Bird turns 27 at the start of next year, after spending most of this year in the NEAFL. Jack and Parker were missing for the finals, and he still couldn't crack a game. If Watts gets traded, I'd want it to be part of a bigger trade that brings in a player that would be in our top 10.

Getting Robinson would be just getting another Aidan Riley.

No thanks!

Angry at Casey posted today that Grimes is out the door.

What would the combined salary of Watts/Grimes be, I'd guess anywhere from 650-800k.

Both contracted for next year and both dropped at least twice throughout the year.

I like it, Craig Bird is walk up start to our best 22, and a serious upgrade on Matt Jones and co, knows the Swans game style well and should fit in nicely, and Watts gets out of Melbourne and into a team that can use his Weapons rather than highlight his weaknesses

I'd want Watts' replacement to be an upgrade on Watts, otherwise I wouldn't bother. Bird is more of a competitor, but I think Watts has more tools. Not to mention Bird will be 27 at the start of 2016. This would be a bad, bad trade, IMO. If true, it shows very much that the FD are happy to get rid of Watts for very little.

I want Toumpas gone but I get the whole "it's just one place on the list argument".

To me this is about freeing up cash to make a play for someone else not about list space.

I honestly believe next year could be the last for the likes of Watts and Grimes if they remain on our list.

What are we honestly expecting in return for him? We have to be realistic.

If this did go through then two days later we heard that we've offered player x 800k for five years and he's agreed to terms we'd all be wetting our pants.

Bird's salary plus cola wouldn't be far short of Watts' salary at the moment, so you're hardly freeing up cap space.

I like it, Craig Bird is walk up start to our best 22, and a serious upgrade on Matt Jones and co, knows the Swans game style well and should fit in nicely, and Watts gets out of Melbourne and into a team that can use his Weapons rather than highlight his weaknesses

So an upgrade on Matt Jones. Well no disrespect to Matt, but we need a whole lot better than that. We lose on the trade scenario. So the computer says no.

I watched a bit of the VFL Grand Final and a Patrick Lawler playing for the losing side Box Hill took my eye. He is 22, he didn't rate in their best but he seemed to have clean hands and be quite elusive in traffic. Does anyone know more about him and if he would be worth a late pick?

Bird's salary plus cola wouldn't be far short of Watts' salary at the moment, so you're hardly freeing up cap space.

Plus COLA, do we honestly believe the swans divvy it up between the whole team.

A player on 200k gets told they can only give him 180k and 20k of COLA as opposed to 200 plus 20.

No ok, as I am needing it for right side of wall.

Why didn't you say so earlier? You need a wall-hammer for that!

I watched a bit of the VFL Grand Final and a Patrick Lawler playing for the losing side Box Hill took my eye. He is 22, he didn't rate in their best but he seemed to have clean hands and be quite elusive in traffic. Does anyone know more about him and if he would be worth a late pick?

I agree that Lawler did some nice things. The 2 Willi players that impressed me were Conway and Charleston. I reckon Conway has got some X factor, and I loved how assured Charleston was in the backline.

If Watts gets traded, I'd want it to be part of a bigger trade that brings in a player that would be in our top 10.

I'd want that too, but think it's very unlikely. Watts hasn't even been able to hold his place in our first 22, so just getting someone who does would already be an upgrade.

Freo making a big play for Bennell. Source facebook.

I'd want that too, but think it's very unlikely. Watts hasn't even been able to hold his place in our first 22, so just getting someone who does would already be an upgrade.

It's a technicality, but I think he did hold his place in the 22 for the majority of the season.

I'd want that too, but think it's very unlikely. Watts hasn't even been able to hold his place in our first 22, so just getting someone who does would already be an upgrade.

Despite all the posts about Watts being traded the MFC offers Watts (along with Hogan, Tyson, Brayshaw and Jones) as one of the limited options for player images that members can have printed on their 2016 membership cards. Do you really think that they would promote this option if they were planning to trade him? (On the other hand, Howe isn't offered as an option!)

To be honest, if no clubs are interested in trading their first or second rounders for Watts, wouldn't we just wait until he's a FA next year and run away with the compensation pick (likely band 2 or 3; between pick 19 and pick 30)?

He's shown glimpses this year that the penny's finally dropped; let's see what might happen after McCartney gets a full pre-season with him.

Freo making a big play for Bennell. Source facebook.

He would smash it as a docker. With pav and macpharlane retiring they have the cap space. Sending their first round pick and a fringe player back won't hurt them.

I can see this happening.

Freo making a big play for Bennell. Source facebook.

So Freo will get Mccarthy and Bennell this year. Will they have enough room for Hogan in a couple years time? Maybe their giving up?

Despite all the posts about Watts being traded the MFC offers Watts (along with Hogan, Tyson, Brayshaw and Jones) as one of the limited options for player images that members can have printed on their 2016 membership cards. Do you really think that they would promote this option if they were planning to trade him? (On the other hand, Howe isn't offered as an option!)

I haven't received that offer as yet. And what if I want Ellie Blackburn??

So Freo will get Mccarthy and Bennell this year. Will they have enough room for Hogan in a couple years time? Maybe their giving up?

You could safely assume Pav and Mc Pharlin would earn more than Bennell and Mc Carthy.

Nearly all trade stories are leaked from player agents rather than clubs.

Do you think its normally a deliberate tactic, NSC or just people not being able to keep quiet?

I thought the Swans couldn't trade in a player above the average AFL wage? Watts would be above this surely*. Or am I misunderstanding the draft/trade restrictions Gil put on the Swans? Can someone clarify what the story is here?

*queue posters saying he doesn't deserve it, blah, blah.

Edited September 27, 20159 yr by Moonshadow

I thought the Swans couldn't trade in a player above the average AFL wage? Watts would be above this surely*. Or am I misunderstanding the draft restrictions Gil put on the Swans? Can someone clarify what the story is here?

*queue posters saying he doesn't deserve it, blah, blah.

They can now trade a player in at $450k to replace Jetta.

They can now trade a player in at $450k to replace Jetta.

Thanks Red. Would've thought that Watts could generate more than $450k. Still a lot of money, Monopoly money really.

They can now trade a player in at $450k to replace Jetta.

Im pretty sure its actually 350k??

Do you think its normally a deliberate tactic, NSC or just people not being able to keep quiet?

The person who told me that thinks its usually a deliberate tactic.