2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Aprilbr]

Just saw some vision of Dawson leaving Port Adelaide's offices after his meeting. It made me realise that he is going to a completely different city in terms of pressure and coverage. From what I understand, they are just mad for anything football there. I hope JD has really thought this through because if he is getting paid the big dollars plus costing early draft picks, the pressure will be a lot higher than it was here.

I have moved on from Dawson now after him walking out on us. He will certainly become the prime subject of my booing in future. Hopefully he will not have success at his new home. My only interest in him now is that we extract the best possible deal for him out of South Aust.

Moving on from The Traitor, today's re-signing announcements have brightened my mood somewhat.

[longmile]

Wonder if resigning McLean is the writing on the wall for Reid.

I have no problems with the delistings, except that I'd rate Brand ahead of Gould and probably Melican. I just don't see the potential in Gould that others do and thought Brand was a solid backman, definitely a reliable role player.

[AB Swannie]

There were 4 delistings in there too:

Meanwhile, the club has advised Kaiden Brand, Sam Gray, Matthew Ling and Malachy Carruthers that they will not be offered contracts with the club for 2022.

Bittersweet. With Brand going, odds are shortening that we sign Paddy I reckon.

[Markwebbos]

So the sword of Damocles Gardiner hangs over Ronke, Sinkers, Reid

[i'm-uninformed2]

Great news.

Dylan's first year was superb, so let's hope he kicks on. I'm still convinced he can potentially be as good as any of our young uns. And you don't ever want to waste the investment in a pick five. Give him a chance to flourish. It's now down to him.

I love McLean's endeavour. Fox is a solid citizen. And glad they've given Gould one more shot given the disruption of the past two years. So, happy for all three.

And yes, with Amarty and McLean locked in, not looking great for Sam. I suspect he'll be left hanging till the outcome of trades, a decision on Sinkers, etc.

Hard to argue with the delistings.

[AB Swannie]

So the sword of Damocles Gardiner hangs over Ronke, Sinkers, Reid

Interesting. Also noted that Wicks was not part of the announcement.

[Markwebbos]

Interesting. Also noted that Wicks was not part of the announcement.

nor O'Riordan, although they are both allegedly in the works.
And of course a deafening silence regarding George.

Is it bad form to announce the re-signing of Wicks at the same time as the delisting of Ronke?

[Ruck'n'Roll]

• I don't think this is a good year to recruit a back up ruckman from the stocks of already backup ruckmen. I don't see the advantage of recruiting someone like Archie Smith. Is he really that much better than Amartey and McLean? We are probably not in the premiership window anyway, and if Hickey goes down, no backup ruckman is going to save us. If we get Hayes as part of a Dawson deal, it could be okay, as Hayes is yet to play an AFL game and is waiting for a spot anyway. Otherwise, next year would be when we might be in the market for a Hickey replacement.

I disagree about the need for a backup to Hickey and think Smith could be an upgrade on Sinkers with the opportunity to grow into Hickey’s role or even play as part of a two ruck setup.

I think Ludwig and I disagee on almost all matters ruck, but in this case I agree. We have no need of a backup at this time, we need a successor. The good news is that I don't see us being in the premiership window in 2022, so we have time to scarf a young ruckman.

[Markwebbos]

I actually think the fact we are currently undecided with Reid and Sinkers implies we have yet to resolve the ruck backup situation ... And the only way it could be resolved is via a trade.

So I deduce we are looking to trade in a ruckman, but if we don't we will keep one of them.

[Markwebbos]

We have no need of a backup at this time, we need a successor.

I think the line between backup and successor is a narrow one. Hickey will be 31 next year, and he's our only genuine ruck. We need to trade in someone that could fill in if he was injured and who can take over in 1-2 years. Given the age profile of rucks they'd be 23+

[i'm-uninformed2]

Yep, it's a fishbowl here in Adelaide for the Cows and Port, you can't get away with a quiet coffee or meal without being bothered by fans and the media scrutiny is relentless

Well, if he does land there, Mr "I don't think Sydney fans have any reason to be nervous" should be bothered by any Adelaide-based Swans fans, regularly and loudly, on what a little twerp he is.

[COB]

I think the line between backup and successor is a narrow one. Hickey will be 31 next year, and he's our only genuine ruck. We need to trade in someone that could fill in if he was injured and who can take over in 1-2 years. Given the age profile of rucks they'd be 23+

Agree. Maybe Hayes or one of Flynn/Briggs.

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I think the line between backup and successor is a narrow one. Hickey will be 31 next year, and he's our only genuine ruck. We need to trade in someone that could fill in if he was injured and who can take over in 1-2 years. Given the age profile of rucks they'd be 23+

Yep - exactamundo

[Jimitron5000]

Pleased about the signings...I think Stephens will become very good and I still hold hope for Will Gould. Fox and McLean both do good jobs when required and wouldn't break the bank.
I thought Ling might have been shifted to the rookie list. It's disappointing but he never really got the chance to show what he could do.
Brand being delisted opens for door for one or both of Paddy McCartin and Blake Schlensog as delisted free agents.
I reckon Reid will get another year, thanks to his versatility.

[Ludwig]

The 4 signing today are so important to the continuity of our game plan. Stephens is particularly important because of the loss of Dawson and Ling. It's a shame about Ling. He seemed to have so much talent and KB was so keen on him that he passed on Jack Higgins, Ed Richards and Noah Balta. We also extended his initial contract to 3 years before his first season started. I would have never guessed it would have ended like this.

Stephens and Ling share much of the same talents, even both being left footers. We need to get Stephens to do what JMac is already doing. If we have the 2 of them running the wings plus Blakey, slower teams will have something to fear.

If we sign Sinkers and Reid it will be on 1 year low salary contracts. I can't see why we would play them unless we had a slew of injuries. But it's more probable that Reid will be the one on the injury list if we had to pick the most likely.