By Alan Nicolea -
October 25th 2009 @ 12:52am
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Daniel Bradshaw ready to roar with the Swans
After missing the AFL finals for the first time under Paul Roos’ tenure, coupled with the retirement of key players Michael O’Loughlin, Leo Barry and Jared Crouch, the Sydney Swans have entered a rebuilding phase that will receive some strong foundations thanks to the rumoured signing of former Brisbane Lions forward Daniel Bradshaw.
According to the sports segment of Seven News at six o’clock on Saturday evening, Bradshaw has already signed a three year deal.
Despite finishing the year as the AFL’s fifth highest goalscorer, Bradshaw quit the Lions following Brisbane’s decision to sign controversial Carlton player Brendan Fevola.
Ironically, Bradshaw will now take over the reigns from former Swans controversial forward Barry Hall, who quit the club and has since signed a deal with the Western Bulldogs.
Whilst Bradshaw will find comfort knowing he has secured his future for a further three seasons, Swans coach Paul Roos can finally feel some gratitude during a draft period that was beginning to look very sombre for the red and whites.
Having lost key players O’Loughlin, Barry and Crouch to retirement, the Swans also had to watch inform ruckman Darren Jolly pledge his allegiance to the Collingwood Magpies.
In exchange, Sydney acquired the services of West Coast Eagles player Mark Seaby, ex-Hawks Josh Kennedy and Ben McGlynn, and former Geelong ruckman Shane Mumford.
In comparison to what other AFL clubs achieved during the draft period, the Swans rarely made their presence felt on the player market, despite experiencing a mass clean out in their roster for the first time in many seasons.
Until now.
Thankfully for Paul Roos’ men, the latest twist in the AFL draft saga has seen the club gain the services of a powerful full forward who will be eager to prove a point to the Lions.
In his 222 game career with Brisbane, Bradshaw kicked an impressive 496 goals, but that wasn’t enough for the Lions to release him in favour of Carlton spearhead Brendan Fevola.
Indeed it is understood Bradshaw was unimpressed by Brisbane’s decision to sign Fevola, and the new Swans forward will be eager to make his former club regret laying eyes on the former Blues player.
The 32 year old will be expected to perform in his new colours, even if he is filling the big shoes of former Premiership winner and Swans icon Barry Hall.
With a midfield still containing star players Adam Goodes and Ryan O’Keefe, the Swans have what it takes to make Bradshaw’s transition to Sydney as smooth as possible.
After leading the Lions to the AFL semi-finals this season, Bradshaw has the necessary form on the board to lead the Swans into a new era, that may just see the club rediscover their finals aura sooner than expected.
Whilst the road will be tough early on, Bradshaw’s decision to sign with the rebuilding Swans, in favour of forming a potent forward line with Fevola at the Lions, showcases just how much he prefers achieving success with a champion team instead of a team of champions.
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LK said | October 25th 2009 @ 10:13am | Report comment
Good article.
I hope Bradshaw goes well at the swans, he deserves to. He has been screwed over by the Lions and Voss in particular. There must have been times over the course of his career when he could have left for more money, but he decided to stay. And then to be dangled as trade bait must have been tough.
Alan Nicolea said | October 25th 2009 @ 12:26pm | Report comment
LK
Indeed i hope as a Swans supporter that Bradshaw goes really well. I thought Carlton were a chance of getting him but its great news for Sydney, especially after losing their best player last season – Darren Jolly – to the Magpies. I still cannot believe they let the big man go. Bradshaw’s signing though eases the pain significanlty for the red and whites.
JK said | October 25th 2009 @ 12:47pm | Report comment
Swans were looking a little thin, so it’s a very good thing. I was getting a little concerned where the goals were goin to come from, not that Goodes/White et al are’nt good, it’s just that little bit extra for the opposition to deal with ,that there’s someone there who can kick 10 if you give them the chance
steve h said | October 25th 2009 @ 1:47pm | Report comment
braddy could have took the view that he must have been good as he would’ve been part of a trade to get the fev as it took someone just as good to get him!by the same token i am glad he is joining sydney:)
Redb said | October 26th 2009 @ 10:09am | Report comment
Alan,
Definitely a good pick up for the Swans. Gives young Jesse White some time to develop rather than propping up the entire forward line, maybe put him at CHF instead of Goodes. Bradshaw does like the ball laces out on the lead though, so hopefuly the Swans midfielders can execute.
