General AFL Trade/Draft talk

We've got a thread for the SA based teams, but I thought I'd start one up for other trade and draft talk.

To kick things off - I can't believe how quickly the media have turned from covering the GF to speculating on Buddy, and to a lesser extent Alistair Clarkson.

Looks like Buddy is gawn though. Similar situation to Ablett, has won 2 flags with the Hawks and now will head off to new challenges and a pay packet that will set him up for life (depending on the life style he chooses of course..... ).

Buddy about to sign with Sydney, not GWS.

Unbelievable that Sydney's extra salary cap allowance gives them access to the likes of Tippett and Franklin one and two years after winning a premiership. Just doesn't seem right.

I can't believe this.

How the hell can they affort it. Agreed Booney, something is not right.

Also, and IMHO, poaching two highly paid mercanaries from other clubs that every man and his dogs knows will be paid and absolute packet seems to contradict the well known Swans culture.

If I were Jack, Hannabery, Kennedy, Reid etc I'd not be too happy. Sure, glad to have Franklin aboard but now the above are limited in their earning capacity....surely?

Port must get Jesse White on the phone today!!!

Yep, good point re the Swans culture.

Buying in players like this goes right against that grain.

I used to have huge respect for Sydney as a club and the way they went about it, and was always quite happy to see them have success.

That's gone now. It's not just the deals, its the manner that they seem to have happened. Let the franchise teams do all the hard yards over the course of several months, and then slip a deal under the table at the last gasp - nup don't like it, don't like it at all.

For the big boy at AFL house, to have the code front and centre on the SMH is far more attractive than giving two ***** about what the likes of you and me think, sadly.

AFL exposure in NSW will hit a peak in the coming days if this goes ahead and Andy D and his merry followers couldn't care less. Heck, they might even chuck a few bucks into the "marketing" budget of the Swans for good measure.

Meanwhile the Dees, the Bulldogs, North, Port, Brisbane all have to roll up cap in hand to get an even break.

Yep, too true.

Should the deal go ahead I'm not sure Buddy and Tippett will work particularly well in the forward line together anyway.

Agree, GN.

I'm with you and Booney about the Sydney extra cap allowance.  It gives them a massive advantage and isn't right.

Fyfe to GWS  

Dal Santo looks like heading to North Melbourne.

Free agency is akin to rats scarpering off a sinking ship really isn't it?

I guess St Kilda is moving into a 'rebuilding' phase though.

Buddy officially a Swan this morning with the league green lighting the deal.

I really do think this will come back to bite them on the behind at some point.

Enjoy any success you might have in the next couple of years Swans fans, because I have a feeling an extended period of mediocrity in 5 - 10 years will be the price you pay for it.

This deal is like taking out a loan to go on a holiday - it make for awesome times in the short term, but over the journey every dollar will have to be paid back, and with plenty of interest IMO.

News this morning is that the Hawks have somehow jagged Ben McEvoy from St Kilda.

A massive get, he is a quality big man.

On the flip side of the coin - what is going on down at the Saints?

Hawthorn - Savage and pick 17 > St Kilda
St Kilda - McEvoy > Hawthorn.

With Dal Santo earmarked for the Kangas, McEvoy to Hawthorn, Milne retired. St Kilda are going from bad to outright poo.

Heading into Melbourne territory you would think.

Nick to join cousin Jack at Richmond?

Leigh Montagna off to Essendon.

Saints have strongly denied the Montagna rumour. I should think so too, they won't have anyone left soon!