DeeSpencer

Commentators wouldn’t recognise a push in the back if they copped one themselves

Goldy and lack of forward pressure both frustrating me so far. Need to settle down and win some contests

Essendon apparently will offer him a one year deal but seem to be dragging their feet. Hawthorn just waltzed in and got Massimo D’Ambrosio who I think is a beauty. We got to try someone!

Jaiden Hunter from Essendon worth a 2 year deal? Kicked goals in the wafl, got drafted mid year, kicked 4 in his second game then out with a back injury. Essendon yet to offer him a deal.

I think he’d still be moving, because clubs generally force trades through with out of contract players. But it wouldn’t be for money or length of deal. It would be a very similar situation with Bedford last year where we matched the contract but couldn’t convince him that he’d get more chances. I don’t think our coaches made mistakes not playing JJ. Just a reality that you aren’t ready until you’re ready some times. The only other consideration would be could we have moved players out to demonstrate our eagerness to give someone a bigger role. Ie. Moved Spargo last year to help keep Bedford. But I don’t see a on baller to move to keep JJ, especially when he’s going to get a free agent chunk of cash above normal offers.

Stephens will be a trade. Don’t think swans have any free agents going out

McLeans is and will remain in the Swans best 22, he’s one of the best forward/rucks in the comp. Seen a lot of Sam Reid lately? Buller’s on my list of guys we should have a dip at but he’s contracted and the Swans would have to be incentivised to give him up. My guess is the Swans are very keen to give him a preseason and see if he’s more reliable and well rounded than Amartey.

I’d actually have Parker predominantly a forward these days and Heeney needs to step up and become a genuine on baller. Gulden too good not to be on ball for a large portion too. Chad as the third. Which leaves Rowbottom as the defensive mid. Sheldrick in the VFL as depth. McInerney and Campbell on the wings, although Campbell eventually returns to half back once Lloyd is done, too good a kick to limit to half the ground. Maybe he can win that competition with Rowbottom but Longmire seems to love him as much as Goody loves Brayshaw and Sparrow so I’m not convinced of that. Would love to have seen JJ for one more year trained up as an on baller and with a preseason dedicated to power and explosive work given he has elite fitness and a solid frame now. Then given a string of games to see how he goes. But that’s the realities of contracts and limited opportunities in a good side.

The interesting thing is that Sydney’s midfield - whilst perhaps lacking the very top end talent - is deeper than ours. Mills, Parker, Warner, Heeney, Gulden, Rowbottom, McInerney, Campbell all very good players. And Sheldrick ready to step up. I wonder what role they’ve sold JJ on. Can’t imagine he’s moving just to play defensive half forward

Come on Swannies, pay JJ 200k extra and we’ll chip in 200k for Grundy. Let’s get that end of first round pick

Williams wouldn't have to move again, as sad as it is to think about Max will be done in 2-3 years. We could also guarantee Williams at a minimum the same opportunity Grundy got playing 2 rucks and if he's able to contribute forward he would have a strong case to stay in the side. I'd still be shocked because he just finished 6th in the B+F and was a rare good news story for them. But at the same time they're seemingly bringing Flynn in and they used pick #23 on Harry Barnett last year. They don't need 4 rucks on a rebuilding list. They could move Jamieson on for nothing and free up a list space and maybe a few dollars. Or they can trade Bailey Williams at possibly the most trade value he's ever going to have and use a nice pick to bring in a good talent in one of the many more important positions they need than ruck depth.

The Giants gave up 3, 12 and a future 2nd to get him. There’s nothing to say he’s lost any value. VFL form was strong. Hogan had a good year. But Ricciardi didn’t get near it against the Pies and Lachie Keeffe is Lachie Keeffe. They have Richmond’s first rounder and some untested young talent, they aren’t swapping Cadman out for a midfielder. It would take either a Tom Boyd situation or something else unexpected.

There’s a clear precedent. Tom Boyd: pick 4 and Ryan Griffen. They’d have to be certain Cadman was all but gone next year, which would be a shock because they traded up for him in the belief he’d stay. Pick 5 and Oliver? (They probably couldn’t afford him in the salary cap). Pick 5, 2 more first and a second?

Williams came on towards the end of the year. Not the biggest but a good leap and started winning more taps. Not the most skilled or biggest ball winner but can follow up. Was a forward as a junior so he does have some forward craft but he’d be a second ruck who can play forward. Not exactly a forward/ruck but he’d be a strong body and leap at the ball forward if we are lucky. I liked Jamieson in his draft year when he was Jacko’s back up. Athletic running wingman. Hasn’t done much of anything at afl level so far. Would very much be a back up and a roll of the dice.

