Toast Esava

[Jhye Clark 13]

I must admit he's surprised the crap out of me.

 

[Strange Cat]

It's embarrassing how "lucky" we are sometimes.

I put it down to good player development hard to argue with the results the few decades

 

[Strange Cat]

How old is Sav btw?

 

[cats_09]

How old is Sav btw?

25 in July

 

[Strange Cat]

25 in July

Thought he was a bit younger

Thanks

 

[cats_09]

Thought he was a bit younger

Thanks

Drafted back in 2016, this makes his 7th season on the list

 

[CHAWKTS]

Thought he was a bit younger

Thanks

Still got 9 years and 3 kids to go before we see him as just outside his prime

 

[GeelongFTW]

It seems like sav bascially has to play now. Who goes out when henry, SDK come in? 2E?

 

[4quarter_cat]

I put it down to good player development hard to argue with the results the few decades

Hard to argue with that

 

[CHAWKTS]

It seems like sav bascially has to play now. Who goes out when henry, SDK come in? 2E?

Of those I think 2E is most vulnerable form wise. Question for me is team balance in terms of being able to defend the ground ball in d50?

 

[Hinkley29]

Good call. Pretty exciting that he enables a more flexible role for Henry!

If we can keep Sav it will allow J Henry to take on a quasi-Blicavs role when Blitz retires.

J Henry is probably the closest we have on the list to Blitz’s combination of height, athleticism and contest abilities. If only he was 3 or 4 cm taller….

 

[CHAWKTS]

If we can keep Sav it will allow J Henry to take on a quasi-Blicavs role when Blitz retires.

J Henry is probably the closest we have on the list to Blitz’s combination of height, athleticism and contest abilities. If only he was 3 or 4 cm taller….

Interesting…I hadn’t thought of that.

they have been playing Knevitt in that blitz role in the vfl but not 100% sure it translates to afl given he is 5cm (and 20kg!) smaller. Maybe as he builds strength he could get closer to that? But Henry as an option is interesting.

similar height to Mitch but 6cm smaller than Blitz (although only 5kg different in weight). Issue is that Henry is actually same size as many of the big MF (bont, cribs etc) whereas that extra 2 inches for Blitz makes him unique?

all that being said it is an interesting thought

 

[Chinacats]

There’s a few locks in our team. Tom & Jerry, Stewart, paddy and a few others… Sav is almost becoming a lock in defence… doing well.

 

[Cameron_Jezza]

There’s a few locks in our team. Tom & Jerry, Stewart, paddy and a few others… Sav is almost becoming a lock in defence… doing well.

Are we worried he might leave. I could see swans making a very big offer, especially if they don't get Himmelberg or Barass.

 

[nomoreklondikes]

Are we worried he might leave. I could see swans making a very big offer, especially if they don't get Himmelberg or Barass.

I get the sense that he loves the club and is well loved, but at his age now and having proved he can play I think he and his manager will know his value. So imo he’ll only stay for a good contract and a guarantee he’ll play if this form persists, even if everyone else is available, which is fair enough given he’d be a walk up start every week at pretty much any other club now.

 

[CatRiot]

Are we worried he might leave. I could see swans making a very big offer, especially if they don't get Himmelberg or Barass.

If he decides to leave, even if uncontracted, we are now looking at a first round draft pick for him. I think he's worth keeping now. You would scratch your head and think about it if they offered two first round picks for him...

 

[4quarter_cat]

Hmm, if Sydney were offering up a top 10 pick which i think it looks like at this stage it would give you pause for thought. Unlikely though you'd think.

 

[Jhye Clark 13]

If he decides to leave, even if uncontracted, we are now looking at a first round draft pick for him. I think he's worth keeping now. You would scratch your head and think about it if they offered two first round picks for him...

If were offered two firsts - which is a pipedream - I'd take them and run.

 

[cats_09]

If were offered two firsts - which is a pipedream - I'd take them and run.

And surely you'd give serious consideration for 1 x first round pick if that was a top 10 pick - again a likely pipedream

 

[Strange Cat]

We have been crying out for a decent young defender for awhile now it would be madness to trade away Sav imo

 

[cats_09]

We have been crying out for a decent young defender for awhile now it would be madness to trade away Sav imo

Technically, he's not that young turning 25 in a couple of months...

