2023 List Management

[Maltopia]

If Stephens is picked up in the Pre Season Draft for nothing by North Melbourne as an unsigned RFA, it doesn’t affect the McKay compensation right, as the National Draft would have been completed right?

If that is the case, unless they are eyeing another possible unsigned player, why would North Melbourne offer us anything for Stephens above say a fourth round pick (their pick 56)? They might even offer lower than that.

Of course West Coast might draft him first in a possible PSD, given they lost Blake Acres last year and are about to lose Liam Henry, but I imagine it unlikely.

Of course North Melbourne don’t want to stress Stephens out by lowballing us so badly that he has to wait till the Preseason Draft, but it seems North is in the driving seat here.

On the other hand, maybe we can offer West Coast: Stephens (they need a winger), Ladhams (Nic Nat has just retired) and pick 11, plus our second round pick for their number 1 pick and their fourth round pick?

[i'm-uninformed2]

If Stephens is picked up in the Pre Season Draft for nothing by North Melbourne as an unsigned RFA, it doesn’t affect the McKay compensation right, as the National Draft would have been completed right?

If that is the case, unless they are eyeing another possible unsigned player, why would North Melbourne offer us anything for Stephens above say a fourth round pick (their pick 56)? They might even offer lower than that.

Of course West Coast might draft him first in a possible PSD, given they lost Blake Acres last year and are about to lose Liam Henry, but I imagine it unlikely.

Of course North Melbourne don’t want to stress Stephens out by lowballing us so badly that he has to wait till the Preseason Draft, but it seems North is in the driving seat here.

On the other hand, maybe we can offer West Coast: Stephens (they need a winger), Ladhams (Nic Nat has just retired) and pick 11, plus our second round pick for their number 1 pick and their fourth round pick?

I think the main reason Norf won’t do that is we’re widely regarded as fair and reasonable traders so don’t pull a dick move that’d haunt your future dealings with us.

We have a few paths here. One is a bet on next year - say a swap of second rounders next year. I’d take that. Two - focus on a pick that means when we balance out after the Grundy deal, we’ve done no more than go back a bit in the late second round/ early third round. Say, 31 for Grundy and 39 for Stephens. Three - and the one I’d prefer, is to support us bundling up some picks this year as part of the Gold Coast pitch, or moving 22 up into the first round. Pay Melbourne via a pick for next year, and keep what we get for Stephens to bundle up with our existing picks and go hunting something higher.

[AB Swannie]

If Stephens is picked up in the Pre Season Draft for nothing by North Melbourne as an unsigned RFA, it doesn’t affect the McKay compensation right, as the National Draft would have been completed right?

If that is the case, unless they are eyeing another possible unsigned player, why would North Melbourne offer us anything for Stephens above say a fourth round pick (their pick 56)? They might even offer lower than that.

Of course West Coast might draft him first in a possible PSD, given they lost Blake Acres last year and are about to lose Liam Henry, but I imagine it unlikely.

Of course North Melbourne don’t want to stress Stephens out by lowballing us so badly that he has to wait till the Preseason Draft, but it seems North is in the driving seat here.

On the other hand, maybe we can offer West Coast: Stephens (they need a winger), Ladhams (Nic Nat has just retired) and pick 11, plus our second round pick for their number 1 pick and their fourth round pick?

You are confusing West Coast with Fremantle. Fremantle lost Acres and are losing Henry.

We also can’t trade Stephens to wherever we want. He has to agree to the contract. He’s going to North and if we get a 2nd rounder then we should consider ourselves lucky. Move on.

[KSAS]

Kane Cornes asked Gerard Healy (SEN) on what he thought of Stephens, when the news came through of his trade request. Healy said the following:

Has a loping running style. His top end speed is ok, but has slow acceleration and hence gets caught. Lacks aggression. Is a nice deliverer of the ball, but is a bit small for a winger and doesn't have all the tricks like a Gulden to be effective in that position. Thought he might be more useful as a small defender, but we don't have a spot for him there. Last year looked to be his breakout season, but has gone backwards this year. For a pick 5, has been disappointing (Healy described him as a flop few weeks earlier).

From those comments, you wonder if Stephens will ever cut it in the AFL and what North see in him? We must've thought he is of value by having a contract placed in front of him all year.

Unlike Dawson, he at least informed club of his trade request in his exit interview (which they likely saw coming) and not after, which screwed us with Hewett and trade. Pick 39 sounds about right tbh.

