Brian Lake

[JF_Bay22_SCG]

I, for one, cannot sleep with worry over what the Mexicans might think of the Swans.

"BACK TO THE LAKE SOUTH!"

JF

[Claret]

They would be looking for a lot more in return, but they're in no position to bargain. The only thing that stopped ROK from leaving us last year is that no club was willing to pay him what he wanted. We gave the best offer. He stayed.

Nick Stevens anybody???

The problem is that if Lake goes into the PSD, then a club with higher draft picks, such as Melbourne and Freo, could take him before us.

Can't he put a price on his head? Then whoever takes him, has to match the asking price?

Yes, and he can also stipulate a length (as in number of years) that he needs to be contracted at. So for example we could offer him $400k/year for 4 years - this would rule out Hawthorn straight away. They might have the cash for next year but since they have a very young group they will all be demanding (and justifiably so) pay rises within the 4 year period.

[Lohengrin]

I cannot see BB playing for another club. Then again probably the saints couldn't believe plugger would either.

Or Hall for that matter...

[johnno]

Also happened with Tim Watson and West Coast Eagles a while ago too if I'm not mistaken. Or was that something different.

[Triple B]

Can't he put a price on his head? Then whoever takes him, has to match the asking price?

I'm pretty sure that's correct, hence the 'whingeing' from Vic clubs because our COL allowance will allow us to pay him more blah, blah, blah.

Darren Gaspar found his way from Sydney to Richmond by quitting the Swans and putting a huge price on his head that only Richmond would/could pay. Many moons ago though, so perhaps the goalposts have moved in that regard.

[Plugger46]

The problem is that if Lake goes into the PSD, then a club with higher draft picks, such as Melbourne and Freo, could take him before us.

I don't know what would happen if in such a case, such as if Freo took Lake, and he didn't want to go with them, what would happen. Perhaps he runs the risk of sitting out the year.

Can't he put a price on his head? Then whoever takes him, has to match the asking price?

[Ludwig]

Using the Lake example, it will be the player's choice if he goes to the pre season draft as he's out of contract. I don't see why we'd volunteer an early draft pick or player trade just to be nice guys. It's like offering to pay more tax than the system requires you to.

The problem is that if Lake goes into the PSD, then a club with higher draft picks, such as Melbourne and Freo, could take him before us.

I don't know what would happen if in such a case, such as if Freo took Lake, and he didn't want to go with them, what would happen. Perhaps he runs the risk of sitting out the year.

[Plugger46]

As long as the club is working within the current system then I don't see the issue. Who cares what clubs in Melbourne think? Most of them have tried tanking in the last decade and reap the benefits of the "go home" factor at the expense of a club like Sydney (and West Coast with Judd). This is probably a key reason why most of the players we trade for are misfits or in the last chance saloon.

Using the Lake example, it will be the player's choice if he goes to the pre season draft as he's out of contract. I don't see why we'd volunteer an early draft pick or player trade just to be nice guys. It's like offering to pay more tax than the system requires you to.

Absolutely spot on.

[hammo]

I'd rather support a team that has respect than a team that is widely regarded as ruthless, unscrupulous and unethical, like Carlton and Hawthorn. In the long run, the kind of conduct engaged in by Carlton and Hawthorn will come back to bite them. Under Sheedy, Essendon used to have a reputation for shonky dealing (we were their victims a couple of times) and I'm sure that has made clubs less willing to do deals with them for the last few years. You might get a short-term advantage by playing hardball, but you'll pay for it in the end.

As long as the club is working within the current system then I don't see the issue. Who cares what clubs in Melbourne think? Most of them have tried tanking in the last decade and reap the benefits of the "go home" factor at the expense of a club like Sydney (and West Coast with Judd). This is probably a key reason why most of the players we trade for are misfits or in the last chance saloon.

Using the Lake example, it will be the player's choice if he goes to the pre season draft as he's out of contract. I don't see why we'd volunteer an early draft pick or player trade just to be nice guys. It's like offering to pay more tax than the system requires you to.

