Recruiting Trade & Free Agency IV - hypotheticals etc. (Continued in Part V)

[eDPS]

Just on Hopper, in his debut game last year he had 17 Contested possessions. This year we have only had 1 player match that figure and that was Dyson Heppell against Geelong in a game we won. We need more contested midfielders and not just contested midfielders we need topline contested players and he will be that.

I cant take anyone seriously who doesn't want Hopper he is EXACTLY the type of player our midfield needs.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

D_P_S Given the choice would take Hopper or LDU?

 

[Teflon Dons]

Just on Hopper, in his debut game last year he had 17 Contested possessions. This year we have only had 1 player match that figure and that was Dyson Heppell against Geelong in a game we won. We need more contested midfielders and not just contested midfielders we need topline contested players and he will be that.

I cant take anyone seriously who doesn't want Hopper he is EXACTLY the type of player our midfield needs.

Not for a top 10 pick.

No ones debating Hoppers quality either - just his worth to this side at that cost.

 

[eDPS]

D_P_S Given the choice would take Hopper or LDU?

That's tough very tough. Hopper because he is better both ways but that is extremely tough couldn't go wrong with either.

 

[VelvetSledge]

I don't care much for names. If we can get in a strong inside mid in the Tom Mitchell likeness that just gets in and gets the ball out, then I'm gravy.

 

[Teflon Dons]

I think he said our 1st and Redman if I recall correctly. TBH that's a fair deal on our end but we need to look at what we would ask for a younger Hurley and im sure they would want more than our 1st and Redman

A younger Hurley that was born in SA and nominated Adelaide?

As I've said it's the only way he gets here.

He's uncontracted, It's a 1st and if you want to whinge here's a home town boy that won't leave you.

 

[eDPS]

Not for a top 10 pick.

No ones debating Hoppers quality either - just his worth to this side at that cost.

You just described Lever

 

[Teflon Dons]

You just described Lever

Okay.

Be very interesting to see which way we go.

 

[Kakkle]

This thread will be serious when Mark G makes an appearance.

Post of the year.

 

[Milanista28]

Why would Leslie leave GC now that he's got a clear best 22 spot and would likely be in a 3 way tussle for 1 spot here?

Ambition.

 

[YEMOC NAYR]

We have Francis and Ridley who play similar roles to lever. Sure lever is an upgrade on those 2 as of now but seriously our midfield could really use some size and grunt.

McGrath.. parish.. merrett..heppell.. Langford..

That's a pretty small crop. We need to continually add midfielders in and hopper is exactly what we need. He should be first priority.

 

[Alfred E Neuman]

We have Francis and Ridley who play similar roles to lever. Sure lever is an upgrade on those 2 as of now but seriously our midfield could really use some size and grunt.

McGrath.. parish.. merrett..heppell.. Langford..

That's a pretty small crop. We need to continually add midfielders in and hopper is exactly what we need. He should be first priority.

Agree. We've already got Guile in our team, what we need is a Zangief or a Blanka in the middle.

 

[Teflon Dons]

We have Francis and Ridley who play similar roles to lever. Sure lever is an upgrade on those 2 as of now but seriously our midfield could really use some size and grunt.

McGrath.. parish.. merrett..heppell.. Langford..

That's a pretty small crop. We need to continually add midfielders in and hopper is exactly what we need. He should be first priority.

Not that I've seen mate... granted I don't get down to see a lot of the VFL but this is strictly seniors!

They aren't near the size of him and nowhere near as good in aerial contests - just more interceptors.

And you've just rattled off a premiership quality midfield with Webb in place of Jobe and Kennedy for Myers!!

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Herald Sun has us still linked to Pittard also said that North have denied the rumoured offer.

 

[Lore]

Knowing this club, getting Lever is just crazy enough that it might actually happen. Think what it looks like in five years, when Hurley is on the edge of retirement. It'll be Lever and Francis then, I suppose. And if you have enough faith in the latest bunch of draftees to become our midfield then you can sort of see it.

If we're going after a big fish I'd rather it was in the midfield, seeing as none of Langford, Laverde or Francis seem likely to end up as full time clearance mids (the others I'm not sure will even be full time AFL players yet so reserving judgment there).

Not to mention we have a midfield problem now, not in five years time.

 

[BrunoV]

Agree. We've already got Guile in our team, what we need is a Zangief or a Blanka in the middle.

I like Bison as a midfielder.

At about 6'3 he can play tall and he's got that brute power/explosiveness on the inside. He's be Dangerfield like but an opponent would never wake up from a tackle.

I hear he has an attitude problem, though.

 

[VelvetSledge]

Knowing this club, getting Lever is just crazy enough that it might actually happen. Think what it looks like in five years, when Hurley is on the edge of retirement. It'll be Lever and Francis then, I suppose. And if you have enough faith in the latest bunch of draftees to become our midfield then you can sort of see it.

If we're going after a big fish I'd rather it was in the midfield, seeing as none of Langford, Laverde or Francis seem likely to end up as full time clearance mids (the others I'm not sure will even be full time AFL players yet so reserving judgment there).

Not to mention we have a midfield problem now, not in five years time.

Let's get Lever, a fantastic A-grade defender, and turn him into a midfielder. It's the most Essendon thing ever.

 

[Zach Package]

I really struggle to see how Lever to Essendon actually works in practice. There's too much doubt about every aspect of it.

Does he want to leave?
Will Adelaide stand firm and let him walk?
Can we offer a deal to him that outstrips everyone else?
Can we convince him to buy in even if we've got the best offer?
Can we satisfy Adelaide in trade?

