Essendon 2008

[mathew ollaik]

Ok, We had a bad year but hopefully we can improve.

M.Johnson - Poor year. I was hoping Sheedy played him a Brett Ebert role. Probably will get delisted after being a great player.

R.Dyson - Poor year. He has had his chances and failed. Their is new talent coming trough, so i think we should delist him.

S.Gumbleton - Has shown good signs after taking strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. I really would like to develop him into a defender.

J.Watson - Pretty good year. Gets a lot of the ball, but has to work on his disposal. He is going to be a very important player in the future.

J.Hird - King of Kings. Sadly, he must retire.

A.Monfries - Pretty good second half of the year, after playing in the midfield. Looks like we found the right spot for him.

L.Jetta - Looked good until he got injured. Hope he develops into a Kerr type of player.

J.Winderlich - Improved a lot since last year. His pace is going to be a vital aspect in 2008.

A.Ramanaskus - Great story. Hope he can get fit and play as good as he use too.

M.Mcveigh - Looks good in the midfield. Possibly our best midfielder.

D.Pevrill - Must work on his disposal. When he does that he will be a gun. I hope its not to late.

A.Welsh - Played well in his new position. Is a very good tagger.

A.Lovett - Looks very dangerous in the midfield. If he uses his pace and skill, he will be a gun.

J.Johnson - Bad year. I feel sorry for the champ. He is just to slow to play.

C.Dempsey - If he stops getting injured, he will be very handy in the midfield. Showed good signs against Richmond.

K.Bradley - He is a forward. Had a bad year in defence. Hopefully he can bounce back and play in the forward line.

S.Camporale - Great player but is getting old and slow. Might end up retiring.

M.Lloyd - Pretty good year overall. Battled with a few injuries, but still looks good.

D.Hille - Bad yeah. Might be used as traid bait. He needs to work on his tapping skill.

H.Slattery - Is developing into a good tagger, however he needs to become more consistant and stick with his opponent at all times.

C.Johns - Poor year in the forward line. Is being developed into a backman in the VFL. I'm hoping it all works out for him. Maybe is traid bait.

M.Michael - Great player. Freed up Fletcher and done a good job at FB.

M.Bolton - Another disappointing year for Bolton. He must get delisted. Can't believe he is in the AFL. Their are people like Judd and J.Brown playing this sport. Its just a disgrace having him in the team.

B.Stanton - Good midfielder, possibly our best. He is only 21 and has already made a name for himself.

S.Lucas - Absolute gun. Loved his game against west coast. HE IS A FORWARD!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!.

C.Heffernan - Should of never left Essendon. After he went to Melbourne, he became a dud. Might get delisted.

J.Laycock - Good year. Our no.1 ruckman. Hopefully he can improve around the ground.

R.Cole - DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD. DELIST DELIST DELIST!!!!!!!!!!

A-Davey - Looks exciting. Easily the best first year player. Looks set for a big year in 2008.

P.Ryder - Possibly the new Fletcher. A good FB. Hopefully he can continue his form.

D.Fletcher - What can i say. Is our best defender. Is an absolute GUN. Only if he can never retire.

A.Lee - Very bad year. Didn't get a game. Started to find form late in the VFL season.

A.Mcphee - Pretty good year. Not as good as 2004 though. Do not want to trade him.

J.Neagle - Looked good in his first game. Probablly our new FF.

T.Hislop - Very consistant in the VFL, however he got injured and missed many AFL games.

S.Lonergan - Injured for most of the year. Will probablly get delisted, even though I dont want him too.

K.Reimers - Showed good signs in his first couple of games. He is very quick on the lead. Will be a HF.

J.Nash - Missed the first half of the year, but came back strongly. Very good HB.

H.Hocking - We must promote him. He is a gun. Played well in his first game. Couldn't believe he got dropped.

D.Dick - Don't know much about him.

D.Charters - Don't know much about him.

N.Lovett-Murry - Very good HB. Is very quick for a 190cm person.

B.Houli - Very good pick up in the draft at no.42. He is my favourite player beyond any dought. He will be a good player in the future.

L.McKinnon - Don't know much about him.

Maybe delist: Both Johnsons, Dyson, Camporale, Bradley, Bolton, Heffernan, Cole, Lonergan and Lee.

2008 Coach: ?

2008 Captain: Matthew Lloyd

2008 Team:

B: Slattery Michael Nash
HB: Fletcher Ryder NLM
C: Stanton Watson Mcphee
HF: Davey Lucas Lovett
F: Monfries Lloyd Gumbleton
Ruck: Laycock Mvveigh Winderlich
Interchange: Their are so many guns that I can't choose

Draft: I want Daniher or Palmer.