In a full season only twice did he crack double digit disposals and only twice did he crack double digit hit outs. He’s a cautionary tale for the midseason draft

We might poach Aiden Begg from them who’s a handy young ruck. I think they see Frampton as primarily a KPP. McStay and Moore have injury issues. Howe and Cox aren’t young. But yes, I certainly hope we have a plan

To me he looked tired. A lot of disposals that narrowly missed the mark. The national champs is the real finals for these kids, that’s where you cement a draft range. After that he’s played 6 League games including finals that would’ve taken a big physical toll. To ask him to go back to the well and dominate a Colts grand final when he’s hardly played in that side for most of the year isn’t easy. Still looks the closest thing I’ve seen to Bont and a genuine weapon as a midfielder. Plus you’ve got the luxury of developing him on a back flank until he’s physically ready.

Our wings are just about done, Gus might have to go back outside. Viney should be eased back from a full time role soon. Tracc will be a forward sooner than later. And there’s no guarantees backs or forwards can be mids. Pies have Nick Daicos. Port have JHF. Brisbane have Ashcroft(s). Sydney have Errol. Geelong took a mid top 10 last year. And we need run and class. I think it has to be best available. If that lines up with a need then so be it, otherwise there’s no position where an elite player wouldn’t help us. Maybe a one dimensional contested mid wouldn’t be perfect but there’s no one like that in contention as far as I know.

North are having 9 first round picks over a 3 year stretch and Larkey is happy there. He’s not going to move. They’ll improve next year, win at least 10 games if not play finals in 2025 and be a finals lock from then on. Plus what are North going to do? Draft Nate Caddy and hope in 3-5 years he’s good? They’d be mad to get rid of a key forward just for more picks when they’ve had a stack and got more coming.

I reckon Ralphy’s got his wires crossed on this one. The Saints surely want a decent pick for Gresham and Shiel is worth nothing given his age, injuries and salary. Unless there’s no market at all for Gresham and the Bombers have to pay him massive overs I’d expect the Saints to hold on to the good pick and hand Essendon a lesser one. Either way, it’s the height of all dodgyness and the AFL need to stamp it out. (Unless we can do something similar if JJ and Grundy both pick Sydney and we can pay some of Grundy’s contract in return for the Swans boosting JJ to buy us good compo).

What’s a big move? Trading for pick 1? Trading for pick 4? Targeting a key forward (feels like we’ve covered them all. But I’ll add a name if we’re just taking wild guesses , Riley Thilthorpe)? How about trading for midfield class? Can we convince Tim Kelly and his partner to come give Victoria another go and play finals rather than rebuild at 29? Can we convince Zach Merrett that Essendon aren’t going anywhere? Richmond need picks to kickstart a rebuild, what if we offer the world for Shai Bolton?

Ben’s played 14 - 17 - 22 - 0 - 20 games in his career. Pretty good for a young key forward.

Things went bad in 2019 for Tommy, the only game he looked himself in sure him injure his knee. Didn’t get better in 2020. We tried to dump the salary after that. Played some good games in 2021 but really it was half a good year out of the last 5.

Of course not! They’ll trade both of them and then there’s nothing to review!

Lack of forwards and lack of backline run play a major role, but at the end of the day our mids are poor kicks and we need them to be at least borderline ok. Not a giant improvement but noticeable change. 1. Gawn: kick less. He simply has to play to his strengths and weaknesses and not try to be the hero. He can dish off handballs like most rucks do. 2. Viney: time to make him a heavy defensive half forward rotation player. Not quite Taylor Adams but close to 50/50 forward mid assuming we have our best side to pick from. 3. Petracca: Tracc’s always going to be risk reward. Again, more half forward. Big targets will help him. Keep grinding away at the goal kicking at hope it changes. 4. Clarry. The biggest challenge because we need him playing on ball and getting 30+. A left foot would be a good idea. Getting more run in to the side so he’s got handball options and can get it on the run himself would both help. Do some technique work with Choco. Stay healthy, don’t end up in hospital mid year! The important question is who’s going to fill the midfield minutes. Obviously can’t just be Gus, Sparrow (or shudder even Harmes if he stays), that’s lateral at best. I’d use all of Salem, Rivers, ANB, Pickett, Laurie, a taste of Bowey, McVee, Howes, some Woey, some Chandler over summer plus draft picks. Give everyone a run and see how it goes.