And devil's advocate here, but I'd still be looking for a young KPD option who is more of the traditional defender that can lockdown on the opposition's best KPF alongside SDK

Watching ER this season, at this stage he looks lost when isolated in the defensive 50 (especially deep), with his best asset being his run & leap at the ball & contest - something we see him able to exploit more in general play, and when he's slightly further up the ground rather than based out of the goal square. It may ultimately be that he's better suited as a third tall type defender, where he's not matched up against the oppositions best forward/s so he has more freedom to his game



IF an opposition team wanted to offer a crazy stupid trade in our favour for ER cone seasons end - I think we'd be crazy to not consider it (that is if he hasn't re-signed)

 

[Strange Cat]

Technically, he's not that young turning 25 in a couple of months...

And devil's advocate here, but I'd still be looking for a young KPD option who is more of the traditional defender that can lockdown on the opposition's best KPF alongside SDK

Watching ER this season, at this stage he looks lost when isolated in the defensive 50 (especially deep), with his best asset being his run & leap at the ball & contest - something we see him able to exploit more in general play, and when he's slightly further up the ground rather than based out of the goal square. It may ultimately be that he's better suited as a third tall type defender, where he's not matched up against the oppositions best forward/s so he has more freedom to his game



IF an opposition team wanted to offer a crazy stupid trade in our favour for ER cone seasons end - I think we'd be crazy to not consider it (that is if he hasn't re-signed)

Well youngish and we have been taking on this board for a few years now the concerns about the lack of upcoming KPD on the list so it would have to be a crazy offer considering that aspect

I do concede he has some concerns 1V1 but on the flip side he has done a few nice things this year when 1V1 he just needs a better system around him which will come with key players coming back hopefully

 

[Mattttty]

I reckon Esava will re-sign. He likes the club and the club likes him. He's finally found his spot and now has the chance to learn and grow there.

I don't know how list managers think but surely plenty of high draft picks turn out to be less good than Esava already is. He's a quality bird in the hand, so to speak. And one who, at just nine games in as a defender, still has exceptional room for growth.

 

[CHAWKTS]

Technically, he's not that young turning 25 in a couple of months...

And devil's advocate here, but I'd still be looking for a young KPD option who is more of the traditional defender that can lockdown on the opposition's best KPF alongside SDK

Watching ER this season, at this stage he looks lost when isolated in the defensive 50 (especially deep), with his best asset being his run & leap at the ball & contest - something we see him able to exploit more in general play, and when he's slightly further up the ground rather than based out of the goal square. It may ultimately be that he's better suited as a third tall type defender, where he's not matched up against the oppositions best forward/s so he has more freedom to his game



IF an opposition team wanted to offer a crazy stupid trade in our favour for ER cone seasons end - I think we'd be crazy to not consider it (that is if he hasn't re-signed)

As context I love Sav and I hope it works and we find the right fit for long term…he looks to be a great cultural fit and attitud…things we should value highly alongside the footy capabilities

But I do agree with your premise - in particular in context of what SDK could become. I think SDK as he develops his body and experience will end up playing a similar role to what Sav is doing well now - ie. running off and taking pack marks….but I think he will be better at it given his footy smarts and skills. I actually think SDK has found it a little harder this year with Sav “in the way” a little…

So if we were looking for perfection we would as you say look for a lock down big man at that back and have SDK and of course Stewart being our key intercept players who use the ball well.

Having said that I am open for the club to work it out…they have all year to form a view in terms of how to fit SDK and Sav in vs alternatives. If they are confident it can work then I would keep Sav for sure. 25 is good age As we get 5-8 years out of him.

But as you say if someone wants him more (for that intercept role) and makes an offer we can’t refuse (not sure how that works in terms of contract?) then we should entertain it…

 

[moond0g]

I have loved what Esava has done this year, and signing him would be a priority.

But the comments here that if he were to leave, we'd be looking at a top 10 pick, or multiple (even one really) first round pick in return are a little laughable.

If he were to go as an uncontracted 25yo who has only put together one consistent year, we'd be looking at a pick in the 20's at best you'd say.

Will be interesting to see what they do once SDK and Henry are back. They've toyed with playing Henry forward, or SDK helping in the ruck. But I think all of SDK, Esava, Henry and Kolo are best suited to playing as talls in defence. And there's clearly an argument to say we don't need that many tall defenders. What the MC do when faced with that dilemma will likely have a fair say in Esava stays long term I'd guess.