2023 List Management

[Auntie.Gerald]

Interestingly Caroline Wilson has been slamming Grundy for choosing Sydney. She thinks he is picking the town over our club. What a bitter and twisted person she is.

Also Collingwood are making noises about not paying a part of his salary if he comes to Sydney. Surely they cannot do that?

I would be astonished if Melbourne and the AFL didn’t already scenario plan the contract when Grundy shifted to Melbourne.

Their contract managers should sent to Siberia if they didn’t ensure that the Collingwood payment was binding till the end of the contract Grundy signed

To me it sounds like the media are just having so much fun stirring the pot Re pies, dees and Sydney etc

[Ludwig]

Don't think there's any real need to replace Stephens, as we have outside midfield depth. Seeing Campbell spend more time on the wing appeals to me. While for other up and comers; we have Corey Warner, who I thought progressed nicely this season; Mitchell, who has a big tank and goes hard at the ball; and Hall-Kahan, who while he spent plenty of time as a forward this season, has used the ball well when playing on the wing.

We actually need to create list spots rather than simply replacing players slated to depart the club. It's not that evident until you look at the details.

By adding Buller and Arnold in the MSD, we went 2 over on list size. I find an easy starting point is to think of the departures of Franklin, McCartin and Hickey create room for Buller, Arnold and Grundy. Now we are back to max list size, so we have to trade out or delist players for every one added, by whatever pathway one chooses.

It's not easy to find players to cut from recent drafts. All 3 ND players from 2022 had injury affected seasons and are in contract anyway. Magor, a rookie who could be delisted, was probably our best permoing player from that draft and deserves another season.

From 2021, there's only Rankin as a possible delisting; he's played well defensively and could become a good small defender if he can improve his disposal efficiency.

Everyone from the 2020 draft is a star. So it's way back to 2019 to search for players to offload. Stephens would find it tough getting chances after 4 ineffective seasons. There are players ahead of him who are not in the first team and several VFL players likely to overtake him. So that's one list spot found.

Gould is the other 2019 draftee who might be delisted. It may come down to keeping 2 of Gould, Reid and Ben McKay. Gould closed the VFL year with some strong performances as a forward and I can see a future for him in that role. As I have mentioned before, if we can't find a ready to go key defender, I think McLean could be a good conversion to defence. This would be made easier if we went into next season with McDonald, Amartey, Buller and Gould as good group of young key forwards. So we can spare McLean for added defence, despite his good performances up forward the past season. It's good to have more flexibility in KPPs anyway.

Owen is almost certain to be delisted, creating a 2nd spot for a draftee.

So that leaves Clarke as the next in line to drop if we need to create another list spot.

After that, the choices become less obvious. So we may have only have 3 open spots, excluding Grundy, for trades and draftee. That's not much. So I wouldn't be looking to bring any players in besides McKay.

We could find a few more delistings, but none will be easy calls. I don't see the point of adding too many new players when we still have a fair few prospects who need at least another season of development, in many cases due to injury related limited playing time.

We should have more spots open after next season.

[Roadrunner]

I would be astonished if Melbourne and the AFL didn’t already scenario plan the contract when Grundy shifted to Melbourne.

Their contract managers should sent to Siberia if they didn’t ensure that the Collingwood payment was binding till the end of the contract Grundy signed

To me it sounds like the media are just having so much fun stirring the pot Re pies, dees and Sydney etc

Heard this morning that Grundy has asked to be traded to us- if this is true, we’re nearly there!????

[Bloods05]

Interestingly Caroline Wilson has been slamming Grundy for choosing Sydney. She thinks he is picking the town over our club. What a bitter and twisted person she is.

Also Collingwood are making noises about not paying a part of his salary if he comes to Sydney. Surely they cannot do that?

I listened to that. She didn't sound "bitter and twisted" at all, and she wasn't saying he was picking the town over our club. She said it worried her that he preferred our "lifestyle" pitch over Port's "football" pitch, because she believes football should take precedence over other considerations in decisions like this.

That is a defensible point of view, but I don't agree with her characterisation of his decision. I would say that he has decided he will play better football if he's not being subjected to lots of unwelcome attention. So it's not as black and white as she's making it out to be.

