List Mgmt. 2024 AFLW trade and draft

[Callipygian]

I'm a firm believer in it never being too early to start talking about trade and draft. Now that we have had a run of games (in the VFLW) to see how our players are performing, there is already some additional data to inform our opinions. Plus there's a lot of State level footy going on around Australia (that I confess I am not following).

We've now had confirmation that the trade and draft period will be in December following the AFLW GF and before Christmas: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1110361/aflw-moves-closer-to-full-national-draft-in-2024. What's more, it's on the cards that the draft will be a fully national one where players can't nominate only for their home state. Personally I am in favour of this and I think it will benefit us more than it hurts us. I'm unclear whether we'll get the rights to match bids on Academy players but as a minimum we'll have the inside running in terms of knowledge about the players.

My opinion in the last post-season period was that we did not turn over enough of our list. I think there will be some short-term upside to this but I am keen to see us continue to emphasise long-term gain (which, happily, we mostly have been doing). The one ruthless decision we did make was to trade out Aliesha Newman and bring in Holly Cooper and Sarah Grunden to play in forward 50. I applaud that move even though I felt very warmly towards Newman who is a crafty and experienced forward and good shot for goal.

From what I have gleaned, currently our list management team is comprised of: head coach Scott Gowans, general manager Kate Mahony, line coach Tanya Hetherington (who was working in identifying talent nationally before she came to the Swans according to this article: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1332561/hetherington-im-confident-i-can-get-the-best-out-of-them) and Phoebe Carter who is our AFLW oppo analyst: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1332371/swans-bolster-aflw-coachin-personnel. This team will be pouring their efforts into scoping out the State leagues that are currently under way, as well as Academy games. And they will be, even now, forming preliminary opinions about what our list needs are and how to address them. Who knows, they may even be sounding out trade targets and player agents.

I don't think we can afford to trade out anyone who has much currency (unless either the player tells us they want to leave or it's in order to get someone even better), so my best idea about how to get more quality via the draft is (perhaps ironically) to look to trade back a bit in the draft. Maybe, come December, we can look to split our second rounder so that we can have an extra draftee e.g. (assuming we finished 6th again) turn pick 31 into picks 39 & 40 (or similar). While we're still building our list my thought is to get more draftees in the door on the assumption that some of them will work out and we're not yet looking to 'top up' with very specific quality acquisitions and nor do we have the luxury of giving up our draft hand to trade for a better first rounder.

I'd also be happy to look for opportunities to pick up more experienced players from top sides that are being denied opportunity because of the depth and strength of their team.

It's hard to get specific about individuals when the season proper hasn't even started but it's not too soon to make some more general observations.

* By bringing in Davies and Hillier we strengthened our tall players but still this remains, in my opinion, a weakness in our list. I would like to see us acquire at least one more quality 178+ cm player.

* Conversely, by bringing in Cooper and Grunden (who have both made promising starts), I think we have improved the scoring power on our list and I'm looking forward to seeing them develop.

* While you always need more good mids, currently I feel like our midfield is a relative strength. Gardiner is a star. So is Molloy (albeit she is equally a forward as a mid). Ham looks like she's on the cusp of becoming a star. Hurley is an elite runner and is developing her contested game. Kennedy is an A grader. McEvoy is also an A grader and could be used more in the midfield in 2024. Cynthia Hamilton has done very well playing mostly forward but the time may come where we decide her talents can be used more in the midfield as other players (like Beruldsen, Grunden, Cooper) take up the slack in the forward 50. And then we have a bunch of serviceable players. Another mid behind them should be on the menu but is not urgent.

* In the ruck Davies looks like she is a decent second ruck-forward but we could use another player developing and ready to step up if Morphett is injured or suspended.

No doubt by the time the AFLW season is complete we'll have a much clearer view about who's travelling well and who isn't.

Currently we have a raft of players who are honest toilers but probably not up to the AFLW standard of the future. I'm thinking of players like: Sheppard, Mitchell, Woodward, Steane, Whelan, Vale, Szigeti and Lexi Hamilton. These players are valuable now but I hope at least some of them can be upgraded bit by bit over time. Then we have players who we just don't know yet what their long term future holds e.g. Sergeant-Wilson, O'Sullivan, McCarthy. They've shown promise but aren't yet established. And then there are players whose future is clouded due to injury like Collier.

