2017 trading, drafting, list management

[mattybloods]

I'm surprised that Jeremy Laidler retired, didn't seem to have persistent injuries. I wonder if he was asked to retire and given the coaching role as a sweetener? Maybe we're trying to get more cash together to bring someone in?

[The Runner]

Papley was no more effective in the 2016 than Rohan, and only marginally more in the 2017 SF. Naming him supports the suggestion that it's very hard for forwards to look good when the midfield is being beaten.

Buddy wasn't at his best in either 2016 GF or 2017 SF but in each case he was physically hampered. When fit, he is a player with the fitness based to wander further afield and make an impact if the ball isn't coming into the forward line.

Can't comment on Brown or Daniher unless you refer to games where they functioned despite their midfields getting thumped. Even so, I don't deny that Rohan struggles to do this. I just attribute it to a lack of endurance (for which there is evidence available in the public domain - ie the knowledge that he's not had a pre-season for ages) as opposed to some construct of mental demons, for which I've seen no evidence presented.

And what exactly would constitute evidence of mental demons? The lack of a pre season would impact in most matches, not just the major ones that require significant concentration and application

[KTigers]

This is a shock, Laidler retires and will become a development coach. He only recently turned 28.

Journeyman Laidler retires - sydneyswans.com.au

Surprised by this too. I always rated him. Never a star, but tough and dependable, a good kick and strong mark. Old school footballer, he
looked like a man out there amongst the boys. He played well for us.

[ugg]

Laids's farewell Instagram post

They told me at draft camp I'd be too slow to play AFL. 10 years later, I've accepted they were probably right. A bitter sweet moment hanging up the boots but I'm so humbled by the opportunity to start the next chapter of my career as a coach with the Swans. I couldn't be more grateful to Geelong, Carlton and Sydney for the opportunity to play alongside some of the game's greatest and learn from some of the best. Thank you to my beautiful fianc�, my family, the boys, the club and all of my player sponsors for the chance to pursue the dream. Here's to retirement.

A post shared by Jeremy Laidler (@j_laids) on Sep 26, 2017 at 12:32am PDT

[goswannies]

Laids's farewell Instagram post

They told me at draft camp I'd be too slow to play AFL. 10 years later, I've accepted they were probably right. A bitter sweet moment hanging up the boots but I'm so humbled by the opportunity to start the next chapter of my career as a coach with the Swans. I couldn't be more grateful to Geelong, Carlton and Sydney for the opportunity to play alongside some of the game's greatest and learn from some of the best. Thank you to my beautiful fianc�, my family, the boys, the club and all of my player sponsors for the chance to pursue the dream. Here's to retirement.

A post shared by Jeremy Laidler (@j_laids) on Sep 26, 2017 at 12:32am PDT

All class. A genuinely lovely guy who will be a wonderful addition to the coaching staff

[mattybloods]

I wonder if Papley will take his Grandfather's number 11 now that its vacant

[O'Reilly Boy]

I wonder if Papley will take his Grandfather's number 11 now that its vacant

Exactly my thought!

[Blood Fever]

All class. A genuinely lovely guy who will be a wonderful addition to the coaching staff

Good, solid, bona fide contributor in the games he played for us.

[Nico]

What about Heeney as FF. Reads the play, strong mark and hard to beat one on one. Buddy opens up the forward line leaving Heeney one on one. Dangerous.

[goswannies]

What about Heeney as FF. Reads the play, strong mark and hard to beat one on one. Buddy opens up the forward line leaving Heeney one on one. Dangerous.

We have plenty of guys who could play FF (Heeney, Tippett, Sinclair, Rohan, Buddy) but we need players to deliver the ball to the full forward - Heeney is probably more useful further up the ground

[Meg]

I'm surprised that Jeremy Laidler retired, didn't seem to have persistent injuries. I wonder if he was asked to retire and given the coaching role as a sweetener? Maybe we're trying to get more cash together to bring someone in?

Laidler has had an operation on his foot/ankle since the season finished (photos on his Insta account) so perhaps his body was telling him it was time to retire.

I agree with other posters that Jeremy has always been a solid and dependable performer and he is a loss to our depth. And I also agree that he seems to be an all-round good guy so it is good that he will still be with the Swans.

[Meg]

I wonder if Papley will take his Grandfather's number 11 now that its vacant

Interesting thought. Papley chose number 41 because of the Mumford/Bunyip (country Victoria) connection. David Papley, Tom's father, was Mumford's first senior coach. So Tom does have an emotional attachment to his current guernsey - but perhaps number 11 will have even more sentiment attached to it.