[Roadrunner]

I listened to that. She didn't sound "bitter and twisted" at all, and she wasn't saying he was picking the town over our club. She said it worried her that he preferred our "lifestyle" pitch over Port's "football" pitch, because she believes football should take precedence over other considerations in decisions like this.

That is a defensible point of view, but I don't agree with her characterisation of his decision. I would say that he has decided he will play better football if he's not being subjected to lots of unwelcome attention. So it's not as black and white as she's making it out to be.

Both lifestyle and football would come into the equation. He would be No1 with us with Mensa No 2, and of course there’s the most beautiful jumper in the league as icing on the cake! Go Bloods!????

[Nico]

Sorry Liz- don’t know anything about Jordon, but you can’t have much of a downgrade on Clarke!. I don’t like to knock any Swan but I wouldn’t have him anywhere near our team if we’re serious. Sorry Ryan, please don’t take offence but football is a tough business not just a sport so please move on for your own benefit. Same goes for Sam Wicks- these two can’t help us win a flag. That brings me to Wilbur: he obviously was Horse’s pet when he started with us but hey, time has now flown by so Wilbur, get serious and play consistent good footy and kick accurately or else. The ability is there as he has shown a few times this year but then goes missing too often. Is it a matter of fitness? If so, train your backside off- no excuses!

Prior to Wayward getting drafted we told him to go away and work on building his tank. We drafted him regardless, but after 7 years his tank is still empty. I'm still waiting for his breakout game. I'd rather have Wicks who works harder, tackles harder and covers a lot more ground. Will is a late to the contest tackler. He doesn't get his shorts anywhere near dirty enough for me.

[waswan]

I think Hayward does alot of unrewarded running.

He isnt a star but can take a grab, can help against an intercepting defender and can kick a goal.

Has kick 25goals + for 3yrs in a row, thats what a good small fwd does.

I nearly threw up in my mouth when someone said Wicks over Hayward

[dejavoodoo44]

We actually need to create list spots rather than simply replacing players slated to depart the club. It's not that evident until you look at the details.

By adding Buller and Arnold in the MSD, we went 2 over on list size. I find an easy starting point is to think of the departures of Franklin, McCartin and Hickey create room for Buller, Arnold and Grundy. Now we are back to max list size, so we have to trade out or delist players for every one added, by whatever pathway one chooses.

It's not easy to find players to cut from recent drafts. All 3 ND players from 2022 had injury affected seasons and are in contract anyway. Magor, a rookie who could be delisted, was probably our best permoing player from that draft and deserves another season.

From 2021, there's only Rankin as a possible delisting; he's played well defensively and could become a good small defender if he can improve his disposal efficiency.

Everyone from the 2020 draft is a star. So it's way back to 2019 to search for players to offload. Stephens would find it tough getting chances after 4 ineffective seasons. There are players ahead of him who are not in the first team and several VFL players likely to overtake him. So that's one list spot found.

Gould is the other 2019 draftee who might be delisted. It may come down to keeping 2 of Gould, Reid and Ben McKay. Gould closed the VFL year with some strong performances as a forward and I can see a future for him in that role. As I have mentioned before, if we can't find a ready to go key defender, I think McLean could be a good conversion to defence. This would be made easier if we went into next season with McDonald, Amartey, Buller and Gould as good group of young key forwards. So we can spare McLean for added defence, despite his good performances up forward the past season. It's good to have more flexibility in KPPs anyway.

Owen is almost certain to be delisted, creating a 2nd spot for a draftee.

So that leaves Clarke as the next in line to drop if we need to create another list spot.

After that, the choices become less obvious. So we may have only have 3 open spots, excluding Grundy, for trades and draftee. That's not much. So I wouldn't be looking to bring any players in besides McKay.

We could find a few more delistings, but none will be easy calls. I don't see the point of adding too many new players when we still have a fair few prospects who need at least another season of development, in many cases due to injury related limited playing time.

We should have more spots open after next season.

