mistakes but you are allowed to make mistakes if you do an overall good job and I am satisfied that they have. I am not actually that conservative but I am grateful for the success we have had and want to give credit where credit is due and back our people in to make good choices. If they think it is worth giving up whatever to get whatever, my starting point will be to show faith. Even where they have done deals that made me raise my eyebrows (like letting Mitchell go for pick 14 which I said was inadequate at the time) I trust that there are probably other factors at play that I don't know about that explain it. (Conversely, with the benefit of hindsight the decision to let him go does seem to have been a mistake because he is exactly what we need. Maybe we should trade to get him back! )

[Markwebbos]

Lachie Neale cost picks 6, 19 and 55 in return for pick 30, BUT Lions inexplicably were able to get two first rounders for Dayne Beams.

They’ve been bold and had luck with their recruiting.

If we want an elite midfielder, we may have to give up our first rounder to get it. I think that’s fair enough.

[barry]

I think you are being a bit harsh on Tippett. He actually had a few very good years with us, and was instrumental in us making the 2014 GF.
Unfortunetly the game turned away from the Tippett types. When we got him FF/rucks were worth their weight in gold. But a year in, the rules and tactics of coaches had changed to favour the genuine ruckman.
We chose to keep renewing his contracts so the club thought it was getting value for money.

Of the glamour recruits, this is the order of greatness:
Bazza - Delivered a flag. Cant beat that.
Plugger - Made AFL acceptable in Sydney.
Buddy - Great off-field, but no flag is disappointing.
Tippett - as above.

[Ralph Dawg]

My thoughts about these trade ruminations is that they are mostly unduly optimistic. Generally, if we all think it's a good idea, it's unrealistic. We will have to pay a price to get something worth having into the club and that price will involve some pain and/or risk and might not work out. Gifts just don't come along that often (unless you're Hawthorn - Mitchell, Scully). I take your example about Lachie Neale, Ralph, but didn't Brisbane give up something like 2 first rounders for him? Yet here we have people baulking at giving up one first rounder for Joe Daniher who may have serious injury questions hanging over him but who is worth a lot more at his best.

While I take the point that we have won a fair few Brownlows and not so many premierships over our history and that's not the ratio you want to have, since the time of Colless we have done much better. We recruited Plugger, Bazza, Tippett and Buddy and the only one of those that failed was Tippett and that was because he didn't get on the park enough not because he wasn't good enough.

So, as usual, I am boringly defending the club. I'm not saying they don't make mistakes but you are allowed to make mistakes if you do an overall good job and I am satisfied that they have. I am not actually that conservative but I am grateful for the success we have had and want to give credit where credit is due and back our people in to make good choices. If they think it is worth giving up whatever to get whatever, my starting point will be to show faith. Even where they have done deals that made me raise my eyebrows (like letting Mitchell go for pick 14 which I said was inadequate at the time) I trust that there are probably other factors at play that I don't know about that explain it. (Conversely, with the benefit of hindsight the decision to let him go does seem to have been a mistake because he is exactly what we need. Maybe we should trade to get him back! )

Don't get me wrong, I'm not criticizing the club. Overall, the recruitment has been excellent and there has been alot of unforseen issues that are now just coming home to roost.

I remember being at the MCG for the GF v dogs thinking how awesome our midfield was. JPK, Parker, Hanners, Jack all in their prime, Mitchell on the up. I didn't shed a tear about Mitchell going because I had faith in our established mids.

Fast forward 3 years. Hanners busted and traded to Saints. Jack likely to retire. JPK no longer influencing games (last dominant quarter he had was the Q4 v Geelong last year - he was immense!). Parker still great but I feel less consistent, possibly a consequence of being the only one of our fab 4 who oppositions worry about. Mitchell at Hawks.

It is clear something needs to give and I'm sure the club recognises this. I would be happy for a bold move to take place. For example, trade Jones and our first rounder for Oliver. First rounder 2019 and 2020 for Cripps. A high draftee is going to take time to develop and if they are constantly losing, go home factor will be strong (lions pre Fagan).

We need to be bold in our recruiting. To be anything else is to potentially bottom out.

[jono2707]

I think you are being a bit harsh on Tippett. He actually had a few very good years with us, and was instrumental in us making the 2014 GF.
Unfortunetly the game turned away from the Tippett types. When we got him FF/rucks were worth their weight in gold. But a year in, the rules and tactics of coaches had changed to favour the genuine ruckman.
We chose to keep renewing his contracts so the club thought it was getting value for money.

Of the glamour recruits, this is the order of greatness:
Bazza - Delivered a flag. Cant beat that.
Plugger - Made AFL acceptable in Sydney.
Buddy - Great off-field, but no flag is disappointing.
Tippett - as above.