The whole AFLW competition is still in its infancy and is growing and the plans the AFL makes about how to grow the AFLW may also impact our list management decisions. A couple of factors that I think will have a big impact on list management decisions are:

* how many games there will be per season (I don't think we yet know what this will be after 2024); and

* list sizes - I think an increasing number of games per season is likely to result in gradual increases in list sizes. An increase in list sizes is very significant for list management because it dilutes the talent and impacts on the amount of depth you want to have. The value of those honest toiler type players who can be relied on to come in and play a role even if they're no world beaters would increase if list sizes went up.

Those are my thoughts at this early stage of the season. I'm interested to know others opinions and see how this all unfolds over the next 8 months. Happily, I doubt this thread is going to be inundated with posts but I'd love to see a steady trickle.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I'm a firm believer in it never being too early to start talking about trade and draft. Now that we have had a run of games (in the VFLW) to see how our players are performing, there is already some additional data to inform our opinions. Plus there's a lot of State level footy going on around Australia (that I confess I am not following).

We've now had confirmation that the trade and draft period will be in December following the AFLW GF and before Christmas: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1110361/aflw-moves-closer-to-full-national-draft-in-2024. What's more, it's on the cards that the draft will be a fully national one where players can't nominate only for their home state. Personally I am in favour of this and I think it will benefit us more than it hurts us. I'm unclear whether we'll get the rights to match bids on Academy players but as a minimum we'll have the inside running in terms of knowledge about the players.

My opinion in the last post-season period was that we did not turn over enough of our list. I think there will be some short-term upside to this but I am keen to see us continue to emphasise long-term gain (which, happily, we mostly have been doing). The one ruthless decision we did make was to trade out Aliesha Newman and bring in Holly Cooper and Sarah Grunden to play in forward 50. I applaud that move even though I felt very warmly towards Newman who is a crafty and experienced forward and good shot for goal.

From what I have gleaned, currently our list management team is comprised of: head coach Scott Gowans, general manager Kate Mahony, line coach Tanya Hetherington (who was working in identifying talent nationally before she came to the Swans according to this article: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1332561/hetherington-im-confident-i-can-get-the-best-out-of-them) and Phoebe Carter who is our AFLW oppo analyst: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/news/1332371/swans-bolster-aflw-coachin-personnel. This team will be pouring their efforts into scoping out the State leagues that are currently under way, as well as Academy games. And they will be, even now, forming preliminary opinions about what our list needs are and how to address them. Who knows, they may even be sounding out trade targets and player agents.

I don't think we can afford to trade out anyone who has much currency (unless either the player tells us they want to leave or it's in order to get someone even better), so my best idea about how to get more quality via the draft is (perhaps ironically) to look to trade back a bit in the draft. Maybe, come December, we can look to split our second rounder so that we can have an extra draftee e.g. (assuming we finished 6th again) turn pick 31 into picks 39 & 40 (or similar). While we're still building our list my thought is to get more draftees in the door on the assumption that some of them will work out and we're not yet looking to 'top up' with very specific quality acquisitions and nor do we have the luxury of giving up our draft hand to trade for a better first rounder.

I'd also be happy to look for opportunities to pick up more experienced players from top sides that are being denied opportunity because of the depth and strength of their team.

It's hard to get specific about individuals when the season proper hasn't even started but it's not too soon to make some more general observations.

* By bringing in Davies and Hillier we strengthened our tall players but still this remains, in my opinion, a weakness in our list. I would like to see us acquire at least one more quality 178+ cm player.

* Conversely, by bringing in Cooper and Grunden (who have both made promising starts), I think we have improved the scoring power on our list and I'm looking forward to seeing them develop.

