AFL Player 12: Will Setterfield - Welcome to Essendon!

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024?
2024 My Boy Draft: Pick 17, mcgrath_truther

 

[eth-dog]

Thought inside word ant555 said round 1 a chance?

I just think wed reached so close to the cliff edge with experience for this year and next year that he was required. Id be fine with 13-14 games, it just alleviates the intensity on guys like Robey in such high impactful roles

We dont want to turn Robey into what setterfield has become because we have limited options


The club must operate in a realistic world, accepting that there is a reasonable chance at least one, and possibly more of Gresham, Merrett, or Ridley will depart at the end of the year.

I don't know what you're talking about, doing a quick search says nothing like that.

And already the goalposts shift. From 16 to 13, which is missing 10 games for the year, which he has done every year since joining the list.

The club must operate in a realistic world, so bringing back an injury prone defensive mid who struggles to make an impact outside of that is a great decision without so much as looking at any alternatives when they have 2 months to make sure they got the right player.

 

[boncer34]

I don't know what you're talking about, doing a quick search says nothing like that.

And already the goalposts shift. From 16 to 13, which is missing 10 games for the year, which he has done every year since joining the list.

The club must operate in a realistic world, so bringing back an injury prone defensive mid who struggles to make an impact outside of that is a great decision without so much as looking at any alternatives when they have 2 months to make sure they got the right player.

KA been say 13-14 long before today.

 

[Keystone agony]

I don't know what you're talking about, doing a quick search says nothing like that.

And already the goalposts shift. From 16 to 13, which is missing 10 games for the year, which he has done every year since joining the list.

The club must operate in a realistic world, so bringing back an injury prone defensive mid who struggles to make an impact outside of that is a great decision without so much as looking at any alternatives when they have 2 months to make sure they got the right player.

Look i wouldve been happy to take a bit longer in the decision for sure, agree with that

But it shows how important experience was needed for this year and potentially next from Rosa and the clubs perspective, i highly agree with that

Wed got very close to one side of the spectrum

Im not shifting any post, 16 gamess - happy, 13 games - happy, the season is 40 weeks long and we just drafted 3 big mids

2 games and all Gresham, Ridley, Zerrett staying, yeh, hindsight probably says it wasnt quite the right call. But ill play avgs, ill play one of the best fitness/medically invested regimes considered on the AFL circuit, ill back in the current medical knowledge of Setterfield situation which seems to improve by the day

But i dont see the point backing over all this over and over. Rosa, club and myself agree, they disagree with ethdog, thats what we know

 

[Duckworth]

Look i wouldve been happy to take a bit longer in the decision for sure, agree with that

But it shows how important experience was needed for this year and potentially next from Rosa and the clubs perspective, i highly agree with that

Wed got very close to one side of the spectrum

Im not shifting any post, 16 gamess - happy, 13 games - happy, the season is 40 weeks long and we just drafted 3 big mids

2 games and all Gresham, Ridley, Zerrett staying, yeh, hindsight probably says it wasnt quite the right call. But ill play avgs, ill play one of the best fitness/medically invested regimes considered on the AFL circuit, ill back in the current medical knowledge of Setterfield situation which seems to improve by the day

If you're playing averages, you won't be getting 13 games out of Setterfield.

 

[Keystone agony]

If you're playing averages, you won't be getting 13 games out of Setterfield.

I dont see the point backing over all this, over and over. Rosa, club and myself agree, they disagree with ethdog and Duckworth , thats what we know

But your right post ACL he avgs 61% games

 

[fairbump_playon]

The club isn’t expecting him to play 20 games

They are happy to have him around the group

It’s ok, we have a thousand young bucks scrapping for a run who will relish some A graders who can’t play every week

 

[jdstorm]

“Recovering from a foot injury sustained near the end of last season, Setterfield is aiming for a return to action early in the 2026 season”

I’m reading this to say that he won’t be ready for round 1. We need to be more hard-edged with resigning uncontracted (perennially) injured players.

He got cut and only bought back once Martin was set to miss the season as a like for like midfielder.

