Lets get Sam Power!

[SpecialBruce]

This should be our main priority during trading at the end of the year. I know it's early, but it could be addressed.

We have got to offer Bulldogs anything we've got. We gotto get Sam Power. He is going to be a star and if he turns out like his brother then we will be set. Could be a good replacement for McRae if McRae retires.

Who would we give up though? We have plenty of possibilites. One player would have to be a tall.

Morrison and Notting?
Morrison and Bradshaw?
Morrison and Wright?
Morrison and Gram?
Morrison and McLaren?
Morrison and Hadley?
Morrison and Shattock?
Morrison and Copeland?
Morrison and McGrath?
Keating and Notting?
Keating and Morrison?
Keating and Bradshaw?
Keating and Gram?
Keating and Wright?
Keating and Hadley?
Keating and Shattock?
Keating and Copeland?
Keating and McGrath?
McLaren and Bradshaw
McLaren and Notting?
McLaren and Gram?
McLaren and Wright?
McLaren and Hadley?
McLaren and Copeland?
McLaren and McGrath?
Bradshaw and Wright?
Bradshaw and Gram?
Bradshaw and Notting?
Bradshaw and Hadley?
Bradshaw and Shattock?
Bradshaw and Copeland?
Bradshaw and McGrath?

Non Talls - Long shot.

Notting and Copeland?
Notting and Wright?
Notting and Gram?
Notting and Hadley?
Notting and Shattock?
Notting and McGrath?
Shattock and Hadley?
Shattock and Wright?
Shattock and Gram?
Shattock and Copeland?
Shattock and McGrath?
Copeland and Wright?
Copeland and Gram?
Copeland and Hadley?
Coepland and McGrath?
Hadley and Wright?
Hadley and Gram?
Hadley and McGrath?
Gram and Wright?
Gram and McGrath?
Wright and McGrath?

Possibilities are endless and the Bulldogs will be after any of those players.

All we need to do is make one trade at the end of the year and that is to secure the services of Sam Power.

Thoughts?

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by acuguy
shattock and Copeland, even better if we can get rid of shattock and morrison. Met Morros dad today



WHAT A ****ER

One of those 53 trades should make the Dogs happy.

 

[(_!_)]

Luke Power and Akermanis

 

[The Doctor]

Originally posted by SpecialBruce
One of those 53 trades should make the Dogs happy.

wrong!

if you want a quality youngster like Sam Power you are going to have to give us quality player in return. We are not in need of middle raters, duds, or oldies thanks, we have plenty of our own.

While some of those players you have mentioned would be useful to the Dogs you would not get Power as payment for them.

Power might be available to you in a trade for Brennan or Charman perhaps or in a wider deal for J.Brown.

 

[Mr Ripper]

Originally posted by acuguy
shattock and Copeland, even better if we can get rid of shattock and morrison. Met Morros dad today



WHAT A ****ER

Yeah, I reckon he's a bonzer bloke, too, Nino.

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by The Doctor
wrong!

if you want a quality youngster like Sam Power you are going to have to give us quality player in return. We are not in need of middle raters, duds, or oldies thanks, we have plenty of our own.

While some of those players you have mentioned would be useful to the Dogs you would not get Power as payment for them.

Power might be available to you in a trade for Brennan or Charman perhaps or in a wider deal for J.Brown.

Why not McLaren instead of Charman? McLaren can be a KPP.

Sam I believe hasn't been getting much game time anyway.

I'm sure the club will work on a good deal that will secure us Sam Power. They better try at least.

S Power for Charman

That one might be a goer actually. If Keating remains fit and McDonald and Keating play out the year, I wouldn't be surprised if Charman wants to leave.

 

[The Doctor]

Originally posted by SpecialBruce
Why not McLaren instead of Charman? McLaren can be a KPP.

he is, to put it kindly, modestly talented. we may as well give you Wiggins for him.

Perhaps your board might like to consider having the No.1 pick in the draft.

We are odds on to get it and possibly a concessional pick.

I would be happy to trade away the number 1 pick so you can have the best kid in the land but we would need a terrific deal to trade it away. You will also have sal cap issues and a need to rejuvenate your list after you take out your 3rd premiership this year.

I'm thinking Luke Power and Mal Michael.

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by The Doctor


I'm thinking Luke Power and Mal Michael.

Dream on. You wouldn't be able to afford one of them, let alone two.

 

[keatings_gal]

no one gets our boy ash....

hes staying here....

not that i want anyone to ever leave.....

 

[Stocka]

Originally posted by The Doctor
Power might be available to you in a trade for Brennan or Charman perhaps or in a wider deal for J.Brown.

