Latest Trade/Free Agency News: Swift Quits, Wellingham Bargaining Begins

The posturing over the potential, perhaps inevitable, trade of Wellingham to the Eagles has begun. McGuire came out yesterday, speaking at one of his 17 media committments for the day, saying we would have to offer "substantial" compensation to secure the guy with the funny first name. That's all well and good and it's what you would expect an opposing President to say. But, I don't think Collingwood are in any position to start dictating terms. Wellingham put the Pies in a position with little room for maneuverings by choosing us and then flying away to the US. If they don't work out a deal with us, they would get nothing for him as he is out of contract.

There has been some mention of our first draft pick, no. 17, as well as Koby Stevens as part of a deal. Which seem somewhat reasonable. What doesn't sound reasonable is news today that Collingwood may be keen on Mitch Brown and Brown wants to play with his brother. As I mentioned earlier in the week Brown is a vital part of our backline depth and critical to our transition to the post-Glass era. Also, his brother is always injured...so come on man. On the other hand, it's understandable that Brown may want more opportunity. But, as the article suggests, the club don't want to lose him. Also, given Collingwood's poor bargaining position, I wouldn't want to see us give too much away, not that we use our draft picks wisely anyway.

Speaking of which, Tom Swift has quit the club to become a Doctor (true story). He was pick 20 in 2008 and now that his career seems over, we can officially label it a failure. I honestly don't understand why he was picked that high, but it's more evidence that the Eagles have drafting issues. Anyway, good luck to Swift and to his hair.

Finally, Scott Selwood won the club's Best and Fairest, beating out Cox, Hurn, Darling and Gaff. I'm probably one Eagles fan that doesn't really value Selwood all that highly so I won't pretend to like him. Anyway, he won. All-Australians Naitanui and Waters finished outside the top 10.