Operation Essendon

[kelvin_sheedy]

Lets have a realistic look at what we need to get us back into being a top 4 side.

There are two glaring areas that we need to fix.

1. Midfield - We need to add 2 players to our midfield rotation. One has to be a classy ball winner while the other just needs to run all day. We need to either trade for it or wait for the kids to come through - Hislop, Houli, Dempsey, Lonergan, Jetta... If we wait for the kids to come through then it might take too long to get back to the top and by this time all our champions will be almost finished. I say trade, trade, trade. Give up our first round pick for a midfielder. Names that spring to mind Prismall, Reilly, Rischetilli. It's time we made a serious play for someone.

2. Third mobile forward option. We need a player like Ryan Okeefe, Steve Johnson, Didak, Hunter, Barnard etc that can give us a third option. It's too predictable when we go forward and defences can zone off too easy. Monfries has failed to play that role. Laycock has failed that role. Not sure if Lovett can play that role. Bradley might not have the kicking ability to play that role.

My solution for this problem... Lloyd. Lets play Lloyd as the third tall forward off a flank. He is a smart footballer and can do this role. He has a tremendous work ethic and good skills. We then alternate between Lucas and Gumby/Bradley/Johns at FF/CHF.

These two problems are not that hard to fix. Trading for a midfielder will be the tricky one but I think it's certainly achievable.

Put these two things in place and we're in with a good show for serious finals action.

 

[Nuts4Bolts]

How about another ruck option? Very rarely do we see our ruckmen on top or at least break even for a whole game. I read that Mal Micheal is still good mates with Jamie Charman. I'd be asking Mal to invite Jamie down for a bit of a chat.

 

[BomberAce7]

How about another ruck option? Very rarely do we see our ruckmen on top or at least break even for a whole game. I read that Mal Micheal is still good mates with Jamie Charman. I'd be asking Mal to invite Jamie down for a bit of a chat.

Yep Good Call!

 

[David_Hilley#19]

It is time Lloydy played a game like he used to. We need him to play a leading full-forward. It was great to see him racking up 20 possesions a game but against Collingwood the ball would be bombed in to Lucas and it would be up to Lucas to pick the ball up off the deck and wheel round onto the left and kick a goal, that not how we should use Lucas. Lucas should be leading further up the ground and Lloyd should stay put. That way Lucas could mark the ball further up the ground and would then be able to bomb it long into Lloyds arms.
Also a solution to the thrid forward: Andrew Welsh. We have certainly seen his abilty to play the role in the last few games.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Lets have a realistic look at what we need to get us back into being a top 4 side.

There are two glaring areas that we need to fix.

1. Midfield - We need to add 2 players to our midfield rotation. One has to be a classy ball winner while the other just needs to run all day. We need to either trade for it or wait for the kids to come through - Hislop, Houli, Dempsey, Lonergan, Jetta... If we wait for the kids to come through then it might take too long to get back to the top and by this time all our champions will be almost finished. I say trade, trade, trade. Give up our first round pick for a midfielder. Names that spring to mind Prismall, Reilly, Rischetilli. It's time we made a serious play for someone.

2. Third mobile forward option. We need a player like Ryan Okeefe, Steve Johnson, Didak, Hunter, Barnard etc that can give us a third option. It's too predictable when we go forward and defences can zone off too easy. Monfries has failed to play that role. Laycock has failed that role. Not sure if Lovett can play that role. Bradley might not have the kicking ability to play that role.

My solution for this problem... Lloyd. Lets play Lloyd as the third tall forward off a flank. He is a smart footballer and can do this role. He has a tremendous work ethic and good skills. We then alternate between Lucas and Gumby/Bradley/Johns at FF/CHF.

These two problems are not that hard to fix. Trading for a midfielder will be the tricky one but I think it's certainly achievable.

Put these two things in place and we're in with a good show for serious finals action.

I think Kep could fulfill this role if given the opportunity.

 

[bomberstomake8]

How about another ruck option? Very rarely do we see our ruckmen on top or at least break even for a whole game. I read that Mal Micheal is still good mates with Jamie Charman. I'd be asking Mal to invite Jamie down for a bit of a chat.

thats what i was about to say... hille should be dominating really, has a few good games but with our midfeild being as poor as it is we need first hands on the ball and hille is poor in the hitouts... i dont htink i have ever seen him get hitouts in the 30s... jamie charman would be an awesome pickup.. but my question is what happens to laycock who has just been showing some good form...

we dont need another runner imo in the centre, we just need some pace, the burgoyne brothers would be invaluable for our side at the momment. we have probably the best forward line in the comp and arguably a top 2 or 3 defensive units in the comp.. if our midfeild can step up and get to be average or slightly above then we can be a premiership contender at the momment though we probably have the shitest midfeild in the comp.

