Gary Buckenara analyses Sydney’s needs and potential players to target in the off-season
THERE’S talk about a couple of talls departing Sydney. GARY BUCKENARA on what the Swans can do, and who they can target at the end of 2017.
Sydney
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SYDNEY is a list that is always going to be competitive but their depth is starting to run a bit thin and that’s why we saw them start the season winless from their opening six matches.
The Swans couldn’t cover for the loss of the likes of Kieren Jack, Isaac Heeney, Jarrad McVeigh, Gary Rohan and Tom Papley at various times this year — the players that came in were either in their first year or are just depth role players.
BUCKENARA: HAWTHORN OFF-SEASON TARGETS
BUCKENARA: CARLTON OFF-SEASON TARGETS
BUCKENARA: ST KILDA ANALYSIS
BUCKENARA: WHO THE PIES SHOULD CHASE
Jack is coming to the end of his career and so is McVeigh so the Swans need to look at what they’ve got on the list to replace them. The issue with the depth is that this midfield group has rarely missed any games over the last few seasons, meaning most players don’t have much AFL experience so there is no standout replacement.
That means Sydney — who has a history of targeting players from opposition clubs — could go hunting for what they need. They might not target the absolute stars but look for a role player who suits a hole in the list.
This team was exposed for lack of pace through the finals last year and that’s an area that still needs to be addressed. Pace off halfback and through the middle is a must.
The Swans will definitely do all it can to keep Sam Reid. He is so important to their structure and with Kurt Tippett out of favour, he becomes even more important. He can also go into defence and play a role there so his versatility is a real strength and weapon for the side.
BUCKENARA: ST KILDA ANALYSIS
BUCKENARA: MELBOURNE’S TRADE TARGETS
They need to have a plan in place should he leave. Does Callum Sinclair play a more permanent forward role or do they try and get a tall from another club as a David Hale-type role? Does that put Tippett back in favour? Could Darcy Cameron play that role? These are all questions list managers have to keep in mind and plan for when there is concern a player might leave the club.
I tend to think they will have to look elsewhere for a forward.
The priority though will be re-signing Zak Jones. He has added so much to that midfield group with his pace and ability to just burst through a pack with speed and kick goals. The Swans have lacked that type of player in the past despite having a star midfield group and he’s become a weapon for them. They can’t afford to lose him.
BUCKENARA: ESSENDON ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
BUCKENARA: RICHMOND ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
BUCKENARA: NORTH MELBOURNE ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
BUCKENARA: ADELAIDE ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
What they do with Tippett is interesting. They could definitely use the salary cap room to get into the market for players from other clubs but who’s going to be willing to take on his huge salary? Probably no one — unless the Swans pay a portion of it and that means that still comes out of the Sydney salary cap. It’s a really tough position. They might be stuck with him.
WHO THE SWANS SHOULD TARGET
Lion Tom Rockliff would be of interest to the Swans to replace the likes of Jack who is getting towards the end of his career. He is a clearance specialist with a big body and would slot in seamlessly and be a real weapon because of the style Sydney play.
I would be asking questions about Essendon’s David Zaharakis but it sounds like he’s close to re-signing at the Bombers. But as they say, it’s not over until it’s over and he’s signed on the dotted line.
Tiger Anthony Miles isn’t getting a game despite finishing sixth and fourth in their best and fairest the last two years. Could he look to move? The Swans could definitely use him as a replacement for Jack and McVeigh and he has lived in Sydney before, given he was originally with GWS. He’s that role player type the Swans love to get into their system.
BUCKENARA: WEST COAST ANALYSIS
BUCKENARA: BRISBANE ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
BUCKENARA: GOLD COAST ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
BUCKENARA: PORT ADELAIDE ANALYSIS AND TRADE TARGETS
Levi Casboult is out of contract at Carlton and would be an option should Sam Reid decide to leave.
Ryan Schoenmakers is also unsigned at Hawthorn and is a free agent. He is exactly the type of role player the Swans have targeted in the past and tried to turn into a player that adds something to their list. Can play as a forward or defender and Schoenmakers might finally be ready to seek more senior opportunities after staying so long at Hawthorn but never really cementing his spot.
BUCKY’S UNTOUCHABLES
Lance Franklin, Luke Parker, Dan Hannebery, Josh Kennedy, Isaac Heeney, Callum Mills, Sam Reid, Zak Jones, Dane Rampe, Jake Lloyd, Tom Papley, Oliver Florent, Will Hayward, Nic Newman.
Please note: AFL clubs have a list of a number of players they are targeting at the end of the season and this is the list Gary Buckenara would have in the hope of luring at least one to the club.
* Gary Buckenara was Hawthorn’s sole full-time recruiting staff member from 2004 before the Hawks brought in Chris Pelchen and then Graham Wright as recruiting and list manager and expanded the recruiting department.
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