Footy Dept. Soon to be ex-GM - List & Recruiting Adrian Dodoro #putoutyourjackets

Cliff notes:
  • Stepping back from his current senior role following the 2023 AFL Draft
  • Transition plan, raised the possibility with Vozzo in April
  • Replacement is Matt Rosa, whose thread is here: Welcome to Essendon Matthew Rosa – AFL Talent & Operations Manager!
Full text from media release said:
To coincide with this announcement, the Club’s General Manager of List and Recruiting, Adrian Dodoro, has made the decision to take a step back from his current senior role following this year’s NAB AFL National Draft. He will lead the Club through the upcoming 2023 Trade and Draft period in his current position prior to transitioning to and assisting Matt Rosa moving forward.
Dodoro, an Essendon Life Member, has played a significant role at the Bombers over nearly three decades and said the time was right to take a step back.
“I approached Craig back in April to discuss the concept of transition and I feel that now is the right time to make this decision,” Dodoro said.
"I sat on the panel to assist in the selection of Matt, and I believe he will be an outstanding acquisition to the Club for years to come. I look forward to working with Matt moving forward.
“These roles are very taxing on individuals and their families and it just feels like that. After nearly three decades and with stability in key roles at the Club, now is the right time for me to take a step back in to a role which will provide me and my family with a better work life balance.
“More immediately, we have an important few months coming up and I’m looking forward to playing my part to deliver a strong Trade and Draft period for the Club to ensure that the playing list is in a strong position for the future.”
Essendon CEO Craig Vozzo acknowledged the significant impact Dodoro has made at the Club since joining in a full-time role in 1998.
“Adrian is a highly respected Life Member of the Essendon Football Club and has made an enormous contribution to the Club and the wider AFL industry during his time in football, including assisting to navigate the Club through unprecedented and challenging periods,” Vozzo said.
“Throughout his time at the Bombers, Adrian’s commitment and passion to take the Club forward in its list management and recruiting, has been unquestionable. Some of the Champions of Essendon have been identified and selected by Adrian, and we will always be grateful for the important and enduring role he has played.
“On behalf of the entire Club, we would like to acknowledge Adrian’s selfless decision and we look forward to his ongoing contribution to the Club.
“Adrian will work with Matt to ensure a smooth hand-over and a successful transition of responsibilities.”
 

BrunoV

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Think that’s long been the case but tbf, he has been destroyed by injury. No continuity or opportunity to build a base of fitness.


Just out of curiosity, does a midfielder who struggles with injury play VFL in a role other than as a midfielder?

Worsfold has had no intention of playing Laverde as a midfielder.
 
Just out of curiosity, does a midfielder who struggles with injury play VFL in a role other than as a midfielder?

Worsfold has had no intention of playing Laverde as a midfielder.

It seems like you have a perfect structure for a footy team, but fail to match the characteristics of suitable players to fit that structure.Laverde lacks agility in confined spaces, struggles beneath his knees and has limited vision in congested situations - This is why he will never be an effective midfielder
 
Apr 26, 2007
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It seems like you have a perfect structure for a footy team, but fail to match the characteristics of suitable players to fit that structure.Laverde lacks agility in confined spaces, struggles beneath his knees and has limited vision in congested situations - This is why he will never be an effective midfielder
Sounds exactly like Langford.
 

BrunoV

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It seems like you have a perfect structure for a footy team, but fail to match the characteristics of suitable players to fit that structure.Laverde lacks agility in confined spaces, struggles beneath his knees and has limited vision in congested situations - This is why he will never be an effective midfielder


You've said every player on an AFL list struggles below his knees at one point or another.
 
Jun 8, 2014
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My largest gripe with our list management has been that we hold on to players for far too long.

Long and McNiece should have been delisted last year. Jackson Merrett and Morgan were offered too many contracts too.

If we don't think that we can draft someone who has more potential going forward it is damning IMO.

Agree. Drafting and recruiting talent from other clubs has been fine but some of the contract extensions have been baffling.
 

