Carlton are in for a massive trade period, as the Blues can secure Adelaide’s Mitch McGovern and GWS’s Dylan Shiel and still hold onto the first draft pick to either get Jack Lukosius or Sam Walsh.
The Blues have picks 1, 24, 25, 65 and 73 to play with in this year’s period, and have openly come out and stated that unless a good deal can be made, they will refuse to give up their top pick.
So how do Carlton get Dylan Shiel and Mitch McGovern in the door? Carlton can easily give pick 1 up for Dylan Shiel, and give GWS leverage into what is being called ‘the super draft’.
But what Carlton should do is get the McGovern deal done as soon as they can. I’d give up picks 24 and 25 for McGovern and get pick 7 from Adelaide in return, which then they can give up pick 7 and a future first-round pick for Dylan Shiel and maybe a second round pick to compensate losing 24 and 25.
This is the opportunity for Carlton to get aggressive and try to get out of the bottom of the table. Bringing in an inside midfielder like Shiel to compliment Patrick Cripps will help, as Cripps had to carry the midfield of Carlton throughout 2018.
Blues captain Marc Murphy had a horrible 2018 season, Zac Fisher was good until a foot injury ended his year prematurely, Ed Curnow was consistent and Cameron Polson showed some glimpses towards the end of the year.
McGovern would look lost up forward, so I would say the 23-year-old would continue where he left off in the latter part of his season with the Crows, and have a position down back.
Is Mitch McGovern the answer down back? (AAP Image/David Mariuz)
This would then free up Sam Docherty to run through the midfield from half back. Docherty is the next captain of Carlton and can have a big presence in defence still. This gives Carlton another tall alongside Jacob Weitering and Liam Jones who can help out the smaller defenders in Caleb Marchbank and Lachie Plowman.
Alex Fasolo is already a walk-up to the Blues being an unrestricted free agent and, according to rumours, will agree to a three-year deal worth $450-500k a season.
Fasolo will head up forward and can be a certain 25-30 goal a season player. The 26-year-old has had issues with mental health the last year and a half, and a fresh start at the Blues will do him good.
Will Brodie and Jack Scrimshaw are two more players the Blues will be looking at getting from the Suns, as Gold Coast see an exodus of players leaving the far north.
Brodie is a talented inside midfielder who can slot into the guts alongside Cripps and Shiel. The number 9 pick is originally from Shepparton in Victoria’s north, and would love to come home.
Former Saint Hugh Goddard and former Docker and Sun Michael Barlow will also be hoping to receive lifelines, and the Blues can easily put them on the rookie list.
Could Michael Barlow find a new home? (AAP Image/Tracey Nearmy)
Goddard was hard done by at St Kilda after being delisted at the end of the 2018 season, and Michael Barlow has openly come out about how devastated he was being cut by the Suns – who could’ve kept him as an experienced midfielder. He definitely can be utilised by the Blues, who are in need of a few more veterans to help teach the kids.
This could be a similar scenario to Brisbane with Luke Hodge, Melbourne with Jordan Lewis and Essendon with Brendan Goddard.
Carlton fans are patient, but the success stories of Western Bulldogs, Richmond and Melbourne in the last three years gives the Blues hope they can rise up the ladder and again be a formidable side to take on again.
Kane
Roar Rookie
I reckon a straw poll would have you as the only person in the country who wouldn't think Sidebottom wasn't the softest player on the ground today, failed miserably on the big stage. Reckon I saw him come in contact with one person in a contest in 4 quarters of footy.
Charlie
Roar Rookie
The difference is that Gibbs was happy to see his contract at Carlton out, but McGovern has asked to leave. No club wants a player that doesn't want to be there. So to say "The ball is entirely in Carlton’s court to come up with a significant offer the Crows can’t say no to" is incorrect, because the Crows don't want a player who doesn't want to be there. The offer won't be something the Crows can't say no to, it will be reasonably fair for a player who wishes to leave. And to say "Carlton is also not the only option" is just wishful thinking - McGovern has requested to go to Carlton, and that's where he'll end up.
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Guest
I'm not saying the Crows shouldn't / won't trade McGovern. I'm saying they're not under any obligation to trade him unless they get an offer they're happy with, not just whatever Carlton want to give up. The ball is entirely in Carlton's court to come up with a significant offer the Crows can't say no to. You said it yourself - the Crows weren't willing to pay the asking price the first time, Gibbs didn't get traded, went back to Carlton and had a good year, and got traded the following year. I'd expect the same from McGovern. Why would he play in the seconds? Unless he chooses to sit out, in which case he won't be getting paid $600k. Carlton is also not the only option - if the Crows can get a better trade from another club that is also willing to meet McGovern's contract demands, then he may well end up going there rather than staying at Adelaide if those are the only 2 options available to him. It's hilarious the way Carlton wanted the Crows to pay overs for Gibbs because he wanted out mid-contract, but for some reason the Crows are expected to accept unders for McGovern because he wants out mid contract. Adelaide got pick 12 last year for a contracted Charlie Cameron. McGovern's value would be around the same mark, especially with 2 years left on his contract vs Cameron's 1.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
So, paid a player what $600,000 a year to play in the seconds, for what? If a player doesn't want to be at Adelaide, Adelaide isn't going to be childish about it, they will want to be seen as a club that players want to be at and if not, able to do a deal to move them on, if you think they Adelaide Football Club are going to run their club like little-spoiled boys it won't happen because no one will want to go there. (pretty much that's the case anyway at the minute) McGovern has asked to be traded to Carlton that's the deal done. With the Gibbs thing, they ended up giving over 2 first rounders for him a year later, turned out Gibbs had a great year for Carlton and if they Adelaide had paid that up - at the start they may have had a premiership, but we will never know will we, but I do wonder how good Adelaide would have been in 2017 if Gibbs was playing for them considering the year he had at Carlton, maybe 4 or 5 goals better. Shame.
