From The Armchair #17 - Trade Season Upon Us

By No32
Well the trade season is upon us? Well not really but the heat is already starting to build up around the coffee shops, restaurants of Melbourne town and if you know the right people and happen to be in the right place at the right time you seem to find out… stuff from the “Birdies”.

So much is being made of Barry Hall going to Western Bulldogs… possibly to help them win a flag as they are in need of a BIG MAN to take them over the edge when it comes to the business end of the season. What the Bulldogs would like the media to think is that they are 50/50 considering taking the Bustler… what the Bulldogs won’t tell you is who they REALLY are interested in? Jarryd Roughead, who is out of contract at the end of this year I am led to believe and has the potential to draw much attention from many clubs and land the big $$$… especially after 2008 he kicked 70 Goals and was not the focal point, he is in and out of form this year and still kicking along with a better conversion rate, great mark, big body and super kick… and GREAT work ethic.

Jarryd’s cousin Jordan has been drafted by the Bulldog’s and in that same draft they took a couple project KP Forwards, however the Dog’s are looking for 2010 (if they don’t get it done in 2009) and beyond because their list is also cherry ripe to continue to rise beyond 2009 with the likes of Higgins, Griffin, Cooney, Hill, Lake, Gia, Morris, Hargs all still in their prime or coming into it… also project such as Williams and Cordy adding a young bustling forward is KEY for the Doggies. Jarryd has been identified as a perfect fit for their culture and style of play.

It will come at a cost to the Doggies, as they will need to give up something good to land the big man.. potentially their 1st round draft pick at the end of this season… or 2nd round pick and a player might satisfy Hawthorn which has been the current word.

What player would satisfy Hawthorn… Lindsay Gilbee has been floated. Why, well Luke Hodge is being targeted of late after they figured out how to run the play through him… yet that’s not the issue, Hawks want to push Hodge up and in closer to the contest and allow him to have more impact on the game in the midfield or around the wings (see this weeks HUN article on metres gained)… with Gilbee down back they get a left and right foot player of the same kicking ilk as Hodge, also a leader to help manage that back line for their 2010 tilt at a flag. The Hawks have Tim Boyle and Mitch Thorp as other Key Forwards, and word is Mitch’s hip will be cherry ripe and Clarko wants to give the young lad a shot at his natural position, if not Tim Boyle is still a perfect foil for Buddy… also with Hodge away from the back line adds further dimension to pushing their midfielders forward when resting/rotating…

Also by moving Jarryd, Hawthorn are able to ensure they have space for now with Buddy, Cyril, Hodge, Sewell and they are looking 2-3 years down the track when GC and WS come into action so the likes of Dowler, Muston, Bailey, Thorp, Whitecross will be sought after..so looking to make avoid any squeeze

XXXII

Posted 20 July 09 in Important Articles