Comments on: Trade week is much ado about nothing

By: LK

LK — Tue, 07 Oct 2008 02:24:41 +0000

Are the clubs hoarding their draft picks in lieu of GC17′s entry into next year’s draft? Or, not enough good players on the market?

By: Bruce Walkley

Bruce Walkley — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 22:28:09 +0000

And “free agency”, as the AFL so cutely calls it, will come as sure as night follows day, with the first court challenge to the present system. For a player who has completed his contract not to be able to then sign his next contract with the club of his choice is a clear restraint of trade.

By: David Wiseman

David Wiseman — Mon, 06 Oct 2008 12:50:07 +0000

Day 1 has passed and was mostly uneventful. Some players were put on the table but looks like it will be a quiet trade week.

Redb – Of course you can’t compare a Judd to a Caracella, Pickett or Playfair. The only reason a player of his calibre is involved in trade week is due to the absence of free agency in the AFL. Free agency would open up a Pandora’s Box of its own.

By: Redb

Redb — Sun, 05 Oct 2008 22:50:24 +0000

I agree trade week is frenetic 5 munite exercise in fax machine speed and questions of adequate toner. This year O’Keefe is a genuine get, wouldnt’ mind him at Essendon.

I dont agree about fans caring about player loyalty though. They do, usually the clubs are smart enough not to let their top 5-6 players go. Chris Judd was an exception to the rule regarding top line players being traded. Ask any West Coast fan how they feel about losing Judd (albeit a Victorian), they’re not happy and would have hated seeing him running around in the navy blue.

There is some truth to the one eyed nature of fans, a sinner can become a saint overnight by changing his jumper. A litmus test is a Cousins or Didak (true villians) – clubs need to be able to check the pulse of their club members and fan base before taking on such players.

The real trade week starts with the draft in November, this week is draft lite for the most part it’s a ‘has been’ swap.

Redb