BEEG
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List Mgmt. Trade & F.A. 2017 (if a scenario sounds wrong - read on before posting)
- Thread starter ChubbyGallon
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jmac70
On the porch
And a 10/10 ballet dancer.
TOP 10 2017 FREE AGENTS
1. Nat Fyfe, Fremantle, 25 (restricted)
What's he worth? The 2015 Brownlow medallist is already extremely well paid at Fremantle – he is believed to have earned close to $1 million in 2016 – so the Dockers will likely need to offer him $1.2 million a season to stay. Opposition teams will have to up the ante to about $1.5 million a year to bring themselves into the picture. That would be a huge salary cap investment in one player but Fyfe is that good that some clubs would be prepared to roll the dice.
Stay or go? Fyfe says his recent appointment as Freo skipper won't influence his decision, but he has also said he sees his long-term future with the Dockers. The West Australian is in no rush to start talks with Freo, preferring to focus on his return to the field after two leg fractures. It's believed at least two opposition clubs have tabled unofficial long-terms offers for Fyfe, but he does not want to talk to rival teams either at this stage. As this season unfolds, Fyfe will want to see Fremantle is on track for long-term success after last year's list overhaul. But the Dockers remain in a strong position to retain their skipper given they have significant room in their salary cap coupled with the right to match any rival offer for the restricted free agent.
2. Dustin Martin, Richmond, 25 (restricted)
What's he worth? Richmond is believed to be prepared to offer Martin about $800,000 a season to stay. Opposition clubs would probably have to offer close to $1 million a year to make him consider leaving Punt Rd.
Stay or go? Martin feels at home at Richmond and is likely to repay the support the club has given him through some tough times in his career. Adelaide, Essendon and St Kilda were linked to Martin ahead of last year's trade period, and he is clearly the second-best free agency prospect this year. But we expect him to re-sign with the Tigers, most likely early in the year, especially given some rival clubs might baulk at offering $1 million a year for a player with a chequered off-field past.
3. Luke Breust, Hawthorn, 26 (restricted)
What's he worth? One of the elite small forwards in the competition, and capable of rotating through the midfield, Breust should attract a salary offer of up to $600,000 a season from the Hawks. To test his loyalty, rivals would have to come bearing deals worth about $650,000 a season.
Stay or go? Breust was repeatedly linked with a move to Gold Coast in last year's trade period as the Hawks scrambled to broker a swap for Suns midfielder Jaeger O'Meara. This year, the equation seems far simpler: Hawthorn wants to retain Breust and the 2014 All Australian wants to stay. We expect they will agree to a new deal during the season, but rival clubs will be monitoring the progress of those negotiations closely.
4. Steven Motlop, Geelong, turns 26 on March 12 (restricted)
What's he worth? Motlop is understood to earn about $600,000 a season under the two-year deal he signed after his runner-up finish in Geelong's 2015 best and fairest award. After a lacklustre 2016 season that saw the Cats unsuccessfully put him up for trade, Motlop needs to rediscover his best form in 2017 if he wants to maintain or improve his current salary with the Cats. With next year's mooted TPP increase, a rival club could try to blow Geelong out of the water with a $700,000-a-season offer.
Stay or go? After reporting for the 2016 pre-season in poor condition, Motlop returned to Geelong in far better condition this summer and has impressed with his work ethic on the training track. If the 25-year-old can help reduce the midfield load on Patrick Dangerfield and Joel Selwood this season, the Cats would be reluctant to let him go. But if he attracts rival offers big enough to trigger an early compensation pick, they could be tempted to cash in. All will depend on Motlop's 2017 form, with the midfielder and Geelong content for now to wait and see how the season unfolds.
5. Tom Rockliff, Brisbane Lions, 27 (restricted)
What's he worth? After a tumultuous 2016 season on and off the field, Rockliff fell out of favour at the Gabba to the extent the Lions put their then-captain on the table during last year's trade period. The Lions received no serious offers from rival clubs, but the 27-year-old remains an accomplished midfielder and could attract rival bids of about $700,000 a season to leave the Gabba. If the Lions ultimately move to re-sign him, they would likely hope to do so for around $650,000 a year.