Charlie
Roar Rookie
Actually, the fact that McGovern requested to be traded is very much a reason for the Crows to trade him. Clubs do not want to have players that don't want to be there. If McGovern's agent is to be believed and he is on better than reasonable money, the Crows will be much better off spending that money on (supposedly) lesser player(s) who really want to be part of the organisation than someone who isn't fully "buying into" the club. The Crows would be fully aware of this, and I suspect they'll end up accepting slight unders. If the Crows are able to identify a state-league player that Carlton can pre-list, then I reckon that player and pick 24 is a pretty fair trade.
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Guest
Adelaide are in the perfect position to battle it out. If they don't get a deal they're happy with, they don't trade McGovern this year and Carlton can try again next year. When he still won't be out of contract, so if Adelaide don't get a deal they like then, they can keep him another year. And even then when he's out of contract, he still won't be a free agent. If Carlton go and spend all their trade currency on Shiel and/or Setterfield and are left with nothing for McGovern, that's not really Adelaide's problem. They trade him to a different club that CAN afford him, or they keep him. There is no reason whatsoever for the Crows to accept anything except an absolute gold-plated trade deal.
Pedro The Fisherman
Roar Rookie
So the Crows then take Connor Rozee (although I suspect that he has risen up the draft order somewhat), or Jackson Hateley or Grundy or Munn or ... There is plenty of SA based quality in this draft, and some of it might want to come home in a year or 2 if they are drafted to the wrong clubs.
Cracka
Roar Rookie
Have to agree with olrac, I think Carlton will offer Adelaide 2 second round picks this year or next and that will get it done, I don't think Adelaide are in the position to battle this one out. Plus the rumour that Shiel will choose Carlton if he is traded, so I think Carlton will have to hand GWS their first round pick for 2019 and maybe a 2nd or 3rd round pick as well to get both Shiel and Will Setterfield over to the blues, so can't see Adelaide gaining any extra in the deal. IF, big if, but if Carlton could pick up Sam Walsh with their number 1 pick for 2018, trade out picks this year to get McGovern, then on top of that get Shiel and Setterfield and pick up a couple more players with bigger bodies. McGovern - forward or back Shiel - mid SettleField - mid Walsh - mid Fasolo - small forward and maybe Barlow? - mid hmmmm they wouldn't look too bad the blues with those to pick from, a good pre-season, lots of luck with injuries and growth in the youth already at the club, they may finish 8th to 12th.
olrac
Guest
I am sure that if the terms are not suitable to Carlton they will walk away they have shown in the Gibbs trade that they will back in their position and if it dosnet get met they will walk away. The big difference between Gibbs and McGovern is that Gibbs was happy to stay with carlton I am not sure the McGovern is the same.
GJ
Guest
Was Andrew McKay who famously came out with the statement that “clearly Adelaide don’t value Bryce Gibbs anywhere near as much as we do at Carlton” when negotiations broke down the year prior to getting the trade over the line. I cannot help but think this may be coming right back at them
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
I reckon a straw poll would have you as the only non Pies fan in the country who wouldnt happily take Steele Sidebottom so fair enough Kane.
Kane
Roar Rookie
He's still as soft as they come, all his votes come from getting the easy ball and letting his mates do the dirty work. And no, I wouldn't want him.
Lou
Guest
Carlton didn't value Eddie, by not matching the bid. Silly old elf.
Peter the Scribe
Roar Guru
Still think you wouldnt love Sidebottom at the Blues Kane? You told us to watch him closely in the prelim so I did, all 41 touches and then watched him go runner up in the Brownlow.
sammy
Guest
That was actually funny. It actually bears no resemblance whatsoever to reality though. Hope SOS has used the KY this time :-)
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I stopped reading the article once I read this part. The article lost complete credibility right there.
Wise Old Elf
Guest
End of the day Carlton should give Adelaide about the same as the Blues received for the poaching of Eddie Betts. Give them a low third round draft pick and a middle finger that is all the Crows deserve.
AD
Guest
No, he meant McGovern and pick 7, because he then explictly stated that Carlton could then on trade pick 7 to GWS as part of a trade for Dylan Shiel. So he basically has Carlton giving up pick 24, 25 and next year's first for both Dylan Shiel and Mitch McGovern. It's hard to imagine that happening even in SOS's wettest dreams, let alone the real world.
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Guest
Crows have all the bargaining power in the world - McGovern has 2 more years left on his contract. If they don't get a deal they like from Carlton they shop him around to other clubs. If a deal doesn't get done there then they keep him and try again next year if he still wants out. If a deal doesn't get done next year then they try again the year after when he's out of contract and still not a free agent. The Crows have zero motivation to accept unders - or even market-value - for McGovern. If they don't get overs then they won't trade him.
john Doe
Guest
i think the writer meant 24 and 25 for McGovern and pick 37.. makes an avg pick 15 for Mcgovern.. He should proof read his material better