One of the most consistent teams of the modern era faces a tough task to keep hold of some talented young players ahead of the 2017 Free Agency and Trade Periods.
2017 is set to see some big names hit the AFL’s Free Agency, with star midfielders Nathan Fyfe, Tom Rockliff and Dustin Martin all players that will naturally generate huge interest from rival clubs as restricted free agents.
Sydney swingman Sam Reid, also a restricted free agent, is another player firming as a potential target for clubs following this season, with the Swans desperate to keep the young tall at the Sydney Cricket Ground beyond this year.
Reid, 25, who missed the whole of last season through injury, has made a promising return to AFL level this year, among the ruins of a Swans campaign that sees them sitting at 1-6 following their first victory of the year last weekend.
Despite his side’s unflattering start to 2017, Reid has declared his intent to stay at the Swans rather than explore his options interstate, with clubs from his home state of Victoria likely to express the most interest and brother Ben playing at Collingwood.
The Swans, who will look to re-sign Reid, have the ability to match any rival offer under the AFL’s restricted free agent rules.
A well-documented salary cap squeeze, however, will prove to be the main obstacle for both Reid and the club if he desires to stay, after acquiring Kurt Tippett and Lance Franklin on large contracts over the last five years. With both players taking up a large percentage of the money the Swans can offer players.
(AAP Image/Julian Smith)
This squeeze could lure Reid away from the Swans if another club is willing to offer him more than what the Swans are able to, unless Reid is happy to accept a smaller deal at the Swans, which is unlikely for a 25-year-old sure to search for a deal that will secure his future financially.
Reid isn’t the only young star at the Swans who would be smart to test their value in the AFL market with this year, with hard-nosed speedster Zak Jones also having a breakout season off of half-back and into the midfield.
Jones, 22, who is out of contract following this season, will also attract interest from other potential suitors, such as Richmond who are looking for more midfield depth.
The young Swan could also be tempted by a move home to Victoria, with brother Nathan Jones co-captain at Melbourne and many clubs seeing the youngster as an attractive target.
While the Swans have the signatures of future stars Isaac Heeney and Callum Mills tied up, the signings of Reid and Jones would be just as important for a Swans team that has already lost three players from last year’s grand final side.
Ex-Swans Toby Nankervis (Richmond) and Tom Mitchell (Hawthorn) have been valuable contributors for their new sides thus far in 2017, and the Swans would be loathe to see more required players walk out the door at the end of this year.
DonsR
Guest
Reid is a pure athlete but not a great footballer. Shows glimpses but that's about it. Jones on the other hand.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Suddenly the Franklin deal looks a lot better...
Paul D
Roar Guru
These next 2-3 years will be the toughest for the Swans in terms of salary cap pressures. If they can get through without shedding too many players they'll be alright. A bigger salary cap if that eventuates will help too. It will rule them out of making a big splash for a superstar as they've already spent that money, but should enable them to top up the role players and depth players to enable them to retain a solid starting 22. other clubs will soon have 1.5 million dollar contracts sitting on their books for guys like Fyfe & Martin which will help even things up somewhat
Paul2
Guest
No question at all - Jones is clearly the higher priority. My guess is Reid will probably be playing elsewhere next year.
Paul2
Guest
Jesus, give it a rest.
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
Sam Reid has quite hit the level I was expecting of him to be honest. He seems to be one of those players who has the odd really good game before having a few quiet ones in a row, or drifts in and out of a game. I also wonder whether he's got the speed required of players these days. So far this season the Swans have looked a couple of steps off the pace. Happy to wait and see how he goes for the rest of the season though...
Olivia Watts
Roar Guru
Looking at funding our current list, and end of season draftees, is a serious issue for the Swans. How much easier things would be if we could find a club foolish enough to take Kurt Tippett from our hands; sadly, no one out there is so foolish. If it came down to a choice of Reid or Jones, I would have no hesitation in nominating Jones. His run, judgement, aggression, exceptional speed, decision making and elite skills are far more valuable than those of an injury prone tall forward who is undoubtedly talented but also inconsistent. We have both Darcy Cameron and Toby Pink who could fill Reid's position but no one with Jones's skill set. I'd like to keep both but Jones must be the priority.
kick to kick
Guest
This speculation is premature. As Caroline Wilson reported just this morning http://www.theage.com.au/afl/afl-on-brink-of-pay-deal-with-players-20170511-gw2ymw.html a new pay and salary cap deal with players and clubs is likely to be ratified next week. It will increase the cap for each club from $10.4 million to $12.45 million . How much of that will flow through to top up existing player payments and how much will give clubs more ceiling room is unclear. And all clubs will benefit so Melbourne clubs with salary room will get more to offer out-of-contract players. But at this stage no-one should interpret a delay in contract renewals as meaning anything. Contract negotiations at all clubs are on ice until the deal is confirmed and analysed by clubs and player agents. When that is known I'd expect the Swans to move to secure required players. They are likely to make other sacrifices before losing either Reid or Jones and if not, one would go but not both. I suspect the club and fans would press for Jones to be the priority as a future elite midfielder with genuine pace , a long accurate kick and contested ball winning ability. He has potential as a truly marquee player.
Wayne
Roar Guru
Lower end of the salary cap players will go to Melbourne for more money and game time. Nothing wrong with that
DingoGray
Roar Guru
I think they both pretty important Cogs Christo, but from a list build point, Jones is the one. I don't think you be able to offer him the coin some Melbourne Clubs could offer. Wonder whether the Demons would be leading the way with offers?
Christo the Daddyo
Guest
I'd view Jones as a higher priority than Reid.
Jest
Roar Rookie
Would be extremely happy to see Zac Jones at Essendon next year :)
Reservoir Animal
Guest
But they had to go after Tippett and keep him on their list! Because nobody else wanted to play for them, especially once COLA was gone! Can't you understand- Sydney house prices mean everybody lives on a park bench unless they get paid $700K per year- it drives every ordinary youngster out of town!
Roger of Sydney
Guest
Ive got an idea loose Tippet, plays one in every two games and then is good every second game making 25% of $700,000 he is worth $175,000