Gary Buckenara analyses Sydney’s list after the 2020 season
Out-of-favour North Melbourne key forward Ben Brown might have had a disappointing season, but is a fresh start in Sydney just what the doctor ordered? Gary Buckenara explains why the Swans and Brown could be a match made in heaven.
Sydney
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Sydney has a history of making big trade and free agency moves.
After nearly pulling off a huge trade coup last year with Joe Daniher and following the blockbuster deal to get Lance Franklin, the Swans need help up forward.
But, with Jeremy Cameron now destined for Geelong, where do they go?
The forward line is a major concern with Franklin joining Sam Reid as injury prone players and the Swans just don’t have enough goal scoring options. Tom McCartin is still developing and has also been tried as a key defender, an area that also needs bolstering.
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The Swans can no longer rely on Franklin to kick a winning score every week because there are too many question marks over his body. I’m concerned we won’t see the best of Buddy again and anything the Swans get out of him from now is a bonus, so they need another option.
I have some concerns over the top-end talent on Sydney’s list but, as a club that always wants to be in finals and premiership contention, getting another high-end key forward will help. They would get enough midfield supply from the likes of Luke Parker, Josh Kennedy and Isaac Heeney and after the emergence of James Rowbottom and Ollie Florent, they’re building a decent midfield group. Nick Blakey and Dylan Stephens are also very talented young players who can develop into genuine star midfielders.
If the Swans can’t get a gun key forward in this trade period or next year’s, then the club could be stuck in the 9-14 bracket as a mediocre team capable of being around the finals mark but won’t be good enough.
LIST NEEDS
The Swans need a No.1 ruckman. Sam Naismith has done his ACL again and Callum Sinclair isn’t the answer. They also need developing key position players with Franklin (33) and Dane Rampe (30) nearing the end and Reid’s body always a worry, while they need to decide if McCartin is a forward or defender. Are Kaiden Brand, Lewis Melican and Aliir Aliir good enough to be premiership-winning defenders? Get games into Hayden McLean to see if he can make the grade. The Swans also need one or two developing big-bodied midfielders and more skilled outside runners.
TRADE TARGETS
With Cameron out of the picture, Ben Brown would be my No.1 target. Brown had a disappointing season but there’s no doubting his talent and the Swans have a track record of being able to get the best out of players from rival clubs. They currently hold pick No.22 and I’d offer that to the Kangaroos for Brown.
Paddy McCartin is keen to play again and would probably enjoy the opportunity to play with his brother at the Swans. He’d be a good fit if h can produce anywhere near the form that saw him drafted at pick No.1 and if he passes the AFL’s concussion tests. I would only use a late or rookie pick to secure him.
Jake Carlisle is out of contract at St Kilda and I’d look at him to provide more experience in key defensive options to play on the bigger forwards, which the Swans are currently lacking. I don’t think he’d cost much, possibly a third-round pick.
Collingwood’s Mason Cox would be an intriguing target for Sydney. He’s been much maligned as a key forward but showed promise a few years back as No.1 ruckman in the absence of Brodie Grundy. The Swans should approach him to see if he has interest in playing on the ball. It would be a good fit for the American given the Swans need both a key forward and a ruckman, so there’s some certainty of multiple roles available. I’d offer Collingwood a pick in the 30-40 range for him.
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UNTOUCHABLES
Nick Blakey, Will Gould, Will Hayward, Ollie Florent, Jordan Dawson, Isaac Heeney, Luke Parker (unless a good deal presented), Tom McCartin, Dylan Stephens, James Rowbottom, Callum Mills, Tom Papley, Lance Franklin, Josh Kennedy and Dane Rampe.
TRADE BAIT
There aren’t many with currency and there’s no way the Swans would consider trading any of their young developing players with A or B-grade potential. Luke Parker is interesting. If the Swans can’t get a gun key forward then I don’t think they’ll be in premiership contention any time soon, so Parker is a player who might not be in their next premiership side. He has huge trade value – especially to clubs like Carlton who desperately need a big-bodied midfielder to take the next step – and if an offer of a top-10 or 15 draft pick came in, I’d seriously look at it. I’m not saying Sydney should definitely trade him but these are discussions that take place behind closed doors.
RATING THE LIST
A-grade: Nil
B: Aliir, Florent, Franklin*, Heeney, Kennedy, Lloyd, Mills, Papley, Parker, Rampe
C: Brand, Clarke, Cunningham, Dawson, Fox, Gray, Hewett, Melican, Naismith, O’Connor, O’Riordan, Reid, Ronke, Sinclair, L. Taylor
*Developing (with A-B grade potential): Blakey, Gould, Hayward, McCartin, Rowbottom, Stephens, E. Taylor
Developing: Amartey, Bell, Foot, Ling, McLean, McInerney, Warner, Wicks
*Franklin has played just 10 games in the last two years and while he’s been one of the game’s greatest ever players, he’s no longer an A-grader. With two years still to run on his mega nine-year contract, there are serious concerns over how much return the Swans will get from him on the field. His body is failing and it’s sad to see him breaking down.
What the ratings mean:
A-grade: Elite player on any AFL list
B: Top 10-18 player on most lists
C: An 18-30 player on a list
*Developing Aged 21 or under who should become an A or B grader
Developing: Aged 21 or under
CRYSTAL BALL
With seven players aged 21 or under with the potential to develop into A or B-grade players, there’s hope for the future but the Swans need to expand that to 11 or 12 at least. I can’t see Sydney being in finals contention next year with its current list, so there’s work to be done in the list management space. Can they pull off another trade or free agency coup? If not, it wouldn’t surprise me to see Sydney in the bottom half of the ladder for the next 3-5 years.
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