Recruiting List Development 2017 - How do we develop our list?

[eDPS]

Let's hope so.

For our sake he needs a really good run with injuries so he can focus on developing his game.

The interesting question for next year is whether he will have to learn at VFL level like Langers has had to.

I think competition for spots in midfield next year will be hot so I think he may have to.

If Laverde is fully fit going into next year he will play Round 1, if he doesn't perform he will get the treatment that Langford got this season. No rush im confident he will make it injuries permitting.

 

[Killer_Mike]

If Laverde is fully fit going into next year he will play Round 1, if he doesn't perform he will get the treatment that Langford got this season. No rush im confident he will make it injuries permitting.

What do you mean by play round 1? In midfield or forward?

I can't see him playing n front of Langford or Parish and I think McGrath will also get opportunities in front of him.

The only departure at this stage from midfield is Jobe so obviously we can't fit them all in.

 

[eDPS]

What do you mean by play round 1? In midfield or forward?

I can't see him playing n front of Langford or Parish and I think McGrath will also get opportunities in front of him.

The only departure at this stage from midfield is Jobe so obviously we can't fit them all in.

Can be either but that all depends on when they want him to start playing in the midfield, if the plan is to play him midfield and he stays fit he will play Round 1 mostly in the middle that's my guess, same as we did with Langford this year.

 

[Killer_Mike]

Can be either but that all depends on when they want him to start playing in the midfield, if the plan is to play him midfield and he stays fit he will play Round 1 mostly in the middle that's my guess, same as we did with Langford this year.

Yeah, I personally think if he gets through pre-season then he should go straight to VFL and get full minutes as a mid under his belt. If he dominates games then bring him back into seniors by midyear.

Next season shapes up as very interesting year for the kids. I expect Merrett, McGrath and Parish to continue on an upward trajectory. Then we need a couple of Langford, Laverde, Mutch and Begley to take a big step up.

That will give us a great blend of big and small mids with great skills that can also roll forward.

 

[Liberator]

The Footy Panel with Paul Corrigan

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2017-08-30/the-footy-panel-ep-26

• Impressed with Stewart against Freo. Each goal was kicked in different ways. (Scott Lucas)
• Hooksey has had an excellent year (Scott Lucas)
• Baggers has had an exceptional year after a slow start. Has allowed for McGrath to play up on a wing the last couple of weeks (Scott Lucas)
• Zaka's contract was always about contract length (Scott Lucas)
• VFL team started slowly but building nice (Paul Corrigan)
• Kobe Mutch has impressed from the young guys. Big engine and great ability to win ball. Contested and Uncontested. (Paul Corrigan)
• Dylan Clarke has great running ability and size. Can play different roles. (Paul Corrigan)
• Alex Boyse can be drafted. Is athletic and can influence a game. (Paul Corrigan)
• Aaron Francis has progressed well. Has potential to play forward or back. Has a lot of natural talent. Requires patience. He understands where he's at and is doing the work. (Paul Corrigan)
• VFL program is in place for development purposes. Results come second. Structures are the same as the seniors to prepare the players. (Paul Corrigan)
• Kyle Langford is playing VFL to get experience playing predominately as a mid. At senior level he just hasn't been able to get the same exposure. This preseason was his first training as a midfielder. this year has been all about learning the running patterns for a mid and how to influence a game both attacking and defensively. (Paul Corrigan)
• Sees Laverde as being a powerful mid in time. Somebody that can impact in midfield and also up forward. Rotations are key to getting players into the game. (Paul Corrigan)

04:01 to 04:50 for some highlights of The Big Frang's game against Geelong on the weekend... very nice.

 

[BrunoV]

Probably my favourite use of that creepy, creepy gif.

 

[Killer_Mike]

04:01 to 04:50 for some highlights of The Big Frang's game against Geelong on the weekend... very nice.

Yeah, I'm not as concerned as others about his development. He has bucketloads of natural ability and by the time he gets his body right he will be good to go.

Some players take time to get up to the level required to play AFL in regards to experience. I don't think he will have those concerns. Once his body is right he will adjust very fast.

 

[BrunoV]

You've got to hand it to Daniher and Merrett. The season following the one during which they said they'd carry the club forward they made the All Australian side together.

