2020 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[rb4x]

I can see the work experience kid has started updating the player profiles. The departed are gone and the newbies are there without numbers (released), photos or bios. Gray and Fox have lost their numbers and photos but amazingly their old bios are still there.

[Aprilbr]

I'm actually quite interested in how we go in the preseason. I think we're due for one where everything goes smoothly? If things go faultlessly, we could finish much higher up the ladder, than many people think.

By faultlessly, the main thing that I'm thinking of, is Buddy getting through fit and rearing to go. A season of him, at say 90% of his old capacity, would go a long way, to turning close defeats into close victories. I'm also hoping to see some of the younger players develop significantly. For instance, Stephens and McInerney already have huge tanks, and they both get to plenty of contests. But if they can add a bit more strength, then they should be more able to exert defensive pressure or win fifty/fifty balls. Which could see them well on the way to becoming elite footballers.

On the other hand, if youngsters like Blakey and McLean could develop more of a tank, then they should become very dangerous attacking threats. I actually think McLean might surprise a few people. In both his seasons, he had an extended injury break early, and only really started to hit form later in the year. Injury free; we might all be wondering how he slipped through the draft.

I'm also curious about our VFL squad. As in: will we see the resurrection of a few ex-players, who were unlucky to be delisted? Or will we be going for other club's discards: like Paddy McCartin? Or will we be concentrating on ex-academy players? Though of course, we could go for a combination of all three?

In answer to your query about the make-up of our VFL squad, our Head of Football said in a recent webinar that the team would have a NSW focus. He mentioned ex-Swans Academy players as being part of it in addition to squad players. So I don't think too many interstate players will be in the team.

[dejavoodoo44]

In answer to your query about the make-up of our VFL squad, our Head of Football said in a recent webinar that the team would have a NSW focus. He mentioned ex-Swans Academy players as being part of it in addition to squad players. So I don't think too many interstate players will be in the team.

Ta. Which I quite like the idea of. That is, the more local players who come through the academy and end up making the grade, the better it should be for us in the long term. Though I do vaguely recall somebody putting McCartin's name forward, as being likely to be in the VFL squad? It may have been Kinnear Beetson?

[rojo]

This may be the wrong thread but does the name Isaiah Olsen ring a bell with anyone? I read an article written by Brandon Jack a couple of months back on the AFL Swans website in the Academy section telling the story of his close friendship with Errol Guldon. Evidently he and Errol became footy mates and close friends on the rise through the Academy age group ranks. I don't remember Isaiah being chosen for any under age representative teams so probably not likely to follow Errol and make it as a Swan? A player of similar size and attributes as Errol.

[dejavoodoo44]

This may be the wrong thread but does the name Isaiah Olsen ring a bell with anyone? I read an article written by Brandon Jack a couple of months back on the AFL Swans website in the Academy section telling the story of his close friendship with Errol Guldon. Evidently he and Errol became footy mates and close friends on the rise through the Academy age group ranks. I don't remember Isaiah being chosen for any under age representative teams so probably not likely to follow Errol and make it as a Swan? A player of similar size and attributes as Errol.

I think he played a bit for our academy side, both in 2019 and the games against GWS last season. He may have also played as a toppie in the NEAFL, in 2019? Generally played small forward. Quite talented when he got the ball, but I don't think he got it enough, to be really considered as a draftee.

[liz]

I think he played a bit for our academy side, both in 2019 and the games against GWS last season. He may have also played as a toppie in the NEAFL, in 2019? Generally played small forward. Quite talented when he got the ball, but I don't think he got it enough, to be really considered as a draftee.

I was about to post something pretty similar. I have a sneaky feeling he might even have played a couple of NEAFL games in his U16 year.

He's one I expect to be in the U19/development squad, though I don't know if that works the same going forward, given the U18 comp is now an U19 comp. Maybe more spots are available than in prior years, especially with scope to have another NEAFL support squad (that I expect may be a year or two older, on average).

I agree with you that Olsen probably didn't get enough of the ball to stamp himself as an AFL prospect, though I would make (and have made) a similar observation about Sheather at U18 and NEAFL level - some good stuff, some very good stuff, but generally not enough of it. I guess the smaller you are, the more you have to demonstrate you can already do in order to win a list spot.

[dejavoodoo44]

I was about to post something pretty similar. I have a sneaky feeling he might even have played a couple of NEAFL games in his U16 year.

