Smith for McKernan

[Westy_Boy]

Was reading Darky's post in the "who will your club trade" thread on the main board, suggesting a Smith/McKernan swap, so I wanted to get your thoughts on it.

Do we want McKernan? - definitely.

Would we be prepared to give a 10 year player (in our top 6 atm), who's supported the club from day one and signed a 5 year contract to see out his career with us? Tough decision.

McKernan at his best -- I would not have a problem with the trade, as we're losing a top 6 player, but we're replacing him with another. Would give us a quality second rucking option, as well as a player who can cause a lot of damage up forward, therefore giving Grant/Darcy a bit more freedom in their roles. Will probably give us 4 years, and by that time hopefully one of Wiggins/Skipper/Bruton will have come up.


McKernan at his worst -- We've given away one of our most valuable players, who's going to perfrom well (either up forward or down back) week in week out, for a ruckman who's struggling to get a kick, and may not last even 2 years.


So, are we in a position to take this kind of "gamble"? Or do we give away a lot less, for a second rate ruckman like Marsh/Bandy who, even at their best, wont be of that much benefit? Interested in your thoughts.

 

[Top Dog]

What about Porter? I rate him pretty highly but I think we would have to lay off a pretty big name to get him

 

[Westy_Boy]

True, Top Dog.

Porter would be right up there on my list, still don't know if he's as flexible as McKernan though. Smith + Eagleton was said as a trade for Porter on our Bulldogs forum -- no thanks to that one.

There's a lot of names being thrown around:

Everrit
Porter
Allan
McDonald
Stafford
Bandy
Marsh
Biglands
French

Dont' know. For Cost V Benefit, I would probably opt for Biglands. Still think, at their best, (other than Everrit who's unlikely to leave the Saints IMO), McKernan would be perfect given our situation.

 

[dogboy23]

I can tell you for a fact that Pagan has already been in contact with Paul Dimmatina and if something is struck up it will be a package deal not sure who is involved yet just know dimm will probably play at north next year.It makes sense to he is pagans sort of player

 

[Darky]

Would it be fair to describe Dimattina as a poor man's Rohan Smith? Handy player but no star - no way McKernan would be traded in a direct swap there. I'd give you Rawlings, Lange or Clayton, but not Corey.

 

[Top Dog]

First off I gotta say Westy Im horrified with you avatar Big ol' Barts lol

Darky I doubt the Roos would let Corey go for Dimma and if they did we would be reaping the rewards....but we can always dream

Would we let go off Eagleton for Porter? Im thinking this would be ideal but I doubt Wally would let his love child go

 

[bulldogs1]

I would be happy to let Eagleton and Dimma go to North for someone like McKernan, but not one of our best, most consistent players (Smith).

Porter is the one I would go for. The idea of a pure ruckman in the mold of our late-departed skipper appeals to me, and I think his motivation to succeed would be greater than McKernan, who drops his head just a little too easily. I know, we have a few like that ourselves.
Porter is more likely to give his all for a full match than the other candidate.
I think that Porter could be of some value on the full-forward line when resting. Just don't let Demps get anywhere near him for goalkicking tips. While on that point, Brian Taylor must be disappointed with the output of his forwards this year. Any theories, people?

Originally posted by Top Dog
First off I gotta say Westy Im horrified with you avatar Big ol' Barts lol

Darky I doubt the Roos would let Corey go for Dimma and if they did we would be reaping the rewards....but we can always dream

Would we let go off Eagleton for Porter? Im thinking this would be ideal but I doubt Wally would let his love child go

 

[QT]

Originally posted by Westy_Boy


Dont' know. For Cost V Benefit, I would probably opt for Biglands. .

We will give you Bighlands and a first rd pick

And you give us Darcy

 

[sigscotty]

Originally posted by Darky
Would it be fair to describe Dimattina as a poor man's Rohan Smith? Handy player but no star - no way McKernan would be traded in a direct swap there. I'd give you Rawlings, Lange or Clayton, but not Corey.

I'd take dimma for Lange.

 

[sigscotty]

Originally posted by QT


We will give you Bighlands and a first rd pick

And you give us Darcy

Throw in half your clubs membership and we might talk!!!

I think someone of the biglands ilk is the way to go. Porter or Everitt are the only two off of the Westy boy list i rate higher, but would be pretty expensive trade wise and Everiit is older. i also think biglands has more scope for improvement than Porter.

 

[dogboy23]

Dimma and other players are involved in the deal not just a straight swap.

 

[Darky]

Originally posted by dogboy23
Dimma and other players are involved in the deal not just a straight swap.

I gathered that much, but just wanted to clarify the situation.

Dimattina and a 1st - 2nd draft pick, maybe. Any less and we'd have to look elsewhere. Still reckon McKernan for Rohan Smith would be a fair trade in terms of experience and age. Smith is not a consistent matchwinner but will be very handy, McKernan is a confidence player who can be awesome or shocking but even though people reckon he has been crap the last 2 years, he has kicked 80 goals in those 2 seasons. That's a similar return to John Barker, who was considered stiff to miss All-Australian this year.

A matter of perception, really, but I still rate Corey.

 

[HahnPremium8]

I wouldn't be at all happy with such a trade. Bubba is a BULLDOG!! And i'd hate to see him playing with another team. McKernan has had a shaky year and i don't think trading someone like Bubba for him is worth it. Possibly for someone a fair bit younger but i'd still not be happy.

 

[PC28]

Dimma being traded??

HELL NO

 

[Westy_Boy]

Originally posted by Top Dog
First off I gotta say Westy Im horrified with you avatar Big ol' Barts lol

You know you love him, TopDog!

We will give you Bighlands and a first rd pick

And you give us Darcy

Would have been all for that trade if you had have sweetened the deal by throwing in Richardson or Gallagher .... oh well ... too late now man.

Seriously QT, what do ya want for Bighlands malaka?

I think that Porter could be of some value on the full-forward line when resting.

I think that's the main reason why Carlton wanna get rid of either Porter or Allen, Bulldogs1.... they both do nothing when up forward. McKernan can play well up forward, and above all, is a stronger mark (what we're struggling in).

Look at the stats:

Porter:
Games.... Kicks..... Marks.... Handballs..... GOALS
22............89.........72.......... 113................4

McKernan:
Games.... Kicks..... Marks.... Handballs..... GOALS
21............160.......99...........52.................38


Along the line of what Darky pointed out, in what many believed to be a shocking year for McKernan, he got 70 more kicks, almost 30 more marks, and 35 odd more goals, from one less game.

The way i see it is this: Porter is a better pure ruckman, and would be far more valuable than McKernan when in the middle .... but when not first ruck, he'll be almost worthless to us (except if dropping back/loose man in defence).

Given our situation in having Darcy as a gun ruckman to take most of the ruckwork, and needing someone who can do a "ok" job when rucking, but can also provide a quality tall up forward, I reckon Corey is the way to go -- whether Smith is what we want to give up is the sticking point.

 

[K9-54]

I'd do the deal. McKernan's a big gamble, but Bubba had a poor 2001 by his standards. It's also a gamble for us to blindly believe Bubba will recapture the form of the late 90s. I'm inclined to think we can cover the loss of Smithy whilst McKernan could actually fill a gaping hole.

But if the opportunity for Everitt came up, I'd be keener on that. But, I can't see a deal there because I wouldn't be prepared to give what StKilda would logically want.

I'm not overly interested in any ruckman that can't play forward. They would be wasted unless Darcy spends less time on the ball - which I don't think will happen.