Review Essendon List Review

[TheDon35]

No point in giving up one B grader for another. We'll find it very hard to attract any decent player eg. bonafide mid. You might as well cut a fringe player or 2 to try and take some speculative picks and hope they turn out.

We should get on our knees and pray for Melksham, Colyer and first pick this year to help out Jobe, Stants, Winders and Howlett. Zaka too. There's enough good kids and talent their to be a top 8 midfield. Add one more in an under and we are pushing up higher once we get a few more games into them.

Our list would be a lot different if we went for someone other than Myers and had kept Lovett.

Need to make finals next year with the above midfield and hope that they all come on and we get lucky. There's no other way. Knights has put us in a hole. Man we could do with Skipworth's leadership right now.

Agree, just don't see us getting anything for those C & D graders. Maybe the Gold Coast situation could play into our hands. If they get desperate for some seasoned AFL footballers, NLM or Dyson could potentially fit the bill.

And yes, Friday Knight would have played out much differently had the inspirational Skippy been there to point and shout and generally pretend he new what he was doing. God I miss him.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Yeah, I probably didn't explain myself too well. I don't think we can get rid of any of our top 10 players to try and get really good picks.

It's too risky and dangerous and I think our top 10 will get better in a better side.

I reckon we could get picks in the 30's for one or two of those guys. There'd be a team willing to give something up. There always is.

For me two players are absolutely dead wood - Prismall and Williams. Highly paid mercenaries who should be cut. Package both up to GC for a pick in the 30's.

The Williams deal makes me sick in the guts watching kids like Fyfe and Bastinac run around.

 

[Slattery_20]

I reckon we could get picks in the 30's for one or two of those guys. There'd be a team willing to give something up. There always is.
.

If we ended up with a position like mid-trade week last year - had 10, 16, 26, 33 & 943 or whatever; I think we'd be pretty happy.

 

[Smokin]

The Williams deal makes me sick in the guts watching kids like Fyfe and Bastinac run around.

but we then lose colyer, who IMO has been extremely impressive, and has big upside once he gets his tank up.

if we took basintac at 16, we would have gone the tall (Carlisle) next for sure.

Thus far, that trade hasnt look all that bad even with Williams doing nothing.

 

[Smokin]

Overall, im not as pessimistic about the list as many seem to be.

It just isnt ready yet, I struggle to find a club with as good KP stock as we have, but they are 30-40 games away.

The midfield youth as a lot of upside but will take time. We need to draft for some more. There is no rush, as we will never seriously push up until we get the 50-100 games, and at least 2 more years of pre-seasons into the young keys.

We have plenty of 'cream' players who you will find will suddenly arrive once the cake is baked.

Just look at the list, and the teams we are putting on the park. They simply are not ready to be finals sides right now. Patience is required. Still, bad isnt the word I would sum up our season, it has been inconsistant. big difference there.

I am not as sure about the coaching panel, but that is another story.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

but we then lose colyer, who IMO has been extremely impressive, and has big upside once he gets his tank up.

if we took basintac at 16, we would have gone the tall (Carlisle) next for sure.

Thus far, that trade hasnt look all that bad even with Williams doing nothing.

I can't recall the ins and outs of the deal but surely we could have worked out a way where we kept 16, 24, 26.

Colyer looks like a really good player - a cross between Brent Harvey and Peter Bell. It might be saving Knights bacon on the Williams deal.

Yeah, probably right on this one - we got lucky.

 

[Smokin]

We basically downgraded pick 16 to 24, PLUS upgraded 42 odd and Nash to 33odd and also recieved Williams.

If you look at it that the draft picks we lose from #16 was cancelled out by the upgrading of the 2nd part, we effectively traded Nash for M. Williams.

It really was a no-brainer to do.

And Im not writing off M. Williams do anything next year.

I think we should use the fringe older types to try to upgrade to as strong as we can in this draft, and attack the midfielders with the first 2.

The upside of where our list is at, is that as keys take longer there is still time to bring a whole host of midfielders together (which we are doing) who will peak at the same time (drafted later) than the keys who are developing now.

