Recruiting AFL Trade & Free Agency XIII

[Lore]

Spoiler: 2025 Draft Order

Spoiler: 2026 Draft Order

Spoiler: 2027 Draft Order

 

[ant555]

Some VFL players I would consider for the SSP spot if we don't go Setterfield:

Tom Blamires (Frankston): Yoda_ knows a lot more about him than me but a running half back with good skills. I'm not sure it's a major need so happy to look elsewhere

Jackson Hately (Essendon): it would be his 3rd chance and is probably just a state league player but similar to Setters but less injury prone.

Massimo Raso (Richmond): Probably the best small forward in the VFL and an area I think we really need more depth in.

Not sure on who you'd consider from the CTL outside of maybe Noah Hibbins-Hargreaves eDPS andleanback?

Not 100% sure why but Rasso has certainly fallen off the radar.

 

[fairbump_playon]

Yep there is no reason to bring in soft talented players

Take gambles on hard nuts, competitors and freak athletes

 

[Snake Charmer]

I mean, it's literally a couple of posts higher

thanks lore

 

[Keystone agony]

Setters for me unless beaten by an extremely good PS performance from someone else

Just think his experience could be important in training. If we think its a detriment him taking time from someone else then just play him in the VFL or find a different role for him like hes played everywhere

No martin, uncertainty around Merrett, already injuries to seniors, we may need some experience around the group. He aint much worse than Fiorini

 

[eth-dog]

Setters for me unless beaten by an extremely good PS performance from someone else

Just think his experience could be important in training. If we think its a detriment him taking time from someone else then just play him in the VFL or find a different role for him like hes played everywhere

No martin, uncertainty around Merrett, already injuries to seniors, we may need some experience around the group. He aint much worse than Fiorini

He's a completely different player to Fiorini but that's not even the point.

Setterfield since joining Essendon has played 38 games across VFL and AFL in 3 years. His average games per year at AFL level is 9.3 (84 in 9 years) across 3 clubs, and his median games played is 10.

He's also only been effective in one role at AFL level, as a defensive inside mid. Sure he's played on a wing, but he sucked. He's played defence and sucked. I'm not sure I've seen him forward but given he's slow and tall I wouldn't want him to play there with our tall and slow forward line. Also, we have Parish, Merrett, Caldwell (89 AFL games), Durham (91 AFL games), Duursma and Fiorini as experienced members in the midfield group. It's one area of the ground where we lack kids rather than have heaps of them.

 

[Keystone agony]

He's a completely different player to Fiorini but that's not even the point.

Setterfield since joining Essendon has played 38 games across VFL and AFL in 3 years. His average games per year at AFL level is 9.3 (84 in 9 years) across 3 clubs, and his median games played is 10.

He's also only been effective in one role at AFL level, as a defensive inside mid. Sure he's played on a wing, but he sucked. He's played defence and sucked. I'm not sure I've seen him forward but given he's slow and tall I wouldn't want him to play there with our tall and slow forward line. Also, we have Parish, Merrett, Caldwell (89 AFL games), Durham (91 AFL games), Duursma and Fiorini as experienced members in the midfield group. It's one area of the ground where we lack kids rather than have heaps of them.

Fiorini has avg an almighty 2.7 more per year

I disagree, but again he doesnt have to necessarily be playing AFL if were fully fit and healthy and hes holding Robey out of the midfield, IF hes ready for that

There are plenty of ways to work around and the 23 man squad helps this situation

It allows those experienced guys to go elsewhere and help more often if need be. Zerrett can go forward or back. Durham and Caldwell have shown to be good forward aswell

Really fwd is the only area we struggle than with experience? But if were saying 89 games is experience then we have Perkins there, not to mention Langford, 2MP, Guelfi, Gresham

 

[Duckworth]

Fiorini has avg an almighty 2.7 more per year

I disagree, but again he doesnt have to necessarily be playing AFL if were fully fit and healthy and hes holding Robey out of the midfield, IF hes ready for that

There are plenty of ways to work around and the 23 man squad helps this situation

It allows those experienced guys to go elsewhere and help more often if need be. Zerrett can go forward or back. Durham and Caldwell have shown to be good forward aswell

Really fwd is the only area we struggle than with experience? But if were saying 89 games is experience then we have Perkins there, not to mention Langford, 2MP, Guelfi, Gresham

Can't help if you're injured.

