Delisted #32: Josh Eyre - Not offered a contract but will trial for SSP rookie spot - 11/11

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2022
My Boy Draft 2022: Claim here

 

[Pleasedonot]

First time I've seen him play on the weekend. Almost game. Needs to get better at sticking marks and fix his disposal. But then the way we're playing as a team means he fits in nicely...

 

[ant555]

First time I've seen him play on the weekend. Almost game. Needs to get better at sticking marks and fix his disposal. But then the way we're playing as a team means he fits in nicely...

He does but he is also a victim of no VFL to hone his craft last year and a limited top age under 18 program.
Just needs some regular footy.

 

[fishardansin]

I think he's a defender. He's a good kick, reads the play better back there and I feel like we're playing a better forward (McBride) back there instead of him.

He could be a long term partner for Reid in defence.

He's super quick, isn't he? If he isn't a natural gun footballer then a 200 cm quick guy can stand the leading forward while Reid can play on the gorilla.

 

[eth-dog]

He's super quick, isn't he? If he isn't a natural gun footballer then a 200 cm quick guy can stand the leading forward while Reid can play on the gorilla.

He's pretty nimble for a big guy, you might be thinking of McBride

 

[fishardansin]

He's pretty nimble for a big guy, you might be thinking of McBride

I thought Eyre was the one with small forward stats doing the 30m at draft camp.

 

[eth-dog]

I thought Eyre was the one with small forward stats doing the 30m at draft camp.

If it was I haven't seen anything like that on field.

 

[ant555]

2.89 20 meter sprint at the draft combine. 8th best.

 

[Yoda_]

I feel this guy (and / or Cody Brand) are firmly in the sights of downgrading to the rookie list at the end of the year.



Still young, plenty of development left you'd hope. With VFL back on, hope he can start to develop on field.

 

[TheGrizz]

2.89 20 meter sprint at the draft combine. 8th best.

His testing was freakish all round.

The kid has all the tools, just needs reps in game and to get stronger. He basically missed two of the most crucial years worth of actual football games for his development (top age 18 and first year at AFL)

As long as everyone understands he is a slow burn, he has all the tools you would need to make it.

 

[ant555]

Worth posting again

POSITION: Key Forward/Tall Utility

DRAFT ANALYSIS: “An athletic key forward tied to Essendon’s Next Generation Academy; Eyre catches the eye with his size, athleticism, and booming left foot.” – Ed Pascoe

Joshua Eyre came seemingly out of nowhere last year, working into the Calder Cannons' NAB League side in Round 9 and becoming a mainstay for the team; playing back and forward, before settling in attack. Eyre really caught the eye in Calder’s come-from-behind elimination final win against Dandenong, where he notched season-high efforts for disposals (11) and goals (two). His performance was arguably the catalyst in clubs recommending him into the AFL Academy for 2020. Eyre was also added to Essendon’s Next Generation Academy (NGA) early in 2020, with his mother of Indigenous decent helping him qualify. The young Bombers supporter also got to train with Essendon alongside Calder teammate and fellow Essendon NGA member, Cody Brand. Eyre’s recent combine performance and with the exit of Joe Daniher makes the prospect of him joining the Bombers even more likely as long-term key position cover.

STRENGTHS:

• Athleticism
• Endurance
• Versatility
• Marking
• Kicking
• Upside

IMPROVEMENTS:

• Production
• Durability
• Strength

Eyre struggled with hamstring issues at the start of the year so unfortunately missed any chance of running out in the pre-season games and getting to play centre half-forward full-time. The other issue was that it effected his pre-season testing, which didn’t truly effect his outstanding athleticism. The more recent Draft Combine really put his name in the spotlight; with an impressive 2.89-second time in the 20m sprint which is outstanding for a player of 198cm, and a 2km time of 6:31 which also showcased his impressive endurance. The latter factor will be key to Eyre playing that centre half-forward role at the next level. His leap also impressed at the combine, so with his height and leap it will make him a hard player to contend with in the air.

Eyre showed impressive prowess overhead in 2019, taking some very nice aerial marks. The ball will often stick to his hands like glue when he does attack the ball in the air and with his combination of speed, height and vertical leap, he could really prove a handful overhead. Eyre’s long kicking is also a feature as he gets a lot of length on his left leg, able to kick goals from long distance and potentially hit up long targets across the ground. He isn't just a long kick, but also an accurate one with a nice kicking style both in a set shot and on the run.

Eyre undeniably has plenty of upside - coming into the elite draft system relatively late, he has plenty of talent to hone. Standing at 194cm last year, he has now grown to 198cm and with a late birthday having only turned 18 around the time of the combine (late-October) he could still have plenty of room to grow even more. With a light frame and developing body, there is plenty of scope for improvement in Eyre’s game and it could make him an even more versatile prospect with added growth. Speaking of versatility, Eyre played forward and back for Calder last year with some stints in the ruck as well. With his height and leap, he will likely be suited to pinch hit in the ruck at the next level, but also had eyes on playing up on a wing this year.

There is a lot of promise and potential with Eyre but he also doesn’t have the formline that other key position players in this draft do. The cancellation of football in Victoria hasn’t helped and he is still coming from behind in terms of his exposed form, coming into the system late in 2019. His production in games was rather low but as a bottom-age prospect it also made sense for more senior players to get greater game time and opportunity in those key roles. He played behind the likes of Harrison Jones and Jeremy O’Sullivan in Calder’s forwardline late last year but 2020 would have been his turn to be the focal point.

