2021 trading, drafting and list management: players and personnel

[Industrial Fan]

The reports are that Neale got paid 70% of his whole contract value in the first three of his five years.

That doesn’t seem heavy, assuming each of his years is worth the same, after three years he gets laid 60% on pro rata basis.

So he is paid an extra 10% in his first three years when his body is younger and less banged up, big deal, no steal and nothing to see here.

Just a beat up by Brisbane or media trying to increase trade value or create controversy respectively.

Conversely if he’d only been paid 50% over the first three years it seems unlikely he’d be asking for a trade.

Mercenary behavior as far as I see it.

[Bangalore Swans]

Bangalore, I couldn’t disagree more. It’s very ordinary behaviour by Mr & Mrs Neale. I can imagine many companies who actually enforce a contract in its entirety, where the person who signs it is actually the forced to fulfil it.

Picture this Bangalore. You and Mrs Bangalore engage a contractor to do renovations on your house, you pay them a portion up front, say 30% and then more as they commence the work. Once they receive 80% of the fee they say to you “Sorry Bangalore, I have had enough of this job, I’ve got a better offer. Bye”

Does that seem right to you?

A few points. Mrs Neale has not displayed ordinary behaviour. Her husband has the employment contract, not Mrs Neale. Mrs Neale can influence her husband but it’s totally on him on how he deals with his employer.

A builder tried to do that to my parents renovation. My parents took the builder to a building tribunal and torched him. He had to pay back the advance of money be received and a new builder completed the job.

I’m not sure why Freemantle would want him back after he walked out on then 3 years ago?I

[TheBloods]

Why is Neale's wife getting flack ! She's an expecting mother for gods sake , there are things bigger than the team or the sport . There are some ratbags in the game who treat women like dirt ! Put into perspective good on him for doing what is best for his FAMILY !!

That said hes not worth the trouble , he is an overpaid Fantasy merchant , Brisbane were 7-0 without him and 8-9 with him ! Show him the door i say

[The Runner]

That 10% should be returned back to Brisbane and he should only be paid 60% of his contract for the three out of 5 years of work. A good corporate contract would enforce this. Probably doesn’t help Brisbane a lot as that extra 10% that Neale was paid can’t we help in future salary caps.

Why? Brisbane got a Brownlow year in the early years of the deal. You're assuming the value is one way.
And Brisbane have options. They can get something via a trade, or hold him to his contract. The myth that "contracts mean nothing" is misplaced. Otherwise, Papley would be a Blue.

[KSAS]

Last night on Fox Footy Tom Morris made more noises about Jordan Dawson. Spat out what we already knew with only new info that the club has increased they're offer to Dawson in terms of $$$$ (but not years) due to increasing $$$$ offers from Adelaide and Port. If he is to remain at club it would be on less money than what he'd get at Adelaide or Port.

Tom then SPECULATED he wasn't sure if Jordan was still committed in re-signing with club as he'd indicated few weeks earlier. He also claimed Adelaide will refuse to trade their pick 4 for Jordan IF he requested to be traded there. All big IF's scenarios. Tom wasn't even sure which SA team Jordan supported before being drafted. He was assuming Jordan would be allured returning home to SA but failed to mention he's not a Adelaide boy!

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Why is Neale's wife getting flack ! She's an expecting mother for gods sake , there are things bigger than the team or the sport . There are some ratbags in the game who treat women like dirt ! Put into perspective good on him for doing what is best for his FAMILY !!
That said hes not worth the trouble , he is an overpaid Fantasy merchant , Brisbane were 7-0 without him and 8-9 with him ! Show him the door i say

There may indeed be a whiff of misogyny in the air.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Last night on Fox Footy Tom Morris made more noises about Jordan Dawson. Spat out what we already knew with only new info that the club has increased they're offer to Dawson in terms of $$$$ (but not years) due to increasing $$$$ offers from Adelaide and Port. If he is to remain at club it would be on less money than what he'd get at Adelaide or Port.

Tom then SPECULATED he wasn't sure if Jordan was still committed in re-signing with club as he'd indicated few weeks earlier. He also claimed Adelaide will refuse to trade their pick 4 for Jordan IF he requested to be traded there. All big IF's scenarios. Tom wasn't even sure which SA team Jordan supported before being drafted. He was assuming Jordan would be allured returning home to SA but failed to mention he's not a Adelaide boy!

Tom Morris is the same journo who first wrote the original story saying Dawson had all but committed to a two year deal with the club to take him through to free agency and wasn’t likely to go anywhere.