You are kidding, right?

S.Power is a great young player, and I wouldn't expect the WB's to let go of him cheaply, but you are certainly not in a position to ask for the above, for him. He's shown the ability to do some very good things out on the field, and has always had big wraps placed on him, but at the same time, it is not as if he has exactly "killed them" yet in the manner of a Riewoldt or Judd (not to say that he won't though).

Likewise, we'd have to have lost the plot completely to offer such players for him. I'd be very keen to see S.Power with the Lions for a number of reasons . . . but not keen enough to the point of stupidity.

I would think a trade deal involving McLaren and Bradshaw for S.Power would be excellent for both sides.

You argue that McLaren is modestly talented . . . I reckon he's better than that. I would actually be keen to keep him, although, I would be keener to see S.Power at the club alongside brother Luke.

Similarly, I would think that one of the key aspects in keeping L.Darcy happy at the club, would be to snare another ruckman. McLaren would be a perfect choice in this regard as he's young, enthusiastic (really has a go), and can play ruck with the potential of filling in a key position. There's improvement in him still, in both his game and physical stature.

Not to mention, he also comes from the Bulldogs old zone.

I'd also think that Bradshaw would be a very good pick up for WB. His leading style would suit their style of play perfectly - sort of similar to Hudson or Brown, but more of a key-position player. He's not overly consistent, but neither are the other two I previously mentioned. I reckon it'd be a huge boost for WB, as they'd be able to allow Brown to venture back to the wing where he belongs.

Likewise, if WB are expecting big-name players in return for one of their youngsters, then they would have to be kidding themselves. Not only are they potentially going to find it difficult to hold on to a number of high-profile players of their own already come season's end, but the prospect of attracting and accomodating more seems even less of a possibility, especially in light of the financial restrictions that the club faces.

With that said though, there is no reason as to why taking two fringe players from one of the best teams in the competition could not work out even better for WB. I'd also think that Bradshaw and McLaren could easily be accomodated into the financial situation that the Bulldogs face, along with the fact that they'd probably appreciate more secure long-term futures with WB than they may with BL.

I'd be more than happy in receiving S.Power for Bradshaw and McLaren (as much as I appreciate them both), and if I were in the Bulldogs shoes, I'd most likely feel much the same as well.

 

[Stocka]

Apart from all that . . . nice to see you stole my idea, SB!

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by Stocka
Apart from all that . . . nice to see you stole my idea, SB!

I said last year we should have focused on getting Sam Power.

 

[Stocka]

Sure you did, SB . . .

 

[SpecialBruce]

Originally posted by Stocka
Sure you did, SB . . .

I'm a genius afterall.

 

[ian68]

I think we are all get carried away with sentiment with the exception of Stocka. Sam Power is OK but I cannot see how he is worth two quality players. Maybe a first round pick or one quality player. Seeing how we need salary relief I'd suggest the latter.
After the St kilda game I am all for getting Baby Voss back.

 

[The Doctor]

Originally posted by Stocka
You are kidding, right?

S.Power is a great young player, and I wouldn't expect the WB's to let go of him cheaply, but you are certainly not in a position to ask for the above, for him. He's shown the ability to do some very good things out on the field, and has always had big wraps placed on him, but at the same time, it is not as if he has exactly "killed them" yet in the manner of a Riewoldt or Judd (not to say that he won't though).

Likewise, we'd have to have lost the plot completely to offer such players for him. I'd be very keen to see S.Power with the Lions for a number of reasons . . . but not keen enough to the point of stupidity.

I would think a trade deal involving McLaren and Bradshaw for S.Power would be excellent for both sides.

You argue that McLaren is modestly talented . . . I reckon he's better than that. I would actually be keen to keep him, although, I would be keener to see S.Power at the club alongside brother Luke.

Similarly, I would think that one of the key aspects in keeping L.Darcy happy at the club, would be to snare another ruckman. McLaren would be a perfect choice in this regard as he's young, enthusiastic (really has a go), and can play ruck with the potential of filling in a key position. There's improvement in him still, in both his game and physical stature.

Not to mention, he also comes from the Bulldogs old zone.

I'd also think that Bradshaw would be a very good pick up for WB. His leading style would suit their style of play perfectly - sort of similar to Hudson or Brown, but more of a key-position player. He's not overly consistent, but neither are the other two I previously mentioned. I reckon it'd be a huge boost for WB, as they'd be able to allow Brown to venture back to the wing where he belongs.

