Eiffel 65
Cancelled
- Sep 18, 2018
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Like a dog with a bone...
I don;'t get why you keep pointing to Papley's output this year in an injury-ravaged, bottom 4 Swans line-up as any kind of evidence we should/shouldn't trade for him.
The Swans aren't kicking goals. They're averaging 7.5 goals per game this season. Papley is the only player on their list to have kicked 10 or more (22). He's kicked more than double the next best on their list - McCartin (9) - who has now been swung into defence because where else do you want your second highest goal scorer? The Swans are hardly even trying to kick winning scores any more, they're just trying to restrict their opponents' ability to blow them out of the water.
Playing as a small forward last year, Papley kicked 37 goals. He's just turned 24. He has the ability to be rotated on ball for short bursts. And in the event that our key forwards were to succumb to injury, he's even shown that he can make a decent fist of playing as a drastically undersized key forward.
His current form is not indicative of what he would/should offer in a new environment, playing at the feet of and delivering the ball to genuine aerial threats like McKay, Curnow, Casboult, De Koning and McGovern. His current form is a fantastic opportunity to drive the asking price down to something more realistic, despite his importance to the Swans and his ongoing contract.
I think we'd be pushing the 1st rounder for Papley and change now, instead of 1st rounder and change for Papley. I'd be pushing for an upgrade of a future third or something of that nature.
Every club has had injuries.
Sydney have had injuries, but is Papley injured?
I've been watching him very closely this season. His form slump can be attributed to him being beaten by his opponent. I'm looking at the game and his match up for what it is. Like last night, I strongly believe that Papley had minimal impact because Plowman beat him on the night. However, that's clearly not what everyone thinks, because I just responded to a poster this morning who attributed Papley's lack of influence to the fact that Sydney's ball movement was too good to the point where it took small forwards out of the game. I personally don't agree with that and think it's a poor excuse to justify any poor performance Papley puts in.
I've based my opinion on my assessment of our game and our list profile. People don't have to agree with it, but it's an opinion I've formed.
Papley rotating through our midfield would only exacerbate our ball movement issues heading inside forward 50. He's not a great kick. Also don't think he has enough impact in the midfield. He's only averaging approx. 11 disposals per game. Doesn't get it enough when he goes in there. He's more dangerous playing deep in the forward line.
His current contract and the fact that Sydney rate him (or at least say that rate him) as their most important player, not his current form will dictate the trade value.
I had these same conversations with people regarding Mitch McGovern and received similar feedback. I feel pretty confident in my assessment of our list, game style and current performance to stand by my argument that Papley isn't our man or the right player for us.
Clearly my opinion isn't popular with some, but I feel that I've justified it using logical arguments in my past posts.





