Is it time to make a big move?

[GVGjr]

Over the last couple of years we have been able to secure some terrific youngsters that have really given us some light at the end of the tunnel. Stinger, Macrae, Hrovat, Hunter and Bontempelli have proved themselves exciting prospects. As fans, we love what they can bring us and we find it exciting now to look forward to the next few years.

The one thing we lack is a genuine key forward. Jones has found it difficult to be the number one forward target and both Grant and Crameri are definitely better suited to the 2nd or 3rd key targets. Even Stringer isn't a number one key forward target.

This year we will get a low pick and it's a draft that has a blend of midfield and KPP. It's sounds easy enough to just pick the best player especially when the last two years have been so good to us but I wonder if this is the year to shake things up and go for a ready made player. It's risky trading an early pick for an established players but to me it's worth exploring.

Sam Reid is a player that I think now consider making a bold move on. He is stuck behind both Franklin and Tippett and despite the pending retirement of Goodes he should consider that playing the 3rd role behind those two isn't a great position for him.

The Swans might free up some money with Goodes and O'Keefe retiring but Reid has a big contract and they might look to clear some space. One thing they might also consider is Membrey is performing well in the NEAFL and that might give them assurance that they could cover the loss of Reid.

I don't want to hear that we should just go with the best player in the draft and I also don't want to get too focused on the value of the deal ie that we are giving up too much because I'm sure there could be sweeteners involved if the Swans were open to a deal.

So the question is along the lines of if Sam Reid is the sort of player we should make a bold move to acquire by using our first pick?

The upside to me is that structurally he would add a lot plus and provide us with a genuine marking target up forward. He is also versatile enough to be used on occasions as a defender.

The downside is that he isn't a great kick for goal and probably unproven as being the main target in an emerging forward line.

To me a lot of clubs go that extra mile to acquire a player that adds a lot to their structure and given the strength of our younger players coming through at the moment this might be the year to do something creative by acquiring a young, tall and fit KPP.

I'd be very interested in your thoughts? If you have some other suggestions on players we should target I think that would add a bit extra to the thread.

[jeemak]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

The future of Higgins, Cooney and Smith affect this decision in my view.

If all were either locked away or in a different situation body wise where we could be sure of some continuity giving away our first pick for a Reid is a better than reasonable thing to do (though it would be giving a leg-up to Sydney by giving them a couple of first round draft picks when I don't think we want them to keep improving as we get closer to a tilt).

I don't think we have the level of talent on our list that we need, and if we do lose one, two or three of the aforementioned over the next two or so years then that talent gap will only be exaggerated.

Reid is a good clean first round target. Whether he's worth a pick four I'm not too sure.

[chef]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I like Reid too, but hasnt he recently signed a 5 year contract?

[GVGjr]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I like Reid too, but hasnt he recently signed a 5 year contract?

You can trade for contracted players. Please re read the opening post, it's an offer of our first pick for Reid allowing for something to even things out.

All, please try to focus on the suggestion of trying to add a KPP like Reid to our list, lets not get distracted from that point.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I like the idea, but not Reid.

I would look at a whole club approach to what we could do. If we are looking at selling pick 5, I want a genuine KPF even if it means we add to pick 5. Cameron, Boyd and Patton transform the forward line allowing Crameri, Jones and Grant to play on lesser defenders. Those GWS names get us serious press and media, and all sell memberships and get bums on seats. Then we get the money, then we get the sponsors, then we get the fixtures. That's what I'd support 100% in a big move, any less than that I'd be very concerned about what we were trying.

As for money and terms, 6 years, as much cash as needed provided resigning Bonts and the other kids are factored in. As to cash, I'd prefer this over hunting a free agent.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

Jack Darling is also a player I'd like.
( another forward option ) Bit of a fan of Reid,and would be pleased if we were proactive

[jeemak]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

You can trade for contracted players. Please re read the opening post, it's an offer of our first pick for Reid allowing for something to even things out.

All, please try to focus on the suggestion of trying to add a KPP like Reid to our list, lets not get distracted from that point.

Sorry GvGjr, I'm not really sure I can comply with the parameters you've laid out in your OP and above.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

Of course we should be going hard for a quality KPF.

That is not Reid though, who is drastically overrated and merely an upgrade on Jones.

[GVGjr]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I like the idea, but not Reid.

