Clark Keating In Demand
Clark Keating is going to be an important player next week. Several contenders for the premiership in 2007 are short a ruckman, and Keating will be someone they target in trade week.
The Saints have already met with Keating. The ruck is their position of concern and Keating would bring finals experience that they need. Blake is too small, Koschitzke too fragile, Brooks too unreliable and Ackland or Rix isn't the answer either. The Saints have players to share the ruck with Keating during the year which would keep Keating fresh and uninjured for September.
Clark's brother, Aaron, won with the Crows almost a decade ago and while the Crows have said they won't be going after Everitt or Gardiner they may change this policy of acquiring a veteran ruckman if Keating is available for a small cost, like a 3rd round pick. Everitt is going to cost a much higher draft pick while Gardiner comes with a lot more baggage. The Crows have shown they can get value out of a former Brisbane ruckman, with Matthew Clarke, so maybe they look to Brisbane again.
Sydney look like they will get Everitt, but if they don't then Keating might be an option.
The Dockers could lose Polak. Longmuir is better as a forward there, instead of playing as the backup ruckman, so Keating could also be a useful player for Fremantle.
If Keating is not traded next week then he could be in the preseason draft. Carlton may see him as a player to get for a year or two until they have a young ruckman ready to play. This may be something that does not interest Keating. The Blues have said they won't be going after older players, but if Keating happens to be the best available in the preseason draft they might as well take him.
Ruckmen are once again in demand, with all the recent Grand Final teams relying on their big stars. Keating may not have much left in the tank but he could help a contender in September for a couple more years.
The Saints have already met with Keating. The ruck is their position of concern and Keating would bring finals experience that they need. Blake is too small, Koschitzke too fragile, Brooks too unreliable and Ackland or Rix isn't the answer either. The Saints have players to share the ruck with Keating during the year which would keep Keating fresh and uninjured for September.
Clark's brother, Aaron, won with the Crows almost a decade ago and while the Crows have said they won't be going after Everitt or Gardiner they may change this policy of acquiring a veteran ruckman if Keating is available for a small cost, like a 3rd round pick. Everitt is going to cost a much higher draft pick while Gardiner comes with a lot more baggage. The Crows have shown they can get value out of a former Brisbane ruckman, with Matthew Clarke, so maybe they look to Brisbane again.
Sydney look like they will get Everitt, but if they don't then Keating might be an option.
The Dockers could lose Polak. Longmuir is better as a forward there, instead of playing as the backup ruckman, so Keating could also be a useful player for Fremantle.
If Keating is not traded next week then he could be in the preseason draft. Carlton may see him as a player to get for a year or two until they have a young ruckman ready to play. This may be something that does not interest Keating. The Blues have said they won't be going after older players, but if Keating happens to be the best available in the preseason draft they might as well take him.
Ruckmen are once again in demand, with all the recent Grand Final teams relying on their big stars. Keating may not have much left in the tank but he could help a contender in September for a couple more years.