He's one I expect to be in the U19/development squad, though I don't know if that works the same going forward, given the U18 comp is now an U19 comp. Maybe more spots are available than in prior years, especially with scope to have another NEAFL support squad (that I expect may be a year or two older, on average).

I agree with you that Olsen probably didn't get enough of the ball to stamp himself as an AFL prospect, though I would make (and have made) a similar observation about Sheather at U18 and NEAFL level - some good stuff, some very good stuff, but generally not enough of it. I guess the smaller you are, the more you have to demonstrate you can already do in order to win a list spot.

Yes, I'm quite curious about the make up of our various squads. It seems that a few academy players, will have the chance to stay in the system a little bit longer. If some of them convert that chance to a list spot, then should encourage more kids to enter the system.

[rojo]

Thanks for the info re Isaiah Olson dvd44 and Liz. The fact that Brandon featured him in an article along with Errol suggested that he must be a player of some potential or promise.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Happy New Year everyone !

I was driving along today thinking that if I was head of recruitment at another club what would I be willing to trade for say Florent, Hayward, Stephens, McCartin etc .......ie the players we are pinning our hopes to ?

Dunkley didnt happen with Pick8 and a second rounder in 2021 to the Bombers.........Bulldogs wanted First round x 2 ie 2020 and 2021

Who in our team could command that same type of offer?

Id say not many? Maybe Parker or a Lloyd to a team like North or Suns etc? Or a Rampe to a Geelong if required for a Premiership chase?

Would any of our youth be seen as key players for opposition teams to bank their future on ?

Bombers did with Caldwell !!!!

The 20-year-old returned home to Victoria and joins the Bombers along with picks 44 and 74 in exchange for pick No.29 (received from Port Adelaide for Orazio Fantasia) and a future second-round selection.

The Bombers then on-traded pick No.74, along with pick No.67, to St Kilda in exchange for Nick Hind and pick No.77.

Taken at pick No.11 in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft, Caldwell played 11 matches in two seasons at the Giants, making a name for himself as a strong contested ball-winning midfielder who is also damaging on the outside.

I just wonder whether we see our next batch with rose coloured glassed the last few years?

Is that partially true ?

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I just wonder whether we see our next batch with rose coloured glassed the last few years?
Is that partially true ?

Possibly. But then "the grass always looks greener on the other side of the fence" - so I'd suggest some on RWO tend to undervalue what we have, and over value what other teams have. It's a natural proclivity, but I think it's somewhat enhanced by the ludicrously inflated evaluations than young Victorian players are bathed in by the media.

PS I feel about this currant team more in much the same way as in 2003, and even more than 1994.

PPS Happy New Year

[Syd76]

Perhaps time to start a new thread...

But it is interesting to see the list of free agents that are coming up in this year's crop...

Sydney has the following FA (I have put my suggestions as to who to keep and not:

Kaiden Brand* Undecided
Robbie Fox* KEEPER
Sam Gray* LET GO
George Hewett KEEPER
Josh Kennedy KEEPER
Sam Naismith Low Contract
Luke Parker KEEPER
Sam Reid Low Contract

For those interested, the link to the article is attached.
AFL 2021, AFL free agents, free agency, list of free agents 2021, restricted, unrestricted, AFL out of contract 2021, players | Fox Sports

[Aprilbr]

It would seem that the two out of that list who are likely to be targeted by rival clubs are Parker and Hewitt. Obviously we want to keep both but it comes down to money, loyalty and chances of ultimate success. A team closer to the premiership window than us could be attractive to Parker given his age. Let's hope not. He is a key player. I wonder how much time is left on his contract? He will be 29 this time next year which is still relatively young but his body has taken a pounding and he is not the quickest but is incredibly tough and skilful.

[i'm-uninformed2]

I think the way free agency is going - with good clubs locking down the right players early, and players targeted by other clubs 18 months out and often traded first to yield more value - a better list might be who’s up at end of 2022.

[Markwebbos]

The key thing that list omits is whether players are restricted or unrestricted. After what happened with Jeremy Cameron, I think it’s going to be much harder to recruit RFAs.

Are Parker and Hewett RFA or UFA?

[liz]

Parker will be unrestricted.

Hewett will depend on whether he’s in the top 25% paid players in 2021.