The season is behind us with the Grand Final we all expected but not the result we expected with the Hawks kicking straighter and running away winners by 26 points. So this means that 15 teams failed (some more so than others) and there are five ways for a club to rebuild which is possible:
- Train harder and get the club culture sorted (Geelong perfect example at the end of 2006).
- Trade Week to swap players and picks to fill a hole in your squad
- National Draft (November)
- Pre season Draft (December)
- Rookie Draft (December)
the 2008 AFL Trade Week aka the Meat Market
Last year was famous for one of the biggest names in AFL seeking a trade with Chris Judd wanting out of West Coast and moved to Carlton. This year we also have some big names that are possibily looking at a new home in Didak, Shaws x2, Kerr, Ray and O’Keefe.
We will now Highlight every club and talk about what they need to have premiership chance in 2008 and so what they will likely trade for and which current players could be used as fish bait.
Adelaide Crows
While Adelaide made the finals and almost got fourth spot they are probably one of the teams less likely to make an impression. They lack quality key forwards but Tippet, Gill and Maric will be handy enough in a year or two, so I see the biggest weakness their midfield with McLeod, Edwards and co aging and Thompson (their hope) has simply not stepped up.
Trade Bait: Johncock, McGregor and Griffen
Brisbane Lions
New coach in Voss could be the difference to see them get back to the finals as they have the building blocks of a quality line up with star forwards (Brown and Bradshaw) and a handy defense (Merret, Drummond) and an even better midfield of (Power, Black, Johnstone, Leuenberger, Charman, Dalziel etc). So what is missing? Too many passengers imo, so maybe its time to get rid of a few and stock up on draft picks.
Trade Bait: Notting, Copeland, Harding, Rishitelli
Carlton Blues
Judd is the new Barassi down at Blue land and he along with Fevola almost dragged their side into the finals after a long awaited time however some depth is much needed. The midfield looks set with Judd, Murphy, Gibbs, Stevens and Carrazzo but the forward line really needs another key forward to take some pressure of Fevola. Another key defender would help with O’hAilpin struggling and Wait playing out of position too often.
Trade Bait: Fisher, Houlihan, Walker
Collingwood Magpies
Will Didak go or will they give him and Heath another go? and will they pick up Cousins? A fast pacey midfielder would be great as Thomas has struggled to go to the new level. Burns, Wakelin, Presty and Rocca have or will be gone soon, so some leadership would be great. Fraser is a lug and would be a dud of a choice for captain.
Trade Bait: Rhyce Shaw, Didak, Egan, Rusling, Cox
Essendon Bombers
Quality young list with some old hands (Hille, Lloyd, Lucas and Fletcher) providing some experience. Some good things are happening at Essendon at the moment. Hille is the best ruckman behind Cox but Laycock is lazy and must be moved on, so a ruckman would be good. Some more midfield depth will also be handy.
Trade Bait: Lovett, Lovett-Murray, Laycock
Fremantle Dockers
A new non-Essendon team? Fremantle got rid of over 1000 games in experience but imo did NOT loose much at all. Palmer took over Bells job in the midfield and the rest were just passengers weighing the rest down (especially Farmer). Some more midfield depth would be good along with a small forward.
Trade Bait: Tarrent, Campbell, Warnock, Schammer, Peake
Geelong Cats
While they won 40 o ut of 42 games, they only have one premiership and that is disappointing for the club. imo the club carries too many players and they all went missing in the Grand Final in Varcoe, Kelly, Lonargan, Mooney and Stokes. Depth is not a problem but with new clubs coming in soon, draft picks will be a prioty.
Trade Bait: Varcoe, Kelly, Lonargan, Mackie, Tenace and Stokes
Hawthorn Hawks
Although they won the Grand Final, when Croad went down it could have lost them the game. Dawson has failed but Gilham and Murphy could be handy yet. Along with Geelong draft picks is the answer to stock up on talent for when the new teams come in.
Trade Bait: Dawson, Clarke, Boyle and Bailey
North Melbourne Kangaroos
Hansen, Edwards, Petrie and Hale are handy but none of them consistenly breaks a game. I personally think kids will be what the Roos will be after, after getting rid of Thompson and Sinclair. Kids will help depth and more excitment around the club, that and some descent consistent midfielders as Wells, Harris etc are too incosistent.
Trade Bait: Harris, Swallow
Melbourne Demons
Are in a rebuilding stage and have some good kids and I cannot see them trading much as they should look at how Hawthorn have won the 2008 Grand Final and stick to that.
Trade Bait: Carroll, Green, Rivers
Port Adelaide Power
Along with West Coast were the 2008 biggest disapointments and must look at rebuilding in the last true draft with some good kids. Chaplin and Thurstans needs help down back and I doubt the Westhoff brothers are the answer to their forward line with Tredrea almost ready for his retirement plans of a body replacement.
