After what seemed like a relatively quiet trade period, eyes quickly moved to the draft to see how the Swans would continue their strong record in youth development and recruitment.
Their main focus was on high-profile Academy product, Nick Blakey. After earlier in the year turning down North Melbourne and Brisbane for the Swans, he finally landed at the club after a matched-bid by the GWS Giants at pick 10.
Clever trading saw us land draft bolter James Rowbottom with an early second round pick, and our focus on outside class and pace continued with Justin McInerney and Zac Foot.
From the Rookie Draft, Durak Tucker looks to be the pick of the bunch, at one point considered the best defensive prospect in the draft before an ACL injury ended his 2018 TAC season.
Kinnear’s Genius
Let’s run through what would’ve happened if we hadn’t traded with WCE on Thursday night.
GWS bid on Nick Blakey with pick 10, worth 1395 draft points. The Swans - using the picks they had - would have to match that amount, minus the 20% discount for academy players, equalling 1116 draft points, equivalent to pick 15.
The Swans would lose picks 27 (worth 703 points) and 34 (542), while the left over points (129) would see pick 34 become pick 61, leaving the Swans with Nick Blakey, picks 39, 40, 41 and 61.
However, we did two trades with West Coast in between the Blakey bid, which effectively amounted to:
Sydney out: pick 26, WCE 2019 second round pick.
Sydney in: pick 24, WCE 2019 third round pick.
It is the timing of these trades which was so brilliant. Sydney did them so that when the bid for Blakey came at pick 10, much later than expected, they didn’t have pick 26, so their later picks could be used.
Once Blakey was secured, they got their high second round pick back.
Trade one, before pick 10
Sydney swapped its second-round selection (pick 26, which became pick 29 after father-son and academy bidding elsewhere in the draft) for a future third-round selection from West Coast. The deal meant the Swans would not be forced to use that second-round selection when a bid for Blakey came.
Trade two, after pick 10
Another pick swap between the Swans and the Eagles with West Coast’s second-round selection, which by that stage of the night was pick 25 after bid matching, going to the Swans and a 2019 second-round selection heading to the Eagles.
In the end, Sydney got Blakey, then their next picks were 25, 44, and 51. Given that the quality of players in this draft were stacked towards the top end, this was an excellent move by Kinnear Beatson and the list management team.
The Players
Nick Blakey
Pick 10 National Draft
27 February 2000
195cm, 82kg
A really versatile player, Blakey has had the most experience playing as a key forward, however he has the athleticism to move into the midfield too, as demonstrated in the Championships.
He was the best player in the Division 2 NAB U18 Championships and was runner-up this year, despite injuries throughout the year. Should debut in 2019 and make an impact early. Will make a great replacement for Franklin once he retires.
James Rowbottom
Pick 25 National Draft
19 September 2000
186cm, 76kg
An inside midfielder, Rowbottom averaged 22 disposals and an impressive 6.5 tackles in the TAC Cup. Can use the ball well on both sides of his body. Should grow into a bullocking inside brute, just like Josh Kennedy. Until that happens, his excellent endurance could see him with tagging roles early. Nephew of Brian “BT” Taylor.
Justin McInerney
Pick 44 National Draft
18 August 2000
187cm, 72kg
A powerful runner with sweet passing ability by hand or foot, this kid was a very late bloomer, only coming into the Northern Knights TAC Cup side late in the year. Averaged an impressive 75% disposal efficiency and had a 3.01 second 20m sprint in the Combine. Just what the Swans need on the half back flank or wing.
Zac Foot
Pick 51 National Draft
24 December 2000
180cm, 71kg
An even quicker runner than McInerney, Foot is deadly quick and can cover the ground with his strong work rate – his highlights packages are full of him tearing away from opponents. He can play forward and put pressure on the opposition.
He’s not a bad overhead mark too for the type of player he is and could be a better version of Lewis Jetta if he works on maintaining a consistent output from match to match.
Durak Tucker
Pick 12 Rookie Draft
21 July 2000
189cm, 84kg
An in-between sized defender who can play on talls or smalls, Tucker would’ve been certainly drafted in the National Draft if he hadn’t ruptured his ACL early in the year, missing most of the 2018 season.
He didn’t test at the Combine but has been recorded doing the 20m sprint in 2.84, which would’ve been the fastest of anyone in the 2018 draft. He has been an utter professional during his rehab and is one of the better defensive prospects in the whole draft, despite his injury.
Harry Reynolds
Pick 28 Rookie Draft
11 October 2000
190cm, 75kg
Another player who has struggled with injury, Reynolds is a defensive playmaker who also excels in the contest, his clean handballing out of packs a highlight of his game. He has some work to do in disposal efficiency but is worth putting the time and effort into.
Kurt Tippett
Pick 42 Rookie Draft
8 May 1987
202cm, 104kg
Tippett will remain on the Sydney Swans list as part of his retirement settlement. Will not play in 2019.
Sam Wicks
Category B Rookie
14 September 1999
180cm, 74kg
Averaged 15 disposals, four tackles, and a goal per game in 13 NEAFL matches, mostly as a small forward, however can play midfield or half back. A product of the Sydney Swans Academy.
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