Suns ready to trade top pick for forward

[bornadog]

By Tim Clarke

GOLD Coast appear set to trade their fourth pick in the upcoming draft in order to get a desperately needed key forward, following the failed attempt to revive Nathan Ablett’s footballing career.

Ablett was delisted last week after failing to impress the Suns’ hierarchy, leaving the Gold Coast club short of experienced key forwards to aid the development of Luke Russell and Brandon Matera.

And Guy McKenna has floated very early the possibility of giving up the first pick after the GWS Giants in the 2011 draft order, with a spearhead the obvious target.

"We've got a fairly skewed list at the moment. I'd think for any mature player that wants to come to the GC SUNS we'd certainly look at that," McKenna told the club website.

"I think we've got enough good, young kids, very happy with the kids we've got, we can see them developing into bona fide AFL players.

"What would help? Danny Stanley helped in our forward line taking the hits, which helped Luke Russell and Brandon Matera late in the season, no different to (Campbell) Brown and (Nathan) Bock down back helping our young defenders get through.

"The balance of youth versus maturity, I would think out of the trade slash draft period we'd be looking for some more mature players."

As the fledgling AFL club investigates the alleged fight between Suns players, an off-duty policeman and an Australian tourist on the Thai island of Ko Phangan, McKenna was weighing up his development options.

With GWS owning picks one, two, three and five, the currency for the fourth pick on what is believed to be a potentially thin draft becomes greater – which McKenna appears keen to cash in on.

"You've got to weigh up what you can get at pick four versus that mature body," McKenna said.

"I have no doubt that if the players are saying that, they would have felt they had a load-and-a-half go through them this season because they had so many kids they were carrying.

"It's important we balance the list and there's an opportunity through the draft and trade that we can do that. We'll sit down with (list manager) Scott (Clayton) and the footy club and work out our best strategy."

[Go_Dogs]

Apparently Tippett could be the one. If the Crows can do a trade this year, then they get this pick - if they hold off till next year, good chance given he'll be out of contract he could go much cheaper or even free in the PSD.

[bornadog]

Apparently Tippett could be the one. If the Crows can do a trade this year, then they get this pick - if they hold off till next year, good chance given he'll be out of contract he could go much cheaper or even free in the PSD.

Isn't he a Gold Coast boy?

[azabob]

Isn't he a Gold Coast boy?

Yes. He surprised all by resigning with the crows last season and turning down the GC contract. GC appear like they will finally get him either in 2012 or 2013.

[anfo27]

If Tippett is worth pick 4 then why are so many posters happy for us to trade Lake for a pick in the
20's?

[bornadog]

If Tippett is worth pick 4 then why are so many posters happy for us to trade Lake for a pick in the
20's?

If Tippet is pick 4 Brian is pick one.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

If Tippett is worth pick 4 then why are so many posters happy for us to trade Lake for a pick in the
20's?

I find it ridiculous.

Unless we get a very good offer for Lake, trading him is insanity in any draft - let alone this one. He's our best player; at the worst, he can teach our young KPP's.

A pick in the late teens or 20's (plus 'insert good average young player') would be a disaster.

[Remi Moses]

Gold Coast are paying way overs for Tippet IMO.
Absolutely not a hope in hell of swapping a dodgy kicking Box Hill Player for an AA full back!
That sounds like a Pelchen type trade want!

[Go_Dogs]

I find it ridiculous.

Unless we get a very good offer for Lake, trading him is insanity in any draft - let alone this one. He's our best player; at the worst, he can teach our young KPP's.

A pick in the late teens or 20's (plus 'insert good average young player') would be a disaster.

Agreed. Not even close.



Tippett wasn't great this year, but he's a big forward who is still improving in that role, and can take a turn in the ruck. Pick 4 isn't too far off the mark I wouldn't have thought.

[LostDoggy]

Because, you know, keeping a player who doesn't want to play for you is always a great idea.

At the worst he 'teaches our young kpps'? Boy people have a romantic view of football clubs. At the worst he's a cancer in the dressing room and turns out another year like this one.

Make no mistake, if he wants out we'll have to take unders for him, unless we can orchestrate a bidding war between the Hawks, Melbourne and Carlton for him.

[chef]

Because, you know, keeping a player who doesn't want to play for you is always a great idea.

At the worst he 'teaches our young kpps'? Boy people have a romantic view of football clubs. At the worst he's a cancer in the dressing room and turns out another year like this one.

Make no mistake, if he wants out we'll have to take unders for him, unless we can orchestrate a bidding war between the Hawks, Melbourne and Carlton for him.

Kanga's and Saint's could do with him too.

[anfo27]

I find it ridiculous.

Unless we get a very good offer for Lake, trading him is insanity in any draft - let alone this one. He's our best player; at the worst, he can teach our young KPP's.

A pick in the late teens or 20's (plus 'insert good average young player') would be a disaster.

agree with this 100%. He is a gun player and when in form & fit he was in the top 5 players in the comp and those players don't get given away for a pick in the 20's with a Savage, Walker or Lisle or whoever else has been mentioned as a sweetner.
Even if he wants out that doesn't mean anything as he is still under contract. Look at Andrew Walker at Carlton, he hated the coach and wanted out but the blues didn't get an offer they thought was good enough and kept him. He has since had a super year and also signed a new contract (i think).

[Maddog37]

Kanga's and Saint's could do with him too.

So could the Dogs

[Mantis]

Pretty sure that Tippett has a clause in his contract stating that he can be traded to GC next year with Adelaide to receive a 2nd & 3rd round pick.. or something like that.

If GC are willing to offer up pick 4 Adelaide would have to seriously contemplate moving now.

[LostDoggy]

Pretty sure that Tippett has a clause in his contract stating that he can be traded to GC next year with Adelaide to receive a 2nd & 3rd round pick.. or something like that.

If GC are willing to offer up pick 4 Adelaide would have to seriously contemplate moving now.

Yup. I read it this is basically McKenna saying do it now and we'll hook you up or miss the boat to Adelaide.