2020 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Aprilbr]

Personally, I rate Bell ahead of Ling and Stoddard. I would not be surprised to see the latter two desisted as we are likely to have to reduce our list somewhat.

[Markwebbos]

It doesn't matter how you go about building a list, if you are doing it from the draft, unless you tank to heaven and high water (and even that isn't guaranteed to work) and collate first round draft picks like your GWS, you simply can't get enough elite talent to 'know' that it will work in the medium term. There is no sure fire approach to building a quality squad that is guaranteed to work. For every GWS midfield at its best, there is the carlton tanking efforts to show the other side... and that's with a shedload of early picks. With a normal draft hand, you have to rely more on finding some talent and unearthing some hidden gems, and trying to get enough elite talent to top it off.

What has made our rebuild more difficult is that we made the choice to give Buddy big $$$ (don't take this as a criticism of the deal - its simply a fact) on a back-ended contract. Like anything in footy, that was a risk v reward decision. We should have got rewards from it - at least 1 flag, probably 2 (had we turned up in '14). But didn't. But now we have this awkward couple of years where we don't have much spare $ to throw around, trying to do the alternate approach to going to the draft heavily of trying to pick more then fringe players from other clubs is out of the ball game too...

I think we are broadly on the right track - and I do think part of the planning is currently aimed at building a nice rump of potential, that we can add one or two bigger names through trades when the $$$ open up in a couple of years time. We've seen it in recent years at other clubs, how it can only take 1 or 2 extra pieces to a jigsaw, and suddenly a team goes from meddling to right near the top in double quick time. And unless people truly are delusional and think we are going to challenge in 2021 (we aren't), and I'd argue probably not in 2022 either (though you'd hope we will be challenging for finals), then the current strategy, to some degree makes sense.

MCs and Aprilbr you both make interesting points. If I combine your two posts, I get that (1) mcs: we have 2 more years before we can afford a big fish (leaving Daniher aside) due to Buddy (2) Aprilbr: we should continue rebuilding through the draft before adding elite, mature talent in two years time.

Whether that’s a coincidence or planning by the list management team, but it does feel like our rebuild should be over by 2022 and we should be aiming to be serious contenders by 2023.

I still feel like it’s going to be an exhilarating ride.

I remember being in no mans land after 2006, a pretty average team that would make finals but was treading water. That was until we added Rohan and Jetta at the 2009 draft and it all felt so much more exciting!

Hoping 2021/2 are going to feel like that

[RogueSwan]

Could Tom McDonald be a better option than Danniher?
Cheaper and without all the media blow back.

Eight things we learned: Big Dee McDonald should explore a trade

[goswannies]

Could Tom McDonald be a better option than Danniher?
Cheaper and without all the media blow back.

Eight things we learned: Big Dee McDonald should explore a trade

On pure talent and football ability, I’d say no.

But his body might last longer and if you’re taking a “moneyball” recruiting strategy ($/output)

[707]

Could Tom McDonald be a better option than Danniher?
Cheaper and without all the media blow back.

Eight things we learned: Big Dee McDonald should explore a trade

Had one good season and then transformed into a spud - pass

[Roadrunner]

MCs and Aprilbr you both make interesting points. If I combine your two posts, I get that (1) mcs: we have 2 more years before we can afford a big fish (leaving Daniher aside) due to Buddy (2) Aprilbr: we should continue rebuilding through the draft before adding elite, mature talent in two years time.

Whether that’s a coincidence or planning by the list management team, but it does feel like our rebuild should be over by 2022 and we should be aiming to be serious contenders by 2023.

I still feel like it’s going to be an exhilarating ride.

I remember being in no mans land after 2006, a pretty average team that would make finals but was treading water. That was until we added Rohan and Jetta at the 2009 draft and it all felt so much more exciting!

Hoping 2021/2 are going to feel like that

A few points: our top priority is the ruck situation.We lost the game against Carlton because we got smashed in centre clearances thus putting huge pressure on our defenders. This meant our forwards so often had to backtrack so it was easy for Carlton to defend after the first quarter. Also, our young midfielders have not been able to play together due to restrictions thus slowing their development.Sinkers has been a great servant but unfortunately he is past it, as is Joey, who should be playing up forward now.
We have to try Amartey and Knoll to see what they can do and target ruckmen in both the draft and trade. We need some tall timber as we are out marked in most games. I feel our current crop of midfielders is ok if given first use of the ball a reasonable number of times. And we need to take more contested marks and that is not up to our midfielders!