Stay or go? The Victorian has responded well to a frank discussion with Chris Fagan upon the former Hawk footy manager's appointment as coach late last year, his recent appointment as vice-captain to new skipper Dayne Beams a sign he has regained any lost respect at the club. Nonetheless, the Lions and Rockliff won't rush into talks on a new deal, with both parties content to sit back and see how 2017 pans out. If the Lions have another tough season on the field, they might consider letting Rockliff go if a rival offer is large enough to net them a first-round compensation pick.
6. Jackson Trengove, Port Adelaide, 26 (restricted)
What's he worth? Amid strong interest from clubs in his home state, Victoria, the versatile big man signed an early two-year contract extension in June 2014 believed to worth about $650,000 a season. It's hard to see Port offering Trengove a significant pay rise despite his strong 2016 season, but rival clubs could tempt him with deals worth $700,000 a season or more.
Stay or go? Neither Port nor Trengove is in a hurry to begin contract negotiations just yet, but the former Calder Cannon looms as a priority re-signing for Port as a key member of its defence and a highly rated leader around the club. Trengove is happy at Alberton but could a Victorian club dangle a deal big enough to tempt: (a) him to move home; and (b) Port to accept an early compensation pick?
7. Jasper Pittard, Port Adelaide, 25 (probably restricted)
What's he worth? Pittard is already well paid under his existing three-year deal at Alberton Oval, and after becoming one of the most damaging line-breaking half-backs in the AFL in that period has a strong claim for a pay hike. Port may have to offer up to $600,000 a season to retain Pittard, but rival clubs will have to consider long-term deals worth $650,000 a year or more.
Stay or go? Pittard is happy at Port and the club sees him as a key part of its future, but both parties are content to delay talks for the moment. Of course, the longer Pittard remains unsigned the more rival interest will grow, and clubs both inside and outside Pittard's home state, Victoria, are already circling. Pittard is also lineball to fall within Port's top 25 per cent of salary earners to qualify as a restricted free agent. If he doesn't, the Power would not have the right to match any rival offers.
8. David Zaharakis, Essendon, 27 (probably restricted)
What's he worth? The midfielder struggled last season under regular tags, but his polish and run mean he will attract rival interest. The Bombers could expect to re-sign Zaharakis for about $550,000 a season, but opposition clubs could tempt him with offers of more than $600,000.
Stay or go? Despite the club's supplements saga, Essendon's recent record of re-signing required players has been outstanding. Rival clubs also see Zaharakis as an extremely loyal player who is likely to re-sign, but both he and Essendon are in no hurry to start negotiations.
The Dons have kept most of their stars, but can they hang on to David Zaharakis. Picture: AFL Photos
9. Sam Reid, Sydney, 25 (restricted)
What's he worth? In the final season of a five-year deal believed to be worth more than $500,000 a season, Reid did not play a senior game in 2016 because of soft-tissue injuries. Nonetheless, as a key-position player who turned 25 in late December, he remains an extremely valuable commodity. His re-signing price could be close to $600,000 a season, but clubs looking to lure him away from the SCG could be prepared to offer up to $700,000 a year.
Stay or go? The Swans and Reid will wait until later in the season before commencing serious talks, with the tall's immediate focus on returning to the field and finding form. Rival clubs will closely monitor the Victorian's progress in 2017, but Reid will be hard to pry from Sydney, where he remains an important part of the Swans' structure.
10. Liam Picken, Western Bulldogs, 30 (unrestricted)
What's he worth? One of the competition's most underrated players was impossible to ignore in last year's final series, when he was one of the Bulldogs' biggest stars during their run to the premiership. As part of a star-studded Dogs' list, the quiet achiever is likely on a 'middle-class' wage of about $400,000 a season. He also turns 31 in August so any pay rise offered by the Bulldogs will be moderate. Could a team in contention try to take advantage of this by offering Picken $500,000 a year?
Stay or go? Given Picken's age, his loyalty and the Bulldogs' wide-open premiership window, the former rookie seems almost certain to re-sign.
