Budarick requests trade to Bulldogs

[jazzadogs]

GOLD Coast defender Connor Budarick has requested a trade to the Western Bulldogs.
The 24-year-old managed 19 games in Damien Hardwick's Suns team this year, including both finals, playing predominantly as a pressure forward to take his career total to 55 from six seasons.

He has recovered from two knee reconstructions during his career, with the first injury coming in round two, 2021, and the second occurring in round 16, 2022.

AFL.com.au's Riley Beveridge reported in Monday's Inside Trading that both the Bulldogs and North Melbourne were interested in the Suns Academy product.

Brisbane and Essendon had both looked at Budarick, while Gold Coast had put forward a two-year contract that would have taken him through to his free agency year.

[jazzadogs]

Now that he has officially requested a trade, I think he deserves his own thread!

[ibonttobreakfree]

I'm probably wrong but I thought I read that he wanted out of the GC to get more forward time but we've recruited him as a lockdown defender to replace doc. I'm confused.

[jazzadogs]

I'm probably wrong but I thought I read that he wanted out of the GC to get more forward time but we've recruited him as a lockdown defender to replace doc. I'm confused.

It's the other way round. He was only getting games at GC this year as a pressure forward because Rioli, Noble, Uwland, Jeffery had the small/med defender spots locked down.

Media reports have said he sees himself as a defender.

[The Adelaide Connection]

Does a direct swap for JUH get this done?

[hujsh]

It's the other way round. He was only getting games at GC this year as a pressure forward because Rioli, Noble, Uwland, Jeffery had the small/med defender spots locked down.

Media reports have said he sees himself as a defender.

To add to that a selling point for the Dogs was we see him as that lock down defender. North saw him more for his versatility. It's a good fit on paper

[GVGjr]

I'm probably wrong but I thought I read that he wanted out of the GC to get more forward time but we've recruited him as a lockdown defender to replace doc. I'm confused.

Cody rates him as a defender so as Jazza said, that is his likely spot with us.

[Eastdog]

It’s happening

Good to have him request us and a player in an area of need. I wonder what deal will get this done. JUH and something else maybe?

[bulldogSimmo]

It’s happening

Good to have him request us and a player in an area of need. I wonder what deal will get this done. JUH and something else maybe?

I'm not sure JUH has any real trade currency. Agree it will be interesting to see what gets this done. We don't have a lot to play with when it comes to picks

[doggies ftw]

Hes 25, out of contract, had 2 knee recos and has played over 10 games in 2 seasons including his first & this year where he played 19 games out of position up forward and kicked 5 goals & avgd 10 touches.

I like him a lot for us and he’s a solid pick up, but realistically this should be a token pick for GC to get him where he wants to go. Any talk of 2nd rounders is out of whack IMO, a late pick to help with points or steaknives as part of a points pick upgrade should be where this sits.

[FrediKanoute]

If they play hard on Buderick then JUH for steak knives is off the cards I woudl do a straight swap.

[Bumper Bulldogs]

If they play hard on Buderick then JUH for steak knives is off the cards I woudl do a straight swap.

I agree with you also. JUH on his own is totally useless so just make it happen and move on.

[Jasper]

I'm a bit excited that we have been get Budarick nominating us.
I know he's not the 200cm defensive giant that some prefer but he fits us perfectly in terms of being a small defender and covering Duryea and maybe JJ
Some opposition teams are loading up with small forwards and Budarick helps us in that regard.

[Dazza]

I really have no idea about him.

How is he as a lockdown defender? What's his pace and ball use like?

[bulldogSimmo]

I really have no idea about him.

How is he as a lockdown defender? What's his pace and ball use like?

Nice little story on the Danny Boyd podcast with our list manager saying Westy was keen on getting him to the club so he wouldn't have to play against him