 

[eth-dog]

Fiorini has avg an almighty 2.7 more per year

I disagree, but again he doesnt have to necessarily be playing AFL if were fully fit and healthy and hes holding Robey out of the midfield, IF hes ready for that

There are plenty of ways to work around and the 23 man squad helps this situation

It allows those experienced guys to go elsewhere and help more often if need be. Zerrett can go forward or back. Durham and Caldwell have shown to be good forward aswell

Really fwd is the only area we struggle than with experience? But if were saying 89 games is experience then we have Perkins there, not to mention Langford, 2MP, Guelfi, Gresham

Well first 123/10 is 12.3, which is 3 exactly, I mean you can't possibly get an easier equation in decimals but once again you miss the point.

He barely plays. You're citing injuries when he's the most injury prone player on our list now that Draper is gone.

Also, you're the one advocating for his experience, and yet a guy who's played more games at AFL level doesn't count?

My god, just quit before you get lapped your logic is that bad

 

[Keystone agony]

Also, you're the one advocating for his experience, and yet a guy who's played more games at AFL level doesn't count?

Who are you even talking about here?

Wow sorry for being an almight 0.3 off the games tally i saw was 120, hadnt included this years finals

I dare say Setters trained alot more than the 9 weeks of the year.

I also dare say he sits in a fair few meetings. Martin could well not be involved in those now and Merrett could well be disinterested and this is only if Setters is injured and not playing

 

[Keystone agony]

Can't help if you're injured.

Absolutely you can

You think Will Day didnt help after injury?

If we were a middle aged experienced side I wouldnt care

But we will borden on being the youngest/least experienced at times this year with our 2 best players either wanting out 4 weeks ago or out for the season, with 2 other top 10s already battling injury

 

[ant555]

I must be missing the importance of finishing top 6 next year.

 

[Duckworth]

Absolutely you can

You think Will Day didnt help after injury?

If we were a middle aged experienced side I wouldnt care

But we will borden on being the youngest/least experienced at times this year

If your main argument is that he can provide a coaching benefit while injured, you have built on a very shaky foundation.

 

[Keystone agony]

If your main argument is that he can provide a coaching benefit while injured, you have built on a very shaky foundation.

I think he has 9 years of football experience from many different coaches, clubs, elite players, environments, would be fully entrenched on trying to further his career, has had those really big lows and been through alot and built serious resilience. Hes also an outstanding trainer and on field noticeable for his direction

If one thing the past 4 weeks has taught us we should lean on whatever experience/leadership is available with everything going well play a full year

We also have no one else similar in the list. Robey and Sharp just going to throw Parish aside at training, hardly teaching them what its like to be a big midfield and arm wrestle with one that isnt a junior and has played against the best

Theres a chance kids are sitting at meetings or be in game play/match sim without Langford, Ridley, Martin. Mcgrath at one end of the field and Zerrett half way out the door mid year and the kids just having nothing. Create more layers to the possibility of this not happening.

 

[Duckworth]

I think he has 9 years of football experience from many different coaches, clubs, elite players, environments, would be fully entrenched on trying to further his career, has had those really big lows and been through alot and built serious resilience. Hes also an outstanding trainer and on field noticeable for his direction

Don't worry about anything on the field. He will be injured.

If one thing the past 4 weeks has taught us we should lean on whatever experience/leadership is available with everything going well play a full year

If the past 1 week has taught us anything, it's that we don't need more senior players who can't play due to injury. May as well get Tom Mitchell as a VFL player/assistant at that point.

