The Trade Diaries Day 3 - Homecomings
- Alex Docherty
- Oct 10, 2019
- 4 min read
9th October, 2019
Wednesday’s are my day off – no uni, no time at my part-time job – free time is rare air for a Uni student, so I thought I’d spend it wisely and go watch the Joker. If you haven’t seen it, you’re missing out on a masterpiece. But that’s just the words of an everyday schmuck who writes about football for fun, so you readers can take that as you wish.
On the last entry, it was discussed that the Tim Kelly deal was initially agreed on by both Geelong and West Coast, it was just a matter of when today. To be surprised, I was quite shocked that this is done that early, and apparently so do many of the ‘experts’ you hear on Trade Radio and the like. Both teams were closing in on a deal on the final day last year, but fell through in the final minute.
The deal was confirmed after lunch, Kelly signed a six-year deal which is worth more than four-million dollars. That is massive money to throw at – How in the hell can they afford that, given the roster they have at their disposal? Geelong get picks 14, 24 and 37 in this year’s draft, plus a first-round pick in 2020 in return and there’s also a swap of second and third-round picks with Essendon as well, but until the Draft, there’s no assurance who wins there.
I was out of the house all day today and didn’t return until close to 10PM, so I didn’t get much time to read any reports until I got home. When that happened, I picked up my iPad as soon as possible to find that there were some developments happening to the point where there should be some more deals done tomorrow.
The most notable one being the case of Eddie Betts, who wanted to come back home to Melbourne – more specifically his old club in Carlton. There’s been a split reaction to whether it is the right move for the Blues. They are currently rebuilding now and Betts is 34 heading into the 2020 season. Also considering that Carlton are chasing Jack Martin and Tom Papley as well – who play virtually the same role – how they are going to play all of them?
I like this idea of Betts’ coming back to his original club – it’s said to be a one-year deal – Mick Malthouse let him walk to Adelaide as a free agent at the end of 2013, and as a result, Betts played some of his best football as a Crow. His best is arguably behind him now, but I think there’s still a place in Carlton’s side for an experienced head to help the younger boys in that Carlton side – they’re going to be much better for it next year.
Another development that has grown some legs in the past 24 hours is Dougal Howard, who is now seeking an exit out of Port Adelaide. On the first day, there were links to him joining North Melbourne. This has been thrown out the window as he has requested a trade to St. Kilda today.
I like this move. The Saints are a bit all over the shop in terms of key defenders. Nathan Brown is aging, Jake Carlisle can play, but he is erratic and there were talks of moving him on a month or so ago and Logan Austin seems to be a forgotten man down at Moorabbin. Howard is a more than competent key defender so he’ll slot in very well. What it will take though will be interesting to monitor, the Saints are targeting a few names after all.
Whilst on the Saints. I want to discuss the thoughts of their top target – Bradley Hill. He’s so important to St. Kilda’s structure. I don’t think they have enough outside class. You think about their midfield brigade – Seb Ross, Jack Steele, Luke Dunstan, Jack Billings and Dan Hannebery: They all possess the grunt to be good inside mids Billings and Hannebery have some class, but it’s not enough. Jade Gresham played as a midfielder this year to good effect, but I like the idea of him more as a forward.
What is it going to take to get this done? You think that St. Kilda’s pick six is going to be the crux of the deal. But Fremantle are going to want more. The problem is that St. Kilda only have Picks 59, 72 and 82 in this year’s Draft. They’re probably going to want to offload the likes of Josh Bruce. Jack Newnes has been tossed around as trade bait as well, but I suspect he won’t be worth all too much. They’re probably going to have to spend some 2020 draft picks to help get who they want over the line.
Another Fremantle player that wants out is Ed Langdon. Having nominated Melbourne as his club of choice. I think the Demons have got themselves a damn good player on their hands here, as class has been something they have sorely lacked this year. I don’t know what the hell has happened to the majority of Melbourne’s list this year, they didn’t lose a great deal – probably Jesse Hogan damaged their forward structure to a degree, but that’s it.
Langdon averaged 25 disposals per game this year, as well as averaging three rebound 50s and three inside 50s. Meaning that he’d be a player that would complement the inside midfielders like Clayton Oliver, James Harmes and Angus Brayshaw to a tee. What will get it done? Not a chance in hell Melbourne gives up their third pick. Their second round pick is currently pick 22 and their third-rounder is pick 42.
Is Pick 22 paying overs? I wouldn’t mind paying that if it meant someone like Ed Langdon, who will be 24 in February next year, will come home to Melbourne. He’d be a fine addition to the Demons for mine.
So that’s the middle of the week done. Fair to say that I am enjoying documenting these. I worry for next Wednesday when the deadline happens. I feel like there’s going to be an essay’s worth of entries in. As we approach the end of the week. I sense the deals will start falling into place sooner rather than later.
Got to remain patient here, the wheels have slowly started turning. Until tomorrow friends.
AD
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