 

[retroparty]

We need a matchwinning midfielder/foward. We don't have any but some teams like WCE have 4-5.

 

[The Dustbin]

Lets have a realistic look at what we need to get us back into being a top 4 side.

There are two glaring areas that we need to fix.

1. Midfield - We need to add 2 players to our midfield rotation. One has to be a classy ball winner while the other just needs to run all day. We need to either trade for it or wait for the kids to come through - Hislop, Houli, Dempsey, Lonergan, Jetta... If we wait for the kids to come through then it might take too long to get back to the top and by this time all our champions will be almost finished. I say trade, trade, trade. Give up our first round pick for a midfielder. Names that spring to mind Prismall, Reilly, Rischetilli. It's time we made a serious play for someone.

2. Third mobile forward option. We need a player like Ryan Okeefe, Steve Johnson, Didak, Hunter, Barnard etc that can give us a third option. It's too predictable when we go forward and defences can zone off too easy. Monfries has failed to play that role. Laycock has failed that role. Not sure if Lovett can play that role. Bradley might not have the kicking ability to play that role.

My solution for this problem... Lloyd. Lets play Lloyd as the third tall forward off a flank. He is a smart footballer and can do this role. He has a tremendous work ethic and good skills. We then alternate between Lucas and Gumby/Bradley/Johns at FF/CHF.

These two problems are not that hard to fix. Trading for a midfielder will be the tricky one but I think it's certainly achievable.

Put these two things in place and we're in with a good show for serious finals action.

Great points Kelvin. Fully agree with you.

Maybe Lovett-Murray could be the mobile half forward???

 

[Tambu]

It is time Lloydy played a game like he used to. We need him to play a leading full-forward. It was great to see him racking up 20 possesions a game but against Collingwood the ball would be bombed in to Lucas and it would be up to Lucas to pick the ball up off the deck and wheel round onto the left and kick a goal, that not how we should use Lucas. Lucas should be leading further up the ground and Lloyd should stay put. That way Lucas could mark the ball further up the ground and would then be able to bomb it long into Lloyds arms.
Also a solution to the thrid forward: Andrew Welsh. We have certainly seen his abilty to play the role in the last few games.

Good post, completely agree!

I'd like to see Bradley being used as a third target up forward, his marking ability is fantastic. I think he could do some damage up forward provided Lloyd stays put at FF taking the opposition's best or second best defender.

 

[Jono B]

Neagle is the perfect size for 3rd forward (when he is not injured).

 

[Crave]

How about another ruck option? Very rarely do we see our ruckmen on top or at least break even for a whole game. I read that Mal Micheal is still good mates with Jamie Charman. I'd be asking Mal to invite Jamie down for a bit of a chat.

Totally agree there, Hille is massive, yet covers more ground than Laycock. From memory, Lazycock has given us a quarter here and there and one great game.

Still just the token second ruckman in my book. Charman or Spider Everitt wouldve been great for us this season. Especially Spider showing our younger brigade where to position themselves alongside some quality tap ruck work.

 

[Merv]

Totally agree there, Hille is massive, yet covers more ground than Laycock. From memory, Lazycock has given us a quarter here and there and one great game.

Still just the token second ruckman in my book. Charman or Spider Everitt wouldve been great for us this season. Especially Spider showing our younger brigade where to position themselves alongside some quality tap ruck work.

Laycock is 22 , we need to give him time and gametime.

He has shown enough to suggest he could be a good ruckman.

Everitt?.....don't you think we have enough ageing players already?

Charman was never available

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Laycock needs to alternate between full games of VFL and AFL.

We could ruck with Hille most of the time and Ryder providing support depending on matchups.

We have Adelaide this week so Hille can go with Hudson in the ruck and Ryder with Maric.

Ideally I see the future being Ryder + one of Hille/Laycock.

 

[marcuz]

Lets have a realistic look at what we need to get us back into being a top 4 side.

There are two glaring areas that we need to fix.

1. Midfield - We need to add 2 players to our midfield rotation. One has to be a classy ball winner while the other just needs to run all day. We need to either trade for it or wait for the kids to come through - Hislop, Houli, Dempsey, Lonergan, Jetta... If we wait for the kids to come through then it might take too long to get back to the top and by this time all our champions will be almost finished. I say trade, trade, trade. Give up our first round pick for a midfielder. Names that spring to mind Prismall, Reilly, Rischetilli. It's time we made a serious play for someone.