* While you always need more good mids, currently I feel like our midfield is a relative strength. Gardiner is a star. So is Molloy (albeit she is equally a forward as a mid). Ham looks like she's on the cusp of becoming a star. Hurley is an elite runner and is developing her contested game. Kennedy is an A grader. McEvoy is also an A grader and could be used more in the midfield in 2024. Cynthia Hamilton has done very well playing mostly forward but the time may come where we decide her talents can be used more in the midfield as other players (like Beruldsen, Grunden, Cooper) take up the slack in the forward 50. And then we have a bunch of serviceable players. Another mid behind them should be on the menu but is not urgent.

* In the ruck Davies looks like she is a decent second ruck-forward but we could use another player developing and ready to step up if Morphett is injured or suspended.

No doubt by the time the AFLW season is complete we'll have a much clearer view about who's travelling well and who isn't.

Currently we have a raft of players who are honest toilers but probably not up to the AFLW standard of the future. I'm thinking of players like: Sheppard, Mitchell, Woodward, Steane, Whelan, Vale, Szigeti and Lexi Hamilton. These players are valuable now but I hope at least some of them can be upgraded bit by bit over time. Then we have players who we just don't know yet what their long term future holds e.g. Sergeant-Wilson, O'Sullivan, McCarthy. They've shown promise but aren't yet established. And then there are players whose future is clouded due to injury like Collier.

The whole AFLW competition is still in its infancy and is growing and the plans the AFL makes about how to grow the AFLW may also impact our list management decisions. A couple of factors that I think will have a big impact on list management decisions are:

* how many games there will be per season (I don't think we yet know what this will be after 2024); and

* list sizes - I think an increasing number of games per season is likely to result in gradual increases in list sizes. An increase in list sizes is very significant for list management because it dilutes the talent and impacts on the amount of depth you want to have. The value of those honest toiler type players who can be relied on to come in and play a role even if they're no world beaters would increase if list sizes went up.

Those are my thoughts at this early stage of the season. I'm interested to know others opinions and see how this all unfolds over the next 8 months. Happily, I doubt this thread is going to be inundated with posts but I'd love to see a steady trickle.

Nice start Calli.
A couple of additional points.
1) The skill level in the competition has improved exponentially and game style is changing, like the men's, towards runners. Gowans appears to be all over this and it will influence who we draft and trade.
2) As a member of the Swans family "character" also seems an important factor in who we draft and trade.
3) I hope forcing the draft open doesn't discourage some players from entering as the player payments are still not very high.
4) I don't know the "lesser lights" of the playing group well enough to make any kind of judgement but experience is useful, especially in forming a new group.
I believe our coaches and management have done an outstanding job so far overcoming obstacles and building a cohesive playing group.

 

[Callipygian]

I feel it would be a tiny percentage of anyone wanting to be drafted and have a football career that would decide not to nominate for the draft because they could be drafted interstate. If they feel so strongly, they could always chance their luck and then renege/retire if they were drafted somewhere they really really didn't want to go. And if they feel strongly but slightly less strongly, they give it their best shot and look for a chance to be traded back 'home'.

 

[Arwib]

Last year the majority of the pool nominated nationally, but for the top 20ish it was only about half. Meant that the players who knew for certain they'll get drafted are more likely to nominate locally, which makes intuitive sense. As long as the option exists we can expect it to continue and some players from the other 4 states to be out of reach to us.

Last draft, if you went by pre-draft rankings, our first pick of Grunden was one of the biggest "reaches" (players taken higher than their expert ranking) because the remaining options were all tied locally. Several of the picks after us were much higher rated players in Vic, SA, WA or Qld.

With the generally weaker local pool, we are going to keep being one of the teams most likely to have a lack of players available commensurate with the position of our picks for as long as there's local nominations. And we're quite unlikely to get the sort of lucky advantage the SA teams both got last year, with being able to use much later picks for top players because gun SA players nominated locally.

So yes, national pool helps us, though I still don't think the pay levels and contract security are there to support requiring them all to be willing to move interstate just yet.

 

[Ticky009]

Emma makes it at #30 - she's the only Swans academy player to make the list.
QLD is killing it with top draft picks.

 

[Ticky009]

A very bullish opinion in regards to this years Draft which will also be the first National Draft

Skills, smarts and scoring: The signs we're looking at an AFLW Super Draft

The signs are already apparent that the upcoming crop of AFLW draftees may be the most talented bunch yet

www.afl.com.au

 

[Ticky009]

 

[liz]

Emma makes it at #30 - she's the only Swans academy player to make the list.
QLD is killing it with top draft picks.

