First time in History?

[Mattwj81]

They could get some quality top up players, like kelly, lake dwyer then I think they can beat Carlton, Brisbane and a few others. Think they will finish roughly around the same place as last season. The thing will be next year when they get their 12 players back and they add a No1 Draft pick to the mix. This 12 months out could end up speeding up their rebuild.

 

[Kilmo]

I don't even think they'll finish bottom 4. The remaining list isn't THAT bad. The stand ins will play their guts out as they'll see it as an audition.

They got beat up in the midfield last year when they were missing a couple of key midfielders. Now they are missing their whole midfield, and defence. Unless they absolutely nail the top-up players, they will be destroyed

 

[Baltimore Jack]

They could get some quality top up players, like kelly, lake dwyer then I think they can beat Carlton, Brisbane and a few others. Think they will finish roughly around the same place as last season. The thing will be next year when they get their 12 players back and they add a No1 Draft pick to the mix. This 12 months out could end up speeding up their rebuild.

Lake has said No

 

[Temploar]

They could get some quality top up players, like kelly, lake dwyer then I think they can beat Carlton, Brisbane and a few others. Think they will finish roughly around the same place as last season. The thing will be next year when they get their 12 players back and they add a No1 Draft pick to the mix. This 12 months out could end up speeding up their rebuild.

Lake Dwyer sounds like a lovely place to visit, I'm booking a trip there if anyone wants to come with me!?

 

[Mattwj81]

Lake Dwyer sounds like a lovely place to visit, I'm booking a trip there if anyone wants to come with me!?

Depends on how good the fishing is.

 

[DWil6]

Essendon could benefit. They may get a beneficial draft at the end of the year and heaps of games into their youth. Then an influx of mature players in 2017.

 

[35Daicos]

Essendon could benefit. They may hey a beneficial draft at the end and heaps of games into their youth. Then an influx of mature players in 2017.

I certainly agree with this view.

Essendon have needed to rebuild their list for years but have been too dumb/weak to do anything about it. With Hird in charge it was never going to happen because he was too selfish to allow the list to be weakened so they could drop down the ladder and improve their chances of getting hold of the top young talent they have needed for quite some time. Bringing in the likes of Chapman, Cooney and Gwilt was all about keeping the team competitive in the short term, clearly none of those players were ever likely to be premiership players at that club.

Last year they did manage to finish well down the ladder, though I'm sure it wasn't something they planned to do, and with Carlisle leaving ended up with a couple of very high draft picks. This year they should get another and, accidental though it may be, are finally getting some sort of a rebuild, which is what they have needed all along.

 

[Saintly Viewed]

1991 we played them once only.
Won by a few points on a grey rainy day at Waverly.
Kim Russell played in one of his only two games that day.
Was there, but I liked VFL Park even when cold.
Always made Saturday night fish n chips delicious.

 

[IQ3]

I don't even think they'll finish bottom 4. The remaining list isn't THAT bad. The stand ins will play their guts out as they'll see it as an audition.

there is something seriously wrong with you if you don't think Essendon will finish last

 

[Tarkyn_24]

there is something seriously wrong with you if you don't think Essendon will finish last

Carlton are pretty shit.

 

[Cousin of Daicos]

there is something seriously wrong with you if you don't think Essendon will finish last

I think you really underestimate how INTENTIONALLY horrible Carlton are trying to be. Carlton have been gunning for the no.1 pick since last season ended.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Should be a rolling draw. The five teams you played twice last year are different to the five teams you play twice this year and to the the five teams you play twice next year. Rinse and repeat.

Tinny timing though!

Regardless we have a good draw.

 

[rand corp]

I'm glad we only play the bombers once, we never play well coming off the bye.