2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[AB Swannie]

A big one floating out there is wicks. On his third one year rookie deal on minimum wage. I imagine a decent 3 year senior list spot at another club would be hard to resist.

I'd be very surprised if Wicks ends up anywhere else. He's been excellent playing his role this year but I doubt he would command large offers to be the number 1 small forward at a club just yet.

[707]

I expect Wicks will be staying on a much better deal!

He will get a suitably priced contract extension playing where he wants to play with long term mates and for an exciting team going places.

Would not be showing any interest in approaches from any other club.

Exciting batch of re-signings, the world is so positive at the Swans at present, let's ensure a (good) win against the Injectors tonight

[Markwebbos]

I'm not entirely sure whether this is the right thread for this, but here goes anyway:

We all know how the new rules are helping us offensively. There has been some discussion about how they impact our defense.

Working in our favour is that zone defense is much more vulnerable to the new rules (as evidenced by our smashing of Richmond, Brisbane and GW$'s defeats of Collingwood). Swans tend to play one-on-one (and we'll be up against man-on-man GW$ on Saturday).

But the faster ball movement also means (1) the ball comes in quicker to the FWD line (2) defensive "systems" are less able to be used, (3) there are a lot more one-on-one contests, so effectively defenders need to be able to defend their direct opponents.

I also think it means teams are more likely to use the "three headed beast" formation (3 talls).

All of which means I think we are going to struggle defensively with guys playing on much taller opponents, less 3rd man intercepting, less pressure up the ground etc.

Which makes the resolution of the Melican/Brand/TBA situation all the more urgent.

[bloodspirit]

I'm not entirely sure whether this is the right thread for this, but here goes anyway:

We all know how the new rules are helping us offensively. There has been some discussion about how they impact our defense.

Working in our favour is that zone defense is much more vulnerable to the new rules (as evidenced by our smashing of Richmond, Brisbane and GW$'s defeats of Collingwood). Swans tend to play one-on-one (and we'll be up against man-on-man GW$ on Saturday).

But the faster ball movement also means (1) the ball comes in quicker to the FWD line (2) defensive "systems" are less able to be used, (3) there are a lot more one-on-one contests, so effectively defenders need to be able to defend their direct opponents.

I also think it means teams are more likely to use the "three headed beast" formation (3 talls).

All of which means I think we are going to struggle defensively with guys playing on much taller opponents, less 3rd man intercepting, less pressure up the ground etc.

Which makes the resolution of the Melican/Brand/TBA situation all the more urgent.

Thoughtful post.

Since you're posting in this thread (rather than, say, this week's pre-match thread) I would agree that we need to prioritise recruiting another quality KPP next off season. We have a bit of tall depth (Melican, Brand, Fox, Gould, BOC), but none of them are looking locks to be best 22 in years to come (fingers crossed still for Melican & Gould). We also don't have a lot of KPF depth behind Logan McDonald once Buddy and Reid go (I can't see McLean and Amartey being sufficient to fill that void). Surely we will be watching closely how Paddy McCartin goes. If he can come good, he would be perfect pick up for us in terms of age, experience and cost. I have posted not so long ago about some other KPPs we might want to target over the next 1-2 off seasons, including potentially Aaron Francis. I think the dream recruit would be Jack Lukosius at the end of 2022 - but that's a bit of a pipe dream and would cost an awful lot.

[Ludwig]

Since you're posting in this thread (rather than, say, this week's pre-match thread) I would agree that we need to prioritise recruiting another quality KPP next off season. We have a bit of tall depth (Melican, Brand, Fox, Gould, BOC), but none of them are looking locks to be best 22 in years to come (fingers crossed still for Melican & Gould). We also don't have a lot of KPF depth behind Logan McDonald once Buddy and Reid go (I can't see McLean and Amartey being sufficient to fill that void). Surely we will be watching closely how Paddy McCartin goes. If he can come good, he would be perfect pick up for us in terms of age, experience and cost. I have posted not so long ago about some other KPPs we might want to target over the next 1-2 off seasons, including potentially Aaron Francis. I think the dream recruit would be Jack Lukosius at the end of 2022 - but that's a bit of a pipe dream and would cost an awful lot.

This looks essentially correct the way things stand now. There's still a lot to play out this season for us to get a better understanding how we can imp;rove our list this year. It's safe to say that our non-KPP list is very strong, in fact so strong that we are likely to lose a player or 2, but hopefully no one we see as part of the next decade senior side.

This portends for a focus on KPPs this year. Yes, Paddy McCartin looks the most likely for a mid season draft selection, and if not Paddy, then another KPP from the pool of eligible players. Then probably at least one of our 1st 2 ND selections at year end.

McLean looks to be a slow developer and someone who can grow into doing a good enough job as a 2md forward behind McDonald. Maybe Amartey too can just develop slowly over the next few years to become a capable 2nd or 3 forward option. That aside, we might as well target the best KPPs we can in the current draft year, as we really can't handle any more midfielders on our list.

[aardvark]

Surely it's time he went to stay with Uncle Micky for a few years.....

Blayne O! Nephew of Swans great gets Academy call-up

[bloodspirit]

If we're after a ruck prospect at the mid-season draft (won't be a desperate need if Naismith is coming back online and Hickey and Sinclair are still fit - but still a future list need that must be addressed sooner or later) then Ned Moyle from the Oakleigh Chargers might be a good investment for the future: 2021 Draft Central NAB League Boys Team of the Week: Round 1 - Aussie Rules Draft Central?