And remember we can add Emma (and one other) to our list without drafting them (so long as they agree to being so listed).

 

[Callipygian]

AFLW trade and draft dates locked in for 2024 season

Trade and draft details for the 2024 AFLW player movement period have been locked in

www.afl.com.au

 

[Kbroome]

Almost time to get this thread fired up again, given with our ladder position and major injuries there is like a 1% chance of making finals.

The girl i want that isn't a midfield is Emma McDonald

 

[Callipygian]

Almost time to get this thread fired up again, given with our ladder position and major injuries there is like a 1% chance of making finals.

The girl i want that isn't a midfield is Emma McDonald

I'd be rapt with McDonald but I'm intrigued by Poppy Scholz - same height but more upside and versatility although with less consistency (so far). Maybe some go-home factor?? RMC reckons she's keen to join her sister at Port Adelaide.

Happily, there are a lot of talls available this year in the first and second rounds. Hope we get at least one promising tall.

I expect we'll prelist Emma Juneja and we have the option to pre-list another NSW player too. As far as I'm aware GWS Academy players are not off limits (can anybody clarify?) in which case I'm interested in Ellie Hall. She plays for the Murray Bushrangers but also for the Allies so I'm hoping she is New South Welsh and eligible for pre-listing.

 

[Kbroome]

I'd be rapt with McDonald but I'm intrigued by Poppy Scholz - same height but more upside and versatility although with less consistency (so far). Maybe some go-home factor?? RMC reckons she's keen to join her sister at Port Adelaide.

Happily, there are a lot of talls available this year in the first and second rounds. Hope we get at least one promising tall.

I expect we'll prelist Emma Juneja and we have the option to pre-list another NSW player too. As far as I'm aware GWS Academy players are not off limits (can anybody clarify?) in which case I'm interested in Ellie Hall. She plays for the Murray Bushrangers but also for the Allies so I'm hoping she is New South Welsh and eligible for pre-listing.

I think that Scholz is a KPD/Winger so would much rather a KPF like McDonald and then idk how the full national draft works if they have a similar system to the mens for matching or is it pre-listing?

 

[Callipygian]

I think that Scholz is a KPD/Winger so would much rather a KPF like McDonald and then idk how the full national draft works if they have a similar system to the mens for matching or is it pre-listing?

The pre-listing I'm talking about is before the last draft the 4 expansion clubs were given the option of 'pre-listing' 3 players from their home states over the next two drafts. Last year we pre-listed Holly Cooper but only her so we still have 2 options to pre-list left and only this year to take advantage.

By comparison, last year Port Adelaide made out like bandits prelisting both Shineah Goody and Lauren Young who both would have been in pick #1 contention in an open draft plus they got to pre-list underager Matilda Scholz who RMC rated as a top 5 pick and best ruck in her class. Then they still got to draft Piper Window with their first round pick too. I think because their State has a much richer vein of talent those 3 pre-listings have set PAFC up for the long term in a way that it doesn't for us because the pickings our end are much slimmer.

 

[Kbroome]

The pre-listing I'm talking about is before the last draft the 4 expansion clubs were given the option of 'pre-listing' 3 players from their home states over the next two drafts. Last year we pre-listed Holly Cooper but only her so we still have 2 options to pre-list left and only this year to take advantage.

By comparison, last year Port Adelaide made out like bandits prelisting both Shineah Goody and Lauren Young who both would have been in pick #1 contention in an open draft plus they got to pre-list underager Matilda Scholz who RMC rated as a top 5 pick and best ruck in her class. Then they still got to draft Piper Window with their first round pick too. I think because their State has a much richer vein of talent those 3 pre-listings have set PAFC up for the long term in a way that it doesn't for us because the pickings our end are much slimmer.