Here’s Tom Morris a few weeks ago contradicting Tom Morris today. So me thinks Tom Morris is a born doofus.

https://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-trade-news-2021-jordan-dawson-contract-sydney-swans-jack-billings-free-agent-st-kilda-saints-port-adelaide-rumours/news-story/02e98c5f801cac59426a51e7cdfd2b9c

[Sandridge]

Last night on Fox Footy Tom Morris made more noises about Jordan Dawson. Spat out what we already knew with only new info that the club has increased they're offer to Dawson in terms of $$$$ (but not years) due to increasing $$$$ offers from Adelaide and Port. If he is to remain at club it would be on less money than what he'd get at Adelaide or Port.

Tom then SPECULATED he wasn't sure if Jordan was still committed in re-signing with club as he'd indicated few weeks earlier. He also claimed Adelaide will refuse to trade their pick 4 for Jordan IF he requested to be traded there. All big IF's scenarios. Tom wasn't even sure which SA team Jordan supported before being drafted. He was assuming Jordan would be allured returning home to SA but failed to mention he's not a Adelaide boy!

Related article here.

AFL trade news, rumours, whispers 2021: Jordan Dawson Adelaide, Port Adelaide contract offer, Adam Cerra Carlton

[Bangalore Swans]

Conversely if he’d only been paid 50% over the first three years it seems unlikely he’d be asking for a trade.

Mercenary behavior as far as I see it.

It goes both ways. The Swans shipped out Hannas with years to run on a lucrative contract because they didn’t believe his body was going to hold up.

By all accounts he wanted to remain a Swan. Why didn’t the Swans leave Hannas alone and let him rehab the final years of his contract. Where was the loyalty for the warrior Hannas?

A business decision was made in the Hannas decision. It proved to be good financially for Hannas as he got some extra years of money and the Swans medical staff have been proven correct in their long term prognosis of his body.

Those who call Neale a mercenary should always remember that Hannas was shopped around by the club and let go when he didn’t initially wand that.

[WomblingFree]

There may indeed be a whiff of misogyny in the air.

A bit rich to call the misogyny card.

I think Rodney Eade summed it up really well. He's an athlete on allegedely $800,000 a year.

He signed up for a five year deal. He requested that move. You can't tell me at the time they didn't know they's be starting a family in that time.

Neale has every right to ask for a trade. You don't ask you don't get. But if it doesn't involve two first rounders he is going nowhere. He is a Brownlow medallist and club champion, has two more modest years salary wise on his deal.

Lions hold all the cards, it wouldn't surprise me if he ends up staying.

[dejavoodoo44]

Just thought that I'd jot down a few opinions on our fringe players, rookies, possible delistings and possible trades.

Joel Amartey. After improving his fitness, I no longer consider him a fringe player. His extra pace and endurance, had him looking like a genuine forward prospect, while his improved leap meant that he performed well as a back up ruck. I only list him here, because there's a bit of a suspicion that McLean, Reid and him are vying for two list spots. If that's the case, then it might be more sensible to trade either Amartey or McLean, as they should have a fair bit more trade value, than the aging and injury prone Reid. Although, I do think that there's a reasonable chance, that we'll resolve that by keeping both Amartey and McLean, and placing one of our few remaining premiership players, on the increasingly poorly named rookie list.

James Bell. While people are still intermittently calling for James to be delisted, I'm pretty sure that he reached a trigger clause in his contract, that gives him another season. So, let's just hope that he gets over the disappointing finals performance and the ensuing social media abuse, to put together a solid run of form in next season's VFL and once again push for first team selection.

Kaiden Brand. Seems to have good defensive skills, but not so good disposal skills. Possibly might be saved by our lack of KPD depth. On the other hand, he couldn't hold his spot, while Melican was injured. Probable delist.

Malachy Carruthers. Seemed to be a creative rebounder at VFL level. Probably worth another year on the rookie list.

Ryan Clarke. Elite endurance, good tagger, and in the VFL, a tough inside mid. Unfortunately let down by his ponderous disposals. Which is a problem, when our game plan revolves around fast and incisive ball movement. If he has any trade value, I think we should take whatever is offered. Other than that, 50/50 delist or retain as a depth player on a short term contract.

Robbie Fox. If he's still on the rookie list, I think he deserves a promotion.

Will Gould. Bit of a mystery why he hasn't made his debut, but according to Laidler and Harley, he's tracking nicely. Saw him play some good games in the VFL, especially when we were severely undermanned. Retain. Although, if one of the Adelaide clubs decided to offer a trade that's over the odds, it might be worth considering? Then again, we do have a lack of KPD depth.