Others to watch
- Levi Casboult, Matthew Kreuzer (Carlton)
- Zac Clarke, Garrick Ibbotson, Nick Suban (Fremantle)
- Lachlan Hansen (North Melbourne)
- Justin Westhoff (Port Adelaide)
- Eric Mackenzie (West Coast)
What do we need and who would fill that role?
We don't need mid-fielders so that eliminates Fyfe, Dusty, Rocky, Zaka & Picken.
We don't need small forward downhill skiers so that eliminates Breust & Motlop.
We don't need another ruckman right now I wouldn't think so that eliminates Trengove.
So that leaves Jasper Pittard (back) and Sam Reid (forward).
Pittard's pretty good but we've got Tom Langdon and I'd like to see how he travels once he returns.
Leaving us with Sam Reid. I've wanted Sam Reid for a few years now. We should definitely make a play for him.
As for the 'Others to watch':
Levi Casboult may be a worse shot for goal than Cloke and White. We've had enough of that at Collingwood. Never again.
Not interested in any of those over the hill Freo players.
Hansen I'm not familiar with.
Justin Westhoff I'd love to have at the Pies. Smart player. Great decision maker. Tall. Kicks goals. Still young enough.
Eric Mackenzie's a pretty good defender and battles hard. Wouldn't at all be unhappy if we signed him for somewhere around 300k.
Who would it be great if they were available? Tom Lynch. Offer him whatever it to get him to the Pies. Jack Gunston would be my 2nd choice. Jeremy Cameron would be my 3rd choice.
jmac70
On the porch
Whoever we end up trading for is unlikely to have been mentioned in this thread.
I'd go full outrageous here and trade DeGoey and a first round for Lever, as long as you're somehow getting a Fyfe or Dusty through Free Agency.
FWIW I rate DeGoey immensely, but rate Lever more. And we need Lever more than JDG so...
FWIW I rate DeGoey immensely, but rate Lever more. And we need Lever more than JDG so...
I wouldn't mind a bit of Rocky in the middle but I think the Hawks will outbid us and secure him.
That's an insult to Breust - he's unbelievably good for his role, but he's unnecessary when you consider the salary needed to secure him. We're set for medium forwards.
We absolutely need another ruck like Trengove, who is better at another position (CHB). With another good season, he's a no-brainer imo.
Pittard and Reid aren't going to make us any better. Pass. Lynch, Gunston and cameron won't be available unfortunately - I'd love any one of them but they'll be in for the long haul.
It may sound crazy but I genuinely wouldn't mind David Mundy on a two-year (maximum) deal to bring him back to Vic. He's the contested machine we need in the centre, has lots of experience in finals and has previously been captain. Perhaps after Wells, we won't go that way though.
I'll one up you here unplugged and say I'd send Sidey to Adelaide for Lever.
*ducks for cover.
jmac70
On the porch
Curse you.
My apologies jmac.
Mr Bombastic
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Why's that?
- Sep 13, 2013
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We've got Reid and Howe currently and Scharenberg when he gets into gear. If we get Lever one of them would have to play in the VFL which would be a waste.
Mr Bombastic
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Fair enough but I think we could play all 4 in the backline, just send Dunn to the VFL.
I would pick Lever ahead of any of those listed. We could fit him in because he has defending capabilities as well.
It's alright I knew I was going to get shot down quickly. It's been done before but for me I don't think Sidebottom will ever be a really elite mid. Where as I see Lever being the premium defender of the competition. So if that was the price I would have top pay I consider it.
- Sep 13, 2013
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Doesn't matter because it would be a minor upgrade at best and not worth the price we'd have to pay.
- Sep 13, 2013
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Possibly but I don't like either option at full back. They all creative types that thrive when some one allows them to play as a spare or on lesser forwards.
- Dec 16, 2013
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Was lever in the 2013 draft? We could of had him?
jmac70
On the porch
Whenever I see you post I get the urge to dance.
He'd be our best backman. It would be a huge upgrade imo. You got to pay for quality.
2014 and yes we could have taken him at 5.
- Sep 13, 2013
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I'd have him behind Reid and I don't think he'd be enough of an upgrade on the others to warrant paying allot for him. Pay for quality where we need quality.
jmac70
On the porch
If it's and ands were pots and pans, beggars would ride.
I'm still happy with JDG.
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