Seen it coming and said it last week! If they take his contract, we get more salary cap and more picks.. Hes only got 2 seasons left in him I would say and I for 1 am happy for him! EVEN THOUGH IM BURNING DEEP DOWN!
He has been there for us through thick and thin and is a champion and deserves what we couldnt give him, another crack at a premiership. I could only imagine what it feels like in our backline :s
Williams will have to step up which I think he can. Hope Hawks win it next year with Lake and are forever greatful to the dogs, aswell as giving 1 of our great FB a premiership, allbeit in some sh1zen colours.
Lets move on and look forward to the youngsters.
We basically moved up 6 places in the 20's for an AA full back, wasn't even a straight swap for 21, we just got totally bent over.
The way I read the trade and the day's events.
We have traded Brian Lake out - aging player with 1 yr to go before he could walk as a free agent.
We have brought Lachlan Hunter in. A player we have worked to get for some time and potentially a long senior career. I concede that he might not make it.
We have exchanged draft picks gaining 21 for 27
The 3rd rounder from Hawthorn basically gives us back the pick that was allocated for Hunter
So we get a new draftee with potential for a player whose career will be over before we again challenge, and we have already debuted players who can replace the old veteran with 2 players in 2012 showing great promise as KPD - Talia and Roughead plus Roberts who looks a likely swingman.
I am pretty happy with the deal.
Life is to be Enjoyed not Endured
You know this for a fact?
It's just as likely he's still extremely pissed off at the way the previous coaching group mismanaged him last year and now that his trade currency is back up he know he can tell the club to trade him to his club of choice or he'll walk next year for nothing.
This is the key. If we draft quality, this trade will be talked about as a win for years to come (ie Cameron for Hargrave + Gilbee [or whichever players we traded with those picks]). If we draft kids who don't work out, Bulldogs fans will talk about this as the day our club was destroyed.
All comes down to the draft.
FFC: Established 1883
Premierships: AFL 1954, 2016 VFA - 1898,99,1900, 1908, 1913, 1919-20, 1923-24, VFL: 2014, 2016 . Champions of Victoria 1924. AFLW - 2018.
I never though ruthless efficiancy and the WB would ever be in the same sentence.
I like what has happened here. Lake has asked to walk, rather than prolonging a painful process we have given him what he wants and we get another 1st rounder. Or, we lose him to free agency next year and get bent over yet again.
Chris Grant is a club Champion. Lake was a great fullback for 3 years.
Lake most likely wants to win a premiership. Getting pick 41 for him is terribly underrating him
Sad to see him go but glad the club is focussing long term.
As long as we do not trade for Dawes I will be happy.