JayJ20

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It seems like you have a perfect structure for a footy team, but fail to match the characteristics of suitable players to fit that structure.Laverde lacks agility in confined spaces, struggles beneath his knees and has limited vision in congested situations - This is why he will never be an effective midfielder
How do you know what we haven’t tried?

You’re describing Langford as a midfielder yet he plays there most of the time.
 

SherbertLemon

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The issue isn't that McGrath is a bad player, or that he won't have a long and productive AFL career, it is that he wasn't the best fit.

We weren't desperate for a speedy undersized small defender / midfielder when we drafted McGrath. We were desperate for a big bodied midfielder (Taranto) and a goal kicking midfielder with impeccable skills (McCluggage).

McGrath wasn't clearly the best talent available, that had been McCluggage all year, and he clearly wasn't the best fit. In that regard, it was an odd pick.

Great post.
I think this sums it up imo.
Quagmire will be a great player, but he’s not what we were desperately calling for at the time.

Is it the worst pick in the world? No, but our list manager once again failed (imo...) to address our most pertinent needs
 
Oct 1, 2006
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You've said every player on an AFL list struggles below his knees at one point or another.

And it’s also untrue with Laverde. His best attribute is picking the ball up and disposing cleanly by hand, just isn’t in those situations enough.
 
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McLean plays with an intensity that maybe Smith gets to.

Reckon Yoda_ will back me on this.

It shouldn't come as a surprise that a specialist extractor is better at extracting than outside mids and converted flankers who are not strong and/or aggressive.

In any event it's a strawman to make reference to McLean's size. Nowhere have I said that small players cant win genuine contested ball. On balance they're less likely to be good. It's also about our players who suck when the inside contest is a physical one.

I what now?


Of course an extractor is better than a flanker. Having watched Dyl Clarke for 5 weeks at AFL level, he has fast become our best contested ball winner/clearance gatherer. His numbers may not reach those of a Shiel or Merrett but he gets the ball and gives it to blokes in better positions than himself. Something we severely lack.

Our go to is grab the ball and give it to a runner coming from behind us, these inside extractors can make a decision and hit a target himself such is the worth of a Pangerfield, Treloar or Bontempelli. We don't, andh ave not had one of these for years.
 

BrunoV

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I what now?


Of course an extractor is better than a flanker. Having watched Dyl Clarke for 5 weeks at AFL level, he has fast become our best contested ball winner/clearance gatherer. His numbers may not reach those of a Shiel or Merrett but he gets the ball and gives it to blokes in better positions than himself. Something we severely lack.

Our go to is grab the ball and give it to a runner coming from behind us, these inside extractors can make a decision and hit a target himself such is the worth of a Pangerfield, Treloar or Bontempelli. We don't, andh ave not had one of these for years.


I'm having an argument with Lore who thinks it's just hyperbole when I say that Dyl Clarke would be the only inside mid we have that would be in the top 6 or 7 options the Dogs have (the last of which l'd say is Toby McLean who I think is a genuinely good ball winner even if used sparingly).

Looks like you're already there anyway.
 
May 6, 2007
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I'm having an argument with Lore who thinks it's just hyperbole when I say that Dyl Clarke would be the only inside mid we have that would be in the top 6 or 7 options the Dogs have (the last of which l'd say is Toby McLean who I think is a genuinely good ball winner even if used sparingly).

Looks like you're already there anyway.
People get sucked into pure stats, ala the contested possession count when assessing an inside midfielder. How many of those contested possessions were effective?
 
Sep 22, 2011
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I what now?


Of course an extractor is better than a flanker. Having watched Dyl Clarke for 5 weeks at AFL level, he has fast become our best contested ball winner/clearance gatherer. His numbers may not reach those of a Shiel or Merrett but he gets the ball and gives it to blokes in better positions than himself. Something we severely lack.

Our go to is grab the ball and give it to a runner coming from behind us, these inside extractors can make a decision and hit a target himself such is the worth of a Pangerfield, Treloar or Bontempelli. We don't, andh ave not had one of these for years.

Remember when Dangerfield was being played on the HFF full time and Crows fans were screaming for him to be put in the middle 😁

Fans know best!
 
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