West Coast undoubtedly need to recruit some running players given their underwhelming 2014 season, but Sydney veteran Nick Malceski should not be one of them.
Although he turns 30 in two days’ time, Malceski is as potent as at any time in his career, perhaps even moreso.
The skilful defender is shaping as a likely inclusion in the All Australia team and is one of the key reasons the Swans have been so destructive this season.
But players of his age, looking for one last big pay day before their career expires, are not suited to struggling teams like West Coast.
It has been reported that both the Eagles and their cross-town foes Fremantle are among six AFL teams chasing Malceski, who will be an unrestricted free agent at season’s end. Malceski’s wife is from Western Australia which makes Perth an attractive location.
Victorian journalist Damian Barrett claimed on the most recent edition of The Sunday Footy Show that Gold Coast were the frontrunners to sign Malceski.
Barrett suggested that a three-year deal worth $500,000 a season had been offered to Malceski by the Suns.
The Swans cannot afford to match such an offer given the huge slice of their salary cap swallowed up by the recruitment of former Hawthorn star Lance Franklin.
Surely the Eagles cannot afford to pay anything close to that for a player who very likely won’t be there when they challenge for their next premiership.
West Coast need to rejuvenate their list. They have put together back-to-back seasons of under-performance and disappointment.
When the Eagles galloped to resounding wins over the Western Bulldogs, Melbourne and St Kilda in the opening three rounds of this season, some footy pundits and followers considered them a strong chance for a top-four finish.
But, with veteran champions Darren Glass and Dean Cox both finishing up this year, the premiership window which some thought may have been slightly ajar has been welded shut.
The Eagles current list places it as a borderline finals team, no more. They have a dynamic and multi-faceted forward line and a solid back six.
Their midfield, however, has been vaporised repeatedly this season, particularly by teams who choke up their space and allow them little freedom.
They lack players with explosive speed and strength who can bust open such rigid defensive structures.
The Eagles need midfield pace. Preferably they would acquire this through the draft or by recruiting an established player in his early-20s.
Spending wads of cash on a dashing defender in Malceski who will turn 31 next season would be a daft move. It would suggest the Eagles think they are within reach of a flag in the next two seasons. They are not.
Fremantle would be a better fit considering they should again be in the premiership race next year. But do they really need Malceski?
Any club would love to have him but what the Dockers lack is a second tall forward target to take the heat off spearhead Matthew Pavlich. Finding such a player, of course, is far from elementary.
In any case, Malceski looks most likely to end up at the Gold Coast at this point. As we have seen from their massive decline in competitiveness since the injury to skipper Gary Ablett, they require more reliable veteran players.
Could the addition of Malceski help them climb into the finals next season? Quite possibly.
He certainly makes more sense as a Suns recruit than as a pickup for the Eagles or Dockers.
Don Freo
Guest
Malceski is way too loose to find a spot at Freo. Duffield already disposes of the ball with a higher efficiency rate and Sutcliffe is just better. He'd better like fishing because he'd be playing for Peel most of the time.
Lee
Guest
I hope Malceski does go to Fremantle if he needs to.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
Lake was 31 when he first played for Hawthorn, and I'd say they have zero regrets about recruiting him.
Alex L
Roar Rookie
The Suns would be very wise to sign Malceski that's for sure, he's strong where they will be most lacking when Ablett comes back.
kick to kick
Guest
I don't think the Swans or its fans want to see Malceski go at all, but the tell tale sign is that he announced he will put off any decision about his future until the end of the season. Whenever a free agent makes that known its a signal that he is open to offers. It's the same shorthand Ablett and Buddy Franklin used. I guess he has a right to cash in if he can. Whatever the critics say of his age, he is in rare form. He leads the entire comp in kicks and at good disposal efficiency of 72%. He is second in the league for rebound 50s, with 50% more than Paul Duffield who was cited above as a great distributor. As a backman, often in the last line of defence, it's notable Malceski is also 25th in the whole league for inside 50s, a ranking you would associate with a decent midfielder or wingman. There's no doubt recruiters will see him as a valuable commodity with a couple of good years left.
