Gold Coast were caught short this season in the ruck department when all their candidates – Jarrod Witts, Zac Smith and youngster Matt Conroy – were injured at once.
Richmond coach Damien Hardwick even suggested loaning Samson Ryan to the Suns, which was a bit of shock to poor old Samson who had only just escaped the Sunshine State via the national draft.
The Suns weren’t the only team to battle, with Carlton and the Western Bulldogs, at times, looking at their list and finding all the rucks in casualty.
Gold Coast’s star ruckman Jarrod Witts succumbed to injury in round three.Credit:Getty Images
That’s why when the trade period rolls around the ruck merry-go-round spins again, as most clubs now want to take four ruckman into a season, which ideally includes the first ruckman, a ruck-forward, a back-up ruck and a developing ruckman, maybe two.
Seven ruckmen were selected in the first 18 picks in this year’s mid-season draft as the “talls wanted” sign went up at several clubs, showing that the demand remains ever present.
In this AFL trade period, Collingwood’s Max Lynch, Geelong’s Darcy Fort and Hawthorn’s Jonathon Ceglar’s moves are potentially reliant on each other while Sydney are keen on Port Adelaide’s Peter Ladhams and St Kilda are interested in North Melbourne’s Tristan Xerri.
Swans football chief Charlie Gardiner says on the club’s website he doesn’t feel the deal for Dawson was quite fair but that ultimately pragmatism prevailed. “We made clear from the outset that we rated Jordan as highly as any player available in this trade period,” Gardiner said. “Throughout the trade period we worked extremely hard to reach a fair outcome in regard to Jordan, despite challenging circumstances.
“Ultimately, we have settled on a deal that we don’t think quite reflects Jordan’s true value but is one that, after extensive negotiations, we don’t believe we could improve upon.
“After strong consideration, we believed it to be in the best interests of the club to accept the deal available and move forward.”
Jordan Dawson’s trade to Adelaide has officially been lodged, with Sydney receiving a 2022 first-rounder tied to Melbourne.
Jordan Dawson.Credit:Getty Images
There’s some movement on the potential ruck carousel that would see Geelong’s Darcy Fort join the Brisbane Lions, Hawthorn’s Jonathon Ceglar move to the Cats and Collingwood’s Max Lynch move to the Hawks with the Cats wanting a future third round selection from the Lions. There is still work to be done with negotiating continuing around that pick, which could move through a couple of hands once released from the Lions before it reaches the Magpies. There doesn’t seem to be any angst but discussions continuing between the Cats and Ceglar’s team about his potential deal.
…. and that means the final day of trading has officially started. Well, the window for lodging paperwork is open again. As the AFL pointed out on Tuesday, “clubs will continue to hold virtual meetings to discuss their options ahead of the last day of the trade period which will continue from 12:00pm AEDT on Wednesday, October 13 and conclude at 7:30pm AEDT”.
So ready yourself for official confirmation that Swan Jordan Dawson is bound for Adelaide.
Just some players we’re watching on the final day:
From left to right: Jonathon Ceglar, Bobby Hill, Jordan Clark, Jordan Dawson, Peter Ladhams and Max Lynch. Credit:The Age
AFL trade period updates: Movement on the ‘ruck carousel’, Dawson to Adelaide is official
Source: Philippines Alive