Id much rather be in this position, than having a strongish bunch of midfielders kind of being the carpet over a very suspect rest of the list, as bringing through the key stoppers and goal kickers is a much harder, and longer process.

 

[Towno78]

Rookie Picks: David Meli - Our international Rookie is due to be recruited this year. We will surely give him a go, and will let him have his time serving an apprenticeship at Bendigo in coming years.

Rookie Pick # 2: James Webster - NSW Scholarship kid who has been ok without being outstanding at struggling GWS (TAC Cup side). His attack on the ball is good whilst his skills do let him down at times, he is very good in close. Would love to see him given a chance at Essendon.

Rookie Pick # 3: Best available. Any unidentified talent out there, get it. If we do last to this long, this is what we should do..

With regards to the NSW/International rookie list picks. I have been told that as many as 3 of these players can be rookied without taking up a regular rookie list place. So the likes of Meli/Webster/Cole can be taken if deemed worthy, and we can still use our rookie places to stick with our current mature agers, or find ourselves some new mature agers.

 

[juppy]

Our list was in reasonable shape with Lovett and McPhee. We lost both for zero.

All we needed is another quality mid and another quality utility. Now that we've lost them we have to basically find 4 quality players.

We need to get lucky and have either David Myers come from the clouds and become a good player or trade in a bonafide mid.

Here's what we need to do:

Trade Prismall - he still has some currency.
Trade M. Williams - too expensive and we have younger options who need game time.
Welsh - tell him his contract next year is his last and he'll have to do something magical to get another one. Could be trade value to Sheeds GWS.

Put NLM, Dyson, Lonergan on the trade table and see what we can get. They might survive if we get rid of the first 3. We still need some experience around, season is long, injuries and they can be good players in a better side.

Defensive personal - I'm not too worried. You could have the AA side playing for us and they'll still cop 100 points regularly with our game plan. We need to find a post McVeigh lock down defender. Slattery should be able to do the job in a reasonable side.

Dempsey will prosper when the team stops leaking like a sieve. I reckon we could go into games next year with a back six of Fletcher, Hurley, Hooker, Pears, McVeigh, Dempsey.

Agree with pretty much all of that and quoting this post as it seems to be the post the converstaion is based around.

The only issue I see is with Demsey in the back 6. I like him but think he could be used elsewhere more effectively. If he is going to play in defense next year and he has not tightened up on his oppenent I dont want him in the team TBH.

Bugs the hell out of me seeing Dempsey 30m away from his opponent every game while the ball glides in for an uncontested mark (or contested mark if another defender runs over to cover his opponent).

Sounds like Im harsh on him but I do like him but its he either has to tighten up a bit, move from the defense or get out of the team.

 

[Vass38]

I think when we reveiw list at end of 2011 we could put the players into groups

a) Laycock, Quinn, Still, J.Williams - little or no chance of staying
b) Atkinson, H.Slat, McVeigh, Houli, Neagle (could get delisted/traded)
c) Welsh, Dyson, Prismall, NLM - are on contract and probably safe but REALLY need to lift!
d) Lonergan, Jetta, Reimers, Myers should be safe - have youth on their side but would also have some currency
e) Stanton, Davey - both out of contract - both have currency....who knows...???

everyone else pretty safe you'd think - but you never know come trade time...

 

[Slattery_20]

What the heck has Still done wrong? You're joking if you think they'd de-list (effectively) a first year tall. 2011 he'll be effectively second year and basically safe.

 

[Vass38]

yeah - might be being a little harsh on the big fella - dont think hes done anything worng but certainly hasnt stood out and a few others are ahead of him. Just my opinion.

 

[Burzum]

Neagle has yet to prove himself and he's been on the list for five years, battling injuries for the first 2-3.

(Michael) Still deserves a shot.

 

[Towno78]

I would like to have 3 picks in the ND, plus 1 pick to upgrade Howlett to the main list. This means we require 3 players to come off our list, plus Hille upgraded to the veteran's list (assuming Fletcher plays on).