.

I wouldnt give a 1st round pick for any of those players simply because none of them are of star quality. They are support players who contribute each week but none can carry a midfield.

If Fletch, LLoyd and Lucas dont play in another flag then thats just bad luck. I'd rather build a strong side for 8-10 years than panic and try and buy a flag only to cop it in the arse for just as long. We have way to many holes to fill to win a flag in a couple of years.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

I wouldnt give a 1st round pick for any of those players simply because none of them are of star quality. They are support players who contribute each week but none can carry a midfield.

If Fletch, LLoyd and Lucas dont play in another flag then thats just bad luck. I'd rather build a strong side for 8-10 years than panic and try and buy a flag only to cop it in the arse for just as long. We have way to many holes to fill to win a flag in a couple of years.

How do you guarantee pick 6-10 will be of star quality and can carry the midfield?

If it's about building a side for the next 8-10 years than we should basically trade anyone of any value in their - Lucas, Hille, Mcphee.

I think astute trading is the way to go (trading our first pick and maybe a McPhee) and playing consistent finals football. Players develop a lot more and have a lot more currency for future trades.

We have done well in the past with trades.. Wellman, Barnard, Denham so there's no reason why we can't again.

 

[monty1104]

This draft would be the draft to trade picks. It isnt a strong draft so we may as well take a punt with out later picks and trade our early picks. And lets not forget we have Darcy Daniher basically in the bag if we want him. Apparantly he has started, or is planing to start training with Essendon, so it looks as though he has made up his mind to play for Essendon.

 

[RED AND BLACK SOLDIER]

This draft would be the draft to trade picks. It isnt a strong draft so we may as well take a punt with out later picks and trade our early picks. And lets not forget we have Darcy Daniher basically in the bag if we want him. Apparantly he has started, or is planing to start training with Essendon, so it looks as though he has made up his mind to play for Essendon.

Remember the bidding system? I'd want to trade our late picks rather than our early picks because of the lack of draft depth this year, late picks will probably be useless which would make earlier picks a whole lot more important. If we traded away our early picks and were left with the late picks, IMO there would be a strong chance that we would get nothing out of the draft because we would probably just delist them in the future.

 

[gPhonque]

It is time Lloydy played a game like he used to. We need him to play a leading full-forward.

That would be a good start.

I'd rather have 10 Lloyd possessions playing as a leading full-forward over 500 Lloyd possessions anywhere else on the ground.

 

[monty1104]

Yes I remember the bidding system. But the bidding takes place before trade week so obviously we wouldnt trade away the pick we have saved for Daniher. And as for the draft, it is a lottery whether you have early or late pick anyway. So I would rather trade our earlier picks for proven players than chance the draft and end up with duds anyway. Essendon has a good record of getting lucky with late picks, so you just never know.

 

[marcuz]

How do you guarantee pick 6-10 will be of star quality and can carry the midfield?

You don't trade your first round picks for decent footballers...unless you're Freo of course. You have a very good chance of picking up a better footballer with your first round selection, you just have to wait a few years for them to develop.

We have done well in the past with trades.. Wellman, Barnard, Denham so there's no reason why we can't again.

They were all player for player, not player for picks. Unless you are getting a bloody good footballer to top up your list and lead you to some success then keep your first round picks in the bank.

 

[Merv]

This draft would be the draft to trade picks. It isnt a strong draft so we may as well take a punt with out later picks and trade our early picks. And lets not forget we have Darcy Daniher basically in the bag if we want him. Apparantly he has started, or is planing to start training with Essendon, so it looks as though he has made up his mind to play for Essendon.

We need to be very careful when labelling a draft as being not as strong as others.

Kids will always come through in EVERY draft and from ANY pick number.

The early talent in this draft is very good, the real concern is there is supposed to be very little depth

Recruiters get it wrong, from every club, year after year.

I have no problem with us trading a player, ie lovett, johns, dyson etc with 1 or 2 later picks but where our club is atm, we need a lot of young talent for the future.

 

[monty1104]

We need to get a good midfielder in the draft. Hopefully we can get one, but in the draft we run the risk of picking up a dud. So either we trade for a goodestablished midfielder, or we chance it in the draft. I suppose it all depends on what picks we end up with and also what pick we have to use on Daniher. Im just hoping Carlton win another game so they dont get the priority pick. It isnt looking good ATM though.