Agree with most of that, but I suspect that the injury prone Sheather might be unluckily delisted. Perhaps with the softener of a VFL contract, if he can get his body right? Which could mean that the injury prone Reid is shifted to the rookie list, to make a space for a draft pick.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Geeeese I wish we had a like dislike laugh emoji to the posts

One of your best waswan lol ????

[Auntie.Gerald]

So our players retiring or their contract ends 2023 are as per below and equals approx $3.5mill.

This money could be used in some capacity depending who stays and who joins Sydney for 2024 plus some is taken already by long term extended contracts recently.

I’m guessing Paddy we pay out in 2024 but it might have a concession against our cap?

Bud $550k
Hickey $400k for Brodie Grundy?
Stephen’s $400k for James Jordon?
PMcCartin $450k? for Mackay plus $350k?
Reid $300k? McLean?
Clarke $300k? For Harmes?
Melican $300k?
Gould $300k?
HHK $100k?
Sheather $100k?
Owen $100k?
Magor $100k?
Rankin $100k?

Average annual contract is $406k in the AFL and the lowest you can earn in the squad is $100k. That’s my skin reading of 2023 AFL contracts.

[i'm-uninformed2]

Hayward is an interesting one, isn't he.

I'm a bit more appreciative than some others of his work, as he clearly is asked to sacrifice his game to either play 'tag' on intercept defenders, or be the half forward to run high up the ground and back. His addition to the leadership group suggests both the players and coaches value what he does. Plus, he can naturally sniff out a goal - though his goal kicking routine and accuracy was off this year - and has very sticky hands.

Now, having said that, how can we get more out of him? I don't think it's a fitness issue. He covers a lot of ground at high speed. Part of it is how he is used, and that's down to Horse. Is he prepared to release him to be more of an aerial and goal kicking threat, particularly if we release Heeney into the midfield. And then there is what Hayward does with the opportunity.

I get there is a fine line between defensive needs and offensive desire. But I think on balance, a bit like how we often approach centre bounces, we need to take a more proactive approach and Wil would benefit from that. He's never going to be an elite, high end talent, but I think he can definitely do more.

On other issues, Melican has signed for another year.

https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1435243/another-year-for-melican

[Ruck'n'Roll]

I listened to that. She didn't sound "bitter and twisted" at all, and she wasn't saying he was picking the town over our club. She said it worried her that he preferred our "lifestyle" pitch over Port's "football" pitch, because she believes football should take precedence over other considerations in decisions like this.

I just caught the replay, too hot to go out for lunch, I didn't see and bitter and twisted either.
But the suggestion that we might have to bear the full brunt of the incompetent Collingwood contract was very scary. It's a very Collingwood to try it on like that - I hope it goes nowhere.
PS Read you're PM's

[BRS328]

Would agree with you on Sheather, but I thought he had another year to go on his contract

[BRS328]

Completely agree with you waswan. Hayward is a very important part of our structure and is often used as the get out player from defence with both his speed and marking ability.
While he sometimes misses easy shots on goal any medium forward who kicks 25 goals consistently is worth his spot.

[Blood Fever]

Hayward is an interesting one, isn't he.

I'm a bit more appreciative than some others of his work, as he clearly is asked to sacrifice his game to either play 'tag' on intercept defenders, or be the half forward to run high up the ground and back. His addition to the leadership group suggests both the players and coaches value what he does. Plus, he can naturally sniff out a goal - though his goal kicking routine and accuracy was off this year - and has very sticky hands.

Now, having said that, how can we get more out of him? I don't think it's a fitness issue. He covers a lot of ground at high speed. Part of it is how he is used, and that's down to Horse. Is he prepared to release him to be more of an aerial and goal kicking threat, particularly if we release Heeney into the midfield. And then there is what Hayward does with the opportunity.

I get there is a fine line between defensive needs and offensive desire. But I think on balance, a bit like how we often approach centre bounces, we need to take a more proactive approach and Wil would benefit from that. He's never going to be an elite, high end talent, but I think he can definitely do more.

On other issues, Melican has signed for another year.

Another year for Melican

Good move to re-sign Melican....crucial, especially if McKay goes elsewhere. He's not a dud but is in the same boat as Reid injury wise.