Promote: Hocking

Please post anything aboout 2008.

 

[BigScottyLucas]

Well I disagree that Hille was as bad as you said he was, on the contrary he had a few excellent games. What he needs is more consistency, which should be expected from a supposed senior player. I more or less agree with most things you said, although I'll be sad to see both the Johnson's go

Although I wouldn't consider it a bad year for us either, 10 wins is a huge improvement on three and a draw, and this year we actually have something to look forward to, with a bunch of exciting youngsters coming through the ranks.

 

[blumfieldisback]

dyson still has good foot skills, must persist with him through necessity he must build his leg strangth up and along with monfries given more time in the middle.

the game has gone past the johnson boys and sadly mark went out the wrong way in the reserves.

 

[Crave]

I disagree with Hille being as bad as your report suggests, still ahead of Laycock in my opinion. Laycock has to string together some strong assertive football to convince me otherwise and his stats on the weekend were less than flattering.

Hille very much required in 08 at Essendon.

 

[boms]

Promote: Rama, Hocking
Draft: 5-6 players
PSD: 1 Pick
De-List - Dyson Cole Heff Campo Bolton JJ MJ Pev
Re-tire - Hird
Coach: Thompson/Hardwick/McKenna/Bond/Dainher

B: Slatts Michael Fletch
HB: McPhee Ryder NLM
C: Dempsey Watson Winders
HF: Welshy LUCASS Gumby
F: DAVEYY Lloyd LOVE-ITT
R: Laycock Spike Stants
Int: Nashy JETTTAAA Gus Hille

 

[johnmason]

good report matthew, agree mostly and am excited to see who sticks around and who leaves!

 

[Tambu]

S.Gumbleton - Has shown good signs after taking strong marks and kicked a couple of goals. I really would like to develop him into a defender.

Who do we play at CHF in the future then?

 

[blumfieldisback]

Who do we play at CHF in the future then?

Ryder?
Bradley?

 

[Tambu]

Ryder?
Bradley?

I'd prefer Ryder as a defender.
Bradley would be lucky to still be at the club next year.

 

[wazzabp]

Ryder?
Bradley?

Neagle?

 

[bomberstomake8]

M.Johnson - NOT the best of years however he was playing way out of positions, i hope to god he isnt delisted and that he plays in the forwarrd pocket next year, could be a 40+ goal kicker in 2008

to be honest i think he was the only one worth talking about
From the delistees you meationed i think they should be
JJ,Dyson, Campo (retired most likely), Bolton, Heff, Cole, Lonergan, one of Bradley/johns (still unsure on which one but i think one has to go)

2008 Coach: Dean Laidley (not going to happen though so daniher should take over)

2008 Captain: Matthew Lloyd

2008 Team:

B: Slattery Michael Nash
HB: Fletcher Ryder NLM
C: Stanton Watson Mcphee
HF: Davey Lucas Lovett
F: Monfries Lloyd Gumbleton
Ruck: Laycock Mvveigh Winderlich
Interchange: Their are so many guns that I can't choose

I would have jetta, welsh, hille and houli/hislop


Draft: Daniher (we should be able to pick him up with a 2nd round pick hopefully), Ebert or Palmer

Promote: Hocking

Please post anything aboout 2008.

 

[Big Scottknowsall]

Promote: Rama, Hocking
Draft: 5-6 players
PSD: 1 Pick
De-List - Dyson Cole Heff Campo Bolton JJ MJ Pev
Re-tire - Hird
Coach: Thompson/Hardwick/McKenna/Bond/Dainher

B: Slatts Michael Fletch
HB: McPhee Ryder NLM
C: Dempsey Watson Winders
HF: Welshy LUCASS Gumby
F: DAVEYY Lloyd LOVE-ITT
R: Laycock Spike Stants
Int: Nashy JETTTAAA Gus Hille

Like it - but further to the de-listings I'd like to attract some trading options, even if only for late picks....

With two rookie promo's, 1 in the PSD and prob 6 or 7 in the draft, I tihnk we may need to (sadly) turn over another 1 or 2

Bradley?
Johns?

 

[SOT4]

THere is no chance of us taking 6-7 picks in this draft IMO.

 

[Big Scottknowsall]

THere is no chance of us taking 6-7 picks in this draft IMO.

What do you tihnk our movements will be? Itemised please....

I don't ask this sarcastically either - very keen to hear

 

[Bombs Away]

A.Ramanaskus - Great story. Hope he can get fit and play as good as he use too.

NEEDS TO BE PROMOTED TO SENIOR LIST THEN

M.Mcveigh - Looks good in the midfield. Possibly our best midfielder.

WHAT???

D.Pevrill - Must work on his disposal. When he does that he will be a gun. I hope its not to late.

