A quiet trade period for Sydney?

GWS GIANTS have been linked to Collingwood ruckman Jarrod Witts (Photo by Darrian Traynor/AFL Media)

By Aidan Pauna

Over the past two years, the Sydney Swans and the GWS Giants have been two of the most active clubs during the AFL’s annual trade period.

Lance Franklin snubbed GWS to join the Swans in a record deal in 2013 and in 2014 had restrictions placed over them for yet to be explained reasons, while last year, GWS recruited Western Bulldogs captain, Ryan Griffen, in exchange for 2013 #1 pick, Tom Boyd.

But despite this, both clubs look set to be relatively quiet in this trade period and will aim to conclude their business swiftly.

Below is a rundown of how both clubs could fare over the upcoming trade period.

SYDNEY SWANS

What we know…is that Rhyce Shaw and Adam Goodes have retired, opening up some salary cap room. Lewis Jetta is on the move to either West Coast or Fremantle while Craig Bird may seek a trade elsewhere after limited game time this year.

Matthew Leuenberger has spoken to the Swans but they face stiff competition from Essendon for his signature. Zac Smith is also being pursued by Sydney, but he is a backup option in case Leuenberger moves elsewhere.

Callum Mills will join the Swans through the Academy bidding process but father-son prospect Josh Dunkley is unlikely to make to make the move north unless something drastic changes.

Harry Marsh, George Hewett, Dan Robinson and Aliir Aliir are all out of contract this season and all could be cut by the Swans as they have to make some list changes.

Alex Johnson may also be delisted by the Swans but if that does happen, he will be taken as a rookie as he continues his recovery from multiple knee injuries.

What won’t happen…is a move for an established key defender. The Swans are limited by their trade restrictions and will have to target young or injured players to fit under those restrictions. But this is where the Swans do their best work, by recycling underused players at other clubs.

In an ideal world…Sydney would pick up Leuenberger and receive enough compensation from a likely Lewis Jetta trade to ensure there’s no draft deficit as a result of taking Callum Mills, who could be a top three selection.

GWS GIANTS

What we know…is that Adam Treloar, Cam McCarthy and Curtley Hampton have all requested trades away from the club. Treloar and Hampton will be granted their wishes and move to Collingwood and Adelaide respectively, but McCarthy is contracted until 2017 and the Giants have no plans to let go of him until then.

The Giants are interested in acquiring another ruckman and Collingwood’s Jarrod Witts is their target. With the Giants trading Treloar to Collingwood, Witts seems likely to move in the opposite direction. A mature key defender is on the cards for the Giants as wel as they look to tighten up their defence. Lachie Plowman could also be on his way out after being linked to Carlton is the last 48 hours.

Jacob Hopper and Matthew Kennedy, both top 15 prospects, will join the Giants through the Academy bidding process this year. It is important for the Giants to get some draft picks to ensure they aren’t crippled for drafting these two young men by the new draft points system.

Tomas Bugg, Jacob Townsend, Dylan Addison and rookie Sam Schulz are all out of contract and all are expected to be delisted by the club in the near future.

What won’t happen…is the drama of last year’s trade period. The Giants will go about their business quietly and ensure that there isn’t another circus like the Tom Boyd situation last year. It is important for the Giants and Cam McCarthy to be on the same page.

In an ideal world…the Giants, using the Treloar trade, throw in Lachie Plowman and a draft pick to get Jarrod Witts and Ben Reid in return. This would help the two key areas they need help in; ruck and defence.