At 198cm and 85kg, Eyre is still rather light and under-developed so will take some time to be ready to play at the next level. He is certainly a long-term project so don’t expect him to immediately make massive waves at the next level. With that low production and long-term thinking, Eyre could be a risk to clubs bidding on him early and with no form to go off in 2020, it makes it even harder. Although, the recent combine results certainly help Eyre’s draft chances.

DRAFT PROJECTION: Third Round-Late

There is a lot to like in terms of talent and potential for the young key forward and his recent combine efforts could improve his draft stocks without any games being played this year. It’s still very likely he gets a later bid which Essendon would be sure to match, especially given their lack of depth in key position posts at Eyre's height. A club looking for a project player who could play a variety of roles could take the punt earlier.

> Power Rankings: October Update

Joshua Eyre

central.rookieme.com

 

[ant555]

I feel this guy (and / or Cody Brand) are firmly in the sights of downgrading to the rookie list at the end of the year.



Still young, plenty of development left you'd hope. With VFL back on, hope he can start to develop on field.

Maybe right unless they come one well over the year. The covid situation has hurt / slowed their development a bit because they have not been able to play. Would hate to see them exposed and get picked off but list spots will be a bit tight.

 

[Megabattimus]

Maybe right unless they come one well over the year. The covid situation has hurt / slowed their development a bit because they have not been able to play. Would hate to see them exposed and get picked off but list spots will be a bit tight.

Do we know if clubs are ever gonna get relief on the list spot front? Or is the AFL just never gonna put them back to pre-covid numbers?

 

[BrunoV]

I think he's getting there.

He did some solid work at ground level and seemed to me to cover a lot of territory.

He should have taken 3 or 4 marks inside 50 having done all the hard work.

He doesn't have the physical maturity for it to come easily at this stage.

Good to get a gig against Frankston this week.

 

[eth-dog]

Probably gets Taylin Duman

44

Taylin Duman

Age

26

Ht

193cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.0

4star

K

10.4

4star

HB

4.7

3star

M

5.2

5star

T

2.5

4star

D

10.0

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

3.0

2star

M

5.0

5star

T

3.0

4star

D

12.6

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

4.6

4star

M

4.0

4star

T

1.8

4star

as his match up this week, which will be a good test. Duman had his faults but is a very handy state league defender.

 

[ant555]

Do we know if clubs are ever gonna get relief on the list spot front? Or is the AFL just never gonna put them back to pre-covid numbers?

Do not know 100% but I do not think it is on the AFL radar.

 

[Lore]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: Nine disposals, one goal, two marks

"Eyre was a bit quieter this week. He ran some good patterns and did some good team things, but didn't get a lot of the ball. Our ball movement didn't really help our forwards, but he's had a pretty good start to the year and is getting better."

VFL player review: Rd 3 v Frankston

Eleven AFL-listed players are assessed from Sunday's loss to Frankston.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: One goal, five disposals, two marks

"Eyre was quiet on the stats sheet. We had four talls there, so he had to play a bit higher, but he set up a few goals for us, flew, brought the ball to ground and competed when it was his turn. He'll be working on trying to get more of the ball."

VFL player review: Rd 4 v Port Melbourne

Fourteen AFL-listed players are assessed from Sunday's loss to Frankston.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[eth-dog]

Move him to defence please

 

[ant555]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: One goal, five disposals, two marks

"Eyre was quiet on the stats sheet. We had four talls there, so he had to play a bit higher, but he set up a few goals for us, flew, brought the ball to ground and competed when it was his turn. He'll be working on trying to get more of the ball."

VFL player review: Rd 4 v Port Melbourne

Fourteen AFL-listed players are assessed from Sunday's loss to Frankston.

www.essendonfc.com.au

I think this is code for he had 8 or 9 attempts but would have needed a bucket to mark it.

 

[Lore]

I think this is code for he had 8 or 9 attempts but would have needed a bucket to mark it.

Or perhaps a wheelie bin.

 

[eth-dog]

His hands just aren't strong. Had 4 marks today and I felt like he dropped at least twice as many, not many of which came down in front. Which is really annoying because he's a really good kick both in general play and for goal.

 

[The Devils Advocate]

His hands just aren't strong. Had 4 marks today and I felt like he dropped at least twice as many, not many of which came down in front. Which is really annoying because he's a really good kick both in general play and for goal.

Ah well, neither is Buddy. Buddy has always had good crumbers though.

 

[Lore]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: One goal, nine disposals, four marks, six inside 50s

"'Eyrey' did some really nice things. He took three or four nice marks, kicked a nice goal early in the game and presented really well. He was unlucky we didn't go to him more, it was just some of our breakdown in attack cost him some opportunities to get his hands on the footy more."

VFL player review: Rd 5 v Collingwood

Twelve AFL-listed players are assessed from Monday's loss to Collingwood.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: One goal, eight disposals, two marks

"'Eyrey' competed in a lot of aerial contests and got himself in good positions. With better ball use (inside 50), he could have got on the end of a couple. He's working really hard but not getting a lot of reward for his effort, but the way he's training and presenting in games, I don't think it (reward) is far off for him."

VFL player review: Rd 6 v Footscray

Ten AFL-listed players are assessed from Sunday's loss to Footscray.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Lore]

Josh Eyre​

Key stats: Seven disposals, five marks, two tackles

"Eyrey' continues to work on his marking craft and aerial presence. His work-rate was high again and that resulted in some really nice marks, which was pleasing to see. He didn't kick a goal this week but had some shots he should have converted. From a marking standpoint, it was a step forward for him."

VFL player review: Rd 9 v Richmond

Eleven AFL-listed players are assessed from Saturday's VFL loss to Richmond.

www.essendonfc.com.au