It has nothing to do with Farmer not being wanted, he has been offered a new contract and has turned it down, he wants to come home.
He's a well skilled back pocket, we need one of those, he was also a leader at junior level, we could do with more of that too
That does sound better but I am 'bitten' at the moment by recent trades so will be 'twice shy' . Until he performs on the big stage I will take this trade deal as a mistake and another missed chance. I think I'm getting jaded
Stripes
But I don't understand when we aren't losing a draft pick and we aren't losing a decent player, how it could end up a mistake?
It's one of most low-risk trades you could make and if he is a bust, it barely matters because thats what we expected from Schulz anyway.
Farmer is a discard for Port, Schulz a discard for us. The difference is the potential upside of each player. Port was offering a second round pick for Schulz last year and the only difference between this year and last has been the Tigers selectors. Schulz wasn't given the same opportunities this year compared to last because our selectors were looking to play more of our developing players in the backline rather than a mid-aged player. Schulz himself did not play any worse than he was the previous year.
Now I'm not expecting a 2nd round pick this year but I do believe that Schulz has a huge upside compared to Farmer. He would probably never realize it at Tigerland but he is a genuine tall who has proved he can play at either end of the field. Farmer on the other hand has been struggling all year in the 2nds trying to break into the Port team. Now I'm not sure how competitive positions are in the Port side for small forwards/defenders but, other than his age, he does not have the same value as Schulz.
This is why I can see this this as a potential error. I think we definitely should move him on for something but considering Port wanted him for a 2nd rounder last year, he is a tall defender/forward and still relatively young - is worth an additional pick or upgrade at the least in my book.
That's why I see the trade as a possible mistake
Stripes