All GWS Rumour And Speculation Thread - Vol 1

[Optimax]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

So GWS has targetted and supposepdy signed swallow on a million plus dollar deal and you still want me to believe swans going there?

So GWS is spending their Extra portion of salary cap plus some of the standard cap on two midfielders and no one else? No one else thinks that's totally fanciful? Add to the fact Sheedy has publically stated he doesn't rate swan all that highly and he is still going to offer him a $1.9million deal? Yeah nah bot likely

You can't offer gaurntees but let's put it this way, this time last year Ablett was in the gold coast being offered his deal and pretty much signing it, 2010 swan is in Ireland with his current coach showing no signs of interest in GWS. See why some are confident

 

[magpiewarrior]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

So GWS has targetted and supposepdy signed swallow on a million plus dollar deal and you still want me to believe swans going there?

So GWS is spending their Extra portion of salary cap plus some of the standard cap on two midfielders and no one else? No one else thinks that's totally fanciful? Add to the fact Sheedy has publically stated he doesn't rate swan all that highly and he is still going to offer him a $1.9million deal? Yeah nah bot likely

You can't offer gaurntees but let's put it this way, this time last year Ablett was in the gold coast being offered his deal and pretty much signing it, 2010 swan is in Ireland with his current coach showing no signs of interest in GWS. See why some are confident

Not only is he there with MM, but he is also with MM talking to Marty Clarke and trying to persuade him to come back to the Pies. Why would Swanney be doing that if he himself were leaving us?

 

[Paranoid]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I think they'll be more interested in Pendlebury. As others have already said, Swan will be 28 - 29 when GWS come in, but Pendlebury will be 24 - 25, and he could be one of the best players in the league by then (even more so).

Interesting to note that Marc Murphy will be out of contract too...

Does anyone know any other big names that will be out of contract?

 

[Copeland]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

Yes Murphy pleeeeeeeeaase

 

[look at him goooo!]

Re: Dane Swan - GWS?

I'm 99% sure the 2012 draft isn't compromised the only problem is that's the year club's will start using their compensation picks. GWS get only one year of draft concessions but 2 years access to uncontracted players.

As for losing Swanny I personally don't think it will happen, I would be absolutely amazed if GWS targeted him in front of Thomas or Pendles as they are much better players to have as the face of the club. Take a look at Thomas for example in his first season alone his jumper outsold Buckley's at merchandise outlets, GWS are much more likely to target him IMO and what Sheedy said in the paper was more than likely just a ruse. I don't want to lose Swanny but I would prefer to lose him than Thomas or Pendles.

i'm 100% sure that the 2012 draft is compromised so i win

GWS get the same concessions 2 years in a row, however in 2012 they need to trade away all their first round concessions

 

[daics_35]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

Yes Murphy pleeeeeeeeaase

No, he plays for Carlton. I dont want him at all.

 

[look at him goooo!]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

No, he plays for Carlton. I dont want him at all.

i think he meant he wants GWS to go after Murphy, not us?

 

[Ed D]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I can't see Murphy going to Sydney if he knocked back the father/son recruiting by the Lions.

And I'd be surprised if Swan or Pendles chose to leave the club. You guys say if they were offering a massive contract anyone would leave for it. Most big time players chose to stay at the clubs when the Gold Coast were making big offers. Pav/Selwood/Reiwoldt etc. Swan and Pendles both seem very happy at Collingwood. Of course a lot can happen in a years time though.

 

[Knightmare]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

An interesting scenario would be if a Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury decided to sign with GWS.

It might mean we enter the Gary Ablett category with relation to compensation (two 1st rounders).

Because we are capable of winning more flags we should take full advantage of this and do what Geelong didn't which is trade these picks onto a team who are looking to reload for the future, so maybe for the x2 1st rounders we can add an Adam Goodes or Matthew Pavlich type (not specifically these players because I can't see either leaving their present clubs) who are in that age group where they can contribute for another 2-3 years at a high level to help us get another premiership while our window is still option as opposed to just using those picks the year we get them and drafting some young player who might turn out good, but will have little immediate impact for us.

 

[sr36]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

An interesting scenario would be if a Dane Swan or Scott Pendlebury decided to sign with GWS.

It might mean we enter the Gary Ablett category with relation to compensation (two 1st rounders).

Because we are capable of winning more flags we should take full advantage of this and do what Geelong didn't which is trade these picks onto a team who are looking to reload for the future, so maybe for the x2 1st rounders we can add an Adam Goodes or Matthew Pavlich type (not specifically these players because I can't see either leaving their present clubs) who are in that age group where they can contribute for another 2-3 years at a high level to help us get another premiership while our window is still option as opposed to just using those picks the year we get them and drafting some young player who might turn out good, but will have little immediate impact for us.

I sure as hell hope that the club aren't as short sighted as you are.

 

[Ed D]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

The Gold Coast would have been limited in how much they could offer any of the other stars given they had their money tied up in the Ablett offer.

They may have tested the waters with Selwood etc, but they only made one huge offer. And that was to Ablett. And he took it.

