Rumour 2024 Hypothetical trade and FA Thread

[Strapping Young Lad]

2024 Picks



2025 Picks

 

[tl92]

Can't see him going anywhere.
I'd be betting purely just negotiation tactics from his manager.

I would’ve agreed until I read the article on Code Sports. His manager is his guardian, not a licensed manager. She is quoted as saying Geelong was an isolating location.

 

[Judd2Sewell]

If signing Battle, Stengle or Smith means that players like Serong, DGB, JOS, Hustwaite, etc. get moved on then do be it.

Hopefully they'd go on to become quality players elsewhere. But Battle and Smith are both proven quality players right now, and both have several years left in the tank. If they were older then it would be a different story.

 

[Blackhawk42]

How can you say he will never be good as Battle??
He is 21 years old
5 years younger and has shown he is capable at playing at this level, he just hasn't had the opportunity??
So you want to give Battle an opportunity but not Serong, makes no sense
We need a last line defender(frost getting old/Blanck knee injury) and not a third defender especially at 800k!!

Serong is decent depth at this stage.
He's ahead of DGB and I'm of the opinion that Denver will be moved on and Serong retained at seasons end if Battle comes across.

Battle, from an athletic perspective, is Weddle-lite. Capable of playing anywhere and on any type.
From a talent and output perspective he's more aligned with Scrimshaw, but has the Swiss Army Knife qualities that don't grow on trees.
He's in our side round 1 2025 if he chooses to come across.

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

From my perspective, Josh Battle

26

Josh Battle

Age

26

Ht

193cm

Wt

93kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

9.0

3star

HB

3.9

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.4

4star

MG

196.8

3star

D

11.0

3star

K

7.3

3star

HB

3.8

3star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.8

3star

MG

142.8

3star

D

10.8

3star

K

6.2

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

3.4

4star

T

2.0

4star

MG

175.6

3star

would have to be priority #1. A proven performer, versatile, and we won't have to give up any trade assets for him. A big win for the club if it happens.

Baz is the cherry on top. I'm a big fan, and firmly believe he will get back to his dynamic best, but if he chooses another team we will quickly move on.

 

[Platten44]

From my perspective, Josh Battle would have to be priority #1. A proven performer, versatile, and we won't have to give up any trade assets for him. A big win for the club if it happens.

Baz is the cherry on top. I'm a big fan, and firmly believe he will get back to his dynamic best, but if he chooses another team we will quickly move on.

$5 mill over 6 years is big price to pay for another intercept defender

 

[PenAndPaper]

SEN linking us to Barrass this morning. How many defenders do we want??

No matter how many defenders we have, always room for Barrass

 

[smish]

I still can't see Smith, the biggest name since Buddy, wanting to spend his 20s in a sleepy town

 

[2008wasoverDEW!]

$5 mill over 6 years is big price to pay for another intercept defender

Not sure if that rumour is accurate, but player contracts will be increasing significantly over coming years.

As others have mentioned, Battle can play at either end of the ground. He was a very good forward as a junior. He would also release Weddle to become a more attacking player, allowing him to utilise his game-breaking qualities.

Battle's addition would be extremely valuable to the structure of our Best 22.

 

[LRobbo]

Don’t want nor need Stengle.

Watson will be the best small forward in the game by 2026 and Ginni and Moore are going to be around for quite some time, not an area we need addressing.

As I’ve said, would be astonished if Baz joins Geelong, and spends his prime in the bottom 4 with a bog average midfield and a coach that will bail one they hit rock bottom, which isn’t far off.

 

[Mercy Seat]

Don’t want nor need Stengle.

Watson will be the best small forward in the game by 2026 and Ginni and Moore are going to be around for quite some time, not an area we need addressing.

As I’ve said, would be astonished if Baz joins Geelong, and spends his prime in the bottom 4 with a bog average midfield and a coach that will bail one they hit rock bottom, which isn’t far off.

People said that when Dangerfield joined the Cats.

I think they're a middling team at the moment, but they've been able to rejuvenate on the run before. Even if we don't see it, I can picture them selling that vision to Smith.

 

[Kuuz]

People said that when Dangerfield joined the Cats.

I think they're a middling team at the moment, but they've been able to rejuvenate on the run before. Even if we don't see it, I can picture them selling that vision to Smith.

I would have thought by watching the progress of clubs like Norf, Crows, etc. vs us, Geelong, Collingwood, etc. is the quality of the football department and development process far outweighs access to high picks.