[barry]

Big concerns about our membership drop off this year (21%) which can only be explained by the prospect of a long rebuild.
League average is -6% for covid, and fellow Sydney siders GWS down 2%.

The admin may not want a draft led rebuild.

[Markwebbos]

Could Tom McDonald be a better option than Danniher?
Cheaper and without all the media blow back.

Eight things we learned: Big Dee McDonald should explore a trade

I don’t think so. Can’t get a game at the Dees. He’s a defender that had one good year as a forward.

[KSAS]

No way would i even consider trading Papley who has 3 years remaining on his contract. Too much bearing on his last 4 weeks (where he's had alot of almost moments) than a long term view, where I think his best is yet to come.

Good discussions with the various trade/draft strategies. At this stage I'm leaning towards drafting Riley Tilthorpe with our current pick 4 which gives us flexibility up forward & in ruck if Tom McCartin becomes permanent CHB. Trade to get Pruess as our No 1 Ruck. If Naismith gets to play next year that would be considered a bonus but unreliable long term with his injury history. If we do end up getting JD as RFA, that may well influence getting best available midfielder with pick 4 instead, but still may be tempted to draft Tilthorpe in any case with post Buddy, Reid, Naismith & Sinclair in mind.

Campbell & Gulden are a given. With a full list, should able to release Mills more permanently into the midfield for that additional required clearance grunt. Particulaly if Will Gould comes on as eagerly anticipated.

[Markwebbos]

Big concerns about our membership drop off this year (21%) which can only be explained by the prospect of a long rebuild.
League average is -6% for covid, and fellow Sydney siders GWS down 2%.

The admin may not want a draft led rebuild.

Why is that the only explanation Barry?

[barry]

Why is that the only explanation Barry?

I shouldnt have said 'only'. I'm putting forward that the administration may think its a major contributor and baulk at a long rebuild.
Bring your other ideas to the table.

[chalbilto]

A few points: our top priority is the ruck situation.We lost the game against Carlton because we got smashed in centre clearances thus putting huge pressure on our defenders. This meant our forwards so often had to backtrack so it was easy for Carlton to defend after the first quarter. Also, our young midfielders have not been able to play together due to restrictions thus slowing their development.Sinkers has been a great servant but unfortunately he is past it, as is Joey, who should be playing up forward now.
We have to try Amartey and Knoll to see what they can do and target ruckmen in both the draft and trade. We need some tall timber as we are out marked in most games. I feel our current crop of midfielders is ok if given first use of the ball a reasonable number of times. And we need to take more contested marks and that is not up to our midfielders!

Great post. You have submitted lots of valid points. Agree totally with your assessment of Sinkers and with suggestion of playing Joey forward, as it appears that his return has inadvertently caused a decline in Rowbottom's output. I also think that the lack of proper training has not been highlighted enough, not only with the Swans but across the whole competition.

[0918330512]

Big concerns about our membership drop off this year (21%) which can only be explained by the prospect of a long rebuild.
League average is -6% for covid, and fellow Sydney siders GWS down 2%.

The admin may not want a draft led rebuild.

Gee couldn’t be explained by COVID & the fact that members aren’t getting the same value for their hard earned $, or that they have lost work so can’t afford membership, so may elect not to renew for this year?

[Blood Fever]

Gee couldn’t be explained by COVID & the fact that members aren’t getting the same value for their hard earned $, or that they have lost work so can’t afford membership, so may elect not to renew for this year?

Ignoring is best policy

[jono2707]

A few points: our top priority is the ruck situation.We lost the game against Carlton because we got smashed in centre clearances thus putting huge pressure on our defenders. This meant our forwards so often had to backtrack so it was easy for Carlton to defend after the first quarter. Also, our young midfielders have not been able to play together due to restrictions thus slowing their development.Sinkers has been a great servant but unfortunately he is past it, as is Joey, who should be playing up forward now.
We have to try Amartey and Knoll to see what they can do and target ruckmen in both the draft and trade. We need some tall timber as we are out marked in most games. I feel our current crop of midfielders is ok if given first use of the ball a reasonable number of times. And we need to take more contested marks and that is not up to our midfielders!

Perhaps getting a quality ruckman should be our first priority - but there are few of those, so unless we could get big Maxy Gawn or someone of that calibre, would should target other positions over taking another average ruckman via trade.

Maybe we will look at using our first pick on a tall fwd/ruck and hope they can impact in a few years.