HE IS 28, NEVER A GUN, JUST A SERVICABLE TAGGER

H.Slattery - Is developing into a good tagger, however he needs to become more consistant and stick with his opponent at all times.

MOST WILL FIND HIM VERY CONSISTENT THIS SEASON, GOT THE JOB DONE

R.Cole - DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD DUD. DELIST DELIST DELIST!!!!!!!!!!

THIS IS BASED ON WHAT! HE HARDLY PLAYED THIS YEAR DUE TO INJURY, IF HE KEEPS HIS PLACE HE NEEDS ATO SMARTEN UP AND GET OFF THE PISS

D.Dick - Don't know much about him.

ROOKIE WHO NEEDS ANOTHER YEAR DEVELOPMENT

D.Charters - Don't know much about him.

ANOTHER ROOKIE WHO ALSO NEEDS ANOTHER YEAR DEVELOPMENT, NEEDS BENDIGO TO RECRUIT A RUCK SO CAN PLAY IN HIS REAL POSITION

L.McKinnon - Don't know much about him.

RUCKMAN WHO NEEDS TO SHOW MORE

Maybe delist: Both Johnsons, Dyson, Camporale, Bradley, Bolton, Heffernan, Cole, Lonergan and Lee.

Promote: Hocking, RAMA

Please post anything aboout 2008.

With Hird retiring you are delisting 10 others, that will give 11 picks, wont happen.

We will delist Dyson, Bolton, Heff, Cole and maybe Lonergan.
Campo will retire aswell which gives us 7 picks. We will trade MJ to Port Adelaide as they want him, that is 8 picks.

Promote 2 rookies leaving 5 picks in the draft and 1 in the PSD for cartledge a chance to be that one.

The 5 picks will be for Daniher and 4 fast midfielders.

Its no good putting sides on paper for 2008 until after trade week when we know who is on our list. We might trade other players aswell Johns/JJ/Bradley/Lee, we dont know what other clubs are thinking and we dont know what our new coach will think.

Still dont know why everyone wants daniher to coach his nephew. He didnt bring home the bacon in 10 years at melbourne, what makes people think he can do it at essendon.

Our coach will not be announced until Choco, Bomber and Laidley are definites as no go's.

 

[SOT4]

What do you tihnk our movements will be? Itemised please....

I don't ask this sarcastically either - very keen to hear

Just my opinoins..

Delistings/Retirements
Hird
Camporeale- I think he would have been close to recieving a one year deal before his injury. The ACL makes it pretty much certain that he is gone.
Bolton- Time is up. You have go to admire the guy for his persistance and all that he has given the club. I think it's a shame that people on this constantly take shots at a guy who has given his all to the career and the team.
Cole- I certainly think the kid has a bit of talent, but doens't have the mind set to succeed from early events. I think it is unlikely that a new coach will want to keep him.
M. Johnson- Game has passed him. Great player for the club, and with interest from Port I would say we should take anything we can get, otherwise delist him. Would love for him to get a go at another club and continue his career as I dont think he doens't have any use, just that he simply isn't appropriate for the current situation of the club.
Heffernan: Pity he never quite fulfilled the promise he showed in his first stint with the bombers. Interesting point made somewhere about him being an attacking player, whose instincts were curbed by early tagging roles. Was good for him to get a send off game with Hirdy.

Other possible changes
J. Johnson: May be saved by his contract. If it is possible to pay him out I think that should be strongly looked at, or else a trade should be sought if any of the interested clubs from last year are still interested
Dyson: Looked like he could be a great pick up early on, but hasn't progressed well. Has been stuffed around a bit by Sheedy but hasn't realy ever demanded game time and struggles to find the ball when he is on. May be saved by the fact that it is a relatively shallow draft and he is still young.
Johns: Is also contracted for next year but has been a bit of a disapointment this year. Unlikely to be delisted but an option for a trade if anyone was interested.
Lonergan: I dont really see any need for him to go. Personally I would prefer him to Dyson on our list. All would agree that he has been unlucky with injuries, and I feel that we shoudln't be dropping a kid because of bad luck over a guy who has consistently failed when in the team ala Dyson.
Pev: Survives just in my book as he gives his all each game and could be a handy depth player next year.
Bradley: I'm a fan of his. Would be crazy to delist him, but if a good trade offer was to come from Freo I think we may have to cut our losses.

In terms of pick ups I think we will take:
Draft: 4 picks
Rookie elevations: Rama, and Hocking
And I suppose they will want to leave one pick free for the PSD meaning we need 7 places avaiable on the list.
I think these should come from:
Hird, Campo, Heff, MJ, JJ, Bolton, Cole

No need to delist any of our young kids who still have a chance of becoming something.