Geelong have rejuventated over and over, because their football department IQ is high and their ability to develop young talent is elite. Ours is not far off either, as shown for example by how many Box Hill players elevate to AFL lists, compared to other VFL feeder teams.

The Cats will always remain relevant somewhat as long as Scott is in charge, and their football department continues to run in the same way. That being said, they have some big talent to replace in coming years - so getting Baz would be a crucial recruit for them as it replaces Dangerfield with similar high level quality.

For us, Battle is more important structurally than Baz. We need more high quality talls at lower ages, than mids. Baz definitely improves quality in the middle, but I'm still concerned we don't have a lot of quality tall pillars close to the quality we had in flag runs in the past.

 

[Lickmesocks]

If Cats get Smith they will have to pay up more as likely to finish higher up the ladder so trade period will be fluid as they say

once the player nominates his preferred destination the deals get done

 

[Lickmesocks]

Reading between the lines here, the Hawks are preparing for life without Baz with the rumoured Perryman and Battle offers.

 

[Lickmesocks]

If Stengle is out of there there'd be serious alarm bells going off in the Geelong camp.
Small forward depth there is seriously lacking

Could this be the first AFL player in the last 15 years living in Geelong to look outside their front window and think “wait a minute”

 

[scrim reaper]

They've still had some huge pieces there consistently during that time, Blicavs/Selwood/Hawkins/Duncan/Stewart/Danger/Tuohy

They've drafted well but replacing those players is simply not easy. Cameron is also 31.

It's happening to Richmond, it happened to us, and it will happen to them.

The decline has already started, they missed the finals this year, will scrape in this year or potentially even miss, and can you realistically see them being better next year, all another year older?

 

[perrdan86]

SEN linking us to Barrass this morning. How many defenders do we want??

Now he is a really good player. I think he immediately elevates the defence by a good amount.
I just don't know if he's in the age bracket we'd want? I think he's 29?

 

[SSSSSS]

SEN linking us to Barrass this morning. How many defenders do we want??

I really think the big anchor defender would structurally set our side for the next 5 years. He's a significant upgrade on McKay and Esava as well.

Isn't his back suspect though?

 

[Lickmesocks]

Not sure if that rumour is accurate, but player contracts will be increasing significantly over coming years.

As others have mentioned, Battle can play at either end of the ground. He was a very good forward as a junior. He would also release Weddle to become a more attacking player, allowing him to utilise his game-breaking qualities.

Battle's addition would be extremely valuable to the structure of our Best 22.

Agree,

Battle would be a perfect piece for us as his versatility is super important.

I can see him playing on some bigger players in the backline when needed as he is very strong but also as a third tall forward option moving around like Mihocek does.

We are at a point with Mitch Lewis history where we can’t expect anything more than about 14-16 games per year so we need to keep adding pieces.

In saying all this, Jay Clarke thinks he will stay at the Saints.

 

[mustang]

Geez he’d be a good get. Would prefer him to perryman.

Why not both with our war chest

 

[SSSSSS]

Stengle would be a great get.

 

[excitingnews]

Unsure if I’m allowed to post screenshots from another board, but someone from the crows board is claiming that battle is very keen on a hawks move

 

[scrim reaper]

Unsure if I’m allowed to post screenshots from another board, but someone from the crows board is claiming that battle is very keen on a hawks move

Living up to the username

 

[Kuuz]

Unsure if I’m allowed to post screenshots from another board, but someone from the crows board is claiming that battle is very keen on a hawks move

Mitch collecting all the childhood hawks supporters with Battle now too

 

[Nugett]

Not sure if that rumour is accurate, but player contracts will be increasing significantly over coming years.

As others have mentioned, Battle can play at either end of the ground. He was a very good forward as a junior. He would also release Weddle to become a more attacking player, allowing him to utilise his game-breaking qualities.

Battle's addition would be extremely valuable to the structure of our Best 22.

Will player contracts be increased though? With the Australian economy currently on the brink of a recession, I can’t imagine that there would be much of an increase.

 

[fairdinks]

the Battle cries are getting louder. Fingers crossed as feel he would be a great fit for hawks.

Interesting re Barrass. Could be total BS or has some foundation. In any case, and needing to shed a few players at year end, I fear DGB is running out of time to secure a spot. Pity as he is much loved (including me) it seems.

Maybe a swap Barrass for DGB. Has some poetry in that trade. Although one is young with unrealised potential and the other could be a couple of years from being cooked. Risk both ways IMO.