Theres a chance kids are sitting at meetings without Langford, Ridley, Martin. Zerrett half way out the door mid year and the kids just having nothing. Create more layers to the possibility of this not happening.

Why are they not in meetings? because they're injured? You see where I'm going here....

Not sure injury is a reason not to attend meetings... but anyway. Ethan already gave you the stats on his injury history; you have now pivoted to suggest he has value to the team while injured. Time to let it go, I think.

 

[Keystone agony]

Don't worry about anything on the field. He will be injured.

If the past 1 week has taught us anything, it's that we don't need more senior players who can't play due to injury. May as well get Tom Mitchell as a VFL player/assistant at that point.

Tom Mitchell has no potential to be long term or deliver now either. Hes 33 before round 1 starts, whats his motivation?. Things going well, setterfield could offer 3-4 years of actual playing. He has upside that Tom Mitchell doesnt have whilst still offering more right now

Why are they not in meetings? because they're injured? You see where I'm going here....

I do, but quite often rehabs a drain at clubs, you dont want to be there for any longer than you need to, but your overlooking the on field part. But also your better likely doing rehab, strength building, physio

Not sure injury is a reason not to attend meetings... but anyway. Ethan already gave you the stats on his injury history; you have now pivoted to suggest he has value to the team while injured. Time to let it go, I think.

Your missing the point, he offers likely 10-15 on field games, but the season is long. Its 9-10 months. I dare say hes heavily involved in training for atleast 5+ months. He has the upside of 3-4 years and 20+ games all going well

Training standards, development, leadership are crucial to bottom 3 inexperienced teams especially lacking in leadership like we do

Do you seriously think Zerrett at round 15 being 3-12 is not thinking about the end of year and what hes going to do


We dont need youth. We need to trust the kids we have and the future top 20 picks over the next 2 years we will have

Sharp
Robey
Farrow
Kako
Caddy
HEA
Kondo
A.Clarke
A.Roberts
Martin
Durham
Caldwell
Top 5 pick 2026
Top 20 pick 2026
A.May
Zac Reid
Cox
Harry Jones
L.Hayes
Byran
Vigo
Perkins
Zak Johno
Top 10 pick 2027
Whatever Zerrett may return

Is plenty of talented kids for now, even if they dont all make it, we have to trust this group. They need direction and guidance

Setterfields avg 13.5 games since his knee, played a full season in 2020, only for it to be cut short by covid

 

[Yoda_]

Some VFL players I would consider for the SSP spot if we don't go Setterfield:

Tom Blamires (Frankston): Yoda_ knows a lot more about him than me but a running half back with good skills. I'm not sure it's a major need so happy to look elsewhere

For the record, Tom wasn't a star player, always talented. From a few people I have spoken to at Frankston he is one of the hardest workers of that young core. He has always had Jackson Kornberg in his corner, from his 18's days all the way to his Dolphins days.

At 23, his time is now. His fothergil - round medal win shows just how well he is going. Certainly deserves a shot at the highest level. He is an AFL player in waiting. He can play half forward or half back, inside mid might be a step too far but he can do that too (all at the lower level obviously).

Although he is only 180cm, he will run all day and link up well, his ability to hit the scoreboard is another string to his bow.

I've been vocal about giving him a shot. His team mate Jackson Voss deserves a shot too

 

[Duckworth]

Your missing the point, he offers likely 10-15 on field games, but the season is long. Its 9-10 months. I dare say hes heavily involved in training for atleast 5+ months. He has the upside of 3-4 years and 20+ games all going well

Now you're just making up numbers. If a player averages 9 games a year, in what world are you saying he offers 10-15 games? We are not keeping him around for 4 years at that average to get him to 20.

I feel like you're just saying things now for the sake of arguing.

 

[Yoda_]

ant555 Ive been pleasantly surprised by Raso, I took a keen interest in the Richmond VFL set up with a few guys on my radar (Harry Scott, Austin Johnson, Sean Lai).

His ability to tackle was arguably the most pleasing thing because he is small. 171cm.

