Where are they now?
How the landscape changes in a little over 2 years. Back when we did our initial draft there was only one parent in our group, we were 100% Australian, and Alex thought he had a chance at finals.
Inevitably, times change, as do the fortunes of real footy teams. Far more importantly, fantasy ones also. The first year of keeper league presented a wonderful opportunity for 10 of us to be bonded by something stronger than blood, marriage, or the pitter patter of little feet (if anyone else is thinking that should be true for them – get a dog; more feet, less mess), but by an unending rivalry to echo that of West Coast and Sydney circa 2005/06. We’ve made our selections, trusted our guts, however on the other side many of us have seen greener grass. That first year there were some big trades that changed the fantasy world as we know it…
10/3/2016 – Will Minson FOR Jayden Laverde
A date that will live on in infamy. Not quite as impressive as the next time these fantasy titans were to clash at the negotiation table, however monumental in its own right. This marked the first time a trade was signed, sealed and delivered, to the awe of one plucky young coach who made it his life mission to be the most heavily involved trader in history. Will Minson, the pillar of a ruckman was brutally sent packing from Stranger Danger in favour of the plucky Jayden Laverde. Ironically less than 2 years later one is retired and one is a free agent (if you still want him Mark…)
Trade rating 2018 impact – 0/10 – zzzz
26/3/2016 – J Elliot FOR JJ Kennedy
The most referenced trade in our limited history, and it was only the second one of our time here. In a fell swoop of high scoring mastery, a title that has yet to be relinquished, Paul convinced Mark to part with triple coleman medallist Josh J Kennedy in order to achieve the (unbeknownst at the time) injury riddled Jamie Elliot. How cruel this twist of fate was, that mark should have all this potential and still be unable to use it.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 6/10 – both players still on the lists they were traded to, but neither the one opposition coaches look at with any fear.
6/4/2016 – S. Martin, R Douglas FOR J Viney, J Martin
The trade which started it all. It started draft night when Solomon’s Soldiers picked up 2 ruckmen in the opening 8 rounds, partly for insurance, partly for high scores. A lack was seen in the Roughnecks ruck stocks, and so the Soldiers wanted more mids. The older ruck was floated in front of coach Adam, and he was sold, hook, line and sinker. Potential was seen by both coaches, but precious few others, in what Viney and J Martin could offer, so the deal was struck. Adam had the high scoring ruck he needed, and coach Sir-Trades-A-Lot started a pattern that continues to this day.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 10/10 – 3 of the 4 parties involved in the trade are still with that team (trade fodder Douglas the only exception). S Martin is still the only ruck worth a mention on Adam’s list, while when Viney is healthy (eventually) along with J Martin in the forward line, there is a 1-2 punch that will lead this teams for years to come.
8/4/2018 – Rockliff, Bennell FOR Wines, JP Kennedy
A trade that the author does not want to revisit. With eyes bigger than the belly, and the mindset still for some reason on this year, a trade was requested with Nelson that he part with his prized number 1 draft pick. The terms were hard to come by, with eventually 2 proven (one very young) pieces making their way to the champs, in return for a bag of potatoes and Tom Rockliff, who would not gel well with the coaching staff at SSHQ.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 5/10 – maximum points for Nelson’s side, no points for Alex’s side which levels it out at 5. Kennedy and Wines helped Champ’s 16 live up to their name, and are still the names you don’t want to see on the team sheet, while Rockliff and Bennell are history in Alex’s eyes.
