Team Mgmt. 2020 & 2021 team selections, injuries and availability

[Lore]

So you're probably aware of the spreadsheets I keep posting everywhere. Well this will be something of a home for it I guess.


___________________________________________

Spoiler: PREVIOUS VERSIONS

 

[BrunoV]

Well McGrath isn't mentioned either and most would consider him a lock for our future Captain, so BZT is in good company.

But yes, if you're BZT I'd think seeing them bring in 4 x KPP's is suggesting they don't have total confidence in him making it.

Neither is Langford or Parish, because they're 70 to 100 game players.

 

[Bjchan13]

There have been whispers about BZT going home after this contract too.

Anything back in a trade for BZT would be a result

 

[faible]

Anything back in a trade for BZT would be a result

I'd begrudgingly accept Wines in exchange for BZT.

 

[VelvetSledge]

I'm a big fan of BZT, but let's be honest; he hasn't shown a lot in the years he's been here. This year is shaping up to be a big one for him considering the vacancies in the backline.

 

[BrunoV]

I'm a big fan of BZT, but let's be honest; he hasn't shown a lot in the years he's been here. This year is shaping up to be a big one for him considering the vacancies in the backline.

It's a bit of a weird one for me, more like Dylan Clarke than anyone else I can currently think of.

A competent player with a few fatal flaws. If he was a few yards quicker you could select him to play shut down roles on players ranging from Eddie Betts to Jack Riewoldt, he'd be Dylan Grimes (he is a consummate negative defender in many ways but one who can also take a mark). But he just doesn't have it physically. He'd be good enough to peel off 10 marks a game playing as an interceptor but in reality interceptors are a dime a dozen so you might as well use one that can kick bullets.

By competent I am contrasting him with a player like Hartley. Hartley has more of the physical tools which keep him on lists but he has struggled to evolve his defensive craft to suit the modern game. If Hartley had even just BZT's feel for the game he'd be on our list and probably would have played 17 games last year (having been offered a deal more reflective of what Hartley wanted). He'd certainly have played every game for the Hawks.

 

[TheGrizz]

There have been whispers about BZT going home after this contract too.

From where (legitimately asking)?

 

[eth-dog]

From where (legitimately asking)?

I remember reading something on here towards the end of last year and something when he re-signed that he would be looking to move back to Adelaide at some point

 

[ghostdog]

View attachment 1058724

Behind a paywall (so i cant read for sure) but Cody Brand a possible 2021 debutant by the looks?

Most training reports have Brand well off the pace yet.

 

[ghostdog]

I'd begrudgingly accept Wines in exchange for BZT.

We should have gone after Dougal Howard when we could.

 

[jmoo wan]

b

 

[Yoda_]

Hurley is not exactly a big deal.

We're not playing him forward because he commands a position there.

No disrespect to Hurley but it’s probably a good thing for Essendon he is unavailable.

The club is forced to do it differently. Seems the only time we do things that is needed when it’s forced.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[BrunoV]

No disrespect to Hurley but it’s probably a good thing for Essendon he is unavailable.

The club is forced to do it differently. Seems the only time we do things that is needed when it’s forced.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

That's a pretty common theme.

Ridley for Gleeson is the only "unforced" change I remember us making in a long time.

I can see why coaches struggle to let go of players. It was a sad day when Jobe retired without even winning a final (let alone a flag) and I have a lot of respect for Hurley. The footy he played between 2014 and 2017 was as good as anyone has played as a defender but we don't even trust him to play 1v1 roles when the alternatives have been BZT and Francis. Despite it seeming to make so much sense on paper, he's also just not very good at playing in the loose/third tall role. I'd back Francis to play that role well before Hurley.

 

[boncer34]

That's a pretty common theme.

Ridley for Gleeson is the only "unforced" change I remember us making in a long time.

I can see why coaches struggle to let go of players. It was a sad day when Jobe retired without even winning a final (let alone a flag) and I have a lot of respect for Hurley. The footy he played between 2014 and 2017 was as good as anyone has played as a defender but we don't even trust him to play 1v1 roles when the alternatives have been BZT and Francis. Despite it seeming to make so much sense on paper, he's also just not very good at playing in the loose/third tall role. I'd back Francis to play that role well before Hurley.

You'll need to clarify this. After all we dropped Hooker last year?

 

[ghostdog]

Rather than looking at the "story" of the number of changed positions, actually focus on what each change of position looks like it is trying to achieve. Most of it make perfect sense.

Stewart is a bit frustrating because I want to see him prove he is a quality forward but we do not have a defender who in the next 2 years (at a minimum), and on size and athleticism alone is suited to playing on any of King, King, Dixon, Lynch, McKay, Hipwood, Daniher, Taberner, Lobb, Brown and Cox at a minimum. That doesn't include the likes of Kennedy, Hawkins, Cameron and Naughton who are some of the best and/or most dangerous players in the game.