With the way that Scholz is developing at PA maybe we need to grab Poppy and then just chuck her in there as she would probably be an upgrade on some of the talls we have

 

[Callipygian]

I'm just going to kick this thread off with some key dates:

* the trade period will be 5-11 December

* the draft itself will be on 16 December

* from 4-11 December there will be a Restricted Free Agency period (RFA) and a Delisted Free Agency period

* there will be a further DFA period from about 12-14 December; and

* then a Supplemental Signing Period (SSP) straight after the draft from 17-18 December.

Here's my source: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/1189913/aflw-trade-and-draft-dates-locked-in-for-2024-season.

 

[Callipygian]

Next some draft related information

Here are the results from the National combine: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1241350/2024-telstra-aflw-draft-combine-testing-results (girls results after the boys)

Here are the results from the State combines: https://www.afl.com.au/news/1245118/2024-telstra-aflw-state-draft-combine-testing-results (again, girls' results follow the boys' results)

We have a top 4 draft pick assured in a strong draft. There seems to be a consensus 'top 3' in the draft - namely Ash Centra, Havana Harris (potentially to the Suns but maybe not according to scuttlebutt) and Zippy Fish. The dream would be to get Havana Harris (she's a gun rated #1 by RMC and is 182 cm). However, as that doesn't seem likely, there are two very strong prospects after them: India Rasheed and Molly O'Hehir. They are from SA and WA respectively - no idea if there is a 'go home' factor to worry about. Rasheed has probably had the better season and has a late birthday (29 November), but Molly is taller (179 cm) and has been a top prospect for a long while. I'll be rapt to get any of those players.

We also have the option to pre-list two NSW players (as we did with Holly Cooper last year). As far as I can tell that includes GWS Academy prospects of which there are a few. Ashley Patton (medium forward) and Ellie Hall (tallish midfielder) are both GWS Academy players and thus presumably from NSW. I like the look of Hall but both would be worthy additions to our list. Pretty rough for GWS but they did snaffle Jess Doyle from our Academy just before we had power to stop them.

Another player we may be able to get priority access to is Emma Juneja from our own Academy (who has played with our VFLW side). As yet it seems unclear what the draft rules are about matching bids on Academy players but it may be that you can match using a pick within 18 of the bid. If that's true we could take Juneja with our 3rd or possibly even 4th rounder.

What emerges from this for me is that this is an absolutely massive and critical draft for us to build our strength for the future. We have the prospect of getting 5 top 40 players including a top 5 pick! [Our first two picks, plus two pre-listings, plus Juneja.] The flipside of that is that we will need to clear a lot of list spots because apart from making room for the new draftees we also have to reduce our list size (I think by 2 spots but I'm not sure - can anyone clarify?). And that's before any trade moves.

As a footnote, promising NSW project player Imogen Brown (who got a couple of runs in our VFLW) was poached by Richmond FC as a replacement player earlier this season.

 

[Callipygian]

With our 2nd round pick (likely to be pick 22 before shenanigans) I'd be keen on a tall player like one of Georgie Brisbane, Grace Baba, or Claire Mahony, if they get through.

I'd also be thinking about splitting our 3rd round pick so that we can still match a bid for Juneja but also get either another pick or maybe trade for an extra future pick e.g. swap our 3rd rounder for a top 8 club's 3rd and future 3rd, which I reckon might be doable.

 

[Kbroome]

Think we need to find that rough and tough replacement player for Kennedy because she isn't getting any younger. I think any of the top 5 prospects would be good additions, given we do lack 100% on ballers coming through the ranks and rely more so on forwards to pinch hit in there.

 

[Callipygian]

Sorry, mods (Ticky009 ) I have just realised I twice created the same thread. Please could they be merged? And this post be deleted?

 

[Callipygian]

I just listened to Scott Gowans presser after the loss to Brisbane and he said we would be targeting some more experienced (4-6 year, 30 gamer) type players to put around our younger players so they don't carry an unreasonable burden while they are still developing: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/vide...dal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1730018428001.

That approach may put a dent in the draft haul I was anticipating in a couple of ways. First, we may have to give away picks to get decent players, unless we pick up players as delisted free agents. Second, if we bring in players by way of trade in addition to the draft haul I discussed above and the downsizing of the list we are going to have to delist an awful lot of players. Personally, I'm not totally against that if the players we trade in are upgrades and better fit our needs but I can't see it happening. I think they value our current players and they have created great camaraderie in the group and they won't want to undermine that by cutting too savagely. Also it will make our list younger than it already is.

