2022 List management, trading, drafting

[stevoswan]

I think the club thought Stephens was a ready made player who could come straight into the team. We were looking for outside speed and he fitted the bill. I suspect he will ask for a trade at seasons end.

It's looking that way.

[BRS328]

What were they thinking when they took Chad Warner later in the draft. Not an exact science, and if they can “re-program” Dylan Stephens he can still make it. He has all the basics, it is up to him

[Ruck'n'Roll]

There have been several first round picks that looked really odd at the time - and errors in hindsight.

[Meg]

I think the club thought Stephens was a ready made player who could come straight into the team. We were looking for outside speed and he fitted the bill. I suspect he will ask for a trade at seasons end.

Stephens is signed until end 2023. But are you thinking he might ask for a trade despite the fact he has a year to run? That’s possible I suppose, happened with Aliir (he got his wish) and Papley (Swans refused) as recent examples.

[liz]

Stephens is signed until end 2023. But are you thinking he might ask for a trade despite the fact he has a year to run? That’s possible I suppose, happened with Aliir (he got his wish) and Papley (Swans refused) as recent examples.

I don't think Aliir asked for a trade. Swans needed draft capital and salary cap space and were shopping a few players around. Port showed interest in Aliir, and Aliir and the Swans agreed to the trade. It was reported at the time that Aliir was in two minds because he liked it at the Swans, but the offer from Port was pretty good, and clearly the Swans had decided they needed a ruckman (Hickey eventually) more.

[stevoswan]

There have been several first round picks that looked really odd at the time - and errors in hindsight.

Swans are known for 'left of centre' first round picks.....maybe should try 'centre' picks in future....like Serong.

[bloodspirit]

What do we think about going after someone like Caleb Serong at the end of next year? He's out of contract in 2023 and can clearly play, but what would it cost us? Adding to that, he was a strong Swans' supporter growing up so there could be some pull to make the change. I think he'd be a great addition to our midfield.

1. The Serong boat has sailed. We had our chance and squibbed it.

2. He would cost a lot of capital in picks (unlike Brayshaw who is a free agent and out of contract).

[Mark26]

Swans are known for 'left of centre' first round picks.....maybe should try 'centre' picks in future....like Serong.

+1

I know drafting is not an accurate science, but Logan McDonald would be a prime example of your sentiments. Was highly touted and we picked him up when we should have. He's lived up to expectations this far!

[bloodspirit]

A medium forward would also be helpful and could free up Heeney and Hayward for other roles, if need be.

We just got HHK!

****

Overall, I agree that KPPs remain priorities, even though we're not desperate. I remain a fan of chasing Lukosius and drafting one.

I agree that Zurhaar and Taranto are both good options. Zurhaar would be an upgrade on Wicks. Taranto could be our bigger bodied mid - problem is he would cost a lot not just $$ but picks. I would happily give a first rounder for him - but just one late first rounder won't be enough. He's worth as much as Cerra and we won't have the advantage of being near the bottom of the ladder to leverage at the trade table.

[AB Swannie]

My preference considering talent, need, and cost would be:

1. Lukosius. (much more likely to go to SA). Probably cost both our first round picks. KPP who is still untapped.

2. Zurhaar. I can’t see an obstacle here. We should have the money and picks to be able to do a deal. He could be terrific in our team.

3. Liam Baker. Unlikely. Will probably stay at Richmond but he could play as our small defender in the next premiership. Again we would have cap space and draft picks.

[Mel_C]

I caught a snippet of Hardwick's press conference and he was saying that a player told him that he went and watched the swans game on the weekend. When Hardwick asked him why, he said that he still barracks for the swans!! I assume that he was talking about Richmond's mid season draft pick Jacob Bauer who was from our academy. The look on Hardwick's face was priceless.

[Aprilbr]

Some great recruiting suggestions there. Whether we can convince any of those guys like Serong to leave their Club is another thing. Probably, the most likely players to leave their current Club tend to be ones at really struggling teams like North or those lacking opportunities.

On the subject of "left field" suggestions, I don't think Stephens falls into that category. He was highly touted coming out of the under 18s. Ling was left field and did not work out for various reasons.

We have to be careful about suggesting players based on draft hype or rankings. If we only went on those aspects then we really do not need much of a recruiting team. We just select the most highly touted at our selection number. The art of looking for the diamond in the rough or under-rated pick would therefore be lost. That seems a particular strength of our recruiters historically so probably not a good idea?

[stevoswan]

On the subject of "left field" suggestions, I don't think Stephens falls into that category. He was highly touted coming out of the under 18s. Ling was left field and did not work out for various reasons.

We have to be careful about suggesting players based on draft hype or rankings. If we only went on those aspects then we really do not need much of a recruiting team. We just select the most highly touted at our selection number. The art of looking for the diamond in the rough or under-rated pick would therefore be lost. That seems a particular strength of our recruiters historically so probably not a good idea?

I mean mainly for our first round pick....the rest of the draft is open for that diamond in the rough.

In the case of Stephens draft, Serong was also highly touted, similar type player AND a Swans fan. A quality prospect with zero 'go home' risk....it just seemed odd they didn't go for him.

I do still hold hopes for Dylan but they're diminishing as time passes. Fingers crossed he has an epiphany.

[COB]

I mean mainly for our first round pick....the rest of the draft is open for that diamond in the rough.

In the case of Stephens draft, Serong was also highly touted, similar type player AND a Swans fan. A quality prospect with zero 'go home' risk....it just seemed odd they didn't go for him.

I do still hold hopes for Dylan but they're diminishing as time passes. Fingers crossed he has an epiphany.

Agree with all that. If I remember correctly Beatson said that they chose Stephens because they were after a hybrid midfielder, one who could eventually play inside and outside. I still would have gone for Serong.

[Aprilbr]

Agree with you both that its a shame that we did not opt for Serong but that's recruiting - its impossible to always be right when looking at 17 and 18 year olds! We certainly got McDonald and the Chad right though! I feel very excited about our prospects going forward!