Trade Week is one of my favourite times of the year. I’ve always found it fascinating how clubs deal with their lists and the ways they go about improving the clubs playing roster.
The week itself begins with pure speculation. You won’t see many deals done early because there’s always a gap between what Club A wants and what Club B is willing to offer.
Adelaide came into Trade Week with plenty to offer. Jack Gunston, Tony Armstrong and Ivan Maric had all announced they were leaving the club. There was however a general sense that after another woeful season that Adelaide wasn’t really the place to be. Thankfully new head coach Brenton Sanderson has been very clear that Adelaide Football club is on the way up.
The first deal the Crows made during Trade Week was the removal of Jack Gunston. While many Crows fans seem bitter towards Gunston for wanting to move home it’s blatantly obvious that a footy club will win some and lose some courtesy of the go home factor. Thankfully Adelaide struck a deal with Gunston’s club of choice at Hawthorn. The deal will send Gunston, picks 53 (third round) and 71 (fourth round) to the Hawks in exchange for picks 24 (first round), 46 (round 2) and 64 (round 3). It’s a solid deal for a guy who has only played 14 games at AFL level.
Today the next domino fell with the club negotiating another important deal with Greater Western Sydney. The Crows secured the second pick in the upcoming mini draft by offering up their Pick 10 in the upcoming National Draft. With this mini draft selection they have already revealed they will pursue Victorian Brad Crouch. He’s regarded as a strong midfielder who achieved All Australian selection after a stellar Under 18 championships. Unfortunately we’ll need to wait until 2013 to see him in action for the Crows due to rules that stipulate a player he is only eligible to play in the AFL during the season he turns 19.
The second piece of the GWS deal was Adelaide trading the Phil Davis compensation pick for Norwood youngster Luke Brown. Brown is eligible to play next season and is said to be a good prospect to play a handful of games in 2012. Given the club was quick to get him in a club polo shirt you get the sense they see big things in the future.
With those trades made Adelaide is now still in a good position for this years draft. Picks 24, 35, 42 and 64 are all still available to use. There’s also still deals to be done for Tony Armstrong and Ivan Maric. I’m sensing there’s some potential for upgraded picks with these deals. Otherwise Maric to Richmond and Armstrong to Sydney may require third parties to complete these trades. With the Saints struggling to stay under the salary cap it’s been suggested that young key position forward Tom Lynch might be available. Collingwood half back Tyson Goldsack has also been rumoured to be available for similar reasons.
So you can be pretty confident that Crows List Manager David Noble still has a couple of tricks up his sleeve for the remainder of trade week. All things considered it has been a very good start and it’s nice to be truly excited about some young talent entering the club.
Tags: Adelaide, Adelaide Crows, AFC, AFL, Brad Crouch, Brenton Sanderson, David Noble, GWS Giants, Hawthorn Hawks, Ivan Maric, jack gunston, Luke Brown, phil davis, Tony Armstrong