12/4/2018 – Rockliff, Chris Mayne, 3rd round pick FOR Lachie Neale, Andrew Swallow, 2nd round pick
Much to the amazement of all, Rockliff, the universal number 1 draft pick, was traded a second time in a week span, this time to General Soreness (I believe still operating under the name Love Sparkles at the time?) Rumour was he was never intending on staying, but just waiting for an opportunity to frustrate someone else. The negotiations were as follows…
G: I want Rockliff
A: Have him
G: Surely I need to give you something in return
A: Got anybody who actually likes being a team player
G: Have Lachie Neale
Little did we know this trade would lead to the Dangergawn runner up switching teams – though we didn’t think it would be Neale to have that title. The other players involved were only to make up position deficits, and the draft bonus was a nice touch.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 8/10 – The 2 marquee players are still with their new clubs (though coach Burgess Snr keeps trying to bring Neale back), and Neale at least is still a name people know could tear them up for a big score. Rocky, Rocky, Rocky… what do we say there. I’ll leave that to Greg to make an official statement.
25/4/2016 – Brendan Ah Chee FOR James Gwilt
Does anyone really care about this trade? I don’t even think the coaches involved (Paul and Jordan) cared about this one within a couple of weeks of it happening. Jordan needed a defender, Paul had spares…. Next trade
Trade rating 2018 impact – 0/10 – more zzzzz
17/5/2016 – Josh Gibson for Jake Lloyd
Every coach that has traded more than once has at least one trade they regret. I get the feeling this may be Jordan’s biggest one in the whole time we’ve been doing this. Once again his need for defenders was prevalent, and surplus mids his cattle for sale. While Gibson was not a terrible defender (and at least qualified for B grade status on “I’m A Celebrity”), the fact that Lloyd became DPP as a defender makes this one of the funniest trades, along with Elliot for Kennedy, to look back on.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 5/10 – another perfect score for one party, with Lloyd being the young anchor of Greg’s defence averaging a healthy 86 through 5 rounds. Donuts for Gibson’s 2018 impact, considering his retirement and all…
1/6/2016 – Matt Rosa FOR Wil Langford, Wayne Milera
A trade that seemed to make sense at the time, but now coach Bridge wonders why he did it. Not in the sense that he was dealt a crushing loss, but that it served no purpose. The desire for Langford stemmed from the 2015 grand final where he told us to take him seriously, and then once he was acquired the Soldiers realised how much of a fluke that was. Milera served the purpose of getting the trade through, though was still very raw and thus was never going to be a keeper. Rosa had defender status to keep the roughnecks with what they needed, but no one was under any illusion that this trade would shape the fantasy landscape.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 0/10 – all 3 players are no longer with the clubs in question. 2 have been picked up by other coaches this year in free agency, and Langford is still wallowing in the 3’s (he’s almost ready for the 2’s).
8/6/2016 – Jaeger O’Meara, Nathan Freeman FOR Elliot Yeo, Shane Biggs
The first of 2 trades to happen this day, but most likely the one Adam regretted the most (for a time). Jaeger O’Meara, a NAB rising star winner was on the market, with the price tag of forwards and defenders required. Yeo was a West Coast player, so a mythical creature to those in the Eastern states, and so the decision to part with him would have been met with no sleepless nights resulting… Until that wonderful thing called DPP struck a tradee once again. That and O’Meara being more fragile than LeBron with a cramp of course. Suddenly the rising star wasn’t playing, and as BT would say, YEEEEOOOOOO was tearing up the backline. Biggs didn’t last long, as was the case with Freeman, but at least they could say they were part of something.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 9/10 – Yeo is the defender you don’t want to face (aside from Laird this year), so huge impact on Nelson’s efforts to get to the grand final again, while O’Meara this year has actually played every game for hawthorn, and is starting to try and live up to that potential. If you take the heartbreak of 2016 and 17 out, this might be the closest thing to a win/win we’ve seen.
8/6/2018 – Cyril Rioli, Isaac Smith FOR Jake Stringer
Sorry to bring this one up Mark. Should I stop now? Probably for the best…
Short version to ease the pain. Mark got a spud, Adam got a spud who repeatedly has the best 10-touch game ever (which is never a good fantasy sign) and a winger who has had a surprisingly good fantasy career.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 0/10 – All 3 players are on team lists, however none of those lists involve Adam or Mark, so draft day settled these players’ short term futures.
