2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Thunder Shaker]

It'b been brought to my attention that Buddy's salary cannot be altered, thanks 707. So he'll be earning only 1 mill in 2022, down from 1.6 - how much of that will all be needed to satisfy the expectations of the out of contract youngsters (see #1 above) ?

It might be that we could be looking beyond other clubs rejects and the bargain bins at the end of 2021, certainly in 2022 - which will be the first time we've been able to do this in a very long time.

I'm guessing that the first part of it is going to be used for player retention, and after Franklin retires we go shopping.

[Thunder Shaker]

Sydney's trade absence explained, the question Horse won't answer
John Longmire on the challenges ahead for Sydney, list management, and more

[Thunder Shaker]

'He'll play when he's ready': High hopes for Swans' top pick McDonald
Sydney won't force games into Logan McDonald, but is confident he has a role play in 2021

[bloodspirit]

Stray thought #1: I wonder if the recruitment of Ben Matthews, who has spent 7 years as Melbourne FC's midfield coach, will help us target one of their star mids if we want to bring in a bigger fish mid (e.g. Brayshaw, Oliver, Petracca) by way of trade or free agency as we get a bit more salary cap later this year, or a lot more later next year? Which is not to say I think we necessarily need to do that. I guess on the one hand we have posters on RWO crying out for a 'gun mid' to be traded in, and we have JPK's career winding down. Then, on the other hand, we have a lot of young talent who may collectively be the perfect solution as they develop, gain experience and improve meaning we don't need any extras. Time will tell.

Stray thought #2: for all the people that reckon Brett Kirk's shift into player development and welfare has effectively been a demotion, I note that Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn FC has made the same transition from midfield coach to head of development. Dennis Carroll was previously in charge of player welfare for us and nobody would have trash talked his immense contribution to the club in that role. Kirk's role seems to be even larger than Carroll's remit was because he is responsible not just for welfare but also player development, which is a whole other thing. I think we're just playing to Kirk's strengths.

[111431]

tray thought #2: for all the people that reckon Brett Kirk's shift into player development and welfare has effectively been a demotion, I note that Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn FC has made the same transition from midfield coach to head of development. Dennis Carroll was previously in charge of player welfare for us and nobody would have trash talked his immense contribution to the club in that role. Kirk's role seems to be even larger than Carroll's remit was because he is responsible not just for welfare but also player development, which is a whole other thing. I think we're just playing to Kirk's strengths.

I agree - anyone who can inspire Nick Davis the way he did or still be regarded by Nat Fyffe as one of his mentors must have something going for them at the person to person level

[Mark26]

Does anyone know who our midfield coach is? Here are the existing roles as far as I can tell:

Horse - head coach
Pyke - opposition analysis and strategy
McVeigh - forwards
Cox - ruck and strategy
Matthews - defense
Kirk - welfare and player development
Laidler - reserves

That leaves a hole in the guts, unless I've missed something. Or rather ... someone.

By the way, I love Matthews being back and would love for us to pinch one of their midfield talents as floated by bloodspirit.

[Blood Fever]

tray thought #2: for all the people that reckon Brett Kirk's shift into player development and welfare has effectively been a demotion, I note that Sam Mitchell at Hawthorn FC has made the same transition from midfield coach to head of development. Dennis Carroll was previously in charge of player welfare for us and nobody would have trash talked his immense contribution to the club in that role. Kirk's role seems to be even larger than Carroll's remit was because he is responsible not just for welfare but also player development, which is a whole other thing. I think we're just playing to Kirk's strengths.

I agree - anyone who can inspire Nick Davis the way he did or still be regarded by Nat Fyffe as one of his mentors must have something going for them at the person to person level

Also instrumental in the rise of Lachie Neale

[SeanM]

I think Cox is midfield as well.

[dejavoodoo44]

I think Cox is midfield as well.

Yes, I think it's Cox, but I can't find any documented evidence to back that up.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Yes, I think it's Cox, but I can't find any documented evidence to back that up.

Given our deficiencies in that area in the last couple of seasons, are you surprised? I'd have been tempted to shred my letter of appointment rather that take public responsibility.
Still with a new ruck, and a plethora of options for the other follower roles, I have high expectations.

[bloodspirit]

Melbourne have revealed that the reason they have chosen to invite Majak Daw to train with them instead of Paddy McCartin is because they don't think Paddy McCartin will be ready to play round 1 but Majak Daw will be: Why Melbourne chose Majak Daw over Paddy McCartin to train with the club (sen.com.au). Not sure the reason Paddy won't be ready to go. Maybe just too long out of the game and needs to work his way back to be ready to play at AFL level?

[Rod_]

Melbourne have revealed that the reason they have chosen to invite Majak Daw to train with them instead of Paddy McCartin is because they don't think Paddy McCartin will be ready to play round 1 but Majak Daw will be: Why Melbourne chose Majak Daw over Paddy McCartin to train with the club (sen.com.au). Not sure the reason Paddy won't be ready to go. Maybe just too long out of the game and needs to work his way back to be ready to play at AFL level?

I would suggest P. McCartin needs a few games in the lower grade to confirm he has recovered and is up to playing without any head clashes and concussion issues.

It would have to be risky for the clubs to take on any player with known concussion conditions. Slow and steady is a good approach IMO.


Either he could has said no to both the Blues and the Demons due to a commitment from the Swans. (Or speculative banter.. 'do we wonder if there is any history if his previous coach (Alan Richardson) as the demons have not publicly passed him over'..)

If fit would be another layer to our depth if we can get him on the track.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Melbourne have revealed that the reason they have chosen to invite Majak Daw to train with them instead of Paddy McCartin is because they don't think Paddy McCartin will be ready to play round 1 but Majak Daw will be: Why Melbourne chose Majak Daw over Paddy McCartin to train with the club (sen.com.au). Not sure the reason Paddy won't be ready to go. Maybe just too long out of the game and needs to work his way back to be ready to play at AFL level?

OMG - If you're worried that the 44th player on your list needs to be ready for round 1, I think your club must be in deepest doo doo.

[bloodspirit]

To be fair, the Demons have Ben Brown injured and Sam Weideman out for a while and some kind of question marks over Tom McDonald. So, as far as their KPFs go, they are in some doo doo. Not as bad as we were last year when nearly every KPF and ruck we had was injured.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Ah, deep injury doo doo as distinct from various other sorts of doo doo

I hope Ben Brown does really well, I thought he'd be wrong for the Swans but I find him hugely entertaining.