Sam Gray. Placed on the rookie list after an underwhelming 2020. Never really challenged for a senior spot this year. Almost certain delist.

George Hewett. Not a fringe player, after an excellent second half to the season. Maybe there's some truth to the rumours of him being moved on? Who knows? Would prefer to keep him, but with a contract that's probably a fair bit above base grade, he may be the unfortunate one squeezed out.

Matthew Ling. Needed a big season, but unfortunately didn't have one. Seems too injury prone to fulfil his potential. Probable delist.

Lachlan McAndrew. Shows a lot of potential, for someone whose tally of Aussie Rules games played, is probably around twenty. Looking forward to seeing what he can do next year.

Sam Naismith. I'm unsure if we're still allowed to move contracted players to the rookie list. If we are, we should move the luckless Sam to the rookie list, while he attempts to once again rehabilitate from knee surgery.

Barry O'Connor. Oscillated between looking a genuine prospect and looking like he didn't really know what he was doing out there. Which is probably a result of trying to learn the game, during two heavily interrupted seasons. Should be worth another season on the rookie list, to fully ascertain whether he's likely to become a quality KPD.

Colin O'Riordan. Showed good form in the VFL, but didn't really consolidate his place on the list. However, I tend to think it would be poor form, to name someone Best Clubman and then delist them straight afterwards.

Ben Ronke. Others now seem to have a better claim to the small forward role, so probable delist.

Mark Sheather. Made in an impact in the VFL, both as a medium sized forward and a tough midfielder. Retain for another year on the rookie list.

Callum Sinclair. Could possibly keep him as ruck depth and as a good example to younger players in the VFL. Could possibly delist him. Although, I was thinking that a trade to the Suns would be a win/win. With Zac Smith retiring, they have almost no ruck depth. Witts is still recovering from an ACL. Day is injury prone and more of a key forward. Apart from that, they have an untried kid that they picked up in the midseason draft and a couple of key position types that will have a go. So, Sinclair would be a good acquisition for them. Probably wouldn't get much in return. Something like Sinkers and our pick 67, for their pick 43. Which we could use on getting the second or third best ruck prospect in the draft.

Dylan Stephens. My personal disappointment of the year, as his late 2020 form had me thinking that he would be a gun this year. Never really looked comfortable when he got into the top side, and was usually quickly moved back to the VFL, where he looked good. Looked to be a confidence thing. Although, he does appear to be very close to his family, so maybe he was genuinely homesick and that affected his performance? Would prefer to keep him, rather than trade him; as I think he has the potential to make any trade hurt in the future, and after last season, we would probably be offered a trade that's under the odds.

Lewis Taylor. Did well in the VFL, but still, if we're allowed to move a contracted player to the rookie list, then I think we should do that.

Sam Wicks. No longer a fringe player, but if he's still on the rookie list, then he deserves an upgrade.

[KTigers]

Tom Morris is the same journo who first wrote the original story saying Dawson had all but committed to a two year deal with the club to take him through to free agency and wasn’t likely to go anywhere.

Here’s Tom Morris a few weeks ago contradicting Tom Morris today. So me thinks Tom Morris is a born doofus.

AFL trade news 2021: Jordan Dawson contract, Sydney Swans, Jack Billings, free agent, St Kilda Saints, Port Adelaide, rumours

The minute Tom stops coming up with "trade news" is the minute he stops getting paid. It's his job. Dreaming stuff up.

[mcs]

Just thought that I'd jot down a few opinions on our fringe players, rookies, possible delistings and possible trades.

Joel Amartey. After improving his fitness, I no longer consider him a fringe player. His extra pace and endurance, had him looking like a genuine forward prospect, while his improved leap meant that he performed well as a back up ruck. I only list him here, because there's a bit of a suspicion that McLean, Reid and him are vying for two list spots. If that's the case, then it might be more sensible to trade either Amartey or McLean, as they should have a fair bit more trade value, than the aging and injury prone Reid. Although, I do think that there's a reasonable chance, that we'll resolve that by keeping both Amartey and McLean, and placing one of our few remaining premiership players, on the increasingly poorly named rookie list.

James Bell. While people are still intermittently calling for James to be delisted, I'm pretty sure that he reached a trigger clause in his contract, that gives him another season. So, let's just hope that he gets over the disappointing finals performance and the ensuing social media abuse, to put together a solid run of form in next season's VFL and once again push for first team selection.

Kaiden Brand. Seems to have good defensive skills, but not so good disposal skills. Possibly might be saved by our lack of KPD depth. On the other hand, he couldn't hold his spot, while Melican was injured. Probable delist.

