Watching the Ess game last night , it was probably the first time that I have seen the potential upside of Keepler Bradley. Really looked like he might be the type of player who will setup numerous rebounds for the Bombers in the years to come. There has been plenty comment in the papers, on the radio about their choice of picking Bradley before Tenace but some people have forgotten that the Cats were set to go for Bradley themselves if Ess. went Tenace before Braddley. Essendon’s ability to stay there abouts, get a flag every 5-8 years but never really drop to the depth that poor clubs do while they build for a new era. Essendon is the paragon of how we should be.
What it also shows is that we have a pretty good talent judgment group employed by our club as well. Without Priority Picks, without even top 5 picks, we have been the stars of the draft since 99 because with our lower picks we have found likes Enright, Ling, Chapman, Hunt, Playfair. These players have increased the wealth of our player stocks which is really what causes big drops by the poor clubs, poor player wealth on the list due to poor picks from the round 3 on.
These days with U18 Champs, draft camps , the First rounder’s almost pick themselves. Only bad luck should prevent you getting a 100+ gamer but from round 3 on a clubs RD starts to earn it money. In general our group have done an excellent job in the R3+ picks. Yes we have done all right with F/S but we have still have had to make the judgment call to take them and not all clubs do. Look at the Roos, this year they will get a Jessie W Smith ,son of Ross, Larke Medal winner , probable 1st rounder. Pretty easy FS pick but they have passed up the chance to get Jim Krackours son who now plays for Richmond and looks good if you ask me. Thank God we haven’t done that with any of ours.
What ever we spend on this group its worth it. Its probably the most important group in a football club today and no matter how good we currently, it should be an area we are continue develop excellence in. I think Fletcher was brought to the club last year, Im not sure what he is currently tasked to do but we should continue to recruit to this department.
What it also shows is that we have a pretty good talent judgment group employed by our club as well. Without Priority Picks, without even top 5 picks, we have been the stars of the draft since 99 because with our lower picks we have found likes Enright, Ling, Chapman, Hunt, Playfair. These players have increased the wealth of our player stocks which is really what causes big drops by the poor clubs, poor player wealth on the list due to poor picks from the round 3 on.
These days with U18 Champs, draft camps , the First rounder’s almost pick themselves. Only bad luck should prevent you getting a 100+ gamer but from round 3 on a clubs RD starts to earn it money. In general our group have done an excellent job in the R3+ picks. Yes we have done all right with F/S but we have still have had to make the judgment call to take them and not all clubs do. Look at the Roos, this year they will get a Jessie W Smith ,son of Ross, Larke Medal winner , probable 1st rounder. Pretty easy FS pick but they have passed up the chance to get Jim Krackours son who now plays for Richmond and looks good if you ask me. Thank God we haven’t done that with any of ours.
What ever we spend on this group its worth it. Its probably the most important group in a football club today and no matter how good we currently, it should be an area we are continue develop excellence in. I think Fletcher was brought to the club last year, Im not sure what he is currently tasked to do but we should continue to recruit to this department.
