Dual premiership Kangaroo David King has called for Sydney to be aggressive in targeting key position players in this year’s trade and free agency period.
Coming off a grand final appearance in 2022, the Swans are languishing in 14th place on the ladder after dropping their last four games amid a brutal injury toll, particularly to their tall defensive stocks.
It includes doubts over the future of Paddy McCartin after the luckless backman suffered another concussion, while Tom McCartin and Dane Rampe have also missed significant time.
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‘He has lost games for Carlton!’ | 01:51
At the other end of the ground, Lance Franklin is likely coming towards the end of his career, Sam Reid has been ruled out for the season, with the relatively unproven Joel Amartey, who’s also injured, and Logan McDonald set to lead the forward line into the future.
Speaking on the Herald Sun’s Pure Footy show, King believes the club’s defence is the biggest area of concern it needs to address.
“They are going to have to chase an Esava Ratugolea or someone like that to bolster their key back stocks, and then try to make do in the forward line,” King said.
“They’ve always wanted a marquee player, so who is that, and can they actually drag them out of another club?
“I’m worried about Sydney. I love their midfield, but maybe they’ve got to cut a couple free to get some quality talls back in the door.”
Stats revealed on the program showed the Swans have he worst profile over the last six weeks outside of the bottom three clubs in West Coast, Hawthorn and North Melbourne.
King also made mention of Sydney’s costly draft misses in recent years including bypassing Caleb Serong, Kysaiah Pickett and Hayden Young in the 2019 draft for Dylan Stephens.
“I think they’re going to have to be the most active club at season’s end with free agency and trade,” he added.
‘STRONG’ RIVAL INTEREST IN OUT-OF-FAVOUR DOW
There’s “strong” rival interest in Carlton midfielder Paddy Dow as the former Pick 3 remains out of favour at Ikon Park.
The Herald Sun reports other teams are circling Dow, who’s due to come out of contract at season’s end and is yet to play a game for Michael Voss’ 4-4-1 side after managing four senior appearances last year.
It comes despite the 23-year continuing his brilliant VFL form, averaging 30 disposals, 6.9 clearances, 6.7 score involvements and 4.7 tackles from seven matches.
The report states clubs weren’t willing to offer up draft capital to secure Dow’s services last trade period when the on-baller explored his options, but could now potentially acquire him for nothing as a delisted free agent.
Cripps confident in Carlton | 00:46
Former Melbourne skipper Garry Lyon questioned why the Blues hung onto Dow at the end of last season if he wasn’t in their future plans.
“That is a classic example of being overbearing and overprotective and way too safe,” Lyon said on SEN Breakfast.
“Paddy Dow has revealed who he is to Carlton for however many years, he is what he is. They keep him on the list and they have got a midfield issue still.
“He continues to reveal who he is, and I’m not saying Paddy Dow is going to be a great senior player. He’s averaging 30 touches, seven clearances, six score involvements and five tackles in the VFL.
“If you’re not going to play him, and they haven’t played him … why’d you keep him on the list?
“His manager has got every right to walk in and say: ‘Hey, I don’t know if Paddy can play regular senior footy, but give him a chance somewhere else. Because clearly you’ve made your mind up’.”