Melbourne have moved further up the order in the 2015 draft, moving from pick 10 to pick 7 in a deal that also saw them secure Tomas Bugg.
The Demons traded picks 10, 43 and 64 (1874 bidding points) to the Giants in exchange for pick 7 (1644 bidding points) and Bugg, a move which benefits both parties.
Melbourne secure a player they’ve been targeting and a boost in the early stages of the draft, while the Giants make a net gain of 230 bidding points to put towards their academy draftees.
The deal leaves Melbourne well placed at this year’s draft with picks 3 and 7 inside the top ten, however, their next selections don’t come until 46 and 82.
They also gain Bugg, who comes to the club after 65 games with the Giants, having been a member of Greater Western Sydney’s inaugural AFL team.
“This deal further strengthens our drafting position in 2015 and brings in Tomas Bugg, who is a player we targeted during the trade period and someone who can make an immediate impact at AFL level for us next year,” said Melbourne’s football manager Josh Mahoney.
“Bugg is a super competitive midfielder who is an elite runner and plays with an aggressive streak. He fits into our age bracket profile, as he is turns 23 next year and has played 65 games at AFL level for the Giants.
“By bringing in the likes of Bugg, Kennedy and Melksham during the trade period, we have acquired three players who are all competitive in nature, which is a trait we have clearly targeted and will make us a better football team in 2016.”
The Giants don’t appear to make a big gain out of this trade at first glance, however, those extra bidding points could prove vital come draft night.
“With the introduction of the new points system this year, we’ve prioritised the need to ensure we have enough points to secure those players coming through our PM Capital Giants Academy at next month’s draft,” said Giants football manager Graeme Allan.
“Trading for these draft picks with Melbourne clearly puts us in a better net position in relation to points accrued.”
Balthazar
Guest
the main issue is that the umpires generally allow chopping of the arms and general scragging against Sandi - I guess they somehow think it evens up the height advantage - so it impedes his marking but also controlling the ball. It's noticeable because he takes a few good defensive marks but rarely the same in the forward line Griff goes OK, now that he's had a good 2 years of recovery from his ACL. Kicked 2 (should have been 3) in the prelim and is better at bringing the ball to ground. Clarke can also take a screamer and is a good kick but he seems to have been hampered by knee injuries in 2014 and 2015 and can be woefully soft at times. Real issue is delivery out of the backline and also the last kick into the forward line. Harley will certainly help with the latter. Freo still need KPFs all the same so the situation with Cam is still disappointing. But he's contracted so GWS hold all the cards.
sticks
Roar Rookie
I may be living in another era, but it seems pretty simple, it is not unless i am mistaken rocket science. Stick Sandilands at FF, have a few small blokes roving at his feet, the midfielders such as Fyfe, Mundy, Neal, etc etc kicking the ball long to the top of the square !!??
Balthazar
Guest
No he's not the dockers saviour, I agree. But he is a key forward who really wants to play for the team, and that makes him a rarity. He is another piece of the puzzle I don't know about coaching strategy as such but I agree that the coach has a sometimes unhealthy preference for role players. I'll be happy if we see more of Weller, Blakely, Langdon and Grey and less of others. We shall see And I definitely believe that if Harley plays to potential he has a much higher ceiling
sticks
Roar Rookie
He is not the Dockers saviour, that IMO is a different coaching strategy. Bennell may do the trick.
Balthazar
Guest
Agreed re NSW boys. so can they please set Cam free!!!!
sticks
Roar Rookie
I get the feeling the Vic clubs are pushing the GWS and for that matter the Swans academy boys a little bit higher in the draft than what they would have been if they were Victorian boys as a means of making GWS and the Swans pay overs. At the end of the day GWS as a club and brand (and i actually hate that word) will benefit more from drafting local NSW boys than boys from any other state.
Balthazar
Guest
I get that but they are losing a lot of good players who they have put 2 years' work into.. and it was Bugg and 7 for 10, 43 and 64. Just goes to show the value of accumulated late picks against high picks for F/S nominations and the Academies I guess.
sticks
Roar Rookie
Because the GWS academy players are expected to have 3 out of the first top 10 drafts. http://aflnswact.com.au/three-top-10-draft-picks-for-nsw/ Well actually the Swans will have one, GWS 2 And NSW is expected to provide several more, the bulk from the traditional rich nursery south of the Murrambidgee river, i may also point out another one ... Matthew Flynn from Ungarie, the Daniher boys sisters son who relocated to Wagga. http://aflnswact.com.au/in-like-flynn-nsw-big-man-firms-his-afl-draft-chances/
Balthazar
Guest
Crazy trade. So GWS is prepared to ditch anyone and everyone for points to be used for Academy players. Except McCarthy, obviously #FreeCam