 

[angus6]

We need our midfield players to be watson, stanton, winderlich, rama, mcveigh, jj, and pev. a good balance of ball winners and speed. also hird will go in there aswell obviously. dyson can rotate through there aswell.

lovett is not a midfielder and should not be played there he needs to play on a flank and use his speed to lay tackles. he can kick crumbing goals aswell.

guys like mcphee and welsh should not be used in the midfield. mcphee should be used across half back and thats it. dont actually give him a defensive role get him to dictate who goes to him. play a very attacking game and have them worry about him.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

You don't trade your first round picks for decent footballers...unless you're Freo of course. You have a very good chance of picking up a better footballer with your first round selection, you just have to wait a few years for them to develop.

Here's a list of the picks that we are looking at from the last 6 drafts :

6     Ashley Sampi     South Fremantle Football Club     West Coast Eagles
7     David Hale     Broadbeach     Kangaroos
8     James Bartel     Geelong Falcons     Geelong
9     Luke Molan     Geelong Falcons     Melbourne
10    Sam Power     Oakleigh Chargers     Western Bulldogs

5     Jarrad McVeigh     NSW-ACT U18     Sydney Swans
6     Steven Salopek     Dandenong U18     Port Adelaide
7     Andrew Mackie     Glenelg Football Club     Geelong
8     Luke Brennan     Northern Ballarat Football Club     Hawthorn
9     Hamish McIntosh     Murray U18     Kangaroos
10    Jason Laycock     Tasmania U18     Essendon
11    Jason Winderlich     Gippsland U18     Essendon

5     Brock McLean     Calder Cannons     Melbourne
6     Kepler Bradley     West Perth Football Club     Essendon
7     Kane Tenace     Murray Bushrangers     Geelong
8     Raphael Clarke     St. Mary's Football Club     St. Kilda
9     David Trotter     Calder Cannons     Kangaroos

6     Tom Williams     Morningside Football Club     Western Bulldogs
7     Jordan Lewis     Geelong Falcons     Hawthorn
8     John Meesen     Geelong Falcons     Adelaide
9     Jordan Russell     West Adelaide Football Club     Carlton
10    Chris Egan     Murray Bushrangers     Collingwood

6     Beau Dowler     Oakleigh Chargers     Hawthorn
7     Patrick Ryder     East Fremantle Football Club     Essendon
8     Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls     East Perth Football Club     Richmond
9     Mitchell Clark     East Fremantle Football Club     Brisbane Lions
10    Marcus Drum     Murray Bushrangers     Fremantle
11    Shaun Higgins     Geelong Falcons     Western Bulldogs
12    Nathan Jones     Dandenong Stingrays     Melbourne
13    Shannon Hurn     Central Districts     West Coast

6     Mitchell Thorp     Tassie Mariners Hawthorn Hawks
7     Joel Selwood     Bendigo Pioneers Geelong Cats
8     Ben Reid     Murray Bushrangers Collingwood Magpies
9     David Armitage     Morningside Football Club St Kilda Saints
10    Nathan Brown     North Ballarat Rebels     Collingwood Magpies

I would say there's been two really good gets in that range Bartel and Selwood with Lewis good also.

There's also been a few that haven't turned out that well like Sam Power, Sampi, Jarrad Oakley-Nicholls, Kane Tenace, Raph Clarke, Luke Brennan.

I think our midfield stocks are pretty good for the next few years with Watson, Stanton, Winderlich, Lovett, Nash, Pev, Rama, McVeigh, Dempsey, Hislop, Houli, Jetta, Monfries.

We need two extra guys for depth and until Hislop/Houli/Jetta can start contributing.

A proven guy in the 20-24 range will be of more value than a punt on an untried draftee.

 

[Crave]

Laycock is 22 , we need to give him time and gametime.

He has shown enough to suggest he could be a good ruckman.

Everitt?.....don't you think we have enough ageing players already?

Charman was never available

How much time do you give a lazy footballer? You have your head in the clouds if you think he's given us enough to suggest he's ready to take on most of the ruckman going around currently.

Funny you mention aging players and the Swans seem to have had some success with Jason Ball and now Everitt. He's just had an exceptional month of football. Something even Campo (if we're discussing aging players) hasnt accomplished with us.

A player like Laycock has to demand gametime and watching him spend extended periods on the bench illustrates that Sheedy isnt confident he can turn/stem the tide.

As Ive stated, he's the token second ruckman at our club and easily replaceable.