Melksham's replacement

[pjfairbairn]

Very sad news for all sports fans in Australia, regardless of your feelings on Essendon. I've always despised the Club, but I feel nothing but sympathy for the supporters who've certainly done nothing wrong. I feel a degree of sympathy for the players, who ultimately have to be responsible for what they take and are well educated on this by the AFLPA, and genuine anger towards the coach and management who chased success at the expense of the players' wellbeing (both physical & their right to play AFL).

Anyway, unfortunately we've got a situation where Jake Melksham will need to be replaced on our list, and while we are waiting for the AFL to announce how this will be done I thought it is worth speculating a little.

Sam Landsberger (HS) wonders whether there will be a mini-draft. If so, it will be interesting to see how they work out the order (surely everybody first then Essendon).

There are alternatives: upgrade a rookie (Viv Michie, Mitch White, Josh Wagner, Joel Smith or Max King), look at Daniel Cross (already at the Club & on staff) or go outside of the MFC to either somebody who was passed over in the draft or a former AFL player. Good list here.

Thoughts?

 

[Devastating Boris]

Crossy for me.

 

[stabler]

Crossy for me.

Yep. fully agree.

We need to get on the front foot and demand a replacement and that we would like Crossy to be that man. Otherwise Essendon will be all over him.

 

[Theseventhhamster]

Mitch White, Melksham was earmarked for half back so go like for like.

 

[ChubbyGallon]

Can I ask why do MEL get a top up player when the Pies were not able to for the Thomas and Keefe suspensions

 

[CWaffles]

Can I ask why do MEL get a top up player when the Pies were not able to for the Thomas and Keefe suspensions

Surely you guys were able to bring 2 blokes off your rookie list to cover those two? thats all I think we will end up being able to do.

Doubt we will be able to bring in Cross to cover him but you never know.

 

[Crusty Demon]

Its very murky. Essendon dont deserve to bring in replacement players. They f***ed up, so let them play out the season with the list theyve got. But the AFL wont let that happen. I can see us being allowed to upgrade a rookie already on our list, but thats it. We knew the risks when recruiting Melksham, so why should we have a free crack at another player? But like i said, what the AFL allows Essendon will surely set the precedent to what the other clubs affected can do..

 

[harry000]

Can I ask why do MEL get a top up player when the Pies were not able to for the Thomas and Keefe suspensions

We are just speculating that if Essendon get top up players so should we. The difference between the Essendon case and the case of your two guys is that Essendon will struggle to field a team which will effect the comp as a whole.

 

[dylan93]

Considering we've got 1 more player than we need already, 45 which becomes 44 after you take Melkspud out of the equation. I have a feeling we'll just upgrade one of Michie, Wagner, White, Smith or Max King (ordered most likely to least likely in my opinion) and that's it.

 

[TheCount]

We'll just be able to replace him with a Rookie ... no external top ups. I'd imagine we'd get the NAB Challenge to decide who we go with ... Given the talk of Mitch White training so well, and him being more of a like for like, he'd be the most suitable.

 

[pjfairbairn]

Thread closed haha? Didn't take long for speculation to lead to a decision, for once the AFL acted swiftly!

FWIW I think Michie would be the front runner, followed by White. Do we also have the opportunity to elevate one prior to Round 1 as well?

 

[Balony_pony16]

It is an interesting point... surely clubs will ask for top up players if Bombers are allowed to do it?

 

[ponsdale]

White, then Michie for me.

The NAB Cup will be interesting.

 

[LeverPuller]

Can I ask why do MEL get a top up player when the Pies were not able to for the Thomas and Keefe suspensions

Not officially guilty v guilty

 

[harry000]

Wagner was selected as a ready made half back flank. Could be a good option?

 

[Topkent]

Think Tom Bugg just gets a free shot at round 1 now does he not? Maybe Jack Trengove later in the year if he hasnt lost all his pace

 

[pjfairbairn]

Hinkley sounds as though he isn't happy with the AFL ruling, and will seek to have it changed. Wonder our stance?

Earlier on Tuesday the AFL said the Power would be eligible to upgrade two rookies to cover the loss of Ryder and Monfries.

But Hinkley said he wanted to start the season with a full list and that the club would seek to gain permission from the AFL to do so.

"We'll have the opportunity to upgrade two rookies, we would hope and like to think there's a little bit more to that," Hinkley said.

"I'd like to start the season with a full list of players – there's no doubt about that. This is an unusual [circumstance], I think there should be some flexibility in what that looks like. "That's going to be a matter for a bit later on."

 

[ponsdale]

Hinkley sounds as though he isn't happy with the AFL ruling, and will seek to have it changed. Wonder our stance?

Earlier on Tuesday the AFL said the Power would be eligible to upgrade two rookies to cover the loss of Ryder and Monfries.

But Hinkley said he wanted to start the season with a full list and that the club would seek to gain permission from the AFL to do so.

"We'll have the opportunity to upgrade two rookies, we would hope and like to think there's a little bit more to that," Hinkley said.

"I'd like to start the season with a full list of players – there's no doubt about that. This is an unusual [circumstance], I think there should be some flexibility in what that looks like. "That's going to be a matter for a bit later on."

Two additional rookies?

 

[Crusty Demon]

Two additional rookies?

Agreed. We should be able to upgrade a rookie to the main list and be able to replace that player with another rookie. The 4 clubs affected outside of Essendon should be able to have a full list. Yes, we knew the risk by taking Melksham, but we are punished by not being able to play that particular player for a year. We should be allowed to have a full list in 2016..

 

[Topkent]

Maybe a chance to give Jake Lovett a crack if hes any good

 

[Crimson Azure]

How about that guy we got from Essendon?

 

[Meds]

Can't see us getting much benefit from adding another rookie to be honest.
Collingwood and Freo didn't get to top up their lists, can't see how we are any different. The only reason the AFL is considering it for Essendon is that without them they may not be able to field a team by season's end

 

[PerfectFooty]

Can't see us getting much benefit from adding another rookie to be honest.
Collingwood and Freo didn't get to top up their lists, can't see how we are any different. The only reason the AFL is considering it for Essendon is that without them they may not be able to field a team by season's end

fiddlesticks to Essendon. you reap what you sow

 

[Jiska]

I'm just stoked that after years of copping shit from all and sundry I can look forward to the season knowing we won't end up with the spoon.

...surely not...

 

[ManWithNoName]

I'm just stoked that after years of copping shit from all and sundry I can look forward to the season knowing we won't end up with the spoon.

...surely not...

Melksham to inspire the players to a finals tilt.

#Melkmentum