So, conspicuously, Charlie Rowbottom is just coming to the end of her 4th season and has 39 games to her name as at today: https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Charlie+Rowbottom/21202. I don't know whether she's out of contract or not. Surely she'd cost us our first pick either way. Perhaps I can come around to embracing a trade of our first pick for her that if that's what the club feels we need. While Charlie was a pick 1 (and so in that sense an upgrade):

1. it wasn't an open draft and if it had been she would have been "one of the first Victorian picks before nominating Queensland" and not necessarily pick 1: https://www.afl.com.au/news/999055/who-is-charlie-rowbottom-meet-the-swans-sister-set-to-go-no1; and

2. the drafts get stronger every season and I am bullish that the top 5 players this draft may have higher ceilings than Charlie.

3. On the flipside: Charlie is at an age/experience bracket we have just identified we need, she's a proven player (there's always uncertainty with draft picks but she's backed it up since playing at AFLW level and has fulfilled her promise) and she's been a B&F (2022) and AA (2023). Plus, according to Gemma Bastiani, Rowbottom has had a career best season this year: https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1657903/the-extraordinary-numbers-pushing-star-sun-into-rare-air.

So, on reflection, if we do give up the chance of getting Rasheed/O'Hehir for Charlie, I will back that decision. Especially if we can bring in some other mature age talls because that's what we really need.

At the same time, the greedy part of me wonders, if Charlie really wants out of the Suns and she is out of contract, then we could drive a harder bargain and try get something back, like a swap of our F2 for their second rounder this year. But probably that is just too greedy and unfair.

Thank the gods for the improvement of Heads and Mitchell this year! It has eased the pressure a smidge. Heads was already good but has further improved. Mitchell has shown improvement I didn't foresee, which is brilliant.

Where did this rumour about Charlie wanting to leave GC come from anyway? Maybe it's total BS and she's perfectly happy there and going nowhere. Just checked and I first saw it posted by Kbroome . Can you say more about your mail? Appreciate if you don't want to name names but how good is the source and how sure were they/what did they say/why do they think she "could be available"?

Hearing some whispers that Charlie Rowbottom could be available. Would be near on impossible to do with the cap constraints but could be something to look at as she would be the type of midfielder we need

 

[Callipygian]

We also have the option to pre-list two NSW players (as we did with Holly Cooper last year). As far as I can tell that includes GWS Academy prospects of which there are a few. Ashley Patton (medium forward) and Ellie Hall (tallish midfielder) are both GWS Academy players and thus presumably from NSW. I like the look of Hall but both would be worthy additions to our list. Pretty rough for GWS but they did snaffle Jess Doyle from our Academy just before we had power to stop them.

Another player we may be able to get priority access to is Emma Juneja from our own Academy (who has played with our VFLW side). As yet it seems unclear what the draft rules are about matching bids on Academy players but it may be that you can match using a pick within 18 of the bid. If that's true we could take Juneja with our 3rd or possibly even 4th rounder.

Sadly, I was too gung-ho with my post yesterday. I checked again and our draft concessions only apply to our own Academy players not all State-based players as I mistakenly thought and certainly not to GWS Academy players: https://www.afl.com.au/aflw/news/10...that-could-see-top-prospects-bypass-the-draft.

Consequently we're not looking at anything like the windfall draft I was dreaming of. We're probably going to get good players with our first two picks and pre-list Juneja. That's assuming we don't trade our picks away, which I don't think is a valid assumption now that the club has flagged our intention to bring in experienced players who will probably cost draft picks. At least we still have two really good picks (4 & 22) to get some good players with one way or another. I assume we'll want to draft at least one player in the top 25 and so we won't trade both picks out without getting another high pick back.

 

[Kiama Chris]

I just listened to Scott Gowans presser after the loss to Brisbane and he said we would be targeting some more experienced (4-6 year, 30 gamer) type players to put around our younger players so they don't carry an unreasonable burden while they are still developing: https://www.sydneyswans.com.au/vide...dal=true&type=video&publishFrom=1730018428001.