Who’s a better option. We have enough project kids and as far as 190cm vfl players who are decent but won’t expect to be on a list in 2 years Setters is about the best of the bunch

 

[Call Me Cake]

agony vindicated

 

[Keystone agony]

agony vindicated

Add it to the list

Setters becoming an outrageous favourite*. Has served me well, on both occasions now

* I dont even like him thatttt much

 

[Don Won]

He got cut and only bought back once Martin was set to miss the season as a like for like midfielder.

Who’s a better option. We have enough project kids and as far as 190cm vfl players who are decent but won’t expect to be on a list in 2 years Setters is about the best of the bunch

I think eth-dog has articulated my issue with the decision. It is the sentimentality of resigning injured players - seemingly as a default that bothers me. But also seems crazy to bring in an injured player as injury cover, particularly one without a good track record of longevity anyway.

As for who I would bring in as like for like? Firstly, I don’t see Setterfield as anything like Martin. But if you do want a ready made midfielder to slot in as cover maybe even Hately given he knows our systems. But I would be more inclined and go for the real Martin replacement - have a crack at someone who might be part of the future (and a position of more long term need given we just restocked the midfield).

 

[eth-dog]

agony vindicated

Now I definitely know I've got it right.

 

[FootyGuru]

The club isn’t expecting him to play 20 games

They are happy to have him around the group

It’s ok, we have a thousand young bucks scrapping for a run who will relish some A graders who can’t play every week

If he’s on the list and in the best 22 that week Scott will pick him.

 

[fairbump_playon]

If he’s on the list and in the best 22 that week Scott will pick him.

100%, and so he should

People are missing the point that he isn’t injury cover - other players are injury cover for him

 

[Keystone agony]

I think eth-dog has articulated my issue with the decision. It is the sentimentality of resigning injured players - seemingly as a default that bothers me. But also seems crazy to bring in an injured player as injury cover, particularly one without a good track record of longevity anyway.

As for who I would bring in as like for like? Firstly, I don’t see Setterfield as anything like Martin. But if you do want a ready made midfielder to slot in as cover maybe even Hately given he knows our systems. But I would be more inclined and go for the real Martin replacement - have a crack at someone who might be part of the future (and a position of more long term need given we just restocked the midfield).

We already have enough for the future, more than enough

We will be close to the youngest squad over the next 2 years. I think we had 11 players who were 25, one of those Blakiston. 2 others who wanted to leave 2 months ago another who everyone wants to leave (Gresham)

we were the 3rd youngest squad last year, with the changes im pretty confident we will now be the least experienced

 

[branedotorg]

Hope he can earn 10+ games this season for you this year, always liked Will but has not got a body made for the rigors of AFL football.

 

[naraku]

I've always noticed when Will plays, we've generally looked better overall. I also think he went under the radar here and just overall- which happens when you're injury-prone.

I hope Inness helps Will stay on the field but personally, bringing someone in who you know will break down after a dozen games isn't great.

I would have preferred giving another season to Lual. I mean, it's not like we're overflowing with small forwards.

In the end, good luck to Will.

 

[Blind Turn]

I've always noticed when Will plays, we've generally looked better overall. I also think he went under the radar here and just overall- which happens when you're injury-prone.

I hope Inness helps Will stay on the field but personally, bringing someone in who you know will break down after a dozen games isn't great.

I would have preferred giving another season to Lual. I mean, it's not like we're overflowing with small forwards.

In the end, good luck to Will.

Lual tried hard but he had so many deficiencies that weren’t up to AFL level. At least Will is mature-bodied, ready to go, protection for our developing midfield so that we don’t rely on Sharp, Caldwell, and Duz to do all the body work when they can also be damaging in other ways. I hope he gets games through the middle of the season so that our other blokes don’t get smashed for a full season.

 

[Chief Hopper]

I've always noticed when Will plays, we've generally looked better overall. I also think he went under the radar here and just overall- which happens when you're injury-prone.

Same. Our midfield seems to perform much better when Setters is in it.

Its just a shame he can't go a whole season without getting injured. When he does go out of the team, it seems it takes 2-3 games for our team to adjust. We just have no one else that can do his def mid or tagging role.

 

[brutus76]

This pleases me.

