Sydney Swans have history of smart list management and Pie Darcy Moore is in their sights

THE Sydney Swans are the most consistent and professional football club in the land. And DAVID KING writes they could be in for some post-season bargains.

Collingwood's Darcy Moore at training. Pic: Michael Klein

THE Sydney Swans are the most consistent and professional football club in the land.

Rarely do they make an error at the trade table as they’ve always got a role for the player they attract. Nothing is done by chance.

The next wave of talent are taking hold of the reins for the Swans. Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Ollie Florent and don’t forget that Luke Parker is sill only 25 years of age. Will Hayward, Ben Ronke and Aliir Aliir are fast improving into that conversation.

LIST ASSESSMENT: GARY BUCKENARA ON EVERY CLUB

TRADE HQ: THE ONE AREA CATS MUST FIX

FOOTY TIPPING: WHO’LL WIN IN ROUND 16?

The Swans have five players 30 years of age or older and some decisions will be tough to make acknowledging that Kurt Tippett and the club have already parted ways.

Dan Hannebery’s season would be concerning, but he’s going nowhere.

Sydney is in the market for Darcy Moore and history tells us that it normally lands its targeted player. John Longmire’s game plan that’s been rigid and successful for seasons will come under test if the new zoning rules are invoked for 2019. What will that do to their drafting profile?

The Sydney Swans Academy selection this year is John Blakey’s son Nick who is inside the top five kids in the country. They’ll get him for a bargain, particularly if the Swans first-round selection has been traded prior, possibly for Darcy Moore.

Sydney just keeps on keeping on.

Premiership Clock: Always 11pm

Sydney's Gary Rohan hasn’t ever sustained his form. Pic: Michael Klein

HARRISON REID LOOKS AT THE SWANS’ TRADE OPTIONS:

IN PLAY

1 Gary Rohan

Age: 27

Games in 2018: 10

With lightning pace and obvious talent, Rohan has teased flashes of brilliance for quarters, games and even weeks, but has never been able to sustain it. After stints in and out of the NEAFL again this year, a fresh start for the Cobden boy may be best for both parties.

2 Aliir Aliir

Age: 23

Games in 2018: 2

Allir impresses with the poise in his decision making and ability to intercept at AFL level, but is rarely given the opportunity to do so. Too good to be running around in the NEAFL and there will be interested clubs who agree.

3 Nic Newman

Age: 25

Games in 2018: 3

Last year’s mature-age recruit of the year seemed to have cemented his spot as a creative half back that could play on opponents of different shapes and sizes in 2017. Those attributes would have value on the open market for the out of favour 25-year-old.

Darcy Moore to Sydney? It could happen. Pic: Getty Images

BUY BUY BUY

1 Darcy Moore

Age: 22

Games in 2018: 4

Club: Collingwood

Sydney has shown interest in the exciting 200cm swingman, and with good reason. Moore has devastating talent and impressive flexibility for a big man so he would be a big coup for the Swans if they are able to pry him out of Collingwood.

2 Jeremy McGovern

Age: 26

Games in 2018: 12

Club: West Coast

One of the most valuable signatures of the upcoming off-season belongs to McGovern, and Sydney would be silly not to at least inquire. Darcy Moore and Jeremy McGovern at one end, Sam Reid and Buddy Franklin at the other … scary.

3 Nick Blakey

Age: 17

Club: Swans Academy

The son of AFL great John Blakey will find his way to the Sydney as an academy selection, but not without an early bid on him. Blakey is rated inside the top 10 of this year’s strong draft by most recruiters and looks a special talent, so he will cost the Swans significant draft points.

Nick Blakey will be a bargain for the Swans. Pic: Getty Images

WINS AND ROUNDABOUTS

Accommodating Sam Murray’s request for a trade was Sydney’s only activity in the 2017 off-season and his early season form at Collingwood suggested he would be a significant loss. Has since lost his place in Collingwood’s side but an exciting future still beckons for the speedster.

FANTASY QUICK FIX

With such a rounded, premiership capable list, there isn’t much the Swans would need to fix if they had the chance. But what if they could snare a Jack Gunston to fill the injured Sam Reid’s spot? It would send a shockwave through fellow contenders.

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