2023 List Management

[Ruck'n'Roll]

Joel Hamling "Fremantle have tabled a one-year offer to the 30-year-old, but the Swans are believed to have offered a two-season deal."

[i'm-uninformed2]

Joel Hamling "Fremantle have tabled a one-year offer to the 30-year-old, but the Swans are believed to have offered a two-season deal."

Has major Sam Gray/Lewis Taylor feels. I got those deals at the time as our salary cap was a mess and we were trying low risk, low cost options among a transitioning list. And Hamling might only cost us a packet of twisties and a stale beer. But a 30yo who’s put together a full season twice in his entire career? And ain’t that tall, or that good.

Like, I get Jordon. He’s 22, comes from a terrific system and has potential upside. But I reckon Hamling will make Aaron Francis look like Darcy Moore.

I hope this is like the “the Swans will definitely grab Oscar McDonald” stories before the mid season draft.

[stevoswan]

Re: Oliver rumours....have Melbourne gone mad?

I hope we're not mad enough to try to fit him in.....too risky for retention of our elite young talent, as others have alluded to.

As good as Oliver is, it's a no from me as well.

[Bloods05]

Has major Sam Gray/Lewis Taylor feels. I got those deals at the time as our salary cap was a mess and we were trying low risk, low cost options among a transitioning list. And Hamling might only cost us a packet of twisties and a stale beer. But a 30yo who’s put together a full season twice in his entire career? And ain’t that tall, or that good.

Like, I get Jordon. He’s 22, comes from a terrific system and has potential upside. But I reckon Hamling will make Aaron Francis look like Darcy Moore.

I hope this is like the “the Swans will definitely grab Oscar McDonald” stories before the mid season draft.

The difference is that he has proven himself to be a competent player, albeit that he has never been a star. The same could not have been said of Gray or Taylor. He'll be useful for a couple of years.

[stevoswan]

In any event, all hypothetical, doubt he'd choose us and suspect we can't afford his salary (I wonder who the heck can?).

I'm sure Geelong are frantically calling all local real estate agents as we speak!

[i'm-uninformed2]

Re: Oliver rumours....have Melbourne gone mad?

I hope we're not mad enough to try to fit him in.....too risky for retention of our elite young talent, as others have alluded to.

As good as Oliver is, it's a no from me as well.

I’ve already said I think he’s best in comp level, but the price is the potential issue. It’d take a big fish out to get a big fish. I’m not a never do it, just be careful.

What’s funny though is for a laugh I wandered over to Melb’s bigfooty board. There’s a heap of posters on there celebrating his potential move and calculating his move in terms of draft points, or Harley Reid, or whatever.

As if you’d give up someone the AFL coaches have TWICE said is best in class for potential. Truly mad, and a reminder of why I never join BF.

If Melb do it, it erodes their flag chances immensely. Their overloaded midfield ain’t their problem. I get you have to give a bit to get a bit. But they lost finals coz they couldn’t kick straight, and Max Gawn stupidly touched a shot at goal from * checks notes * Oliver.

[Auntie.Gerald]

Probably the most divisive news ever

Contested footy a major problem at the Swans

Major !!!!

And an answer to a serious and not imaginary problem comes along …….. hmmmm

Big price tag though………ohhh

[Dow]

Probably the most divisive news ever

Contested footy a major problem at the Swans

Major !!!!

And an answer to a serious and not imaginary problem comes along …….. hmmmm

Big price tag though………ohhh

It’s a big price, but I’d pay it ????unfortunately I doubt we have the trade currency to get it done

[Meg]

I'm sure Geelong are frantically calling all local real estate agents as we speak!

And herding cows?

[KSAS]

The temptation in getting Oliver is the big instant sugar hit he brings in helping us to win flags during our window (along with Grundy's potential recruitment). However Oliver comes as a long term cost in both draft & cap capital. That is the risk with him, short term success v long term pain. Are we willing to take it?

At least Grundy is less of a risk in both draft & cap capital (assuming Pies will have to continue compensating his contract). Even Buddy didn't cost us any draft capital being a RFA.

For me, as good as he is, I'm leaning towards Oliver being too much of a risk, as I view midfielders as a dime a dozen. Other better bang for buck options out there (i.e Harmes).

Also makes you think why the sudden turn around with Mekbourne after recently signing Oliver onto a mega deal till 2030.