Hooker even at his best hasn't played on hard leading players since about 2011. Hurley is being played forward and has not been trusted to play as a KPD for most of the last 3 years (for reasons that are well and truly beyond my comprehension). Ambrose doesn't have the size to go with the big boys as much as he will battle away, he's also struggling with injury. Francis struggles 1v1 and while he has improved it's not his gig and he's also a bit undersized/athletically limited. Ridley is wasted as a KPD, BZT can't run and the rest are too young and/or inexperienced.

I know I'd prefer to have a look at Jones forward more than I would at BZT in defence or any of the 1st or second year defenders.

Cahill to defence is an attempt to replace 2 of the spots we have not filled following the departures of Saad, McKenna and McQuillan. I don't look at it with enthusiasm but in terms of maximising the available talent on the list, and the reality that Cahill probably doesn't play forward as Smith gets squeezed from the midfield rotation to accommodate the inclusion of Caldwell and, it looks to me, Langford (who I suspect will play more inside) inside. Perkins and Cox will also be added to the midfield and wing rotations. I also don't want to see Perkins or Cox wasted at half back. Mosquito is injured.

The midfield reshuffle also applies to Heppell who as a player our midfield needs to move on from is also needed at half back for his experience. The experienced core of the defence (Hurley and Hooker) has become an unknown quantity due to poor recent exposed form. The next most experienced played becomes Redman.

I can't picture Laverde in defence, at all, but so be it. Even with Cahill we're still 1 half back short of where we were (which from memory really only had McQuillan as a small defender/running player in a VFL team). He can take a mark and has an explosive burst which could be useful at half back. He was also an excellent field kick initially (which is something that has deserted him in more recent times).

It looks to me that we are re-shuffling the team in a way that protects it from the decline of Hooker, Hurley and Ambrose in addition to the loss of Daniher as much as possible. This is in circumstances in which the replacements are not ready as much as they look like an excellent set of talls. They're behind the 8-ball because as first year players in 2020 they weren't getting full training and match play or as 18 year olds they missed a year of footy (and are being managed even more than first year players are usually managed).

The only thing that concerns me is the possibility of playing Draper and Phillips in a team which, with Stewart in defence, looks like a bit too likely for my comfort.

It's also not like we're precluded from putting these players back in their normal positions.

I' m going to try not to be a negative Nellie for a moment and consider the bigger picture, then.

Stewart: I can appreciate what you're saying re: his size and athleticism. BZT is our most obvious young player who needs games right now though. While the Kings and McKay could be freaks and Hipwood could be anything, those other forwards have a tonne of experience in comparison. If we're willing to accept that the side is young and not going to win much, then surely it speaks for using these years to play BZT. I don't really buy into his lack of running as a reason not to; Hooker can't run either. With time and experience he should be able to position himself more effectively, and Ambrose can run.

Redman-Ambrose-Francis
Ridley-BZT-Hind

If Hooker rotates through in support, I don't see the need for Stewart there. Surely his skillset is better utilised forward, training there to build chemistry with Jones and Wright. BZT will lose a lot of contests, but like the other youngsters, should be given the time to develop ahead of transplanting a player who we know will kick goals.

Cahill: Saad and McKenna's departures needn't have meant shifting a small forward back. Hind was recruited to cover this and Redman has played a running defender role as well. When you consider the field kicking strength of both Francis and Ridley as well, we don't necessarily need to run out of defence as much anymore. Stewart was our player with the running capacity to lead up to a wing and Draper's no slouch either. If Langford is also up the ground our taller marking players are there now. Cahill is young and Smith's mortality has increasingly been revealed to us. Cahill should be being encouraged to jell with the likes of Wright and Perkins in my opinion. He's a small forward. If we're building his defensive abilities, I get that, but surely not for a fulltime gig back. Time spent training with the backs seems disproportionate from where he should be training. Mosquito's return will make nailing a forward spot even more challenging. Snelling as well...


Heppell: as preservation of his body becomes more important I can understand the shift to half back, however, again I don't see at whose expense. He's got solid dukes though, and Cox won't be ready to slot into either a wing spot or a backline spot. Heppell fills a need on a wing/ hb rotation though, and maybe that allows Redman to still be experimented with on a wing (!?)

Laverde: I also don't understand this move. Stringer's injury surely means Laverde forward is more of a necessity than not. I feel as though last year, with the continuity Mahoney described, Laverde had finally started to look more potent. I'd sooner see him as a forward, but then as now, his spot on the list looks more and more unnecessary.