EddyJ
Guest
Goodness. Do you people at The Roar sit down and think "Mmm, what non-story can I beat up a bit of speculation on and write on today". This really is a non-story. Malceski is a free agent, and is seeking all options on the table, possibly boosting his contract potential with the Swans. Malceski is from Melbourne, his wife is from Perth, he's got a young family and has lived in Sydney for over 10 years. So why would he end up at Gold Coast, of all places? There is no report of Malceski being dissatisfied at the Swans, he's currently with a very successful team, why oh why would he want to leave? This really is a storm in a teacup. But you've received over 100 comments on the story, which was probably your true intention.
Mark
Guest
How will retirement of LRT impact on this. My understand is that this is not a money thing. Swans are offering him a 1 year deal & he wants 3.
Cat
Roar Guru
How many of those players were recruited post age 30?
Gecko
Guest
Actually the team recruiting the most veterans is Hawthorn (think Brian Lake, Stewie Dew, David Hale and Shaun Burgoyne). Certainly hasn't been a liability. Maybe other teams could learn from them.
Don Freo
Guest
Is Freo doing that? It's especially what they are NOT doing.
Don Freo
Guest
There are many educated comments about this article here. There are many opinions that are based on passion, not information. Even they are not necessarily 'uneducated'. The comments that don't enrich are those, like yours Steele, that use insults to support a statement. Compare Malceski with those who you think are elte...Selwood, Ablett,Judd...? I'd have him at a Cooney, Shuey, Scott Thompson, Andrew Mackie level. I know my footballers. I don't agree with you.
Jake
Guest
Stupid Fremantle trying to recruit ROK. Can join the endless list of old farmers out west.
Don Freo
Guest
D-Bomb. What an unpleasant post. Why would any poster want to advertise their own feral nastiness? There are creative or funny or thoughtful ways of saying something...or your way.
Balthazar
Guest
are you ok? Nobody has dissed him. he's just too old. Ibbo - who is a good player, despite your rant - is not. PS I don't think Dessie has played in a while. you need to refresh your browser.
D-bomb
Guest
Hahaha, ibbo, what a flog. Malceski would improve the Freo backline. Only Freo would dis a player like Nick, and continue to push a half back line of bog. Freo will butcher trade period as always, des headland absolute trash, Kepler Bradley is a bin, and now gumbleton.
Steele
Guest
I don't think Malceski only offers something to teams on the cusp? He'd be value at any club, be it mentoring kids or helping a club win a flag. Elite players have a way of fitting in anywhere. And he is elite, despite some uneducated comments.
Free Kick
Guest
To play his style so well shows an ability to read the game instinctively, Malceski always seems to pop up in the right place and this foresight should transfer well to coaching , which could be a natural progression from his playing days. I can see him finishing at the Swans and then being sought after by several clubs as a back line coach.
Thomas
Guest
Not sure Malceski is a great fit for the Suns. Not convinced he'd add as much as Trent McKenzie will going forward (years 2 and 3) in a similar role - unless McKenna is planning to push McKenzie through the midfield and develop another half - back under Malceski's wing. He'd certainly add some leadership - an area the Suns are horrendously deficient outside Ablett and perhaps Tom Lynch, but I wonder is Shaun Higgins might not be a better investment all things considered.
Andrew Graham
Roar Rookie
The Swans can absolutely afford him - O'Keefe and LRT won't get new contracts plus Malcelski will be classed as a veteran next year (with all the benefits that brings. The only question is how much will be offered...
Don Freo
Guest
It's a bit more obvious that the next gap Freo needs to fill is KPP. Whether they trade or nurture the excellent kids they already have is the question. Some clubs, you're right, we wouldn't know but Freo's needs stand out like a dunny in the desert. Still hope Gumby gets up. Perhaps at least rookie list him