List Mgmt. Contract, Trade and Draft Discussions - 2024 Post Season

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Latest news and rumours:

  • List Manager Matt Clarke appeared on Gettable - Click spoiler below for summary
    On the draft: "We predicted that the draft was strong, but it's probably gotten stronger during the year."

    On top end of draft: "You could probably make five or six different choices and get it right."

    On Pick 3: "I reckon there's five (players) around that mark."

    On splitting: "I think you want to hold an early selection if you can. The depth of this group allows you to maybe have some movement there, and see what you can do to bring in more talent in the first 20-25 picks. Easier said than done, and I think most clubs would be saying the same thing. We'll see what we can do."

    On Liam Baker: "He's still yet to make a decision. They're still weighing up a few things. We'd love to get Liam on board from what he offers from a talent and leadership point of view. We understand where we're at as a group, we're rebuilding our group, we need to add some guys in the middle tier to support our young group."

    On Jack Graham: "We've got a number of players that we're speaking to. A bit of a wait and see on that one as well. We'll talk to a number of guys."

    On Shai Bolton: "I think it will be difficult for anybody, really. He's heavily contracted and a high quality player."

    On James Peatling: "He's heavily involved in a finals series at the moment so I don't want to comment too much on it, but I think there's a number of guys that have been playing really good footy this year that could suit what we do and what other clubs do. He's taken his footy to another level this year."

    On Tom Barrass: "We've had an early discussion with Hawthorn about it, they understand where we're at. He's nominated Hawthorn as his ideal destination. We want what we think he's worth, as a genuine key back in the competition that can do what he can do. We're obviously mindful of getting an appropriate deal for West Coast."

    On Tom Clurey: "Maybe (note: sounded very non enthused). We'd probably need some key back depth, whether that's through the draft or trade and free agency."

    On Jack Darling: "We've had initial discussions with his management group about (moving). We're open to talking, as we are with all of our players, but Jack's contracted with us."

    On Liam Ryan: "I expect him to be at West Coast next year, yes." (The most definitive answer of the day by a mile, a non-starter of a talking point.)

    On out of contact players e.g. Rotham, Witherden, Jones: "We're still working through what it looks like from a list point of view, and how many selections we'll want to have, and players that may come in and potentially may go out. You might want to give a coach an opportunity to look at these guys."

    On Harley Reid: "We've had discussions most of the year with his management group. I think it sits in a really good place. We're open to doing really whatever they want to do to be honest. We're really confident in building the right system around Harley, on and off field, to make sure that he's really comfortable, that he's going to play his best footy, and his long term future."

    On Jake Waterman's new deal: "Yep, really close. We're working really closely with his management on that. I expect that we'll have something done pretty soon."

    On Oscar Allen: "We've been talking with Oscar and his manager most of the year on that one. We're going through some stuff at the moment. I think we'll be ok with that one."







 
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Victorian commentary seems to have the following takes:

1) Barrass is a good player but not a ‘better than good’ player so one mid first round pick is about right; and

2) Baker is also worth a first round draft pick.

So Barrass = Baker. Yuk. I hope our negotiators have a different opinion than this.
 
It's all irrelevant however as if I don't get anything over the line i'm trying to do i'm going to look a fool.
Liam Reidy another 66 hit outs in a losing WAFL final. If you can manage to pull him or Knobel out of Freo you could be dressed in a clown suit honking a horn and pull off no other trades for the entire period and I still wouldn’t call you a fool. I hope it’s the top trade priority.
 
Victorian commentary seems to have the following takes:

1) Barrass is a good player but not a ‘better than good’ player so one mid first round pick is about right; and

2) Baker is also worth a first round draft pick.

So Barrass = Baker. Yuk. I hope our negotiators have a different opinion than this.

The one problem is Barrass age, on the flip side though is how much do the Hawks want him?
Historically the Hawks when in a flag window which I assume they now see themselves will do whatever is required to get their man.
I think we can negotiate pretty hard.
 

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Not really, he is a genuine footballer which is what appeals.
I see him as too light to be an inside midfielder at the top level. Reminds me a little of Chris Masten who was a midfielder at junior levels but wasn’t big enough at the highest level and had to become an outside player.

I can’t think of any current midfielder who is as small as Smith.
 
Liam Reidy another 66 hit outs in a losing WAFL final. If you can manage to pull him or Knobel out of Freo you could be dressed in a clown suit honking a horn and pull off no other trades for the entire period and I still wouldn’t call you a fool. I hope it’s the top trade priority.

I really don't understand the ruck situation. Almost every ruckman takes years to develop, so you often don't see the best of them until they are 24+. There's more than a few experienced rucks floating around the state leagues that rack up some huge numbers, but we don't consider them... for even a rookie spot. Meanwhile, we have Barnett and even Flynn getting smacked around in the WAFL.

I don't watch WAFL beyond the West Coast games, but why wouldn't you at least try and rookie someone like Eastland who's averaged probably 40+ hit outs a game this year? And seems to be getting 15-25 possessions a game too.
 
I see him as too light to be an inside midfielder at the top level. Reminds me a little of Chris Masten who was a midfielder at junior levels but wasn’t big enough at the highest level and had to become an outside player.

I can’t think of any current midfielder who is as small as Smith.

