Proactive Poaching

[bulldogtragic]

If we are going 'all in', such is the list of names: Moore, Tomlinson, Keath, Tippa, Langdon, Hill & Martin. These guys are varying degrees of pricey. Plus other names not in the public domain.

If 3 or 4 of those happen to say 'yes', hypothetically, then I can't see how all of Morris, Roberts, Dicko, Suckling & Williams aren't moved on shortly to free up that extra cap amount needed. We'd need more than the $1.5-$1.6m free, and more trade currency via Williams.

I hope Sam Power is being this aggressive.

[Mofra]

I would rather Alex Keath than Darcy Moore.
Has Moore managed to complete by season at AFL/VFL level yet?

The cost would be enormous too.

[Rocket Science]

Alright what the hell is going on with Williams?

Is he as good as gone due to rival interest and we've caught wind of it?

Are we so flush with flankers we've decided he's surplus to requirements and plan to use him as bait?

He was such a tantalising prospect twelve months ago.

[1eyedog]

Moore would be amazing. Sensational player when fit and is going to get better. Like others I'm concerned with his soft tissue afflictions some players are just prone to them. Still worth a shot, we seem to have corrected Wood's hammys.

[Happy Days]

I would rather Alex Keath than Darcy Moore.
Has Moore managed to complete by season at AFL/VFL level yet?

The cost would be enormous too.

Agree with that. Moore is younger sure but has he ever played as close to as good as Keath is playing now? You would assume he would develop into a better player but his string issues might forever deprive him of the chance to.

Keath for a second is feasible. Moore would cost two firsts.

[Dry Rot]

Re Moore, how many AFL players with recurrent/chronic hamstrings have had a long career?

Pass for me.

[bornadog]

Fremantle wingman Brad Hill will request a trade back to Victoria as soon as this Friday, according to a report, sparking a flurry of offers that will also impact the Stephen Coniglio race.

story here

[ledge]

Re Moore, how many AFL players with recurrent/chronic hamstrings have had a long career?

Pass for me.

Easton Wood

[Mofra]

If we are going 'all in', such is the list of names: Moore, Tomlinson, Keath, Tippa, Langdon, Hill & Martin. These guys are varying degrees of pricey. Plus other names not in the public domain.

If 3 or 4 of those happen to say 'yes', hypothetically, then I can't see how all of Morris, Roberts, Dicko, Suckling & Williams aren't moved on shortly to free up that extra cap amount needed. We'd need more than the $1.5-$1.6m free, and more trade currency via Williams.

I hope Sam Power is being this aggressive.

One rumour among player managers had us as having the most cap space in the competition before Tom Boyd retired.

We really need to reach that 95% floor. 3 x 3rd rounders this year and no Bailey Williams signing suggests to me that the club posturing that we will be aggressive at the trade table is correct.

Our midfield group is basically mature and entering their prime, we absolutely should bring in some mature talent to support that. We're still in the bottom 4 for average team age every week.

[The Doctor]

Bevo has said he would like to keep group together, however we currently have quite a few players still out of contract. From BT's Player Contract thread

Bailey Williams: 2019
Matt Suckling: 2019 (FA)
Bailey Dale: 2019
Lukas Webb: 2019
Callum Porter: 2019
Fletcher Roberts: 2019 (FA)
Tory Dickson: 2019 (FA)
Dale Morris: 2019 (FA)
Roarke Smith: 2019 (Rookie)
Ryan Gardner: 2019 (Rookie)

8 listed players and 2 rookies remain uncontracted.

It will be interesting too see how many of these remain with us. Possibly none which would leave quite a lot of room for new players. I posted earlier in the year I expected quite a few changes.

[The Doctor]

My number 1 target would be Ben King from Gold Coast and I would be prepared to pay a decent fee to bring him in.

[Dancin' Douggy]

That's a pretty interesting list.

I would take just about any of these players for the right deal.

Tippa, Martin and Brad Hill would be great for us. And maybe Francis. I see a lot of potential in him.

Just including some that may interest us, the rest can be found through the link:

AFL 2019: State of Play — where 24 major AFL trade storylines sit

ALEX KEATH

Status: Out of contract at the end of 2019

State of play: Alex Keath is 27 and has only played 29 games, but after a brilliant season at Adelaide the former cricketer is one of the best intercepting defenders in the AFL right now, which could see him included in the All-Australian squad. The Western Bulldogs, Hawthorn and St Kilda all need a key defender and could swoop on Keath, while Melbourne has also been linked to the emerging star.

Likely scenario: With Daniel Talia, Kyle Hartigan and Jake Kelly in Don Pyke’s side and Tom Doedee to return from a knee reconstruction next year, the Crows are well stocked down back and might not be able to match what other clubs offer him. Key defenders are hard to land from other clubs so expect offers to continue to come until he makes a decision.

AARON FRANCIS

Status: Out of contract at the end of 2019

State of play: Aaron Francis has been moved around in 2019 and is reportedly seeking clarity around what his future role looks like before recommitting to Essendon. The South Australian has played 13 games this year — the most of his career — but has struggled to lock down a permanent spot down back.