Likewise, if WB are expecting big-name players in return for one of their youngsters, then they would have to be kidding themselves. Not only are they potentially going to find it difficult to hold on to a number of high-profile players of their own already come season's end, but the prospect of attracting and accomodating more seems even less of a possibility, especially in light of the financial restrictions that the club faces.

With that said though, there is no reason as to why taking two fringe players from one of the best teams in the competition could not work out even better for WB. I'd also think that Bradshaw and McLaren could easily be accomodated into the financial situation that the Bulldogs face, along with the fact that they'd probably appreciate more secure long-term futures with WB than they may with BL.

I'd be more than happy in receiving S.Power for Bradshaw and McLaren (as much as I appreciate them both), and if I were in the Bulldogs shoes, I'd most likely feel much the same as well.

definately not

The Bulldogs trading Power for Bradshaw and McLaren would be the euivalent of Lions trading Brennan for Harrison and Wiggins. You simply do not allow your young guns to leave without an exceptional return. The Bulldogs would be insane to consider such a deal.

Bradshaw could possibly be of some use to the Dogs but more likely for a draft pick or for a player type we have a surplus of (small to mid size young running midfielders like Gilbee or Birss or even Eagleton). McLaren we don't need as we already have plenty of young talls of his size and type like Skipper, Wiggins, Harris and several others untried.

Therefore I doubt a deal involving Power would happen unless it involved Brennan or Charman or in a wider deal for one of your top liners.

As for the number 1 pick in the draft I would have thought the Lions would be very keen to get it. The way I see it, the Lions

* Would be very keen to get the next Judd, Riewoldt etc. or put simply the best kid in the country.
* With a dozen or so players coming out of contract and many of them big names who will want a bit more cash would have to seriously consider trading one or two big names to ease their salary cap burden
* Will have to increase their list numbers up to 37 (is it 33 now???) putting more pressure on.
* Will have to rejuvenate the list anyhow after such a sustained period of success as some players may not be as hungry.

The Bulldogs financial position is not as bad as everyone makes out. OK it's not super rosy but consider this.

* In 2003 we have record membership numbers and a very hefty increase in sponsorship dollars with more to be announced.
* The AFL will be lifting restrictions on our ability to spend to the upper limits of the cap. Even at 95% of the cap we still have to spend around $5.7m + the nest line of increases will be funded by the AFL.
* The current admin have slashed operating costs and will be putting more money into servicing debt and the team which could permit us to spend 100% of the cap.
* An investment in quality players will attract a lot of attention and increase further our prospects of getting more members and sponsors. We have rarely gone for big name players in the past and you may be right that it will be difficult for us to attract them. But it is not out of the realms of possibility.
* Finally, a low finish this year will mean we cut/trade off a lot of players. We will also have the ablity to place several veterans on the new vets list like Smith and Croft.

All this means we are most likely to be in a better position than we have for many years to trade for quality players. We have a recent histroy of trading for middle of the road players and this has not worked as everyone can see by our current ladder position. Our team is not as bad as our position suggests (like Lions a few short years ago). A quick and significant rise up the ladder is very possible.

So a very high pick in the draft for a package of players like Power, Michael, Charman et al would have to be tempting. Of course this can be balanced by the trading of other picks/players. But the main thrust would be the Dogs getting a couple of very good players and the Lions getting the best kid in the land. Sounds reasonable doesn't it?

*

 

[SpecialBruce]

There could be a potential three way trade which we havn't considered.

We will have salary cap pressures.

McDonald and Hadley back to WA to the Eagles. McDonald and Gardiner in tandem would be a good combination.

Chris Judd to the Bulldogs.

Sam Power to Brisbane

Brisbane need to get a draft pick in there somewhere from West Coast or the Bulldogs. Bulldogs might be happy to give us a round 2 pick.

 

[Stocka]

Originally posted by The Doctor
definately not

The Bulldogs trading Power for Bradshaw and McLaren would be the euivalent of Lions trading Brennan for Harrison and Wiggins. You simply do not allow your young guns to leave without an exceptional return. The Bulldogs would be insane to consider such a deal.

Bradshaw could possibly be of some use to the Dogs but more likely for a draft pick or for a player type we have a surplus of (small to mid size young running midfielders like Gilbee or Birss or even Eagleton).

I'd disagree with that. Considering Bradshaw is a premiership player, and has contributed significantly to our goal tally since season 2000 (inclusive), I'd wager that we could get a greater return than you are touting.

I'm fairly sure Geelong could use another spearhead, and I'd be keen to pick up someone like D.Spriggs in exchange (who would suit us better than the players you've mentioned from WB), considering Geelong have so many talented small-men. If WB weren't keen on Bradshaw, I'm sure we could always arrange a favourable deal elsewhere.