He was a small midfielder in 2024, made the invite list to try out with Richmond VFL and transformed into a small forward. His exploits to roam up the ground have been on show. Im a wrap for the young man

 

[Keystone agony]

Now you're just making up numbers. If a player averages 9 games a year, in what world are you saying he offers 10-15 games? We are not keeping him around for 4 years at that average to get him to 20.

I feel like you're just saying things now for the sake of arguing.

He has avg 13.5 game since his knee

Played a full season in covid 2020 that was cut short due to the 17 game season, funnily enough he probably plays 20-22 games that year

Where did i say he would play 20 games a season over the next 4? Inliterally just said it would be expected based on his history to paly 10-15 at least next year

Ita possible, but It aint for Tom Mitchell. Im saying he needs to prove himself, but even if tom mitchell was to, he cant play 4 years, whereas Setters can. How can you not understand that?

 

[Duckworth]

He has avg 13.5 game since his knee

Played a full season in covid 2020 that was cut short due to 17 games

I never said that, but its possible. It aint for Tom Mitchell

You are reaching with your number crunching here; his durability is not going to increase with age. Also, for all of your claims about his off-field leadership, Will Setterfield has never been part of the Essendon leadership group.

 

[Keystone agony]

You are reaching with your number crunching here; his durability is not going to increase with age. Also, for all of your claims about his off-field leadership, Will Setterfield has never been part of the Essendon leadership group.

Please tell me where i said he would play 4 years and have 20 games a year over these?

I think your the one reaching with putting words in my mouth here

Because hes never been able to get entrenched due to his injuries and hes moved multiple clubs, not many players are leadership group after 2 years unless there jets playing most weeks.

You ever been involved in semi professional clubs as player and or coach? VFL if your victorian

 

[Duckworth]

Please tell me where i said he would play 4 years and have 20 games a year over these?

I think your the one reaching with putting words in my mouth here

Read my post again.

Because hes never been able to get entrenched due to his injuries and hes moved multiple clubs, not many players are leadership group after 2 years unless there jets playing most weeks.

You ever been involved in semi professional clubs as player and or coach?

So there is a link between injuries and reduced leadership. Agree.

 

[eth-dog]

Please tell me where i said he would play 4 years and have 20 games a year over these?

I think your the one reaching with putting words in my mouth here

Because hes never been able to get entrenched due to his injuries and hes moved multiple clubs, not many players are leadership group after 2 years unless there jets playing most weeks.

You ever been involved in semi professional clubs as player and or coach? VFL if your victorian

If you've been involved in any state league coaching set up I pity that club for hiring you.

 

[Keystone agony]

Read my post again.


So there is a link between injuries and reduced leadership. Agree.

So can we agree that a 28 yr old would likely have 4 more years in them than a 33 year old?

Because we agree on that, would it not be a good idea to put more layers in place to reduce this occuring, knowing the injury to Martin, ongoing langford/ridley injuries and the likelihood Zerrett and maybe even Ridley is thinking about there future mid year, certainly in Zerretts case?

What if Setterfield plays 3 more games than his avg since ACL, next year. Zerrett and Ridley ask to leave, could you see a world where he gets an extension to stay?

 

[Duckworth]

So can we agree that a 28 yr old would likely have 4 more years in them than a 33 year old?

Because we agree on that, would it not be a good idea to put more layers in place to reduce this occuring, knowing the injury to Martin, ongoing langford/ridley injuries and the likelihood Zerrett and maybe even Ridley is thinking about there future mid year, certainly in Ridleys case?

What if Setterfield plays 3 more games than his avg since ACL, next year. Zerrett and Ridley ask to leave, could you see a world where he gets an extension to stay?

Again, read my post, I never said to put Tom Mitchel on the list. We agree only that an injury-plagued career results in reduced leadership.
The rest of your post is purely hypothetical and assumes Setterfield will play more games rather than fewer. You seem to be getting more off topic and not reading my posts accurately. I'm not interested in engaging in an endless 'what if' this happens type scenario.