[BSA5]

Yes, in theory we could trade Hall for Lake.

In reality the Dogs would be looking for a lot, lot more in return (and rightly so).

This may have been mentioned elsewhere, but given the spate of retirements this year we have two openings on our Veterans List. Assuming Kirk plays on then he and Goodesy would be the likely candidates (B1 also eligible). More $$ to throw around.

They would be looking for a lot more in return, but they're in no position to bargain. The only thing that stopped ROK from leaving us last year is that no club was willing to pay him what he wanted. We gave the best offer. He stayed.

As it stands, with some of our (presumably) highest paid players ready for the veterans list (Kirk and Goodes), plus the large number of retirements, we will have a @@@@load of salary cap space this year. We can afford to pay Lake more than the Doggies can.

Now, a straight swap, Hall for Lake, wouldn't suffice. The Doggies are the only ones that would entertain the idea of Hall, while plenty of teams will be after Lake, so it doesn't suit the Swans to let it go to PSD. However, if we chucked something half decent in so that the Doggies get more than they'd get if they simply delisted him, that could be enough to get the deal done. Perhaps chuck in Kirstin Thornton or Ed Barlow for a 3rd rounder.

[johnno]

[QUOTE=Primmy;455105]I cannot see BB playing for another club. Then again probably the saints couldn't believe plugger would either.

Loved the Swan Lake - pearler.

And as the AFL and media in Melbourne still seem to think it is the VFL, any win outside Vic will be seen as total disloyalty. They don't respect any other clubs, just look at the various footy shows to see that. Drives me nuts. R E S P E C T is all I ask, that and the Cup. Every year.[/QUOTE]

Couldn't agree with you more here primmy, even after we have turned our form around in the last few weeks, most of the 'Melbourne media' have started to have 2nd thoughts about us 'definately spending 2-4 years down the bottom of the ladder', but there is still the odd one here and there, Hutchy being the main culprit, but there are also a few others, that are still saying things like...'the swans have improved a touch, but its still pretty obvious they will be doing it tough for the next few years' and words to that effect. I just sit there and say to myself...' do you actually watch the games?

[Plugger46]

Yes, in theory we could trade Hall for Lake.

In reality the Dogs would be looking for a lot, lot more in return (and rightly so).

This may have been mentioned elsewhere, but given the spate of retirements this year we have two openings on our Veterans List. Assuming Kirk plays on then he and Goodesy would be the likely candidates (B1 also eligible). More $$ to throw around.

The reality is that the Bulldogs might not have a choice, if Lake wants out. Sure, they deserve more and they can demand more but they're in a pretty ordinary position if he wants to leave the club.

[Plugger46]

I think you're right regarding clubs are more than just the 'cycle', that's evidently true. But it's overly optimistic to expect that we're only a good defender away from being a top 4 side - it's just not the case.

I would much prefer to see some longer term investment at this stage. Either trading for someone who can give us 10 years or selecting some high quality junior talent.

I just think that the competition is that even (injuries, luck with the draw, momentum, players coming on unexpectedly etc), that we could only be a key defender away from a top 4 side.

With our new structure, we're a very different team now to the one earlier in the year.

[Primmy]

I cannot see BB playing for another club. Then again probably the saints couldn't believe plugger would either.

Loved the Swan Lake - pearler.

And as the AFL and media in Melbourne still seem to think it is the VFL, any win outside Vic will be seen as total disloyalty. They don't respect any other clubs, just look at the various footy shows to see that. Drives me nuts. R E S P E C T is all I ask, that and the Cup. Every year.

[Claret]

Trade Barry for Lake?
I believe even though he has retired we still have have him on our books?

Yes, in theory we could trade Hall for Lake.

In reality the Dogs would be looking for a lot, lot more in return (and rightly so).

This may have been mentioned elsewhere, but given the spate of retirements this year we have two openings on our Veterans List. Assuming Kirk plays on then he and Goodesy would be the likely candidates (B1 also eligible). More $$ to throw around.