How should Western Bulldogs attack mid-season trade period if it was happening this year?
HOW would the Western Bulldogs attack a mid-season trade period if it were happening this year? With a group of free agents, who can the Dogs bring in more draft picks to boost the rebuild?
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FORGET the “if”, it is now a matter of when a mid-season trade period is introduced into the AFL season.
While it won’t be in 2018, there is no doubt clubs are already planning how they will wheel and deal their way through it.
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In anticipation of what will be one of the biggest changes in AFL history, the SuperFooty team are jumping on the front foot to analyse how all 18 clubs could hypothetically attack a mid-season trade period if it where to happen this year.
From the deals that could catapult your club up the ladder and into the finals to how strugglers can boost their rebuild and the players who could be shipped out.
WHERE ARE THE DOGS AT?
Despite winning the premiership less than two years ago, the Western Bulldogs are now in full rebuild mode and would be sellers if the mid-season trade period where this year.
The club had two first-round draft picks last year (Aaron Naughton and Ed Richards) and ideally would like two more in what looms as a “super draft”.
Currently, new list manager Sam Power has only a first-round and third-round pick at his disposal.
With Luke Dahlhaus, Mitch Wallis, Jordan Roughead and the injured Tom Liberatore coming into free agency, what currency would they have if a deal could be struck now?
The Bulldogs also have several premiership heroes languishing in the VFL, players who might have value at another club struck by injury or simply looking to upgrade for a push to September.
With draft picks the Bulldogs’ No.1 priority, we look at the biggest questions facing the Bulldogs.
WHO ARE POSSIBLE TRADE PARTNERS?
Despite the stirring win over Geelong, the Bulldogs are out of finals contention. So anyone still in the battle for September is a potential trade partner.
Essendon has a first and second-round pick, something the Dogs crave as they look to rebuild as quickly as possible.
Greater Western Sydney are well stocked to make a move with a first, second and two third-rounders plus their future picks but could use one of their youngsters to get a deal done.
North Melbourne too has a few picks to play with and would most certainly be reconsidering its plans after a stunning start to the season that sees them battling for a place in the top eight, when a wooden spoon was many experts’ pre-season prediction.
DO FREE AGENTS HAVE CURRENCY?
Mitch Wallis does. So does Luke Dahlhaus.
A fortnight ago Essendon would have considered Wallis and probably still would given Darcy Parish’ long-term injury.
While it would be a shock to see the former father-son walk away, he is no guarantee to re-sign after being dropped to the VFL and would be a trade option for the Bombers who still need to stock up on inside mids.
Wallis is in and out of the Dogs’ team because Luke Beveridge wants his players to have flexibility but Essendon just needs inside midfielders to help Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett.
Dahlhaus has spoken of his desire to re-sign with the Dogs but has seemingly be overtaken by Toby McLean for the primary midfield-forward role.
The former Geelong Falcon would appeal to the Cats if Daniel Menzel’s season is officially over and Collingwood might also be interested as injuries plague the club’s small forwards.
While North Melbourne could snap him up to push Shaun Higgins into the midfield full-time while upgrading the half-forward line.
Geelong’s problems in the ruck department are well documented and Roughead could offer a stronger presence and leadership in the middle of the ground. Would a club take a punt knowing they could perhaps get him at a cheaper price?
WHO COULD BE LOOKING FOR A FRESH START?
Last weekend, 2016 premiership heroes Jordan Roughead, Shane Biggs and Fletcher Roberts were all in the VFL.
Lin Jong, Tom Campbell, Mitch Honeychurch and Lewis Young were also in Footscray colours and might jump at the chance for more playing time at another club.
A club like GWS would consider someone like Biggs, who is more than handy off the half-back flank.
After losing Nathan Wilson to injury and Heath Shaw approaching the end of his decorated career, the Giants need players like Biggs, so it would be a win-win, allowing him to play more senior footy and give the Giants more drive and free up Lachie Whitfield to play in the midfield.
Would the Giants also be interested in a tight-checking defender like Roberts or interceptor like Young as we enter the run home to finals?
If Roughead’s price was too much for the Cats, Campbell would be a cut-price alternative.
COULD A DEAL FOR FUTURE PICKS DELIVER THIS YEAR?
If the Bulldogs are unable to extract the picks they want in trade the more likely scenario would be allowing free agents to walk to rival clubs and earn compensation picks.
However, the Dogs would need several players to leave to earn a first-round pick with Dahlhaus not in the top 25 per cent earners at the club, meaning his compensation return would be low.
If Dahlhaus, Wallis and Roughead were all to leave it could bump up the compensation under the AFL’s formula. As long as the Dogs didn’t bring in a free agent.
It would take something special for a rival club to hand over a first-round draft pick this year, or next, and the Dogs won’t want to give up any of its young talent.
IS THERE AN ATTRACTIVE FRINGE STAR?
The Dogs are sellers because they are deliberately going younger and trying to find out what their best team is. It’s hard to see them bringing in a big name - or otherwise - now when they look a long way from a flag. Unless they could secure a recent draftee, the Dogs want picks for the 2018 or ‘19 draft.
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