Zac Butters ring a bell. Hey yiu might be right??
But he is a silky player who can find his own footy, the perfect partner for Harley.
He will build his body as they mostly all do.
Anyway it’s just an opinion but I will be annoyed if he was available with our first pick and we overlooked him. He is ready to go.
 
The one problem is Barrass age, on the flip side though is how much do the Hawks want him?
Historically the Hawks when in a flag window which I assume they now see themselves will do whatever is required to get their man.
I think we can negotiate pretty hard.

The other problem is Barass has no second efforts. The ball hits the ground he is a complete liability.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
 
I see him as too light to be an inside midfielder at the top level. Reminds me a little of Chris Masten who was a midfielder at junior levels but wasn’t big enough at the highest level and had to become an outside player.

I can’t think of any current midfielder who is as small as Smith.
Sam Walsh. 183 73kg when drafted


On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app
 
Zac Butters ring a bell. Hey yiu might be right??
But he is a silky player who can find his own footy, the perfect partner for Harley.
He will build his body as they mostly all do.
Anyway it’s just an opinion but I will be annoyed if he was available with our first pick and we overlooked him. He is ready to go.
Yes, Butters is a good comparison. Butters is light but very hard and a very good player.

Both Butters and Rozee are light but very fast as well as skilful.

I am still unsure on Smith mainly because of the size question.
 
Yes, Butters is a good comparison. Butters is light but very hard and a very good player.

Both Butters and Rozee are light but very fast as well as skilful.

I am still unsure on Smith mainly because of the size question.

I see Smith as very similar to those players. We should not overlook him if we get the chance to get him.
 
Sam Walsh. 183 73kg when drafted


On Pixel 6 Pro using BigFooty.com mobile app
Fair enough, I think Smith would be a few kilos lighter than 73kg although it is not easy to find weights of players after some genius banned publishing weights ( presumably because women are sensitive about being fat shamed).
 
I really don't understand the ruck situation. Almost every ruckman takes years to develop, so you often don't see the best of them until they are 24+. There's more than a few experienced rucks floating around the state leagues that rack up some huge numbers, but we don't consider them... for even a rookie spot. Meanwhile, we have Barnett and even Flynn getting smacked around in the WAFL.

I don't watch WAFL beyond the West Coast games, but why wouldn't you at least try and rookie someone like Eastland who's averaged probably 40+ hit outs a game this year? And seems to be getting 15-25 possessions a game too.
We’ve been very lucky to have a succession of elite (when fit) rucks from when Gardy hit his straps to Cox to Nic Nat. We developed Lycett into a serviceable premiership ruckman and traded Vardy and Hickey in at low cost who both held up their end of the bargain.

To be fair Flynn had a very good preseason until his rare and horrendously timed injury and as the unanimous best ruck of his draft class Barnett was probably expected to be further down the track than what he his but is still young.

To rookie the best available league ruck is a good last resort option but I hope we’re going hard for Reidy, Knobel and Soldo. I suspect we’ve asked about Ned Reeves too as part of the Barrass trade.
 

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The other problem is Barass has no second efforts. The ball hits the ground he is a complete liability.


Sent from my iPhone using BigFooty.com
Notwithstanding Barrass’ flaws I see him in the top echelon of Kpds. Our side is much stronger with him than without him.

He and/or McGovern have held back the dam wall many times over the past few years. The Geelong game was a vision of what it looks like without them.

It is not without reason that Hawthorn amongst others have pursued him.

I think it is right to trade him now but for a good price not a cheap one.
 
Hey cousins, genuine question, interested in your response, I just posted this on the Freo board:

The complicating factor in any trade deals would be a bidding war with West Coast. It would be in both Freo and WCE's interests to be having a quiet chat in the back room of a bar about divvying up the pickings to mutual benefit. I hate to say it but it's true. It's frenemy time.

We could really hurt each other bidding up the price on Pickett/Bolton/Baker/Warner/Whoever.
Is there a unique opportunity for clever cooperation?
You take Pickett, Bolton and Baker and we take Warner. Sorted.
 
Victorian commentary seems to have the following takes:

1) Barrass is a good player but not a ‘better than good’ player so one mid first round pick is about right; and

2) Baker is also worth a first round draft pick.

So Barrass = Baker. Yuk. I hope our negotiators have a different opinion than this.

same blokes that thought pick 3 was fair compensation for ben mckay?

I think we will be fine
 
I see him as too light to be an inside midfielder at the top level. Reminds me a little of Chris Masten who was a midfielder at junior levels but wasn’t big enough at the highest level and had to become an outside player.

I can’t think of any current midfielder who is as small as Smith.
Butters is the same height as Smith and only weighed 70kg prior to completing his first pre-season.
 
7 news reporting Waterman is signing a contract extension through until the end of 2028.
Well deserved. The amount of players who elevate that game at West Coast in their mid twenties as Waterman has is likely quite low. Now hopefully he can repeat this season a couple more times and our supply to him improves in the coming years.
 
the thing with slight frame players is that some like masten will simply never be able to put on the needed muscle due to genetics and it's probably only something you will find out after a few preseasons
 

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List Mgmt. Contract, Trade and Draft Discussions - 2024 Post Season

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