Yeah I get what you're saying, but I don't think Ablett would have been the only person they talked to, and in saying that I don't know if Ablett had fully committed to them straight away either. Add to that Ablett didn't exactly look like he was entirely comfortable playing at Geelong with all the attention he was getting and how they'd previously refused to increase his salary etc.

 

[Optimax]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

The Gold Coast would have been limited in how much they could offer any of the other stars given they had their money tied up in the Ablett offer.

They may have tested the waters with Selwood etc, but they only made one huge offer. And that was to Ablett. And he took it.

Correct which is why I believe if they are throwing money at swallow (which seems more correct then swan listening to sheedy and gubby) i feel comfortable swan will stay

 

[pauly_moss]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

One thing I am certain of is we will lose someone, I dont think will be Swan, perhaps to keep Pendlebury offer some sorta captains succession plan???

One thing in our favour is the size of the crowds we play in front off.

Going from 60 - 90k week in week out to 10k at Sydney might be a bit of a turn off.

 

[Ed D]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

Another turn off would be going from a team that's in premiership mode vs one that will probably struggle for 3+ years with no supporters in a really bad part of Aus. Outside of money and playing opportunity, GWS doesn't have much going for it to lure players.

 

[Knightmare]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I sure as hell hope that the club aren't as short sighted as you are.

I don't see premierships happening after 2015, so make the most of it while our window is open.
In that type of scenario where we lose a key players we would want to maximise it's value and carry it over into 2012 when no more concessions but other clubs will also want to use their compensation picks then.

Adding a pick in 2012 won't be hugely useful, particularly if we finish up the top end of the ladder. So adding an immediate difference maker who can make us significantly better for 2-3 is the correct approach for mine.

The difference making player can be anyone of any age group as long as we feel that they can be a significant difference maker for 2+ years/ in the immediate. Whether it be a quality 21 year old, or a durable 28 year old who is showing no signs of slowing down because unless it is a very top end 1st round pick, it's not super likely that you will end up with a player who will be ready to play from season 1, or good enough to surpass anyone.

 

[Quicky]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I don't see premierships happening after 2015, so make the most of it while our window is open.
In that type of scenario where we lose a key players we would want to maximise it's value and carry it over into 2012 when no more concessions but other clubs will also want to use their compensation picks then.

Adding a pick in 2012 won't be hugely useful, particularly if we finish up the top end of the ladder. So adding an immediate difference maker who can make us significantly better for 2-3 is the correct approach for mine.

The difference making player can be anyone of any age group as long as we feel that they can be a significant difference maker for 2+ years/ in the immediate. Whether it be a quality 21 year old, or a durable 28 year old who is showing no signs of slowing down because unless it is a very top end 1st round pick, it's not super likely that you will end up with a player who will be ready to play from season 1, or good enough to surpass anyone.

I think that philosophy falls apart if the club believes they have the list together - as it stands - to win the premiership over the next 2-3 years. With Tarrants and Krakouers additions I think we are just as likely to look at the future with our remaining picks. Just because we've gone mature/recycled players so far doesn't mean that will be our strategy/pattern come ND time this year. I think we are more likely to look at youth with our ND picks.

 

[sr36]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I don't see premierships happening after 2015, so make the most of it while our window is open.
.

In 2015 Pendlebury and Thomas will be 27. Our spine will all be about the same age or younger. Beams and sidebottom will be about 25. Wellingham, Macaffer and Toovey will be about the same age. We'll at teh least have the core of a very good side. We are in a position to be challengers for a long time. I don't believe in having to bottom out. I think that our decisions should be about keeping us at the top for as long as posssible. I'd be looking to trade some fringe premiership players over the next few years in order to maximise our chances in the draft.

 

[FAIRANDBALANCED]

Re: Dane Swan - GWS?

I'm not saying it's impossible and you are of course entitled to your opinion also but but why is it ludicrous? How many players enter the AFL? How many players are there who are better players than Thomas right now? He would have to surpass all but a couple of them to get to Swan's level. That's the thing. I'm not saying that Thomas won't be an A-Grader or that he isn't very good right now but it remains that it is extremely unlikely that he will reach this level.

Also, an age for age comparison is unhelpful. To say that Thomas has tracked similarly to Ablett might be accurate but he would have to become a 70% better player to get to Ablett's level. Thomas has improved solidly to now. Ablett didn't do this. He just literally EXPLODED between '06 and '07. He went from a reasonable player to the best in a game. You don't bank on things like this happening because they are once in a decade occurances. You certainly don't rate a good player as more important than your best player and league wide superstar (would have been the worthy Browlow Medalist this year as the best player in the game) on the "chance" that they might drastically improve their output.

