Given that this is the best draft since the 2001 with some quality kids in the top five I base these comments on having watched a fair bit of U/18 TAC Cup and young league footballers over the years.
I believe the Adelaide Football club should offer up some current stars at the moment in order to pursuade Essendon, Carlton and North Melbourne to give up their first round draft picks for this years "gun" draft, i.e. picks 1-3.
To do that I believe Andrew McLeod or Tyson Edwards should be offered as trade bait as they probably have 3 years left in them at best where as Gibbs, Sellar, Hurley etc have 10+ year careers in front of them. Other possible palyers are Burton, Bock, Welsh, and Hudson/Biglands not as good as Edwards/McLeod but have longer careers in front of them.
Essendon is a possible attraction for McLeod as one of his motivation for playing international Rules last year was to play under Sheedy, their are NT mates there and its history with indigenous players. Carlton may want thim to add support to their young players like Murphy. I think North Melbourne will be harder to trade with given their recent history trading for "stars" and the subsequent results.......
Despite the noise if teh Crows offered McLoed or Edwards as bait for a the # 1 or 2 pick I reckon Essendon would be interested as they have a couple of good years in him while essendon can redevelop a side. Carlton need leadership and mature players in the same way Sydney traded Grant for Schwass in 1997, hence way they might be interested too with the pending retirement of Kouta.
I don't believe Goodwin and Rucciotio should be offered as Goodwin has a longer and more productive future with Adelaide than McLoed or Edwards. Rucciotio is the captain and soul of the club the innate leader who everyone looks too. Can't get rid of him IMHO.
I make this statement fully aware of his emotional attachment to the Adelaide Football Club (its supporters atachment to him)and his achievements there but in top level sport you have to be prepared to put emotion aside and think what is the best for the club not the individual players. Is it worthwhile trading a current star to get a player in the ilk of Judd/Ball/Hodge??
Gibbs is the best young kid I've seen play SANFL Football since McLeod (and boy do I remember his first game) based on the fact he is a footballer first and foremost not some athlete turned footballer. IMHO His decision making, foot skills and over head marking are 5 ratings (if you've read an AFL draft report you'll know what I mean). Sellars size and athleticism make him a potential mobile forward and defender cum midfielder. Hurleys work rate make them attractive choices too.
So what do others think should be Adelaide be prepared to give up something precious, Mcloed, Edwards or Burton to be 1st or 2nd cab off the rank when the best draft since 2001 takes place laterthis year to snare a potential marque player OR once again I am talking through my ar5e again.....
Serious comments please, the soccer fiasco cup is over so I'm back to being serious....
