Restricted Free Agent Andy McGrath [RFA 2024]

[CatToTheFuture]

Id laugh my head off. So many clubs will be crippled by their long term contracts over the next couple of years.

I would laugh until October when we reveal an 8 year deal for Smith who then obliterates his knee annually for the duration

 

[jdstorm]

Probably worth more to Essendon then anyone else due to his draft position/status at the club.

Plays that Nick Daicos rebounding defender role with Tim Toranto’s disposal.

If Essendon have a bottom 4 finish and Someone gives him a Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

26

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

bs Band 1 offer you’d be happy to pack his bags.

If Essendon finish mid table or higher you probably just accept he’s a decent defensive back pocket and hope he matures into better disposal (and/or the team finds a marking tall that can make his dump kicks a not awful choice)

 

[Pure_Ownage]

I was about to do the laugh emoji, then I realised we have the most long term signings of any club...

I cant believe darcy got the deal he did.

Or cox for that matter.

 

[The Nostradamus]

Strong start 33 touches

 

[The Nostradamus]

Had a serious start to the year averaging 29 touches doing his contract no harm

 

[Oraaaaazio]

He's a decent player, has started this year pretty well but sometimes runs into positions where he has to blaze away or puts himself under pressure that look bad and stick in the mind. His clangers look awful but he's a pretty good kick based on advanced stats (threat rating/kick retention). I think he's a good defender and underrated offensively. Overhated cause he was pick 1 but he's not going to be amongst the elite, doubt we pay a fortune to keep him so maybe a club out there will offer something to have him considering a move.

 

[The 747]

He's a decent player, has started this year pretty well but sometimes runs into positions where he has to blaze away or puts himself under pressure that look bad and stick in the mind. His clangers look awful but he's a pretty good kick based on advanced stats (threat rating/kick retention). I think he's a good defender and underrated offensively. Overhated cause he was pick 1 but he's not going to be amongst the elite, doubt we pay a fortune to keep him so maybe a club out there will offer something to have him considering a move.

He's a decent AFL player, but as you say the pick 1 thing hurts him. If he was pick 11 nobody would hate on him, except for the odd Essendon fan.

 

[Daka]

Started the season well by his standards.
He probably deserves 4-5 year deal at 550-600k to stay given the market & how much the salary cap has gone up.
600K is like the new 500k solid wage solid player but not a superstar.

 

[Orange crush]

Started the season well by his standards.
He probably deserves 4-5 year deal at 550-600k to stay given the market & how much the salary cap has gone up.
600K is like the new 500k solid wage solid player but not a superstar.

He has started well ... I reckon he'll get a bit more than that if he keeps this up. I'm not a fan, but he certainly is putting his best foot forward toward getting a decent payday

 

[captain cotch 9]

He is a good player but there are 100 players like him in the AFL and coming up through the 18's

 

[Ambrosia]

He is a good player but there are 100 players like him in the AFL and coming up through the 18's

I’m not a huge McGrath fan but this is selling him short. He’s not that dynamic ball in hand so rightfully cop’s criticism for being a bit of a boring accumulator. But he’s a jet defensively and is excellent at beating his opponent in the contest.

The problem is no one wants an accumulator back pocket with the number 1 pick.

 

[Orange Agent]

Clubs having to pay minimum cap and not a great draft hand will definitely enquire I would think. If he wanted to test the market it could be the right time to cash in.

 

[Hippster]

He was sooo bad tonight. Absolute spud. So are Parish and Draper. What a bunch of softies. McGrath is lucky to be on an AFL list.

 

[Yoda_]

Some ordinary takes already in this thread

 

[Puddy]

One of the best back pockets in the game, if a top 4 side was after a good BP it would be worth trading for him

 

[Fat Tony!]

I can think of a club out there which loves to overpay for free agents!

 

[Daka]

I can think of a club out there which loves to overpay for free agents!

Richmond?

 

[Fat Tony!]

Richmond?

I was thinking Essendon.

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

This guy is bog average and has been for average. The fact he is vice captain speaks volumes of where Essendon are at.

 

[Daka]

This guy is bog average and has been for average. The fact he is vice captain speaks volumes of where Essendon are at.

I don't think leadership should have anything to do with how good a player is, as long as they're not a VFL player, that being said I do think McGrath is a bit better than the average AFL player & has started the season really in good form, not a superstar but definitely not a spud.

 

[jdstorm]

I don't think leadership should have anything to do with how good a player is, as long as they're not a VFL player, that being said I do think McGrath is a bit better than the average AFL player & has started the season really in good form, not a superstar but definitely not a spud.

It has to have some basis in performance … hence the phrase “lead by example”

A leaders play sets the example of what effort and skill level is acceptable in the group

There’s more to it than that. But that’s certainly a key part of it

 

[eth-dog]

He'll stay on a 4/5 year contract. Good defender, leader, and his disposal is good for the most part but his bad ones are really bad.

If he weren't a pick 1 he'd cop so much less crap than he does.

 

[Bald]

Cal Twomey on Gettable have said Essendon have offered McGrath a 6 year deal..

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Cal Twomey on Gettable have said Essendon have offered McGrath a 6 year deal..

depends on the $$$$$$

im ok with 6 years if the $ stacks up to it.

 

[Vindicater]

Cal Twomey on Gettable have said Essendon have offered McGrath a 6 year deal..

Six years...