I don't compare his loss to Allir, who we saw with much more upside at the time and his trade to Port took us by surprise (particularly for a KPD). Club did so in order to gain pick to get Hickey, as were deseperate for ruckman.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Given that nothing is really seperate when trading.

Given Melbourne are probably going very hard at the draft this year with their strong hand and maybe wanting to trade with two picks inside the top10?

Melbourne have picks 5,15,24,34 presently

I wonder what the Deemons will want from us for Grundy……or what we are will to give up considering we are helping them also reduce a large contract $

We are 11, 22,30,41,49 and with Stephen’s moving on for a pick somewhere between a 35 to 50 or maybe North will say we will take your pick 49 in exchange for their current pick 39?

Or could we be so bold as to swap our current pick 22 for their pick 16 ???? lol

[MattW]

Kane Cornes asked Gerard Healy (SEN) on what he thought of Stephens, when the news came through of his trade request. Healy said the following:

Has a loping running style. His top end speed is ok, but has slow acceleration and hence gets caught. Lacks aggression. Is a nice deliverer of the ball, but is a bit small for a winger and doesn't have all the tricks like a Gulden to be effective in that position. Thought he might be more useful as a small defender, but we don't have a spot for him there. Last year looked to be his breakout season, but has gone backwards this year. For a pick 5, has been disappointing (Healy described him as a flop few weeks earlier).

From those comments, you wonder if Stephens will ever cut it in the AFL and what North see in him? We must've thought he is of value by having a contract placed in front of him all year.

Unlike Dawson, he at least informed club of his trade request in his exit interview (which they likely saw coming) and not after, which screwed us with Hewett and trade. Pick 39 sounds about right tbh.

I don't compare his loss to Allir, who we saw with much more upside at the time and his trade to Port took us by surprise (particularly for a KPD). Club did so in order to gain pick to get Hickey, as were deseperate for ruckman.

I think his acceleration is 'slow' because he is still computing where to run and kick it.

I would take pick 39 for sure.

There's a little potential upside. He might mature and work it out. But not with us.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Pick 39 for us a few years ago was like striking gold !!

Enter the Chad ????????

[Auntie.Gerald]

So if Stephen’s moves to North and we receive pick 39

If Grundy moves to the swans and we give up say pick 30 due to us taking over his $

If North get a good deal from the AFL as a compensation pick 1st round for Mackay and Mackay decides to move to Sydney

We would still have most likely the following picks

11, 22, 39, 41,49

Picks 39,41,49 bundled together if a club needs them for academy/ father son etc is equivalent to pick 15 in points

To have 3 draft picks between pick 11 and 22ish would be amazing……. if possible ….. big if

Plus Grundy and Mackay make an immediate impact in two critical areas to improve for a top4 in 2024 challenge.

Have we answered out contested footy woes though ?

Could we be looking at a value inside mid 24ish year of age that wants to leave and head to Sydney ? And we give up something in return?

[lwjoyner]

maybe we could swap their pick 16 for our 22 +

[Dow]

You are confusing West Coast with Fremantle. Fremantle lost Acres and are losing Henry.

We also can’t trade Stephens to wherever we want. He has to agree to the contract. He’s going to North and if we get a 2nd rounder then we should consider ourselves lucky. Move on.

I think his acceleration is 'slow' because he is still computing where to run and kick it.

I would take pick 39 for sure.

There's a little potential upside. He might mature and work it out. But not with us.

So if Stephen’s moves to North and we receive pick 39

If Grundy moves to the swans and we give up say pick 30 due to us taking over his $

If North get a good deal from the AFL as a compensation pick 1st round for Mackay and Mackay decides to move to Sydney

We would still have most likely the following picks

11, 22, 39, 41,49

Picks 39,41,49 bundled together if a club needs them for academy/ father son etc is equivalent to pick 15 in points

To have 3 draft picks between pick 11 and 22ish would be amazing……. if possible ….. big if

Plus Grundy and Mackay make an immediate impact in two critical areas to improve for a top4 in 2024 challenge.

Have we answered out contested footy woes though ?

Could we be looking at a value inside mid 24ish year of age that wants to leave and head to Sydney ? And we give up something in return?

Your first scenario seems about right, but your last scenario would be my absolute dream ! As for another midfielder if the above happens I am not sure we could fit another high Price recruit in our cap and then the question would be who is moving out of the midfield ? I think Parker will spend more time up forward which will allow Sheldrick/Roberts/Campbell more time in the middle. I am also hoping Grundy and the developing midfielders will answer the contested footy issues.