I agree that we are clearly positioning for post-Hooker, Hurley and Ambrose life. I'm not convinced by the way we're throwing the magnets around though. I don't see a need for Phillips at all if Draper is fit. Wright can pinch. Bryan will be Draper's second in a year or so and even he has been training as a defender. I'll probably take some convincing yet, but I'm not sold on it.

 

[eth-dog]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a rolling injury list week on week for us and our upcoming opponents for that particular week. Injury lists tend to get updated on the Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'll try to provide the updated one then.

As it stands, this is the only place I could find one: https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl...-adams-fitness-test/585x4gnd7ibt15vtrnbsdvss7

Essendon injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Absence
Dylan Clarke	Ankle	6-8 weeks
Michael Hurley	Hip Infection	Indefinite
Jake Stringer	Calf/Achilles	Available
David Zaharakis	Knee	Test

Michael Hurley is set to miss a huge chunk of the season as he battles a hip infection. Dylan Clarke won't be available until the early rounds due to an ankle issue. Senior duo Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

31

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

are expected to be available for round one, but David Zaharakis appears unlikely.

It has nothing on McGrath's concussion, Francis' ankle, Mozzie's knee (idk how, really) or Ambrose. Here's what they have for Hawthorne:

Hawthorn injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Absence
Jack Gunston	Back	4-5 months
Tom Mitchell	Shoulder	2-3 weeks
Jonathon Patton	Stood Down	Indefinite
James Sicily	Knee	5-6 months
Chad Wingard	Calf	1-2 weeks

It's concerning injury list for Hawthorn with three key players out for a significant chunk of the season. Jack Gunston has a back issue that will likely keep him out to the end rounds of the season, while James Sicily will be lucky to get back in 2021 after his knee reconstruction. The timeframe for Jonathon Patton's return is unknown with the forward suffering mental health issues after being stood down by the club. Chad Wingard strained a calf in training and will miss both pre-season matches against Western Bulldogs and Melbourne. He will be touch-and-go for round one. Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell is also a doubt with a shoulder problem.

 

[Lore]

I thought it would be a good idea to have a rolling injury list week on week for us and our upcoming opponents for that particular week. Injury lists tend to get updated on the Tuesday or Wednesday, so I'll try to provide the updated one then.

As it stands, this is the only place I could find one: https://www.sportingnews.com/au/afl...-adams-fitness-test/585x4gnd7ibt15vtrnbsdvss7

Essendon injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Absence
Dylan Clarke	Ankle	6-8 weeks
Michael Hurley	Hip Infection	Indefinite
Jake Stringer	Calf/Achilles	Available
David Zaharakis	Knee	Test

Michael Hurley is set to miss a huge chunk of the season as he battles a hip infection. Dylan Clarke won't be available until the early rounds due to an ankle issue. Senior duo Dyson Heppell and Jake Stringer are expected to be available for round one, but David Zaharakis appears unlikely.

It has nothing on McGrath's concussion, Francis' ankle, Mozzie's knee (idk how, really) or Ambrose. Here's what they have for Hawthorne:

Hawthorn injury list

Name	Injury	Estimated Absence
Jack Gunston	Back	4-5 months
Tom Mitchell	Shoulder	2-3 weeks
Jonathon Patton	Stood Down	Indefinite
James Sicily	Knee	5-6 months
Chad Wingard	Calf	1-2 weeks

It's concerning injury list for Hawthorn with three key players out for a significant chunk of the season. Jack Gunston has a back issue that will likely keep him out to the end rounds of the season, while James Sicily will be lucky to get back in 2021 after his knee reconstruction. The timeframe for Jonathon Patton's return is unknown with the forward suffering mental health issues after being stood down by the club. Chad Wingard strained a calf in training and will miss both pre-season matches against Western Bulldogs and Melbourne. He will be touch-and-go for round one. Brownlow Medallist Tom Mitchell is also a doubt with a shoulder problem.

A summary of who is available for both teams would be a good addition to your weekly game previews

 

[eth-dog]

Okay, so here's a list of players who have not/will not feature in the pre-season so far:

David Zaharakis

11

David Zaharakis

Age

35

Ht

180cm

Wt

79kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.8

5star

K

12.3

5star

HB

9.5

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

3.6

5star

G

0.6

4star

No current season stats available

D

14.6

4star

K

9.4

4star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.6

5star

T

2.4

4star

G

0.4

3star

(knee), Michael Hurley

18

Michael Hurley

Age

35

Ht

193cm

Wt

94kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

18.3

5star

K

12.1

4star

HB

6.2

4star

M

6.4

5star

T

0.9

3star

MG

389.3

5star

D

16.5

4star

K

11.8

5star

HB

4.7

3star

M

6.3

5star

T

0.3

1star

MG

301.2

4star

D

15.0

4star

K

7.6

3star

HB

7.4

5star

M

5.0

5star

T

2.0

4star

(hip infection), Irving Mosquito (knee), Jake Stringer

20

Jake Stringer

Age

31

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

(calf), Mason Redman

27

Mason Redman

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.2

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

262.0

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.8

3star

MG

210.3

3star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

144.2

3star

(???), Patrick Ambrose

29

Patrick Ambrose

Age

34

Ht

191cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.3

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

5.6

4star

M

3.6

4star

T

3.2

5star

MG

123.0

2star

No current season stats available

D

11.6

3star

K

6.4

3star

HB

5.2

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

4.4

5star

(foot), Brandon Zerk-Thatcher

25

Brandon...

Age

27

Ht

195cm

Wt

91kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.5

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

3.0

3star

M

4.5

4star

T

1.5

3star

MG

148.5

2star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

3star

M

3.0

3star

T

0.0

1star

MG

124.0

2star

D

11.5

3star

K

8.5

4star

HB

3.0

3star

M

4.5

5star

T

1.5

4star

MG

148.5

3star

(pushed out?), Zach Reid (not ready), Josh Eyre (not ready), Andrew Phillips (give Bryan a go), Lachlan Johnson (not ready), Dylan Clarke

37

Dylan Clarke

Age

27

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

14.9

4star

K

6.1

2star

HB

8.8

5star

M

1.9

2star

T

6.3

5star

CL

2.3

4star

No current season stats available

D

16.0

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

9.2

5star

M

2.2

3star

T

6.6

5star

CL

3.4

5star

(ankle?), Cody Brand (not ready), Cian McBride (not ready), Kaine Baldwin (knee), Tom Hird (not ready)

The main question I have is Mason Redman

27

Mason Redman

Age

28

Ht

187cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.2

4star

K

10.1

4star

HB

5.1

4star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.7

4star

MG

262.0

4star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.8

3star

HB

4.2

3star

M

3.2

3star

T

1.8

3star

MG

210.3

3star

D

12.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

5.0

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

2.4

4star

MG

144.2

3star

. Is he injured? Is he not and simply out of favour?

 

[ILikeCheese]

How did Redman look at the intraclub for anyone who caught it? The boys on the lunch time podcast said he was competitive, aggressive and showed he was fighting for a spot (even took out Gleeson with a heavy bump creating some argy bargy if I recall correctly?). Thought he was sounding promising and hungry...

 

[Lore]

Stringer, Zaharakis close in on returns

The Bombers are set to regain a couple of forwards in the coming weeks.

www.essendonfc.com.au

Updates for Stringer (miss R1, maybe after that), Zaharakis (2-3 weeks away), Johnson (building up to a full VFL game in 3-4 weeks).

Nothing new about Stewart, Hurley, Mozzie, Ambrose, Eyre or Clarke.

 

[Ah12]

Curious to know any opinions on Parish’s role this year... will he be full time mid? I noticed he was in the pre season game but McGrath didnt go in there as much as usual. Hoping its caldwell that gets pushed out instead of Parish as ive selected him in fantasy footy

 

[FlyingV]

Curious to know any opinions on Parish’s role this year... will he be full time mid? I noticed he was in the pre season game but McGrath didnt go in there as much as usual. Hoping its caldwell that gets pushed out instead of Parish as ive selected him in fantasy footy

Wouldn’t bet on Caldwell being pushed out, the players have gone on record saying they love him inside, and that seems to be the role he’s been pigeon holed for. Where as Parish can play inside, outside and often gets played as a forward pocket.
That being said it looks like Parish will get way more midfield time this year early days.
Opinions are high on parish, looks the fittest he has been should see an improvement in output this year...

 

['51 Bewick]

So is Eyre injured or not. There was a post on here saying he injured a hamstring, but he's not on any of the injury lists.

 

[Lore]

So is Eyre injured or not. There was a post on here saying he injured a hamstring, but he's not on any of the injury lists.

He apparently went off with an injury during the vfl practice match last week but the club hasn’t verified it either way.

We also haven’t seen hide or hair of Andrew Phillips.

 

[faible]

We also haven’t seen hide or hair of Andrew Phillips.

Confirmed the same person as Aaron Francis.

 

[TryAnHit]

Curious to know any opinions on Parish’s role this year... will he be full time mid? I noticed he was in the pre season game but McGrath didnt go in there as much as usual. Hoping its caldwell that gets pushed out instead of Parish as ive selected him in fantasy footy

Cant work out why they moved McGrath out of there unless it was just for preseason game?

Any opinion bombers fans if he will be back in the guts