That approach may put a dent in the draft haul I was anticipating in a couple of ways. First, we may have to give away picks to get decent players, unless we pick up players as delisted free agents. Second, if we bring in players by way of trade in addition to the draft haul I discussed above and the downsizing of the list we are going to have to delist an awful lot of players. Personally, I'm not totally against that if the players we trade in are upgrades and better fit our needs but I can't see it happening. I think they value our current players and they have created great camaraderie in the group and they won't want to undermine that by cutting too savagely. Also it will make our list younger than it already is.

So, conspicuously, Charlie Rowbottom is just coming to the end of her 4th season and has 39 games to her name as at today: https://australianfootball.com/players/playerseason/Charlie+Rowbottom/21202. I don't know whether she's out of contract or not. Surely she'd cost us our first pick either way. Perhaps I can come around to embracing a trade of our first pick for her that if that's what the club feels we need. While Charlie was a pick 1 (and so in that sense an upgrade):

1. it wasn't an open draft and if it had been she would have been "one of the first Victorian picks before nominating Queensland" and not necessarily pick 1: https://www.afl.com.au/news/999055/who-is-charlie-rowbottom-meet-the-swans-sister-set-to-go-no1; and

2. the drafts get stronger every season and I am bullish that the top 5 players this draft may have higher ceilings than Charlie.

3. On the flipside: Charlie is at an age/experience bracket we have just identified we need, she's a proven player (there's always uncertainty with draft picks but she's backed it up since playing at AFLW level and has fulfilled her promise) and she's been a B&F (2022) and AA (2023). Plus, according to Gemma Bastiani, Rowbottom has had a career best season this year: https://www.goldcoastfc.com.au/news/1657903/the-extraordinary-numbers-pushing-star-sun-into-rare-air.

So, on reflection, if we do give up the chance of getting Rasheed/O'Hehir for Charlie, I will back that decision. Especially if we can bring in some other mature age talls because that's what we really need.

At the same time, the greedy part of me wonders, if Charlie really wants out of the Suns and she is out of contract, then we could drive a harder bargain and try get something back, like a swap of our F2 for their second rounder this year. But probably that is just too greedy and unfair.

Thank the gods for the improvement of Heads and Mitchell this year! It has eased the pressure a smidge. Heads was already good but has further improved. Mitchell has shown improvement I didn't foresee, which is brilliant.

Where did this rumour about Charlie wanting to leave GC come from anyway? Maybe it's total BS and she's perfectly happy there and going nowhere. Just checked and I first saw it posted by Kbroome . Can you say more about your mail? Appreciate if you don't want to name names but how good is the source and how sure were they/what did they say/why do they think she "could be available"?

Absolutely delighted with the improvement Alice Mitchell has shown. She is still not super confident with her kicking but her lockdown, spoiling, courage and endurance has been first rate. Should finish well up in the B&F and a big chance for Most Improved.
At 183cm she complements the more skilful but smaller (173cm) Brenna Tarrant and Ella Heads very well.

 

[Kbroome]

Absolutely delighted with the improvement Alice Mitchell has shown. She is still not super confident with her kicking but her lockdown, spoiling, courage and endurance has been first rate. Should finish well up in the B&F and a big chance for Most Improved.
At 183cm she complements the more skilful but smaller (173cm) Brenna Tarrant and Ella Heads very well.

Would be nice to have our best last line defender playing in defence and not on the wing but hopefully the addition of Juneja (a winger) will help Scotty make that decision

 

[Aardvark]

Two decent picks in the draft or maybe Rowbottom and pick 22 , Juneja prelisted, Molloy, Morphett and Hams back fit and another preseason into Hausegger, Grunden and Cooper and next year will be a different story. Maybe a quiet chat with the Irish girls to see if they have any mates wanting a game? It's probably going to be a few years until we develop any real depth.

 

[Aardvark]

I would happily move on Lochland, Hillier, Sheppard, Sargent Wilson, Smith, Whelan, Vale, Szigeti and maybe Beruldsen. It will be interesting to see who gets delisted.