My thoughtss

[Roadrunner]

So if Stephen’s moves to North and we receive pick 39

If Grundy moves to the swans and we give up say pick 30 due to us taking over his $

If North get a good deal from the AFL as a compensation pick 1st round for Mackay and Mackay decides to move to Sydney

We would still have most likely the following picks

11, 22, 39, 41,49

Picks 39,41,49 bundled together if a club needs them for academy/ father son etc is equivalent to pick 15 in points

To have 3 draft picks between pick 11 and 22ish would be amazing……. if possible ….. big if

Plus Grundy and Mackay make an immediate impact in two critical areas to improve for a top4 in 2024 challenge.

Have we answered out contested footy woes though ?

Could we be looking at a value inside mid 24ish year of age that wants to leave and head to Sydney ? And we give up something in return?

If we play Parks up forward mostly, we could do with an experienced and skilful mid, but don’t know if we can get one. We are hoping Sheldrick, Roberts and Konstanty can step up but in reality they have played too few games- Konstanty has yet to feature. So they could be great for 2025 and beyond but too much to expect from them next year. This leaves us with Mills, Chad and Rowie, Errol, with Paps, Heeney and Parks in short spells. Could we move Ollie to midfield? He has the weaving skills and is generally a good user so a more attacking role would suit him. We have the Lizard and Lloyd at HB with Campbell as cover plus someone from the ressies could step up for HB.

Excited if we get Grundy- just what we desperately need. Not so much re Mackay as I’ve been quite happy with Francis- most won’t agree I know, but he is a good mark and showed game intelligence. He needs more confidence and this could come with a run of games. He’s no Paddy replacement but should be given a chance to prove himself. The Pelican has regained form but can his body stand up? So I’ve talked myself back to Mackay!????

[Auntie.Gerald]

Yes some likely and long shot scenarios above ????

Buds last contract goes close to Brodies $650k per season

Hickey was on $400k per season I’m guessing so with Mackay we would have to find another $400k per season at a guess to make it happen?

Stephen’s we probably would have had to put forward $400k per season to keep him…..So is there an inside mid at another club similar price to Stephen’s that maybe keen to move to Sydney?

I do worry our depth is quite tested for our inside contested footy. I’m concerned it is not top4 level even with developing young guys like Sheldrick and or Roberts.

No doubt someone in our squad will move on end of 2024 as happens almost every year for us…….so we could shuffle another in for next season if we know of a likely exit end of 2024

Or I’m guessing that we could let go say Clarke who would be in close to the average AFL $300k per season and simply pay an extra $100k per season to attract an inside mid?

[Auntie.Gerald]

Jack Ross | AFL

I’ve always thought Jack would flourish at the Swans like a Josh Kennedy signing

Jack has only played 20 more games then Stephen’s but he is contracted for 2024 and would be tricky to make happen …….but if we don’t think we need all our picks because we don’t love this draft……..adding a 23yr old inside and letting go 22yr old former pick 5 makes a lot of sense for our list and our 2024 assault

[Roadrunner]

Yes some likely and long shot scenarios above ????

Buds last contract goes close to Brodies $650k per season

Hickey was on $400k per season I’m guessing so with Mackay we would have to find another $400k per season at a guess to make it happen?

Stephen’s we probably would have had to put forward $400k per season to keep him…..So is there an inside mid at another club similar price to Stephen’s that maybe keen to move to Sydney?

I do worry our depth is quite tested for our inside contested footy. I’m concerned it is not top4 level even with developing young guys like Sheldrick and or Roberts.

No doubt someone in our squad will move on end of 2024 as happens almost every year for us…….so we could shuffle another in for next season if we know of a likely exit end of 2024

Or I’m guessing that we could let go say Clarke who would be in close to the average AFL $300k per season and simply pay an extra $100k per season to attract an inside mid?

We should let Clarke go- been given enough chances and very good at VFL level only. Is Wicks contracted? If not, I wouldn’t mind losing him as I can’t see any upside ( he’s played 50 games) and we need more skill and guile up front. Fail to see what others see in him- these 2 are our weakest in the team. Even Wilbur plays the odd blinder! Wicks can kick the odd goal here and there but misses a lot as well. His so called pressure is not much and his agro is mostly misplaced and costly. My least liked player- starting to feel like TheBloods!????

[waswan]

Grundy, cleary and maybe Mckay but looking doubtful.

Id take 1 top ten pick that we bundle to get, cleary, grundy and have a go at Mckay.

Sheldrik, Konstanty, Buller Arnold, we have more than enough in development.

Bundle for a high pick, try to move a contracted star or shuffle the picks for next year

We cant play all these kids, Stephens proves that