Originally posted by The Doctor
McLaren we don't need as we already have plenty of young talls of his size and type like Skipper, Wiggins, Harris and several others untried.

Just looking at the Bulldogs list, as an outsider, I would have said that you guys actually lacked a few established talls who would be capable of playing well in the seniors right now. The players you've mentioned might certainly come good in a few years time, however, it's a bit of an ask in relying on them to perform competently at AFL level at this stage.

I'd certainly think that McLaren could step right in to a role with WB, and continue to improve alongside Darcy and Grant in being able to relieve them of their more restrictive roles in order to play their more creative style of game.

McLaren has a couple of years of development in him, both physically and also in terms of experience within an AFL team (in fact, alongside the best in the land). I am actually quite keen to keep the guy as well, however, as I said earlier, I'd probably be keener to get S.Power.

I realise S.Power would come at a price, but all things considered, I believe that D.Bradshaw and D.McLaren would be a reasonable trade. We may have to consider adding our first round draft pick in as well, perhaps in return for S.Power and a latter round draft pick.

Originally posted by The Doctor
Therefore I doubt a deal involving Power would happen unless it involved Brennan or Charman or in a wider deal for one of your top liners.

Personally, I don't rate Brennan as highly as others seem to. With that said, he's certainly a talented player, and I can't see us giving him up after only one season of football with the club. L.Matthews seems to love the guy . . .

It's understandable that the Bulldogs would not want to part with S.Power very easily considering he was picked early in the draft, but apart from being highly touted, he has not yet been "outstanding" in the seniors. Of course, it's highly likely that he "will be" one day, however, the fact that he hasn't as yet, means that you can't expect to receive in return for him, what clubs may offer for the likes of Riewoldt or Judd who HAVE blitzed at an early stage.

Originally posted by The Doctor
As for the number 1 pick in the draft I would have thought the Lions would be very keen to get it.


The way I see it, the Lions

* Would be very keen to get the next Judd, Riewoldt etc. or put simply the best kid in the country.

It'd certainly be a good prospect, however, for a variety of reasons, I'd probably still prefer to see us snare S.Power.

If it was known that there was some kid out there who has a high chance of going on to be the next M.Lloyd, then I may possibly reconisder that decision. It would have to be a strong possibility, however . . .

Originally posted by The Doctor
* With a dozen or so players coming out of contract and many of them big names who will want a bit more cash would have to seriously consider trading one or two big names to ease their salary cap burden

Perhaps, although, it could be just as likely that we'll simply off-load a few fringe players. Considering they've been playing in the best team in the competition for a few years, who's to say they won't be worth far more to lower-ranked clubs?

In this regard, if the likes of Notting, Bradshaw, Shattock, Keating and McLaren became available, opposition clubs would be foolish to pass them off as merely "second rate" players, IMO. All could argue a good case for being worthy of being kept on with the Lions in the future.

Likewise, it's likely that we'll be losing a few long-term players at the end of the year, which will help ease the salary cap constraints. I'd assume the likes of White, Ashcroft, Hart, Lynch, McRae and Pike would all amount to quite a lot in salary terms, and it's likely that we could see the retirement of 2 or 3 of those players (perhaps even more).

Originally posted by The Doctor
* Will have to increase their list numbers up to 37 (is it 33 now???) putting more pressure on.

* Will have to rejuvenate the list anyhow after such a sustained period of success as some players may not be as hungry.

Certainly, although, we do have a number of talented players on the rookie list who sound worthy of being promoted. Likewise, we've also got a number of untried youngsters who I'd be keen to see developed over the next few seasons.

Originally posted by The Doctor
The Bulldogs financial position is not as bad as everyone makes out. OK it's not super rosy but consider this.

Personally, I was referring more towards the salary cap restriction that the Bulldogs are currently under, whereby they pay only 92.5% to 95%. This surely has to be a disadvantage (albeit, a necessary one), in regards to accomdating "top-liners" at the club.

Originally posted by The Doctor
* In 2003 we have record membership numbers and a very hefty increase in sponsorship dollars with more to be announced.


* The AFL will be lifting restrictions on our ability to spend to the upper limits of the cap. Even at 95% of the cap we still have to spend around $5.7m + the nest line of increases will be funded by the AFL.

* The current admin have slashed operating costs and will be putting more money into servicing debt and the team which could permit us to spend 100% of the cap.

