Player Rater

10th October 2011 Category: Analysis

Image: Slattery Media Group

ADELAIDE

All the attention surrounds Kurt Tippett. It’s been reported that he’s seeking a move back to Queensland to either the Suns or the Lions. Both clubs would have the pieces to get a deal done, but hard to imagine that Victorian clubs wont enquire as well. Would be a great fit for Carlton, Melbourne and the Bulldogs. Tippett is signed for one more year. The Crows will either look to move him now or give new coach, Brenton Sanderson a chance to get him back on-side.

Ivan Maric is reportedly a certainty to go to Richmond, but it’s hard to see this as anything more than a last resort for the Tigers. Maric has struggled with continual injury problems since coming into the league and wouldn’t necessarily walk in ahead of Angus Graham and Tyrone Vickery.

The Crows have already lost Phil Davis and looked likely to lose Vince and/or Taylor before they both re-signed.

Second year forward Jack Gunston is thought to be on his way to Hawthorn. The Hawks have a number of fringe players that could be included in a deal, but they don’t necessarily have to trade as he’s out of contract. Adelaide have conceded that he’s going, but said they’ll listen to offers from all clubs. Gunston is in a similar position to Luke Ball last year, Adelaide will be hoping they can find deal instead of allowing him through to the pre-season draft.

Tony Armstrong has requested a trade to Sydney. The Swans already have a couple of similar players in Lewis Jetta and Gary Rohan. They might look to offload Mark Seaby to get a deal.

BRISBANE

The Lions have all but conceded to losing Mitch Clark, who is expected to move to Fremantle.

The only other name to be connected to Brisbane so far is ex-Bulldog Ben Hudson, who is expected to sign a short term deal to play with the Lions in 2012. Hudson is originally from Brisbane and has moved home after retiring earlier this year.

Michael Voss has shown over the past couple of years that he’s a keen trader, so Brisbane could yet be key player in tradeweek.

CARLTON

Carlton are a club that loom as a big player in trade week. The Blues have been very public about their quest for a premiership, and the feeling seems to be that their window is now open.

The Blues need a key forward desperately and that will likely be where their attention is focused throughout trade week. Kurt Tippett wants a move back to Queensland, but the Blues could yet make a play for him.

Carlton were also said to be interested in John Butcher, but he's since resigned so they'll have to redirect their offers elsewhere.

COLLINGWOOD

Always active during tradeweek, the Pies might look to move some minor pieces during trade week.

Clubs tend to pay over the odds for players from good systems, Alan Toovey and Tyson Goldsack could be among the names discussed. Fremantle has been mentioned as a potential suitor for Toovey, who is originally from WA.

Andrew Krakouer’s agent has said over the weekend that he’s client will be looking to re-negotiate his contract. Krakouer was thrown a lifeline by Collingwood last season, and signed to a performance based contract. Krakouer is entitled to be earning more, but Collingwood won’t be impressed with the way his agent Peter Jess has gone about negotiations. The Pies will be in no hurry to up his deal, and if the two parties can’t come to agreement, Krakouer’s name could be raised in trade negotiations.

ESSENDON

James Hird has said publicly that Essendon won’t be big player in trade week. The Bombers do, however, have players that are expected to draw interest.

First round draft pick, Scott Gumbleton missed all of 2011 due to injury, but after showing glimpses in 2010 clubs may be prepared to take a punt on the young tall.

Tom Bellchambers is the other player that will generate interest. Essendon have a decision to make in regard to ruck stocks. Hille, Ryder and Bellchambers will all expect playing time in 2012, and as things stand Bellchambers is probably third in line. Essendon will do everything they can though to ensure that he stays.

If it was up to the fans, Brent Stanton would be on the block. The common consensus is, though, that he’s rated internally, so even if they were prepared to move him, you get the impression that Essendon would want the world.

Essendon have also shown interest in young Demon Addam Maric, who has reportedly requested a trade from Melbourne.

FREMANTLE

Farren Ray and Zac Dawson are both out of contract and both are thought to be on Ross Lyon’s radar. This seems plausible for a number of reasons. Lyon loves to recycle, there’s a prior connection and they’re both unlikely to draw interest from elsewhere. 

Early in the season Mitch Clark was thought to be a GWS target, but when Clark wasn’t named with the rest of the Giants signings, the attention turned to Fremantle. Ross Lyon reportedly tried to sign Clark at St Kilda, so his appointment shouldn’t change the Dockers position. The first round pick acquired from GWS for Rhys Palmer could move in this deal. 

GEELONG

Emerging backman, Tom Gillies is one of the few Cats to have his name bought up in trade talks. Not much has been seen of Gillies since he was drafted in 2008, but he’s rated highly by a number of clubs. Gillies seems to be in a similar position to ex-cat Shane Mumford, being that he may seek a move in order to find more playing time. The Cats will be conscious of their aging list and with a number of veterans retiring this year, should be able to match offers from other clubs.

Mark Blake’s stock has plummeted in the past 12 months and if the Cats get any reasonable deals, he’s likely to move.

GOLD COAST

The Suns activity in tradeweek could be key to many of the proposed deals this week. Gold Coast have flexibility with the salary cap and have been mentioned as a possible destination for both Kurt Tippett and Brendon Goddard.

Gold Coast are also in the pole position to secure young prospect Jaeger O'Meara, with the Suns expected to offer up two first round picks.

GREATER WESTERN SYDNEY

In many respects, GWS hold more assets than any other team in tradeweek. They have 9 of the first 15 picks in the national draft and hold the key to 17-year-old Jaeger O'Meara.

