I've been asking people around the traps (make good connections with my weekday job) and here is what I know:
Swans are 100% after Leuy.
Swans are interested in Bennell. Swans think Franklin/Goodes (if he goes on) can whip him into line. Bennell will replace Jetta.
Bird would be involved in that trade to the Gold Coast. GC looking for mature bodies and Bird is one of them.
Bennell is an interesting one. The trade restrictions are still hanging over us, but Gold Coast will pay more than half of his 500-600k contract, which means we only have to pay 250-300k over the next 2 years if we get him. Could this be a loophole in our current trade restrictions as we technically aren't paying more than that 350k?
Are your sources close enough to the insider though? I know lots of people who follow the game and can tell me lots of rumours.
I'd like to think that you're right. I believe that we are the club that can straighten him out. We have a history of this. When was the last time there was a headline where a Swan did something negative outside of football? You would probably have to to go back to the Micky O rape allegations of the early 90's or something Capper did with Leanne when he was with us.
Of course this is only applicable if he wants to be straightened out. Some players simply aren't prepared to commit to the demands of AFL (i.e. Dayle Garlett, Brendan Fevola, etc.).
If we do look at him we will need to be certain that;
1) he is desperate enough to play the game,
2) he is willing and able to comply with the clubs rules, and
3) we have someone who could be a father figure to him and take him under their wing (i.e. Goodsey would be ideal but he may not want to spend next year babysitting).