16/6/2016 – Connor Blakely FOR Tom Langdon
Adam’s busy June continued with his 4th trade in a row for this league. A record I’m not sure has been beaten (can confirm, this is correct – Solomon’s Soldiers have done 3 straight, but never 4). This one intrigues me, as currently they are both defenders, yet Blakely is DPP with mid status. Looks like another one where DPP has affected a traded player making the once even trade tip in favour of one coach over another. To add insult to injury, Langdon did not survive the culling at Defenestrators HQ (Then trusting in Gore for some reason), while Blakely is very comfortable at Rico’s place since.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 5/10 – Blakely is settled in the roughnecks backline, while Langdon has found a new home with Mark. Rumour is he still has a photo of coach Zerna on his nightstand, where he can gaze longingly at that rugged face, and wonder what he did wrong to not be a part of Paul’s 2018 plans.
25/6/2016 – Heppell, Ceglar, Sheperd, 3rd round pick FOR Motlop, Gibson, Le Cras, 2nd round pick
Boy oh boy, Wowee, what a trade we had here. At this stage of the season the Soldiers knew their goose was cooked for 2016, and so why not bring in a gun that was suspended for the year, but young enough to be the leader he needed once the suspension was lifted. A ruck backup was also supplied and a defender to help a struggling back 6 (the whole 22 was stuggling, who are we kidding here?). In return, the premiership favourites to that point gained some reasonable without being lights out scorers, in their bid to field the best 22 imaginable to take ultimate glory (thanks Nelson for stopping this monstrosity from happening).
Trade rating 2018 impact – 2/10 – the trade itself with 6 players involved has only resulted in one of those 6 staying with the team traded to (though Heppell has found his way home since – more on that another day), and that one is Motlop who continues to spud it up, this time in a Port jersey instead of Cats.
5/8/2016 – Shuey, Spurr FOR Daniel, Miles
This was a trade that intrigued me upon reflection today. At the time and the immediate future, Paul won this hands down. Shuey the proven performer, still part of his all-conquering Defenestrators today, along with Spurr who was only ever a role player/depth cover in defence. In exchange Miles had a lot of potential that was never lived up to, and Daniel another Rising star looking for a new home.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 8/10 – Both Shuey and Daniel are fulfilling their roles as was envisioned when the trade was made – Daniel providing that young spark with potential in the forward line, while Shuey providing more midfield class for, maybe this year, a premiership team. The only thing that stops this being a perfect 10 are the 2 spuds that were delisted as proven unnecessary.
5/8/2016 – Menzel, Swallow, Betts FOR Hartung, Stevens, Gwilt
Another multi-player deal for myself and Jordan here, where we were each chasing something different, and so mutual interests lent themselves to making this happen. Jordan had a lack of forward power for his finals tilt, and so saw Menzel and Betts and his saving grace for premiership success (once again, thanks Nelson). In return for this chance at success, a couple of young players were sent away (they wouldn’t have been kept anyway) in order for the soldiers to decide whether they were worth a spot on our 20 man list for 2017 (they weren’t).
Trade rating 2018 impact – 0/10 – None of the 6 players in this trade are still on either list. 2 retired, 1 free agent (get on Eddie Crows fans), and the rest have found their way to other clubs.
26/8/2016 – Ablett, Lycett, 10th round pick FOR Gray, Rioli, Douglas, Nicholls
What a way to end the calendar year of trades. G Ablett finding a new home, while Robbie Gray gets a new lease on life as a forward in the Bailout Plan’s, well, plans. Big men changing loyalties makes me think this was NBA inspired, while Rioli and Douglas were free to keep being mediocre in their new environment.
Trade rating 2018 impact – 9/10 – Ablett (when healthy and against me in a back to the wall 4th quarter) is back to doing what he does best – scoring big. Gray is doing similar in the forward line for Luke, which means even though multiple players here went bust, the sheer weight of scores keep this trade as one of the biggest influencers of 2018.
My name is Alex, and in signing off – I’m open to trades 😛
