Is it just me or this trade season is going to be more crazy than usual. Everyone from every team seems to be shopping themselves around. 

9 minutes ago, GCDee said:

A big overhaul like that could cause a lack of team chemistry. 

You gotta admit it's not ideal losing 25% of your list. 

Unless you're carlton

As an observation a ll players that I’ve been in contact with, know the commercial reality - they rarely speak of it as a brotherhood or all my mates - even the 18yo speak in terms of working in the organisation they are currently employed at. 

There is a generational shift in how they perceive the afl football landscape and understand that everyone and  anyone can be gone and change clubs in this time for trades. To them it is merely a job...  it’s hard to be passionate about your own job day in day out right? It’s no different for them. 

Its us supporters that still hold on to notions of tearing the fabric apart (yes not your words), when players leave.

Edited September 28, 20186 yr by Danelska

I think all pre-season medicals should be extended to include fathers.

Would be a shame to see him go. He was one of the comeback fairytales of the season. But, like with Jesse, you can understand his thinking. It's obviously been a very tough year for him, and given the family and business ties to NSW, Sydney may be the best place for him

17 minutes ago, GCDee said:

A big overhaul like that could cause a lack of team chemistry. 

You gotta admit it's not ideal losing 25% of your list. 

Unless you're carlton

I think chemistry is created after the pre season starts and the players commit to the cause together and find the guys they like to hang out with.

What we appear to be doing is changing our bottom 10- 20 and except for JH, losing no one from the top 22.

If we bring in 4-5 players by trades who are serious top 22 contenders that has to be an improvement. If the next 4-5 brought in via the draft, have the chance to develop into top 22 contenders, that is a brilliant result.

I don't think it is the number being replaced per se that is vital, but rather the abilities of the replacements.

If I said we will lose Pedo and get Preuss, would anyone complain? If I said we get KK and lose Kent? Get Toby Bedford for McKenna. Gaff for Bugg. May and a top 5 kid for Hogan or better. While these are possible examples, they show what we are trying to do, make the list better.

If the list looks better after draft night than it does today, we have succeeded in improving the list, which is a main aim of every club every year.

If we lose JH and keep the rest of our best 22 and change 15 other spots, I would not lose any sleep.

Edited September 28, 20186 yr by Redleg

14 minutes ago, ProDee said:

It makes sense that he may want to move.

He has great attributes, but disposal can let him down.

He's a bottom 6 player, so it's no big deal if he goes.

I would certainly rate him higher than 'bottom 6'. One of our biggest improvements of late has been the consistent pressure we have been able to apply. I would rate AVB up there with our best tacklers - that is Viney & Harmes.

The loss of his hardness at the ball would be very noticeable and most regrettable.

I'd be working at keeping him as a top priority.

1 minute ago, Redleg said:

If we bring in 4-5 players by trades who are serious top 22 contenders that has to be an improvement. If the next 4-5 brought in via the draft, have the chance to develop into top 22 contenders, that is a brilliant result.

I don't think it is the number being replaced per se that is vital, but rather the abilities of the replacements.

I think 4 to 5 may be too many 'Red', there is some good analysis on this.

Longer term it might be ok but could push us back a bit in 2019.

Port went through big changes this year and struggled, admittedly the quality wasn't what it could be. Collingwood a couple of years back were in the same boat, they stabilised this year and are getting a result. WC have been very stable for a while with minimal player movement.

The Tigers have stabilised after a period of instability.

Footy is a business, id could understand him wanting a multi year deal

Love Vanders, would be sad to see him go, but understand why? 

We better go on a camp this year! Just so players can learn each other's names!

 

19 minutes ago, Demon Jim said:

You could try reading the article

Since most of the Aged Journalists have been retrenched or sacked, there is little point in opening anything they do. 

But that is a personal choice

28 minutes ago, Jones said:

Do people bother to read the article before commenting?

Clearly not mate. People just read a "headline" and lose their minds!

33 minutes ago, chook fowler said:

I hope this exodus leads to a genesis and not a poor old Job.

could it be the precursor to the Apocalypse... Did I hear those horses being saddled up ?

A low first rounder I would have thought if not a couple of players as well.

Im thinking an early to mid 2nd rounder. Still pretty good.

[censored] weak if he leaves.  Looked after him for 2 years whilst on the sidelines 

I can understand his reasoning. It sounds like, after the death of his father, he may need to be closer to home for a variety of reasons. Clearly he loves the club and hasn't asked to be traded, but sometimes things in life change. 

If the Swans, like Kent with the Saints, offer Vanders a longer term deal that is closer to home then of course he would seriously consider it. Who could blame him? 

I think he is a handy player and I'd rather him stay, but if he needs to be closer to his family then I hardly think we can stop him or kick up a fuss. 

Edited September 28, 20186 yr by Wiseblood

I've got a lot of sympathy for AVB's situation.  He carries a massive family responsibility with the business and he has been running it by remote.  Sure we looked after him when injured, but he got injured playing for us!  He always gives 100%, but as others have already pointed out, he isn't critical for us going forward.  If he goes then I wish him all the best and sincerely thank him for what he has done for our footy club.

1 hour ago, Jones said:

Do people bother to read the article before commenting?

Welcome to Knee-Jerk Central.

24 minutes ago, Demons11 said:

[censored] weak if he leaves.  Looked after him for 2 years whilst on the sidelines 

[censored] weak thing to say in light of what has been going on in his personal life.  

Seems like it would be family and security driven. Can't really blame him 

Like most AFL players why doesn’t he prioritise his AFL career over a side business? Seems he has his priorities mixed up if he wants to move state to run the family business instead of focusing on his AFL career?

Respect is the new loyalty and I'm ok with that.

Clearly VandenBerg has fair off-field reasons to consider a move to Sydney and clearly there would be a comfortable place for him in their player mix. And no, it is not a 'side business', it is 'the family business', and I would imagine that like a great many small businesses you can't just toss it in and wash your hands unless you're happy with a great big wad of unresolved debts to deal with.

Him leaving wont leave any gaping holes for us, but he is also a player we'd be happy to keep. I honestly can't bring myself to think anything more controversial than 'if he says that is good, if going is what he needs to do, then all the best to him and I'm sure we will get a reasonable trade'.

Straight Swap for Lloyd, they might want to throw in Zak Jones.

1 hour ago, corowa said:

I would certainly rate him higher than 'bottom 6'. One of our biggest improvements of late has been the consistent pressure we have been able to apply. I would rate AVB up there with our best tacklers - that is Viney & Harmes.

The loss of his hardness at the ball would be very noticeable and most regrettable.

I'd be working at keeping him as a top priority.

List your best 20 in order.

He would be a great fit for the Swans, playing style and on that puddle of a ground. 

Massive loss from a father figure role, he is the head of the share house with Oliver, Brayshaw and Dion.