Sydney Swans Executive General Manager of Football Charlie Gardiner has explained the reasoning behind Sydney's additions throughout this year's player movement period.
The Swans' headline additions came in the form of former Melbourne ruckman Brodie Grundy and ex-Magpie midfielder Taylor Adams, who each made their Sydney transitions via trade deals.
While Grundy's arrival was extensively anticipated, Adams' trade request away from Collingwood came as a surprise to many.
Gardiner discussed his club's bevy of additions after the exchange window closed on Wednesday evening.
"I think we had a positive trade period, we've brought four new players to the club; all of them, we think, will make really valuable additions to the group," Gardiner toldย SydneySwans.com.au.
"We've been a bit more active than we have been over the last couple of seasons, but yeah, we're really happy to add to our squad in areas we think we needed to improve."
On Grundy, Gardiner stated the ruckman's acquisition was especially imperative following veteran Tom Hickey's end-of-season retirement, as well as Peter Ladhams' continued development since arriving from the Power two years ago.
"I think he'll have a huge impact with Tom (Hickey)'s retirement," Gardiner stated.
"We needed some support in our ruck division, and Pete (Ladhams), whilst he's still developing, we think he's got some work to do, still, on his game, and probably more flexibility to go forward and impact in that area of the ground as well.
"So, we think Brodie can come in and help lead our midfield, certainly provide a big presence at [the] centre bounce, and, you know, he's an All-Australian ruckman, he's played nearly 200 games, we think he'll really add to us in that area of the ground."
As for Adams, Gardiner cited the veteran's immense stoppage work, as well as the leadership presence he brings from his experience at Olympic Park.
"I think Taylor will fit in really well, I think he suits the mix that we've got, he's a good inside stoppage player and we think he'll help [with] our clearance numbers, which is so important these days," Gardiner claimed.
"We just felt with the demographics of our midfield, the youngest midfield in the competition, an experienced head in that area of the ground and importantly a leader as a vice-captain of Collingwood, he brings with him a lot of experience, and he's a great character.
"I think he'll add, not only on-field, but off-field in the locker room and certainly help Luke (Parker), Dane (Rampe), and Callum (Mills) in terms of leading our squad."
Gardiner also commented on the additions of ex-Melbourne midfielder James Jordon and former Western Bulldogs and Fremantle defender Joel Hamling, who each arrived in the Harbour City as unrestricted free agents.
"James is a young midfielder, he's 22, he's a hard runner, [he] will play through our midfield, on the wing through the midfield. We think he'll really add to our group in that area of the ground," Gardiner declared.
"We were mindful that we were losing Paddy (McCartin) in our back half and we felt we needed some more experience down in our defence," Gardiner explained.
"Dane (Rampe)'s getting closer to the end of his career, and obviously Paddy, unfortunately, leaving us, we just felt we needed some added support for Lewis Melican and Tommy McCartin down there and Nick (Blakey) and Aaron (Francis), and we think Joel can play a really, really important role for us back there.
"He also brings with him a fair bit of experience, he played in a premiership team at the Bulldogs, we think he'll really help the development of some of our young and developing defenders, the likes of Harry Arnold, Nick Blakey, even Ollie Florent back there, we just think he'll provide some experience for us."