Well, I can't really comment on those statements, although, they do seem to go against the grain of the articles that I've read over the last year or so about the said issues (although, I'm not in a position to judge the accuracy of any of the claims, admittedly).

Personally, having been a Fitzroy supporter myself, I know it the type of situation the WB face. I reckon we were "saved" at least 2 or 3 times during the 90's, as well as having looked at one stage to be in a position of becoming a prominent finals unit. There are always conflicting views which are promoted regarding the future of a club who is "on the brink". People can talk all they like about big plans for the future (or about "doomsday" for that matter). Either way, the only facts that matter are the ones which relate to the current state of your club. You may be able to implement plans for the future, but the results of which will not be known just via talking about their potential.

Likewise, in terms of how you are seeing the issue, I could just as well argue that you are over-glossing the WB position, and over-inflating the problems that our club MAY face come the end of the year.

Originally posted by The Doctor
* An investment in quality players will attract a lot of attention and increase further our prospects of getting more members and sponsors. We have rarely gone for big name players in the past and you may be right that it will be difficult for us to attract them. But it is not out of the realms of possibility.

True, however, considering there have also been cut-backs in other areas, it may not be as simple as saying "well we can now afford to spend more on players", if you also have increasing needs in other departments.

I don't know the extent of cutbacks, but I would wager that it went through the club at a number of levels. If this is the case, the club may need to weigh up whether to spend more on players, as opposed to administration or football department professionals.

Originally posted by The Doctor
* Finally, a low finish this year will mean we cut/trade off a lot of players. We will also have the ablity to place several veterans on the new vets list like Smith and Croft.

All this means we are most likely to be in a better position than we have for many years to trade for quality players. We have a recent histroy of trading for middle of the road players and this has not worked as everyone can see by our current ladder position. Our team is not as bad as our position suggests (like Lions a few short years ago). A quick and significant rise up the ladder is very possible.

I'd agree with that, however, as I said earlier, I would not discount the potential worth that lower-profile players from other clubs could bring to your own.

Personally, I would rather see my club trade for young players (ie S.Power), or those regarded as lower-profile who can add a role to your side (ie: M.Pike). I don't particularly think that trying to attract top-liners is a "proven" method of success.

Originally posted by The Doctor
So a very high pick in the draft for a package of players like Power, Michael, Charman et al would have to be tempting. Of course this can be balanced by the trading of other picks/players. But the main thrust would be the Dogs getting a couple of very good players and the Lions getting the best kid in the land. Sounds reasonable doesn't it?

*

Well, I thought we were ripped off in last year's trading period, so there is even less chance that I'd see the above suggestion as reasonable.

L.Power would be amongst our top few players this season. I'd be extremely disappointed if we did not manage to sign him up on a new contract. Forget Headland, L.Power is the future of the club, as far as I'm concerned.

If you are expecting a "package" of players of those calibre mentioned (ie: L.Power, M.Michael and J.Charman), then we'll be happy to take S.Power AND the #1 pick, thank you.

Yet again, someone like J.Akermanis alone, would be worth S.Power AND a draft pick of some description.

 

[Lensen]

Originally posted by SpecialBruce
There could be a potential three way trade which we havn't considered.

We will have salary cap pressures.

McDonald and Hadley back to WA to the Eagles. McDonald and Gardiner in tandem would be a good combination.

Chris Judd to the Bulldogs.

Sam Power to Brisbane

Brisbane need to get a draft pick in there somewhere from West Coast or the Bulldogs. Bulldogs might be happy to give us a round 2 pick.

The Dogs are getting an absolute bargain there.

 

[ian68]

Maybe Mclaren or McDonald or Bradshaw for S. Power straight swap.
Maybe I just don't watch enough Bulldog games. I don't think he has ever scored a rising star nomination. He does not factor in the Top 10 in any Bulldog stat. Personally the only reason to chase him with reckless abandon is to secure L. Power. With both brothers here the Powers (parents) would also move North and we would have them for life.
I do think he is a fine young footballer and would be an asset to the club. I don't know whether I would be prepared to sell the farm though.

 

[ian68]

I have been giving this more thought.
Last year we gave up a quality young premiership player apparently ready to achieve superstar status plus a highly rated quality youngster with AFL experience and ready to play fulltime footy plus a high order first round pick in exchange for 1 quality experienced premiership player and a lower order 1st round pick. I think that was the gist of it and am happy to be corrected. If this trade was equable to us, and considering all the variables involved I think it was, then what we are suggesting Power is worth is all the more outrageous. Surely the value of an established quality player, like his pay-packet, is worth more than a could be great player, or at the very least considered equal come trade time.