 

[Tambu]

Just my opinoins..

Delistings/Retirements
Hird
Camporeale- I think he would have been close to recieving a one year deal before his injury. The ACL makes it pretty much certain that he is gone.
Bolton- Time is up. You have go to admire the guy for his persistance and all that he has given the club. I think it's a shame that people on this constantly take shots at a guy who has given his all to the career and the team.
Cole- I certainly think the kid has a bit of talent, but doens't have the mind set to succeed from early events. I think it is unlikely that a new coach will want to keep him.
M. Johnson- Game has passed him. Great player for the club, and with interest from Port I would say we should take anything we can get, otherwise delist him. Would love for him to get a go at another club and continue his career as I dont think he doens't have any use, just that he simply isn't appropriate for the current situation of the club.
Heffernan: Pity he never quite fulfilled the promise he showed in his first stint with the bombers. Interesting point made somewhere about him being an attacking player, whose instincts were curbed by early tagging roles. Was good for him to get a send off game with Hirdy.

Other possible changes
J. Johnson: May be saved by his contract. If it is possible to pay him out I think that should be strongly looked at, or else a trade should be sought if any of the interested clubs from last year are still interested
Dyson: Looked like he could be a great pick up early on, but hasn't progressed well. Has been stuffed around a bit by Sheedy but hasn't realy ever demanded game time and struggles to find the ball when he is on. May be saved by the fact that it is a relatively shallow draft and he is still young.
Johns: Is also contracted for next year but has been a bit of a disapointment this year. Unlikely to be delisted but an option for a trade if anyone was interested.
Lonergan: I dont really see any need for him to go. Personally I would prefer him to Dyson on our list. All would agree that he has been unlucky with injuries, and I feel that we shoudln't be dropping a kid because of bad luck over a guy who has consistently failed when in the team ala Dyson.
Pev: Survives just in my book as he gives his all each game and could be a handy depth player next year.
Bradley: I'm a fan of his. Would be crazy to delist him, but if a good trade offer was to come from Freo I think we may have to cut our losses.

In terms of pick ups I think we will take:
Draft: 4 picks
Rookie elevations: Rama, and Hocking
And I suppose they will want to leave one pick free for the PSD meaning we need 7 places avaiable on the list.
I think these should come from:
Hird, Campo, Heff, MJ, JJ, Bolton, Cole

No need to delist any of our young kids who still have a chance of becoming something.

Agree with your summary except Mark Johnson...
I think we should keep him and play him in the forward line next year. We all saw what he did against Adelaide... pretty much won us the game. I think with a new coach and a role as a permanent forward pocket, he could prove to be very good for us next year.

 

[Minglis]

I would expect a cut-n-burn job on our list in 2008. One would reasonably assume that the board intends to give the new coach, whoever it might be, free reign to chop the list up with an eye to top 4 in 2011.

Otherwise Sheedy would still be coach. The idea that you might be playing for a flag in 08-09 but have sacked Sheedy based on "the long view" is absurd (though honestly, it would be in perfect keeping with Horstburgh's handling of the entire transition).

To King James,

To his loyal knights, MJ, JJ and Pev, who are all but certain to be garbage-canned under a list cut-n-burn,

thanks for the memories.

 

[David_Hilley#19]

Ok, We had a bad year but hopefully we can improve.

D.Hille - Bad yeah. Might be used as traid bait. He needs to work on his tapping skill.

In the last game Hilley had 24 hitouts at 71% effectiveness against the best ruckman in the comp. I think most of the problem is the midfield (Although we did have our best game clearance-wise for the year).

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I still think long term Ryder should be developed into a ruckman to replace Hille (who should thus be retained on the list). But there is no rush and he needs to grow into his body and so he should continue to rotate between the ruck, forward and back.

 

[mathew ollaik]

I was wondering who we can get if we traded Bradley and Johns?

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I was wondering who we can get if we traded Bradley and Johns?

I think that we should get rid of Johns and the Bulldogs may be interested.

 

[DaSawx]

The Bulldogs are interested in both Johns and Hille

 

[aintplayin03]

Why Hille? He's a major part of the leadership group and IMO is, behind lucas, lloyd and fletcher, one of our best big men. Laycock is developing and showing a lot of promise but we can't drop a player like Hille and leave all the rucking up to Laycock. Ryder shouldn't even be considered a ruckman, at the moment hes looking like a superstar CHB. Next year Hille will become a superstar of the competition, in the top 3 ruckmen.

 

[Jono B]

The Bulldogs are interested in both Johns and Hille

What could we get for that? Generally I think my preference would be draft picks but I would also look at one of Hargrave, Harris and Morris.