Also, the Swan v Thomas comparison is a bit lopsided on your part. You equate a player getting 0.2 possessions/game more, 1.4 marks/game less, 0.2 goals/game more and 0.1 tackles per game more as having FAR more impact? I would also suspect that Swan got more clearances, goal assists, etc at the same age. You are also talking about a comparison of eras where players get far more possessions in 2010 than they did in 2007. It was a lot easier for Thomas to get 24.0 possessions per game in 2010 than it was for Swanny to get 23.8 per game in 2007. You could also argue that Thomas has less scope for improvement because he has played a lot more games than Swan had at the same age because he was a better junior and a better player in his first year or two. I would argue that Swan was every bit as good a player as Thomas at the same age but that his game has improved a LOT since. Swan's form hasn't come from nowhere, he's been one of our very best since 2006. He has won our last 3 best and fairests (i'm including this season because the season has been played and he will literally shit in the award). He is a 2 time All Australian. He has been a Brownlow favourite at different stages of 2 different seasons. He nearly won the Brownlow in a 3rd season. He was the best player in the entire competition this season with over 800 disposals as a goalkicking, clearance machine inside/outside midfielder. Swan is an out and out superstar and has been for ages, he just hasn't been recognised as such the whole time.

Did you see Thomas' improvement this season? I dont think it is a stretch at all to think that he will be a top 5 player in the competition in the next 5 years, I would be confident of it actually.
As long as he works as hard on his fitness as he did the past off season, then he should be headed toward an AA season.

Swanny is a superstar of the competition, but I don't really think they would be interested in him. Perhaps interested in the exposure of chasing a big Collingwood name, but not really interested in landing him. They will be trying to buck up the price so our salary cap gets tight and then they can come in and sweep up a Sidebottom, Pendlebury, Reid or Thomas.
Those four guys are absolutely crucial to our long term future and can not be lost, as simple as that.

We will really get to see what playing for Collingwood really means to a few of these guys, and if they are willing to take a pay hit to play in front of the big crowds, and get all the exposure.

I'd be surprised if Pendles left, he is our next captain in waiting and he is so young that the idea of building a nest egg wouldn't have even crossed his mind. Same with the others.

The most important player who may leave is Cloke. When his next contract expires he may want to go for the big dollars. I think we should've backed him in and put him on a longer term deal.
What if he actually does start kicking semi straight??

 

[Pie eyed]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I doubt Swan would go unless the club gave it's blessing.
Swan owes the club a massive debt for the loyalty and patience it showed when he was struggling with off field issues.

Swan strikes me as the type of bloke who puts a lot of stock in this.

That's not to say he won't or can't go to GWS, but it will be with the clubs knowledge and consent.

 

[morgoth]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I doubt Swan would go unless the club gave it's blessing.
Swan owes the club a massive debt for the loyalty and patience it showed when he was struggling with off field issues.

Swan strikes me as the type of bloke who puts a lot of stock in this.

That's not to say he won't or can't go to GWS, but it will be with the clubs knowledge and consent.

Whilst I agree I think his loyalty is to MM and with MM stepping down next year this might have a slight impact.

Personally I think he will stay, loves playing with his mates and Tazza has just come back so I reckon Swan will stay as long as we come up with a good deal.

 

[Zahki]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

Swan going to GWS might even be the best thing for the club in the long run. We'd get Band 1 compensation for sure if he has another season like 2010, 2 first round picks we can use in any draft til 2015, plus a ton of extra cap space. It would really help us stay up in contention for longer, and Pendlebury and Thomas will be well ready by then to step up and take on the extra responsibility, I don't think we'd lose that much, but the potential gain is great.

 

[Scodog10]

Re: Dane Swan - GWS?

i'm 100% sure that the 2012 draft is compromised so i win

GWS get the same concessions 2 years in a row, however in 2012 they need to trade away all their first round concessions

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=86208

Has the AFL changed there concessions in the past 12 months? Because in this article doesn't it state that the draft concessions continue in 2012. Unless you meant the extra 4 extra 17 year olds they have access to?

 

[Bay Pie]

Re: Dane Swan - GWS?

http://www.afl.com.au/tabid/208/default.aspx?newsid=86208

Has the AFL changed there concessions in the past 12 months? Because in this article doesn't it state that the draft concessions continue in 2012. Unless you meant the extra 4 extra 17 year olds they have access to?

I'm aware of the uncontracted players option for 2 years being 2011 & 2012 but I don't think it relates to all the early ND picks or any other picks for that matter.

 

[Scodog10]

Re: Dane Swan - GWS?

Same here, I was aware of the uncontracted players section of their concessions. I was just unaware as to whether or not they received the same draft concessions 2 years in a row but had to trade the picks away, as look at him go said. So thanks for a bit of clarification Bay Pie.

 

[Dawson]

Re: All GWS rumour and speculation thread

I doubt Swan would go unless the club gave it's blessing.
Swan owes the club a massive debt for the loyalty and patience it showed when he was struggling with off field issues.

Swan strikes me as the type of bloke who puts a lot of stock in this.

That's not to say he won't or can't go to GWS, but it will be with the clubs knowledge and consent.

$1.9 mill a year would buy me a whole new lot of loyalty and patience.
No one, regardless of what has gone on before would be silly enough to pass up $9.5 mill.