Likely scenario: Francis wants to play in a defensive key post, but with Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker holding down those roles, the young gun might choose to move for greater opportunity.

ANTHONY MCDONALD-TIPUNGWUTI

Status: Out of contract at the end of 2019

State of play: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti has become a genuine match winner this season. When he plays well, Essendon usually banks four premiership points. He has put off contract talks until the end of the season and rival clubs are circling. Elite small forwards are hard to find and the Western Bulldogs, Carlton and North Melbourne have all been linked to him.

Likely scenario: Essendon champion Tim Watson believes the excitement machine could command a deal of $600,000 per season. The Bombers might not be able to pay that much, opening the door for others to pinch him.

BRADLEY HILL

Status: Contracted until the end of 2021

State of play: The three-time Hawthorn premiership wingman has two years to run on the deal he signed when he joined the Dockers at the end of 2017, but has continued to be linked to a move back to the Hawks. That noise was there last trade period and it is back. The Hawks secured Tom Scully last year and also have Ricky Henderson and Isaac Smith, so they are well stocked when it comes to wingmen. But if it isn’t Hawthorn, it might be another Victorian club such as Melbourne — which is weighing up a strong push for Hill — or St Kilda.

Likely scenario: Plenty of clubs need a gun wingman in the modern game and Hill is one of the very best. He is contracted at Fremantle, but that might not stop him ending up back in Victoria.

STEPHEN HILL

Status: Contracted until the end of 2019

State of play: Stephen Hill was one of the premier wingmen in the AFL only a few years ago, but injuries have limited him to just 16 games across the past two seasons — including just three in 2019. Some believe that he will move to where his brother Bradley plays next season. It might seem unusual that a club would take two wingmen at the same time, but some clubs — like Melbourne — need two genuine wingmen right now. Gold Coast has been linked to Hill before and could try to lure him across the country again.

Likely scenario: A fresh start appears to be the best thing for Hill moving forward, especially if a club like Gold Coast dangles some long term security in front of the 29-year-old.

ED LANGDON

Status: Contracted until the end of 2019

State of play: The out-of-contract Docker is a wanted man back in Melbourne. St Kilda, North Melbourne, Melbourne, the Western Bulldogs and Collingwood — where his brother Tom plays — have all shown interest in his services. Langdon has played every game this season after playing 21 in a breakout 2018.

Likely scenario: The longer it takes Langdon to put pen to paper in the west, the more likely a move becomes for the wingman, with Melbourne the likely option. What happens with the Hill brothers is also likely to dictate what happens with Langdon.

JACK MARTIN

Status: Out of contract at the end of 2019.

State of play: Essendon was very keen on securing the talented Sun last year, but have since cooled on the idea, predominantly because of the cash the club threw at Dylan Shiel. Despite this, it’s likely Martin will attract interest from Victorian clubs. Martin’s partner is from Victoria, which could influence his decision.

Likely scenario: Stuart Dew and the Gold Coast Suns are optimistic Martin will follow in the footsteps of the likes of David Swallow and Touk Miller in committing to the club. That prospect remains unlikely.

[bulldogtragic]

One rumour among player managers had us as having the most cap space in the competition before Tom Boyd retired.

We really need to reach that 95% floor. 3 x 3rd rounders this year and no Bailey Williams signing suggests to me that the club posturing that we will be aggressive at the trade table is correct.

Our midfield group is basically mature and entering their prime, we absolutely should bring in some mature talent to support that. We're still in the bottom 4 for average team age every week.

Math. Say Morris, Dicko & Suckers retire and Williams is traded - for argument sake. They've signed post premiership, so let's say they're on the average AFEL salary - $362,000. X 4 = $1,448,000 plus Roberts and Webb, say $250,000 each. = $1,948,000. Add in some of the case rise, $52,000. That's $2,000,000 on top of the estimated $1.5-$1.6m with Boyd going. Less some spent on re-signings. But... Our significant savings from exited players have been in part funding the re-signings: Stringer, Dahl, Adams, Smith, Roughead, Campbell, Biggs & Redders (going early/young) etc, etc. If we are brave enough to turn the list harder this year, we are in a position to sensibly, yet aggressively get 4 good very players this year with our money and picks. I'm picking four names we've been linked to in the media for illustration purposes. If we had Tomlinson, Keith, Tippa & Martin in the side this year, would we be higher on the ladder? I think we'd be on the fringe of the top 4 at a minimum.

[comrade]

My number 1 target would be Ben King from Gold Coast and I would be prepared to pay a decent fee to bring him in.

The AFL would do everything possible to stop him from leaving GC. Daydreaming for a moment, King would certainly solve some problems for us as it means we could send Naughton back into defence (where he rightfully belongs, IMO).

[Rocket Science]

story here

Well that's a tasty development given we're now on record as keen to attract indigenous talent.

I for one look forward to the ambit claims that include the words 'English' and 'Naughton'.

You owe us for Hamling you bastards.