At this stage my answer to all of those is 'I doubt it'. And even if the stars did align and we did get to the stage where we're actually talking offers to Adelaide then I struggle to see what we can give them other than piling up our draft picks. Do we talk to the Blues about a 3 way deal to get Gibbs back to Adelaide?

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

Heppell has been in great form the past couple of weeks, but am I the only one here who seems to think his best position is not as a key inside mid?

His early years down off half back showed how good he is when he has space. This year, whilst he hasn't kicked many goals - the opportunities he's had he's taken almost all of them.

Would love to see him playing a Bont like role, where he can roam between the midfield and forward line.

No way Heppell can be compared to the Bont not even J kennedy of the swans, both of them are warriors.

You are right though, i dont see him ATM being a key inside mid, he doesnt get dirty with it, he doesnt have any depth on his kicking albeit 2 crucial goals outside 50 this year against hawks and Blues. I think he's best would be reading the ball at Half back, problem is these days he would be too slow and the small forwards would have a field day against him, running off and kicking goals..

I don't even see him as captaincy material, I see Zach merrett as captain, I could see Hurley being captain, FGS Goddard as well, captain Pretzels, he at least he shows he cares.

I'm just not inspired by Dyson Heppell onfield capabilities to lift our team.

 

[JayJ20]

Let's get Lever, a fantastic A-grade defender, and turn him into a midfielder. It's the most Essendon thing ever.

The most Essendon thing is to get Lever, an A-grade defender, and turn him into a forward when Hooker slows down

 

[Lore]

I really struggle to see how Lever to Essendon actually works in practice. There's too much doubt about every aspect of it.

Does he want to leave?
Will Adelaide stand firm and let him walk?
Can we offer a deal to him that outstrips everyone else?
Can we convince him to buy in even if we've got the best offer?
Can we satisfy Adelaide in trade?

At this stage my answer to all of those is 'I doubt it'. And even if the stars did align and we did get to the stage where we're actually talking offers to Adelaide then I struggle to see what we can give them other than piling up our draft picks. Do we talk to the Blues about a 3 way deal to get Gibbs back to Adelaide?

Agree with everything there, but the last bit is interesting. What would we have to offer Carlton that would lead them to give up Gibbs? Aside from all the draft picks, or somehow getting Brisbane's pick 1 to give to them...

---

If we're looking at mids and GWS says 'no way' for Hopper (or he goes somewhere else), who else is available that we might look at? For example, last year we wanted a key forward, we asked around for the big names and ended up with Stewie. I don't think Stewart was ever mentioned here before he arrived at our doorstep though.

So who is the Stewart of 2018? Who are we going to trade in to fill a need, that isn't "elite talent" and impossible to extricate from some other club? Perhaps some poor forgotten player who has talent but isn't getting opportunities?

 

[VelvetSledge]

I really struggle to see how Lever to Essendon actually works in practice. There's too much doubt about every aspect of it.

Does he want to leave?
Will Adelaide stand firm and let him walk?
Can we offer a deal to him that outstrips everyone else?
Can we convince him to buy in even if we've got the best offer?
Can we satisfy Adelaide in trade?

At this stage my answer to all of those is 'I doubt it'. And even if the stars did align and we did get to the stage where we're actually talking offers to Adelaide then I struggle to see what we can give them other than piling up our draft picks. Do we talk to the Blues about a 3 way deal to get Gibbs back to Adelaide?

Entertain my defensive dreams, Zach

 

[Snake Charmer]

Agree with everything there, but the last bit is interesting. What would we have to offer Carlton that would lead them to give up Gibbs? Aside from all the draft picks, or somehow getting Brisbane's pick 1 to give to them...

---

If we're looking at mids and GWS says 'no way' for Hopper (or he goes somewhere else), who else is available that we might look at? For example, last year we wanted a key forward, we asked around for the big names and ended up with Stewie. I don't think Stewart was ever mentioned here before he arrived at our doorstep though.

So who is the Stewart of 2018? Who are we going to trade in to fill a need, that isn't "elite talent" and impossible to extricate from some other club? Perhaps some poor forgotten player who has talent but isn't getting opportunities?

The popular choices on here would be Webb or Balic. Bit of word about Dom Tyson being shopped and dees fans letting go for a second. I'd be all over that. But highly doubt he gets traded

 

[Zach Package]

Agree with everything there, but the last bit is interesting. What would we have to offer Carlton that would lead them to give up Gibbs? Aside from all the draft picks, or somehow getting Brisbane's pick 1 to give to them...

---

If we're looking at mids and GWS says 'no way' for Hopper (or he goes somewhere else), who else is available that we might look at? For example, last year we wanted a key forward, we asked around for the big names and ended up with Stewie. I don't think Stewart was ever mentioned here before he arrived at our doorstep though.

So who is the Stewart of 2018? Who are we going to trade in to fill a need, that isn't "elite talent" and impossible to extricate from some other club? Perhaps some poor forgotten player who has talent but isn't getting opportunities?

I can't even remember what the Blues knocked back for Gibbs last year, was it #15 and a future 1st? I highly doubt it but I think the Crows go after him again this year and just joined the dots.

As for the last part, I've got this slightly unsettling, ever rising feeling that we're going to end up with George Horlin-Smith.

 

[Zach Package]

Entertain my defensive dreams, Zach

FB: McGrath Hurley Hartley McKenna
HB: Pittard Ambrose Lever Gleeson
C: __________Heppell