There's a difference between criticising Tippett the player, and the deal that got him too us. We paid way too much for him and we are probably still paying for it.

[Blood Fever]

I think you are being a bit harsh on Tippett. He actually had a few very good years with us, and was instrumental in us making the 2014 GF.
Unfortunetly the game turned away from the Tippett types. When we got him FF/rucks were worth their weight in gold. But a year in, the rules and tactics of coaches had changed to favour the genuine ruckman.
We chose to keep renewing his contracts so the club thought it was getting value for money.

Of the glamour recruits, this is the order of greatness:
Bazza - Delivered a flag. Cant beat that.
Plugger - Made AFL acceptable in Sydney.
Buddy - Great off-field, but no flag is disappointing.
Tippett - as above.

Barry Hall is one of the Swans all time great players. His record with us in the years 2003-2006 was remarkable. Won as many games off his own boot as Buddy. Vastly underrated.

[KTigers]

Barry Hall is one of the Swans all time great players. His record with us in the years 2003-2006 was remarkable. Won as many games off his own boot as Buddy. Vastly underrated.

Yes, we do tend to forget a little about just how good Barry was for us. Possibly his "crimes & misdemeanours" has sullied his memory
a bit I suppose. But in that four year period, he kicked 64, 74, 80 & 78 goals. Those sort of totals put you in the $1M plus salary
club these days. Even in his later years with us, and playing less games, he was still kicking in the mid 40s each year. Then he went
off and kicked 80 in his first year at the Dogs. I always remember a game against Brisbane where we behind the entire game except for
when Barry kicked a goal after the siren to give us the win. He could certainly play.

[Blood Fever]

Yes, we do tend to forget a little about just how good Barry was for us. Possibly his "crimes & misdemeanours" has sullied his memory
a bit I suppose. But in that four year period, he kicked 64, 74, 80 & 78 goals. Those sort of totals put you in the $1M plus salary
club these days. Even in his later years with us, and playing less games, he was still kicking in the mid 40s each year. Then he went
off and kicked 80 in his first year at the Dogs. I always remember a game against Brisbane where we behind the entire game except for
when Barry kicked a goal after the siren to give us the win. He could certainly play.

And he was often crucified by the umps. Remember the Brisbane game well. At one stage, he was the best player in the comp I reckon.

[dimelb]

Yes, we do tend to forget a little about just how good Barry was for us. Possibly his "crimes & misdemeanours" has sullied his memory
a bit I suppose. But in that four year period, he kicked 64, 74, 80 & 78 goals. Those sort of totals put you in the $1M plus salary
club these days. Even in his later years with us, and playing less games, he was still kicking in the mid 40s each year. Then he went
off and kicked 80 in his first year at the Dogs. I always remember a game against Brisbane where we behind the entire game except for
when Barry kicked a goal after the siren to give us the win. He could certainly play.

And that was the year we broke the drought. I sometimes go through the four games: Brisbane, Nicky D vs Geelong, Baz vs St Kilda, GF. Team efforts of course, with outstanding players.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Kennedy turns 32 next year

Is everyone else guessing we won’t offer Kennedy beyond 2020 ?

If that is the case I wonder if kennedy has the passion like a former captain Luke Hodge to keep playing football for another year or two beyond 2020

[S.S. Bleeder]

And that was the year we broke the drought. I sometimes go through the four games: Brisbane, Nicky D vs Geelong, Baz vs St Kilda, GF. Team efforts of course, with outstanding players.

Nicky D vs Geelong. One of the best solo efforts I've ever seen in the history of the game. He effectively got us the premiership off his own boot; absolutely freakish. I still love watching that game.

[KTigers]

Nicky D vs Geelong. One of the best solo efforts I've ever seen in the history of the game. He effectively got us the premiership off his own boot; absolutely freakish. I still love watching that game.

Absolutely. We had only kicked three goals by three-quarter time, then Nick kicks four himself in the last quarter. I got into a huge
barny with the people (Swans supporters) sitting in front of us who were complaining I was "too loud" during that game. If you
can't get pumped about what Davis did that game, you aren't alive. Great memories!

[longmile]

Kennedy turns 32 next year

Is everyone else guessing we won’t offer Kennedy beyond 2020 ?

If that is the case I wonder if kennedy has the passion like a former captain Luke Hodge to keep playing football for another year or two beyond 2020

I think he could benefit from a move to the forward line, kinda like Parker, spending less minutes in the middle and more forward. He's a good size and set shot

[Markwebbos]

Kennedy turns 32 next year

Is everyone else guessing we won’t offer Kennedy beyond 2020 ?

If that is the case I wonder if kennedy has the passion like a former captain Luke Hodge to keep playing football for another year or two beyond 2020

I wondered if he’s the sort of player the Gold Coast need?