 

[Killer_Mike]

Key stat winners for the Home & Away season.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2017-08-31/stats-snapshot-rds-1-23

Disposals:
1. Zach Merrett – 638 (30.38 per game)

2. Brendon Goddard – 588 (26.73)

3. Dyson Heppell – 582 (26.45)

4. David Zaharakis – 569 (25.86)

5. Michael Hurley – 507 (25.35)

Marks:
1. Brendon Goddard – 162

2. Michael Hurley – 151

3. Joe Daniher – 147

4. Cale Hooker – 139

5. Mark Baguley – 127

Goals:
1. Joe Daniher – 62

2. Cale Hooker – 41

3. Orazio Fantasia – 38

4. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – 34

5. James Stewart – 22

All Australians:
Michael Hurley (centre half back)

Zach Merrett (wing)

Joe Daniher (forward pocket)

Bomber Radio MVP (voting continues during finals):
1. Zach Merrett – 23 votes

1. Michael Hurley – 23 votes

3. Dyson Heppell – 13 votes

4. David Zaharakis – 12 votes

5. Brendon Goddard – 11 votes

5. Joe Daniher – 11 votes

Tackles:
1. Zach Merrett – 116

2. David Zaharakis – 96

3. Dyson Heppell – 90

4. Jobe Watson – 82

5. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 79

David Zaharakis has been one of the side's best performers throughout the season.

Inside 50s:
1. David Zaharakis – 107

2. Dyson Heppell – 95

3. Zach Merrett – 86

4. Joe Daniher – 69

5. Brendon Goddard – 67

Goal assists:
1. David Zaharakis – 19

2. Orazio Fantasia – 18

3. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti – 15

4. Dyson Heppell – 13

4. Brendon Goddard – 13

Contested Possessions:
1. Dyson Heppell – 247

2. Jobe Watson – 193

3. Zach Merrett – 191

4. Brendon Goddard – 162

5. Darcy Parish – 154

Disposals efficiency %:
1. Michael Hartley – 87%

2. Mark Baguley – 86%

3. Matt Dea – 84%

4. Andrew McGrath – 82%

5. Brendon Goddard – 81%

Contested marks:
1. Cale Hooker – 51

2. Joe Daniher – 40

3. Tom Bellchambers – 17

4. Michael Hurley – 15

5. Martin Gleeson – 14

Jobe Watson leads the way in centre clearances for the Bombers this season.

Centre Clearances:
1. Jobe Watson – 50

2. Dyson Heppell – 42

3. Zach Merrett – 31

4. Brendon Goddard – 27

5. David Myers – 22

Rebound 50s:
1. Michael Hurley – 141

2. Zach Merrett – 63

3. Mark Baguley – 60

4. Brendon Goddard – 54

5. Conor McKenna – 53

Metres gained:
1. Zach Merrett – 498.1m per game

2. Michael Hurley – 475m

3. David Zaharakis – 374.4m

4. Dyson Heppell – 358.7m

5. Brendon Goddard – 348.6m

Intercepts:
1. Michael Hurley – 170

2. Martin Gleeson – 112

3. Mark Baguley – 109

4. James Kelly – 99

5. Andrew McGrath – 97

 

[Runk]

So where are we getting 50 clearances from next year? Interesting times

 

[Vindicater]

So where are we getting 50 clearances from next year? Interesting times

Craig Bird

 

[Killer_Mike]

So where are we getting 50 clearances from next year? Interesting times

Langford, Parish, Merrett & McGrath will all contribute t bridging that gap.

Langford will obviously be the direct replacement for Jobe and Parish, Merrett and McGrath will get increased time around stoppages.

 

[Capt Hindsight]

The fact that Myers is top 5 for centre clearances even though he missed 8 games and Watson had the most centre clearances shows how badly that area of the side needs to be fixed, whether from internal development or external recruitment of players.

 

[Capt Hindsight]

Craig Bird

Craig Bird and Howlett will be delisted if the list spots are required.

 

[Yoda_]

The fact that Myers is top 5 for centre clearances even though he missed 8 games and Watson had the most centre clearances shows how badly that area of the side needs to be fixed, whether from internal development or external recruitment of players.

The club has publicly stated that Langford is building for that role.

 

[Capt Hindsight]

The club has publicly stated that Langford is building for that role.

Which is good. However can't just rely on Langford. Need a few inside mid recruits even if they aren't established at other clubs like a Lukas Webb.