GWS have already shown in their player signings that if they’re going to acquire assets, they want young assets. Scully, Davis, Ward are have a lot of development in them, so if GWS deal for a player with their picks it’s unlikely they’ll target the likes of Brendon Goddard or another veteran star.

Kurt Tippett and Mitch Clark could still be on their radar.

HAWTHORN

Most of Hawthorn’s attention surrounds Adelaide forward Jack Gunston. A number of Hawthron's fringe players that have been mentioned in trade talks, including Clinton Young and Xavier Ellis.

Young forward, Jordan Lisle is also expected to generate interest. Lisle showed promise in a number of games this season, but struggled to hold down a spot. With Hawthorn’s injury concerns this year, Lisle probably would have expected more opportunities. If a club can offer regular first team football, a move might be possible.

MELBOURNE

The Dees did a good job of signing all (BIG asterisk) their wanted players at the end of the season. Cale Morton was talked about all year, but re-signed at the end of the season, along with Sylvia and Trengove.

Matthew Bate had limited opportunity in 2011 and could generate some interest, he’s the kind of player that Sydney would appreciate; slow, disciplined and an awkward kicking style. Bate might yet stay, though, to see if his fortunes change under Mark Neeld.

Austin Wonaeamirri’s name has also been mentioned, but it’s unlikely Melbourne will deal him considering his off-field problems and he’s unlikely to draw interest for the same reason.

Matthew Warnock is almost guaranteed to move, after he requested a trade less than 24 hours after Melbourne’s final game of the season. Warnock can cover a key post at full back, and may be of interest to GWS, who have shown a desire to sign veteran key position players. Warnock’s agent has confirmed that Warnock wants a move interstate. It’s possible that Warnock will form part of Melbourne's offer for GWS youngster Jaeger O'Meara.

NORTH MELBOURNE

North say Hamish McIntosh is staying, but when Laidley says he’s gone, you’ve got to think he’s going. Brad Scott’s sharp enough to know that when you concede to trading someone, you’re far less likely to get full value. McIntosh is surely still on Richmond’s radar. A deal involving Daniel Connors could work for both parties. North, however, dealt David Hale last year and he’s thrived at Hawthorn. They might think twice about dealing another proven ruckman.

Matt Campbell is reportedly wanted by Hawthorn, but after the failure of Rhan Hopper and the emergence of Bruest it's hard to see this happening. Hawks won’t give up much if this does go through.

PORT ADELAIDE

Danyle Pearce will draw interest, but Power would be offloading him at his lowest point. Unless they find a clubs prepared to pay over the odds, he should stay.

Brad Ebert wants to return home to Adelaide. West Coast will listen to offers from both the Crows and the Power. 

RICHMOND

The Tigers have a number of players that could be moved, and would draw interest. Matt White, Mitch Morton, Ben Nason and Dan Connors have all been mentioned.

The Tigers were active last year and have already signaled their intent to get Crows big man Ivan Maric. Richmond will definitely target a ruckman and they’ve said that Maric is the number one target, but don’t be surprised if they go back in for McIntosh (See North Melbourne).

ST KILDA

Michael Nettlefold has claimed that none of the Saints stars will move, but he also claimed that he was all over the Ross Lyon situation, so don’t take that as gospel.

Of all the Saints stars, Brendon Goddard seems the one most willing to turn his back on the club. There was talk during the year (and by talk I mean ‘pub-talk’) that he’s not well liked within the playing group. Carlton will be an active player during trade week and will definitely make enquires. He’s far from a perfect fit at the Blues, and may be past his best so both parties might not see eye to eye.

When at Hawthorn, Chris Pelchen made a couple of brilliant moves with players that were thought at the time to be “elite.” In the early 2000’s, the Hawks got first round picks for Jonathan Hay, Nathan Thompson and Trent Croad. Pelchen might look to do something similar with Goddard. A deal to the Suns for two first round picks would make sense.

Farren Ray and Zac Dawson have also been linked with moves away (see Fremantle). 

St Kilda’s activity in trade week might be limited by the fact that they’re still to appoint a coach.

SYDNEY

One of the issue’s Sydney have is that the players they acquire are often limited to their system, and represent greater value at the Swans than at other clubs. Seaby and Bevan have been mentioned but are unlikely to draw a great deal of interest.

Trade week will be a good indication of whether Longmire plans to implement any strategy changes at the Swans. Moves for players like Armstrong and Pearce will be on the cards if Longmire wants to balance out the playing list with more speed and outside running.

WEST COAST

The Eagles look set to stick with what they’ve got. West coast are one of the few clubs that have a settled spine, with the likes of Josh Kennedy, Eric McKenzie and Darren Glass. The Eagles may try to lure another midfielder, as backup for veterans Daniel Kerr and Andrew Embley. The Eagles also have to cover for the expected loss of Brad Ebert.

WESTERN BULLDOGS

The Bulldogs have a number of assets that will generate interest throughout tradeweek.

The Bulldogs activity will depend on the attitude of Brendan McCartney. Will he give Brian Lake a chance to revive his career at the club or will he look for a deal?

Jarrad Grant is another player that could be of interest to rival clubs. Grant, who has shown glimpses of promise, but could benefit from a change of environment. The Bulldogs would have expected Grant to be further on in his development at this point in his career. Again any decision of Grant’s future might come down McCartney’s list assessment.

Lindsay Gilbee’s name has also been raised, but hard to see the Bulldogs moving him. Like many of the Bulldogs players, Gilbee’s stock is at a career low so it wouldn’t be in the Bulldogs interests to deal at this time.