Trade Bait: White, Pearce, Lade, Peter Burgoyne and Brogan
Richmond Tigers
Almost, seems like the Tigers catch cry! You can rely on Brown, Richo, Bowden and Johnson for consistency but the rest? Schulz, Hughes, Riewoldt and Polak have all shown promise in 2008 and must be stuck by. Polak is a worry as it leaves them a key defender short. Some more midfield depth would be good along with Cotchin, Polo, Foley, Raines etc.
Trade Bait: Oakley-Nicholls, Pettifer, Coughlan
St Kilda Saints
A fairly successful year with fourth spot and the pre season premiership but still a long way to challenge Geelong and the Hawks. More midfield depth with pace and good kicks (maybe Harvey should have played on) along with another key defender with Maguire and Hudghton always struggling with injuries.
Trade Bait: Koschitzke, Fiora
Sydney Swans
Swans limped into the finals which deserves an applause but surely missing this year and getting a good draft pick would have been better. Expect the Swans to be one of the largest movers in trade week with Hall, Davis and O’Keefe all possible movers. Swans need key defenders, key forwards, ruckman and midfield pace and they have a history of trading for their needs.
Trade Bait: Barlow, Davis, Hall, O’Keefe, Bolton, Fosdike, Grundy
West Coast Eagles
West Coast still have a heap of premiership players but they seemed to all struggle in 2008 with Cousins and Judd missing. Pacey midfielders who can kick and set up goals is a must who can supply Lynch, McKinley and Kennedy. A small forward to feed off the key position forwards is also needed with Wirrpanda aging.
Trade Bait: Hansen, Graham, Seaby and Butler
Western Bulldogs
Key Forwards, Key Forwards and Key Forwards is the key for them. Welsh, Hahn and Minson are NOT the answer as they are bit players. Boyle, Hall or even Hansen would be in their sights and Ray would be a handy swap for the Eagles or Swans.
Trade Bait: Ray, Skipper, Sreet
Your trade baits and who will go where
So will O’Keefe go? Or what about Kerr and Didak the bad boys of the AFL? Will the Dogs finally get their key position player to get them into a grand final? Please place your trade baits for any club and any swaps etc you think will happen in the comments
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October 5th, 2008 at 6:36 am
Successful clubs, at least, are well-advised to be careful in “moving players on”. The Bombers, after stellar seasons ’99–01, forced Hardwicke, Blumfield, Heffernan and Caracella to other clubs. From a player perspective, none shone as brightly as they had at Essendon. From a club perspective, the invisible fabric of a powerful team was rent asunder and the Bombers’ slide to the lower reaches of the ladder began. It’s a different matter if the player wants to move…
aussierulesblogs last blog post..And now, the Silly Season
October 6th, 2008 at 8:38 am
Where they even that successful at Essendon? Its easy for players to play at a successful club look at Des Headland and half the West Coast Eagles players this year for example…
Jermayns last blog post..Year of the Gentleman – Ne-Yo
October 6th, 2008 at 9:44 am
I go for Collingwood and I hope they trade possibly Travis Cloke and Shane O’Bree. I would prefer Collingwood to get, in return, Byron Schammer from Fremantle, Michael Rischitelli from Brisbane and Travis Varcoe from Geelong. Wanting only 2 gone and 3 in return might be a worry for me, but there might be someone I forgot to say I want traded.
October 6th, 2008 at 9:50 am
Just an add on to what I just said. We could have Schammer as No #3, Varcoe as No #6 and Rischitelli as No #37. Each of these numbers for the three players are the closest thing possible to their previous numbers at their current club. Schammer is No.3 for Fremantle, Varcoe is No.5 for Geelong and Rischitelli is No.35 for Brisbane
October 6th, 2008 at 12:09 pm
@Ben – Rischitelli imo would be a better pick than Schammer or Varcoe. Schammer is too much like R Shaw who has pace and can break the line but his disposal is too inconsistent for Mike’s liking. Varcoe is another half forward flanker and I would say the Pies have enough HFFs with Didak, Medhurst, Davis, McCarthy, Cox and Thomas. But Rischitelli would be a nice pick up…
Thanks for your comments and I look forward to more from you
Jermayns last blog post..Year of the Gentleman – Ne-Yo
October 6th, 2008 at 7:14 pm
Painfully slow start to the week as is often the case.
Some of my thoughts:
- Schammer is a hack, he butchers the ball, you don’t want him Ben
- Hawks appear quite keen to add both O’Keefe and Green to their team … does Clarkson want a team of left footers?
- Roos have had interest in McIntosh, and in my opinion they should trade if they get an acceptable deal … I think his value is overrated after his breakout year and his knee injury this season is definitely no help
Die Hard Footys last blog post..AFL Trade Week News From Monday
October 7th, 2008 at 8:31 am
I do not see how Hawthorn could afford Green and O’Keefe along with the other stars. I think they need another tall defender…
McIntosh could be a steal. I personally would think Richmond, Melbourne, Carlton, Sydney and ST Kilda should go after him than N Thompson, Seaby and or Warnock.
Jermayns last blog post..No Turning Back – Shannon Noll