Trade Time

[TheMase]

I think our main problem is our defense.
This is the way I see it ...

The Swans are missing a big tall defender. I think we have most of the other bases covered down there, but we just don't have a player that can take a Tredrea or a Carey type player.

We need a tall defender. Our defense looks good in our results this year. But this is why ...

Our forward line is fine. The most efficient in the league. We had the least amount of shots, yet we did quite well in the scoring. That means that the ball isn't getting down there often enough. That points at the midfield.

Because of our lack of a decent defense, our midfield has to exert more pressure up the ground to force the opposition into mistakes into their forward 50. Our midfield isn't GREAT but if they were able to be less defensive we would be able to penetrate our forward 50 more often.

This means our defense is weak, and our midfield has to exert more pressure to make up for it. IF we were able to get a key defender or two, that would make a HUGE difference for us.

So who is available?

Mal Michael still has not signed?
Rawlings seems destined for the Kangaroos...

Who else? Croad? Can he take the big players?

Thoughts?

 

[Its All Goodes]

I dont necessarily agree with you that our defence is weak.
Leo Barry had a good year...should have been all-australian ahead of the non half back flanker Nigel Lappin

Tadgh had a good year...though I cant wait to see Tadgh pushed onto the ball...can you imagine him and Goodsey on the ball at the same time....that would be something

And Schauble and Bolton played well too...with contributions from Crouch, Matthews, etc at times. Its a shame though to see Willo spend so much time down back..when he should be on the ball and kicking more goals

I do agree that we have trouble matching up with the likes of Carey, Tredrea and Brown...remember the first quarter against Brisbane when he was killing Saddington. Theres the weakness...against 80% of teams we are fine but have trouble with the match-ups against the big CHF and full forwards. And I want Saddo in the team...I think he'd be a good HBF...and maybe even a chance up forward

I would love to see Brad Seymour fit and playing well down back...he provides some necessary aggro...but alas that doesnt look like happening

I reckon trade Nicks and/or Fosdike to a SA club...not because I dont like either but I think they are expendable...look for a Perrie or McGregor in exchange from Adelaide....not sure what their situations are

Or maybe look to Brisbane and Darryl White as a short term solution and draft a likely youngster

 

[Schneiderman]

Big key position players are like gold... or maybe more like platinum. They are very rare and expensive because they are so important to the side.

Most of the existing CHB and CHF are developed players or traded early in their careers. Players like Barry Hall are very hard to find, and even then it has taken Sydney to develop him into a CHF. I think we may need to do the same with our CHB. Find a player who has the right size, strength and skills (or least the potential) and even if they are currently out of position, develop into the role.

I think we have some possible candidates in the side already like Heath James or LRT (who is probably a little too small to be a good ruckman), and maybe we can snare a Brock McLean or other with the right attributes in the draft. Trading seems the most unlikely at the moment, and IMO only Ben Holland looks a likely opportunity (but not for us). We should keep in mind the Paul Roos (one of the best CHB I've ever seen) started as a forward.