I think we'll most likely finish 13th giving us picks 10, 30, 47, 64 (assuming WCE don't win another game, which I'm sure they'll make sure of). I would like us to use trade week to upgrade our 2nd and/or 3rd pick rather than chase players, so we have something like 10,18,47,64 or 10,30,34,64 or (of course) better if possible. I would enable that from the following:

Delist: Laycock (is a given)

Trade/delist: Lonergan, Still

Further tradebait: Dyson, Atkinson, Daniher, Houli, Jetta, Monfries, Myers, Reimers, Winderlich

If 3 haven't come off our list via Laycock + GC poach + trade week, delist from the "trade/delist" in order.

National draft:
Pick 1 (10): Best available mid
Pick 2 (late 1st round?): Best available mid
Pick 3 (early 2nd round?): Small/Med defender
Pick 4: Ben Howlett
** Need to emphasis foot skills with all 3 picks, and at least 1 of our mids has to be a hard-bodied inside mid

Retain on rookie list: Bock (3rd year), Silverlock (2nd year), Marigliani (2nd year)
Remove: Crameri, J. Williams, Quinn

Rookie draft:
Pick 1: Mature-aged inside mid
Pick 2: Mature-aged ruckman
NSW/International Scholarship picks: Meli & Webster (not Cole, that surname makes me shiver)

Players (if remaining on the list) who should be given only 1 more year to truly stand up: Neagle, Houli, Myers, Jetta & Daniher. Also, should be Welsh's last year on our list.

 

[Slattery_20]

Why anyone would want to chop Lonergan at the moment is beyond me, too. You people constantly baffle me.

 

[Towno78]

Why anyone would want to chop Lonergan at the moment is beyond me, too. You people constantly baffle me.

He's playing the best footy in his career, love the way he goes about it, but frankly it's not footy that is going to take us anywhere, and I don't see him getting much better.

My personal preference would be to chop only Laycock, and free up 2 places via trade week, meaning Lonergan most likely stays. But if that doesn't happen he's the most expendable of the players coming out of contract in my view. If it makes you feel any better, I'm sure there's next to zero chance MK will delist him.

 

[Phone]

We basically downgraded pick 16 to 24, PLUS upgraded 42 odd and Nash to 33odd and also recieved Williams.

If you look at it that the draft picks we lose from #16 was cancelled out by the upgrading of the 2nd part, we effectively traded Nash for M. Williams.

It really was a no-brainer to do.

And Im not writing off M. Williams do anything next year.

Very good summary of it.

I want to keep Williams at least for next season. If he does a repeat cut but for now keep. Unless of course we get a good offer. (unlikely)

We still need 3 draft picks yeah? That's all I really want unless we can get another pick in the 20-40's. (back to williams)

 

[Slattery_20]

As you say - best form of his career. I'd normally use that as an argument in favour of a guy, but whatever.

We've got 2 guys who've done anything as inside mids, and a *possible* in Myers. Why would you chop 1 of them, instead of one of our surplus of wingmen (Houli, Atko, Colyer) ?

 

[Towno78]

As you say - best form of his career. I'd normally use that as an argument in favour of a guy, but whatever.

We've got 2 guys who've done anything as inside mids, and a *possible* in Myers. Why would you chop 1 of them, instead of one of our surplus of wingmen (Houli, Atko, Colyer) ?

As I said, his footy isn't going to take us anywhere. It may be his best, but his best isn't good enough IMO. The only argument for keeping him as far as I can see, is if you think he's got a fair bit more improvement in him. If so fair enough, but I don't.
BTW I think Howlett has already shown more inside than Sammy, and Melksham will be developed to play inside I'm sure.

The next on my list would have been Dyson (but again I think a trade for him could be made), would you find that acceptable?

 

[Slattery_20]

I think we've too many of a certain type - that being "outside/winger who doesn't rock up every 2nd week & shanks a few too many kicks".
Hence - one of Atko, Houli, Dyson.
Dyson's got more in the bank but done the least this year; Atko possibly most upside but oldest; Houli is the most "ELITEST TALENT!!(! elite disposal!!#" and the most "destroyed by the selection committee", ie has the most to prove to the coaches.