Bradshaw is also pretty accurate, handy pick up for sure.
Redb
Pippinu said | October 26th 2009 @ 2:49pm | Report comment
Give the ball to Jack, he can wheel around onto that left foot of his, hit up Bradshaw on the fat side!
He’s not really a classic CHF, more a leading forward, but that’s ok. Plenty of finals experience too.
AndyRoo said | October 26th 2009 @ 10:31am | Report comment
Matthew Lloyd retires at 31 while Bradshaw at 32 gets a 3 yr deal.
Redb said | October 26th 2009 @ 10:42am | Report comment
3 years is generous, especially with some injury concerns. However all players are different, there is no doubt Lloydy could have played next year but wanted to stay a one club player and thought he may end up in the ‘magoos’ too often.
Pippinu said | October 26th 2009 @ 12:19pm | Report comment
You’re right – it’s pretty surprising.
Kick to kick said | October 26th 2009 @ 12:50pm | Report comment
An inaccuraxcy in this article. Bradshaw is actually 30 – born Nov 1978 – He will be 31 when he plays next year and 33 when his Swans contract expires.
AndyRoo said | October 26th 2009 @ 1:23pm | Report comment
Thanks for that Kicktokick
Clears it up and doesn’t feel so odd now.
Alan Nicolea said | October 26th 2009 @ 2:07pm | Report comment
Kick to kick
My apologies for that. Thanks for the correction.
RedB – He will no doubt be a great influence on young Jesse White, who has shown some great potential for the Swans. I hope they can all fire next year because the Swans will definetly need to play their best on a consistent basis just to make the top eight now.
Redb said | October 26th 2009 @ 2:20pm | Report comment
Alan,
I thought White was pretty impressive at times, he really needs to get his fitness up over the off season, with Bradshaw lurking near the goal square it will give White plenty of latitude to roam across the forward line.
A slowing midfield is the Swans biggest problem IMO. Time for Kieran Jack to really step up.
Redb
M1tch said | October 26th 2009 @ 2:26pm | Report comment
not the troubled full forward im used to seeing for the swans lol, but is a super player
dc said | October 26th 2009 @ 5:40pm | Report comment
I think the writer above will eat their words re the Swans drafting in 2009. Mumford will be better than Jolly. Seaby has a point to prove and will step up. Mcglynn is very good player and played some really great games for Hawthorn Kennedy shows promise but could go either way. Pick 6 & 14 are still to be used. Bradshaw is the icing on the cake. The Swans recruited very, very well in the draft. I hope John Longmire thanks Paul Roos.
Caitlyn said | October 28th 2009 @ 7:33pm | Report comment
I am a Brisbane Lions supporter and it is very sad to see Bradshaw leave the club. He has been at the Lions his hole career and i think he was treated very unfair especially by Michael Voss who has known Bradshaw for 13 years. They went through the good times together like when they won premierships, and they were really good friends, i dont think they will be anymore. Daniel Bradshaw deserves to be treated with respect and thats exactly what he didnt get thats just not right. I dont blame Bradshaw for leaving the club i would of done the same thing. He would feel like he is not wanted there and that would not be a good feeling.
Go Bradshaw!!!!!!
Good luck with the swans you Rock!!!!
Gruffalo said | October 30th 2009 @ 2:17pm | Report comment
Bradshaw up front and 2 big men in Seaby and Mumford – good acquisitions. Jolly leaving was unavoidable – but he was great for teh swans.
BUT, the big news is attacking our major weakness – crumbing imidfield. Jolly would win so many clearances but our midfielders so often cam eup second or delivery was ordinary. Kennedy, McGlynn with Jude Bolton, Kirk feeding to Vespremi, O’Keeffe, Goodesy, Shaw into Big Jesse and Bradshaw. That has the Top 4 smell about it.
However, netting off umpire corruption again in 2010, bet on Swans Top 8.