With Hamling, hope he turns out to be another Hickey success story as a KPD if we do get him.

[lwjoyner]

hamling no for me, no beter than what we have. freo obvious;y dpesnt rate him,

[i'm-uninformed2]

Also makes you think why the sudden turn around with Mekbourne after recently signing Oliver onto a mega deal till 2030.

This is the bit that has me curious, and I'm not buying the poor standards thing. There's an article in the Hun today that uses words like professionalism, and standards, and lifestyle, and commitment - without citing a single actual thing he has done. Even the article in the Age can only cite him being a bit late for an end-of-season interview. There probably was a dispute over management of his injury mid-year, but that's mild in the overall trajectory of his career. There's no real there, there - at least not available.

The idea a player who's won 4 B&Fs, 3 AAs and two coaches awards suddenly lacks professionalism is just bunkum.

This has the sniff of a club that's won a flag, but decided it needs to recalibrate its list and create salary cap space to win another one or two in the next few years. Jettisoning Oliver gives them major draft and salary cap collateral to go after specific list and positional needs. This is all just an excuse.

[Blood Fever]

Has a good relationship with fitness guru Burgess who is now with Adelaide. The fact that no one has denied the story looks like they are actually open to trading him. NBA in US often operates like this after a championship has been won. Brutal but reality over there. Jars with me but maybe that's where we're heading more and more.

[BRS328]

You may well be right in your assessment of what Melbourne is attempting to do, however if parting with Oliver is not connected with bringing in a key forward to address their obvious weaknesses it does not make sense.
The premiership window is now for Melbourne so you would think this would be their priority

[Thunder Shaker]

With Doedee nominating Brisbane, I’d rather we went after Gardiner rather than Hamling if we’re chasing another KPD. Gardiner must be feeling a little unloved. I know he’s not super tall, but some blokes play tall and he just did a job on both Curnow and Mihocek. Only just turned 28, would represent a major upgrade on Francis and arguably Melican.

Particularly given - per Ludwig’s post earlier - I struggle to see us getting O’Sullivan, though Murphy might still be in range. Even if we got Geelong’s pick 7, I don’t see O’Sullivan being in play unless the Dees move up to pick 1, which would involve sacrificing pick 5. Whoever has pick 1 takes Reid, then Curtin and McKercher go to either Norf or WCE - who most likely hold 2&3. Both need midfield class and a KPD, so that’s a lock. If the Dogs get pick 4, they take Watson as they’re already getting Croft and have a plethora of talls. That means the Dees - who have limited KP stocks and Steven May turning 32 - take O’Sullivan, even if they stay at 5. And I reckon they take him at 4 if they nab that.

Curtin is likely to end up at the Eagles if they can get a second pick inside the top 5. They will draft Reid if they use pick 1 but they are keen to get Curtin as well.

The Dogs will only get Croft if he nominates the Dogs as a father-son. Has that happened yet?

Key defenders from Cal Twomey's Phantom Form Guide (September):
6 Curtin 195cm - KPD/KPF
10 O'Sullivan 198cm
13 Murphy 200cm
18 McCabe 197cm - KPD/KPF, Hawthorn F/S

KPD over 195 cm tall are at a premium, as is evidenced by the feeding frenzy that ensued when a few were available for trade or free agency. I can see Curtin, O'Sullivan and Murphy all being drafted inside the top 10, and McCabe is likely to be drafted earlier than pick 18 as well.

I speculated earlier (post 2560) about trading with Geelong for pick 7. I speculated about this trade to draft O'Sullivan specifically, but it is also a useful trade to make if O'Sullivan and Curtin are both drafted early and Sydney drafts Murphy with pick 7. KPD are at a premium, so the club should ensure it can actually draft one.

Another convoluted trade could see us getting pick 8 instead of 7, but this is even more speculative. If North Melbourne doesn't get a first-round compensation pick, they could still end up with two picks inside the top 4. They could trade McKay to Essendon for pick 8, swap pick 8 and 19 to the Suns for pick 4 and 48 (giving the Suns 163 points). North end up with picks 2 and 4 that they could trade to the Eagles for pick 1. Suns trade pick 8 and 19 to Sydney for 11, 23 and 31 for another 251 points. A trade involving five clubs is unlikely to play out like this, but such trades have happened before.