I would look at a whole club approach to what we could do. If we are looking at selling pick 5, I want a genuine KPF even if it means we add to pick 5. Cameron, Boyd and Patton transform the forward line allowing Crameri, Jones and Grant to play on lesser defenders. Those GWS names get us serious press and media, and all sell memberships and get bums on seats. Then we get the money, then we get the sponsors, then we get the fixtures. That's what I'd support 100% in a big move, any less than that I'd be very concerned about what we were trying.

As for money and terms, 6 years, as much cash as needed provided resigning Bonts and the other kids are factored in. As to cash, I'd prefer this over hunting a free agent.

I like the idea of making a play for the likes of Patton, Boyd or Cameron but I can't see GWS letting one of them go for what we could offer. Two of them were already number one picks. I can see them moving Cameron to CHB in another season if the two others start to become a force.

I agree on face value we would be overpaying for Reid if we used our first pick but as I stated, something else might come back our way to even it up.

Is there any other players that we could make a pitch at that could come in and make a difference?

[Bornadog]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I agree GVGjr, it is time we made the move. We are on the up and the last few years we have gained some top picks with 5 and 6 as well as a good get with the Lake pick, so we are fine in the midfield. I believe trading our number one pick for a top KPP is the way forward. Next year we are close to playing finals and a good KPP will almost get us there. I have been very impressed with Reid over the years and remember he is only 22 and is yet to peak.

There are not many KPP available unless we look at the younger talls at GC and GWS.

[GVGjr]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

Jack Darling is also a player I'd like.
( another forward option ) Bit of a fan of Reid,and would be pleased if we were proactive

I've seen his name mentioned a few times in the papers but I wonder why he would leave his home state. He's a fine footballer but would he be much more of an upgrade on Crameri? He's probably better but not that genuine KPP.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

I like the idea of making a play for the likes of Patton, Boyd or Cameron but I can't see GWS letting one of them go for what we could offer. Two of them were already number one picks. I can see them moving Cameron to CHB in another season if the two others start to become a force.

I agree on face value we would be overpaying for Reid if we used our first pick but as I stated, something else might come back our way to even it up.

Is there any other players that we could make a pitch at that could come in and make a difference?

Zaine, Josh & Jayden!

GWS would want overs, and I would consider paying overs if the club as a whole benefitted. That aside, Adelaide & Essendon have been hit hard in the draft so they surely would be interested in pick 5, then it's a matter of a player we want. I think the pressure will be especially hot on WCE, so they too might conceivably look to trade. I'm not sure Darling or Brown are gettable with swaps added in.

If Ceglar and McEvoy force Hale out come September I would try to get him for not much. If Campbell & Cordy tread water for another year... Well we need another ruckman anyway.

We would need a fair bit, I like the talent at pick 5 personally.

[Bornadog]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

We would need a fair bit, I like the talent at pick 5 personally.

A tall at pick 5 will realistically take 5 years to start contributing.

[GVGjr]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

The future of Higgins, Cooney and Smith affect this decision in my view.

All good considerations in the bigger picture. We would probably have to consider the impacts of if we have to use our 2nd or 3rd round pick on Zaine Cordy as well.

Reid is a good clean first round target. Whether he's worth a pick four I'm not too sure.

He isn't worth a top 6 pick but we could get something else back to balance things. What he, or someone of his ilk, could give us is the key forward target we have been crying out for. Hall was great but we got him two years too late. At least with Reid we have a player at the right age and still with some upside in improvement. He is lost out in Sydney at the moment.

[bulldogtragic]

Re: Is it time to make a big move?

A tall at pick 5 will realistically take 5 years to start contributing.

Maybe, maybe not. If we go tall, my best guess before combine is McCartin will be gone. From a few games this year I like what I've seen of Wright, he's 200+ and over 100 kegs. If he's there and it's him I think he's raw and some see him more ruckman first, forward second, but he's got the body to play first year in some capacity. I'm not suggesting he will rip it to shreds first up like Bonts, but I don't see him taking 4-5 years to impact.

I'd sooner get a GWS gun to walk out for a stupid offer of overs then pay horribly for a strategy that has failed the club since I've been alive. Top line forward or invest it, we just can't keep doing this hoping that the last failure makes us closer to the next win. We just can't do it as last finals campaign I'm sure we'd have the draft picks kids over the ghost of Rawlings pea heart and spuds topping up. Just no, no, no.