[Blood Fever]

This looks essentially correct the way things stand now. There's still a lot to play out this season for us to get a better understanding how we can imp;rove our list this year. It's safe to say that our non-KPP list is very strong, in fact so strong that we are likely to lose a player or 2, but hopefully no one we see as part of the next decade senior side.

This portends for a focus on KPPs this year. Yes, Paddy McCartin looks the most likely for a mid season draft selection, and if not Paddy, then another KPP from the pool of eligible players. Then probably at least one of our 1st 2 ND selections at year end.

McLean looks to be a slow developer and someone who can grow into doing a good enough job as a 2md forward behind McDonald. Maybe Amartey too can just develop slowly over the next few years to become a capable 2nd or 3 forward option. That aside, we might as well target the best KPPs we can in the current draft year, as we really can't handle any more midfielders on our list.

McLean an excellent team and role player. Should hang on to him long term and shouldn't put much of a dent in the salary cap.

[SwanSand]

This looks essentially correct the way things stand now. There's still a lot to play out this season for us to get a better understanding how we can imp;rove our list this year. It's safe to say that our non-KPP list is very strong, in fact so strong that we are likely to lose a player or 2, but hopefully no one we see as part of the next decade senior side.

This portends for a focus on KPPs this year. Yes, Paddy McCartin looks the most likely for a mid season draft selection, and if not Paddy, then another KPP from the pool of eligible players. Then probably at least one of our 1st 2 ND selections at year end.

McLean looks to be a slow developer and someone who can grow into doing a good enough job as a 2md forward behind McDonald. Maybe Amartey too can just develop slowly over the next few years to become a capable 2nd or 3 forward option. That aside, we might as well target the best KPPs we can in the current draft year, as we really can't handle any more midfielders on our list.

Given what we have on the list, let’s not plan for the distant future, depending on how we play in 2021, we should be thinking if we can win it all in 2022. We would still have Buddy, Sam Reid, fit Sam Naismith and Hickey (maybe), Rampe, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Heeney, Jake Lloyd and Mills on our list in addition to the youngsters who will improve further. We should be pushing for the flag in 2022, 2023 Just the way Port have been doing. And maybe cherry pick someone that we have a certain immediate need in 2021. It is going to be KPP but maybe we need someone else.

[Bangalore Swans]

The Swans have historically had a glamour full forward to excite the crowds:

Lockett 95-99
Hall 2002 - 2009
Franklin 2014 - 2022

These three have been iconic, crowd pleasing and brilliant goal kickers.

Whose next for 2023?

Will Logan become the glamour, crowd pleasing full forward.

I think the full forward who will be at the right age to come to the Swans in 2023 to fill the void is Harry McKay from Carlton. A very good forward at the right age, but lacking the charisma of Franklin, Hall and Lockett.

Who else will succeed Franklin?

[Ludwig]

Given what we have on the list, let’s not plan for the distant future, depending on how we play in 2021, we should be thinking if we can win it all in 2022. We would still have Buddy, Sam Reid, fit Sam Naismith and Hickey (maybe), Rampe, Josh Kennedy, Luke Parker, Heeney, Jake Lloyd and Mills on our list in addition to the youngsters who will improve further. We should be pushing for the flag in 2022, 2023 Just the way Port have been doing. And maybe cherry pick someone that we have a certain immediate need in 2021. It is going to be KPP but maybe we need someone else.

I have a different approach to list management. I don't believe in planning in terms of a premiership window. That comes if you do the other things right and some good luck goes a long way.

We really need to plan around 5 years out, because that's how long it takes to change the complexion of a team through the draft. It's hard to expect more than adding 3 good players per year via the draft, while trade and free agency is too unpredictable to utilize for list building, especially in Sydney where it's more likely for players to leave (go home) than to want to join the club. It's a 50-50 proposition at best. It takes a solid 30 man squad to choose from to seriously compete for a premiership. There aren't any shortcuts to rebuilding the list with good young players replacing senor players who are slated for retirement as well as those younger players who haven't been able to make the grade.

I've been on this subject since the end of the 2016 season, when I believe the rebuild began. So we are now in the 5th year. We've stuck to the task of drafting players who could be successful in the kind of game plan we now have. We've done quite well overall, and seem to have hit the jackpot with the 2020 draft. So now we are off and running. The foundation is set. We just have to see how it plays out.

[The Runner]

The Swans have historically had a glamour full forward to excite the crowds:

Lockett 95-99
Hall 2002 - 2009
Franklin 2014 - 2022

These three have been iconic, crowd pleasing and brilliant goal kickers.

Whose next for 2023?

Will Logan become the glamour, crowd pleasing full forward.

I think the full forward who will be at the right age to come to the Swans in 2023 to fill the void is Harry McKay from Carlton. A very good forward at the right age, but lacking the charisma of Franklin, Hall and Lockett.

Who else will succeed Franklin?

Pass. Prefer a forward who can kick.

[longmile]

Any decent KPDs out of contract this year?

Only obvious weak point in our list atm

[giant]

Any decent KPDs out of contract this year?

Only obvious weak point in our list atm

Well this Allir fella going around for Port looks all right...

[barry]

Could the mccartins be our twin towers in defence?.
Defence would be a better place to play to avoid head knocks