 

[yodellinhank]

I think we've too many of a certain type - that being "outside/winger who doesn't rock up every 2nd week & shanks a few too many kicks".
Hence - one of Atko, Houli, Dyson.
Dyson's got more in the bank but done the least this year; Atko possibly most upside but oldest; Houli is the most "ELITEST TALENT!!(! elite disposal!!#" and the most "destroyed by the selection committee", ie has the most to prove to the coaches.

Any chance Dyson may still be worth something to Freo? Or are we highly unlikely to trade with those guys for a while?

 

[The Fact]

summary:
"we're too soft. Trade all our harder blokes".
"forwards aren't settled. trade one of them"

Love it.

Good call had to be made call

 

[Yoda_]

HFF well done for a fantastic review.I agree pretty much with it all but the question that worries me is:How long does the EFC wait to delist a player at seasons end? Meaning..Should we wait for the Suns to approach our player so we can get compo for him or do we just cleanout and hope for the best?

As the trading comes before the drafts, I would imagine the Suns list management team led by the reknowned Scott Clayton will be busy in this week.

I would put all of our, out of contract players up for trade to see if we can land them a job next year or try and upgrade a pick perhaps..

 

[yaco55]

I still think that the GC will end up trading one or two of their first round picks.

They will need an experienced ruckman - probably get that later in the draft - but they need a mature aged ( probably 2 ) key Back/Forward. They may get Bock but will need another one. Maybe EFC can get involved in a 3 or way trade.

For EFC

Want 4 picks

1) Hope to get a gun midfielder
2) Hope to get a mature age - like Howlett
3) defender with good disposal
4) best available

 

[Yoda_]

Clearly no idea who the recruiting guy really is. Disappointing that you use that to launch into an attack on blokes. Doubly disappointing now that Keane's been there 2 or 3 drafts. Triply disappointing that you're a mod, and couldn't bother checking your facts. It should be a mod's job to try and keep threads along fairly factually accurate lines, not actively propagate errors.

FWIW This is clearly not the year to make massive wholesale list changes.
Oh and they're not going to delist Myers.

FWIW some of you lot would have delisted 3 of our last 4 captains, going by the standards set.

Slattery_20

Have I pissed you off or am I just the latest target in your string of stirring attacks on a single poster?

In regards to Adrian Dodoro, he is still living off late round gems rather than first round guns to make his name..

Have a look at this list for my response: (Dodoro appointed in 1998)
1999: (traded like crazy) Hille at 40 was only notable recruit.
2000: James Davies (17), Ted Richards (27)
2001: Shane Harvey (18), Joel Reynolds (31)
2002: Jason Laycock (10), Jason Winderlich (11)
2003: Keplar Bradley (6), Brent Stanton (13)
2004: Angus Monfries (14), Andrew Lee (30)
2005: Patrick Ryder (7), Courtenay Dempsey (19) *
2006: Scott Gumbleton (2), Leroy Jetta (18), Tom Hislop (20)
2007: David Myers (6), Tayte Pears (23)

Before you start raving about how good the 2005 draft pick was, why the hell did HE, along with Sheedy draft/trade/recruit in guys (in no particular order), Scott Camporeale, Chris Heffernan, Richard Cole.

Add to that, in our recent dire years we have added in trades such as Jarrod Atkinson, Mal Michael, Steve Allessio..

Really goes to show why I do not rate him in his recent years at the EFC..

How about we pick some stand out guys rather than someone who 'could be a top line player', and some players that can kick and have good skills.

Chris Pelchen (TAC Future Stars - Sunday afternoon) mentioned: "our big focis was on kicking skills, we needed to recruit in guys that could use it (the pill)", they went on to win the flag..

I realise they are not going to delist Myers, I do not think he will make it, but he is a first round draft pick and they do not grow on trees so wil give him every opportuinty to 'make it' before we finally rid us (The Essendon Football Club) of the deadwood that is...



To top this off Slattery_20

What would you do to our list?

You honestly think teams are going to come crying for a Ricky Dyson, or an Andrew Welsh?

No, people around here think that our trash is someone else's treasure.

How about you put something into this 'debate' as you call it and make some worthwhile points rather than attack a bloke who is sick of mediocrity and wants something done the **** about it.