Following their horror loss to Greater Western Sydney in the elimination final, the Swans have been 100 per cent focused on upcoming trades, and their strategies.
The loss of Dan Hannebery, Gary Rohan, Kurt Tippett, and even the delisting of the injury-prone Alex Johnson, will have an impact upon the club.
But these departures leave enough salary cap space for great new players to join.
We have heard the rumors of Darcy Moore heading north, with the move looking likely, but his manager is apparently confident that Moore will re-sign.
But many Swans fans won’t want this trade, as the cost of Moore will obstruct a pay rise for the beloved Aliir Aliir, who’s out of contract.
Alongside this, Sydney have been linked to Andrew Gaff. It doesn’t matter in this instance if Sydney gets Moore, there is still plenty of room in the salary cap.
It doesn’t matter if Gaff is trying to trade to a Victorian team for family reasons, if the Swans want him, expect them to put in a higher bid.
If they don’t get Gaff (or even go hard for him) expect the Swans to go for another big trade. We have seen their potential and perseverance in getting star players previously, including Lance Franklin and Tony Lockett in the 1990s.
The Swans are also linked to Ryan Clarke and Aaron Vandenberg.
Carlton are in a good position for trades too: Mitch McGovern has nominated the Blues as his preferred destination, which would boost the team immensely, and they are also chasing Dylan Shiel.
But the Swans look likely to be the trade heroes this year.
Herb Kowalczyk
Roar Rookie
he happened to be out of contract at the time, and they can still boost his pay
michael RVC
Roar Pro
You know this detail how exactly? Or is this some feux hypothesis you’ve come up with? Sydney decline?.........there would be a dozen teams who would luv to suffer the “decline” you say Sydney has endured.
Tim
Guest
When Sydney landed Buddy after also snaring Tippett, they were gaming the 10% bonus players were getting becuase Sydney housing is so expensive. If a player was worth 600k in Melbourne Swans would offer 560k plus 10% which takes them to 615k. Swans then pocket the 35k. Multiply that by 35 and you have an extra 1.2 million to spend on Buddy. Then the AFL got the shits with the Swans and took the 10% away from all but the bottom earners. So that 600k player is now only on 560k and pretty pissed off. That explains the Swans decline and it also explains why they will have a harder time landing a big fish.
mds1970
Roar Guru
Can I suggest one slight amendment. "But many Swans fans won’t want this trade, as the cost of Moore will obstruct a pay rise for the beloved Aliir Aliir, who’s out of contract." Aliir Aliir is contracted to 2021.
Herb Kowalczyk
Roar Rookie
Sydney quite possibly could have had enough money, they lost Hanners and Rohan which would have given them a lot of space, plus they apparently had salary space left from last year. But one can never tell.
JamesH
Roar Guru
Sydney could not possibly offer more than North, surely.
Davo
Guest
I haven't heard that but May makes sense for the Swans as can play forward as well. The Swans usually get what they want because of the pull of Sydney. I reckon the Swans are up to something big.
gameofmarks
Roar Guru
Everyone will be playing "Money Ball" in a couple of years if these ridiculous contracts of $1m+ for $500k players continue, which it will. Everyone's salary cap will be squeezed from here to Kingdom Come.
DingoGray
Roar Guru
Swans playing "Money ball" at the moment.
Birdman
Roar Rookie
Whisper that May is a trade target for the Syds. Might be hard to swing ahead of the Dees but....
DeanM
Guest
Trade jokers more like it. Lachie Neale on his way out for way unders.
michael RVC
Roar Pro
I’d luv to agree with you, but nope. Over the years they have managed to squeeze plenty out of maybe B and C graders that have played an incredible role supporting the A graders they’ve had. Of course it depends on who is grading a lot of their players, many have been significantly underestimated because they don’t sell HS newspapers. Meh, no loss. Trade kings? I wish.
ian Sutherland
Guest
The pies are shooting them selves in the foot through procrastination. Sign up Moore & Langdon asap they are home grown young guns. dont sell the farm with salary cap and picks for Steven May. Trade next years 2nd.round draft pick and a sweetner to GWS for Jeremy Finlayson he is far more long term value.
Blake Standfield
Roar Guru
What was the point?
Herb Kowalczyk
Roar Rookie
Anyone would go to Sydney for the right price
habibbie
Guest
they were still going to boost his pay
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
Freo are the trade kings at the moment.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
You miss the point.
User
Roar Rookie
Gaff makes no sense for a team who plays at the scg predominantly, it isn't a ground that lends itself to wingers at all.
Pope Paul VII
Roar Rookie
Gaff is either staying or going to NM. I wouldn't think Collingwood would willingly part with Moore. NM's Clarke is apparently a swap with Syd's Newman. Both handy players, dunno how that will go for both clubs in the long run. Can't see any major coups for Sydney.