 

[Yoda_]

Which is good. However can't just rely on Langford. Need a few inside mid recruits even if they aren't established at other clubs like a Lukas Webb.

Was more in reference to the here and now rather than the development of our own (from a junior product)

 

[Killer_Mike]

Which is good. However can't just rely on Langford. Need a few inside mid recruits even if they aren't established at other clubs like a Lukas Webb.

But this is where the discussin point has been all year.

Option A: Do you use a high pick on an inside mid knowing we have kids already drafted in that position even though they are still an unknown quantity?

Option B: Or do you use a high draft pick on trade or drafting a half back flank that can run the lines knowing that we only have McKenna that can do that? If McKenna gets injured we then only have McGrath.

I think option B.

 

[Yoda_]

But this is where the discussin point has been all year.

Option A: Do you use a high pick on an inside mid knowing we have kids already drafted in that position even though they are still an unknown quantity?

Option B: Or do you use a high draft pick on trade or drafting a half back flank that can run the lines knowing that we only have McKenna that can do that? If McKenna gets injured we then only have McGrath.

I think option B.

The silver lining is that our two most pressing needs (inside mid & half back kicker) are possibly the two easiest positions to fill from a drafting point of view.

Obviously the better ones are taken earlier in the draft but even as late as last year prove you can draft players later and have a meaningful impact in the seniors straight away

 

[Killer_Mike]

The silver lining is that our two most pressing needs (inside mid & half back kicker) are possibly the two easiest positions to fill from a drafting point of view.

Obviously the better ones are taken earlier in the draft but even as late as last year prove you can draft players later and have a meaningful impact in the seniors straight away

Yeah, I agree.

I'm pretty happy with our young mid stocks at this point though so would prefer if we focused on outside talent. For mine a running back and a wing are our biggest needs.

A midfield of Parish, Merrett, Langford, McGrath, Begley and potentially Mutch and Laverde will be very strong in my opinion.

I would love to add a hard running Hibberd/Laird type to help out McKenna and then a Whitfield on the wing that can provide that hard running transition that we lack a little at times.

 

[Yoda_]

Yeah, I agree.

I'm pretty happy with our young mid stocks at this point though so would prefer if we focused on outside talent. For mine a running back and a wing are our biggest needs.

A midfield of Parish, Merrett, Langford, McGrath, Begley and potentially Mutch and Laverde will be very strong in my opinion.

I would love to add a hard running Hibberd/Laird type to help out McKenna and then a Whitfield on the wing that can provide that hard running transition that we lack a little at times.

Feel the club is at the cross roads with where they feel the list is at.

Do we go all out and grab a gun to be or develop within?

Personally feel the latter, we have always developed from within

 

[Killer_Mike]

Feel the club is at the cross roads with where they feel the list is at.

Do we go all out and grab a gun to be or develop within?

Personally feel the latter, we have always developed from within

I'm not sure about crossroads.

List management decisions are generally planned up to 5 years in advance but I guess with whats happened in the last couple of years they have had to do things differently. They have probably taken a lot more riskier choices over the last couple of years but it looks like it's paying dividends.

As far as trading goes I don't think a lot has changed there. If a Kelly were to be available I think they will take him but only if it's at the right price.

The fundamentals of our list are in place and we have very high-end talent in important positions so I think most of the hard work is done. I think we are in a great position because we still have 5 or 6 guys yet to blossom that are showing great potential and the club is starting to look like a destination club again.

I'm very excited about where we are placed. We have some really great young leaders at the club and I think we are approaching another successful phase in this clubs history.

 

[eth-dog]

I reckon Brett Bewley would be a chance to draft as a half back. 22, good running power, and really good kick off both wings.

I have high hopes Redman can be our Zaharakis replacement once Zaka slows down.

 

[Killer_Mike]

I reckon Brett Bewley would be a chance to draft as a half back. 22, good running power, and really good kick off both wings.

I have high hopes Redman can be our Zaharakis replacement once Zaka slows down.

I don't know much about him. Looks a good size.

Nick Hind would be somebody I would consider if he had another 3 or 4kg on him.

 

[eth-dog]

I don't know much about him. Looks a good size.

Nick Hind would be somebody I would consider if he had another 3 or 4kg on him.

Honestly think he has had a better year this year than Luke Ryan did last year (who was very overrated on FigBooty). Bewley is basically Hind with another 7 kilos at a guess and better kicking skills.