Malachy Carruthers. Seemed to be a creative rebounder at VFL level. Probably worth another year on the rookie list.

Ryan Clarke. Elite endurance, good tagger, and in the VFL, a tough inside mid. Unfortunately let down by his ponderous disposals. Which is a problem, when our game plan revolves around fast and incisive ball movement. If he has any trade value, I think we should take whatever is offered. Other than that, 50/50 delist or retain as a depth player on a short term contract.

Robbie Fox. If he's still on the rookie list, I think he deserves a promotion.

Will Gould. Bit of a mystery why he hasn't made his debut, but according to Laidler and Harley, he's tracking nicely. Saw him play some good games in the VFL, especially when we were severely undermanned. Retain. Although, if one of the Adelaide clubs decided to offer a trade that's over the odds, it might be worth considering? Then again, we do have a lack of KPD depth.

Sam Gray. Placed on the rookie list after an underwhelming 2020. Never really challenged for a senior spot this year. Almost certain delist.

George Hewett. Not a fringe player, after an excellent second half to the season. Maybe there's some truth to the rumours of him being moved on? Who knows? Would prefer to keep him, but with a contract that's probably a fair bit above base grade, he may be the unfortunate one squeezed out.

Matthew Ling. Needed a big season, but unfortunately didn't have one. Seems too injury prone to fulfil his potential. Probable delist.

Lachlan McAndrew. Shows a lot of potential, for someone whose tally of Aussie Rules games played, is probably around twenty. Looking forward to seeing what he can do next year.

Sam Naismith. I'm unsure if we're still allowed to move contracted players to the rookie list. If we are, we should move the luckless Sam to the rookie list, while he attempts to once again rehabilitate from knee surgery.

Barry O'Connor. Oscillated between looking a genuine prospect and looking like he didn't really know what he was doing out there. Which is probably a result of trying to learn the game, during two heavily interrupted seasons. Should be worth another season on the rookie list, to fully ascertain whether he's likely to become a quality KPD.

Colin O'Riordan. Showed good form in the VFL, but didn't really consolidate his place on the list. However, I tend to think it would be poor form, to name someone Best Clubman and then delist them straight afterwards.

Ben Ronke. Others now seem to have a better claim to the small forward role, so probable delist.

Mark Sheather. Made in an impact in the VFL, both as a medium sized forward and a tough midfielder. Retain for another year on the rookie list.

Callum Sinclair. Could possibly keep him as ruck depth and as a good example to younger players in the VFL. Could possibly delist him. Although, I was thinking that a trade to the Suns would be a win/win. With Zac Smith retiring, they have almost no ruck depth. Witts is still recovering from an ACL. Day is injury prone and more of a key forward. Apart from that, they have an untried kid that they picked up in the midseason draft and a couple of key position types that will have a go. So, Sinclair would be a good acquisition for them. Probably wouldn't get much in return. Something like Sinkers and our pick 67, for their pick 43. Which we could use on getting the second or third best ruck prospect in the draft.

Dylan Stephens. My personal disappointment of the year, as his late 2020 form had me thinking that he would be a gun this year. Never really looked comfortable when he got into the top side, and was usually quickly moved back to the VFL, where he looked good. Looked to be a confidence thing. Although, he does appear to be very close to his family, so maybe he was genuinely homesick and that affected his performance? Would prefer to keep him, rather than trade him; as I think he has the potential to make any trade hurt in the future, and after last season, we would probably be offered a trade that's under the odds.

Lewis Taylor. Did well in the VFL, but still, if we're allowed to move a contracted player to the rookie list, then I think we should do that.

Sam Wicks. No longer a fringe player, but if he's still on the rookie list, then he deserves an upgrade.

Amartey signed a new contract during the season, so if it one of the two big guys was to go it would be McLean (unless of course there is a trade offer for Amartey from someone too good to turn down).

[barry]

Regarding lachy Neale, the only reason he is asking for a transfer is because his new family won't get the support they need because of border closures.

That could not have been foreseen. And its a very big issue. However, not insurmountable. I think the Brisbane lions could think up a way to make it work.
Its not uncommon before covid to have (grand) parents come and stay for a few weeks and months when a baby is born, if they are overseas.
The grand parents getting back to WA at the end would be the issue.

[Aprilbr]

I'm starting to get a bad feeling about this contract situation for our best out of contract players. Its been clear for some time that our key priorities for re-signing were Parker, Dawson, Hewitt and Stephens. As time goes on, it seems increasingly likely that all of these may walk. This will significantly set back our progression toward being a contender and sends an unfortunate message to our other players. Where do we go from here if our worst case scenario becomes reality?