Prob only plays in a "break glass in case of emergency" but well done Will

 

[Keystone agony]

If we have the same injuries as last year

Instead of Lual getting games, Kondo is getting games instead

 

[jdstorm]

I think eth-dog has articulated my issue with the decision. It is the sentimentality of resigning injured players - seemingly as a default that bothers me. But also seems crazy to bring in an injured player as injury cover, particularly one without a good track record of longevity anyway.

As for who I would bring in as like for like? Firstly, I don’t see Setterfield as anything like Martin. But if you do want a ready made midfielder to slot in as cover maybe even Hately given he knows our systems. But I would be more inclined and go for the real Martin replacement - have a crack at someone who might be part of the future (and a position of more long term need given we just restocked the midfield).

See I don’t see it as sentimental but rather pragmatic.

When it comes to our list structure/mid mix we’ve decided moving forward the A mix is Martin (Sweeper) Caldwell (first hands) and Durham (exit )

B mix likely Tsatsas (def) parish (hands) Zerrett (explosive/user)

Then we have Farrow Sharpe and Robey as the next gen version (who are let’s say 3 seasons away)

With Martin out for the year we need a mature defensive big bodied mid who’s willing to play for Essendon. But who also knows it’s just for a year as Martin will be back and the young guys will take priority next season.

When you make a list of proven professional and productive players at AFL level who are willing to take that role and are available the list gets real short real fast.

Setters injury has him missing the first 8 weeks during which you’d want to be getting games into the kids then anyway, they’d be due a rest by the time he’s back.

Then see how it goes. Worse case cut him midseason and go to the msd if his injury timeline is an issue. Get the best available VFL mid with an established run of form.

As far as project players go. We have them on every line. Our issue isn’t a lack of projects it’s lack of good AFL players with high end talent.

I get the impulse to bring in as much young talent as possible but that’s not helpful to an actual rebuild. Need adults too

 

[Vindicater]

See I don’t see it as sentimental but rather pragmatic.

When it comes to our list structure/mid mix we’ve decided moving forward the A mix is Martin (Sweeper) Caldwell (first hands) and Durham (exit )

B mix likely Tsatsas (def) parish (hands) Zerrett (explosive/user)

Then we have Farrow Sharpe and Robey as the next gen version (who are let’s say 3 seasons away)

With Martin out for the year we need a mature defensive big bodied mid who’s willing to play for Essendon. But who also knows it’s just for a year as Martin will be back and the young guys will take priority next season.

When you make a list of proven professional and productive players at AFL level who are willing to take that role and are available the list gets real short real fast.

Setters injury has him missing the first 8 weeks during which you’d want to be getting games into the kids then anyway, they’d be due a rest by the time he’s back.

Then see how it goes. Worse case cut him midseason and go to the msd if his injury timeline is an issue. Get the best available VFL mid with an established run of form.

As far as project players go. We have them on every line. Our issue isn’t a lack of projects it’s lack of good AFL players with high end talent.

I get the impulse to bring in as much young talent as possible but that’s not helpful to an actual rebuild. Need adults too

The fact he is missing 8 weeks to start the season is the reason you don't sign him now.

We would have been better holding the spot over and taking it to the msd.

 

[jdstorm]

The fact he is missing 8 weeks to start the season is the reason you don't sign him now.

We would have been better holding the spot over and taking it to the msd.

See that doesnt bother me so much. We have cap to burn and he won’t cost much. In practice there isn’t much difference between setters on a 1 year non guaranteed deal and an empty list spot.

Why compete for him in the MSD with every other club when you can get him now cheap and if it goes bad replace at minimal cost.

 

[ant555]

See that doesnt bother me so much. We have cap to burn and he won’t cost much. In practice there isn’t much difference between setters on a 1 year non guaranteed deal and an empty list spot.

Why compete for him in the MSD with every other club when you can get him now cheap and if it goes bad replace at minimal cost.

Hold the spot. Not hold the spot for Setterfield.
Take someone else in the MSD.

 

[jdstorm]

Hold the spot. Not hold the spot for Setterfield.
Take someone else in the MSD.

If there’s someone better MSD just cut setters and it’s only cost what 100k ?

That’s nothing in afl land especially with our abundance of cap room