See the Bombers fly up?

[NathanMX]

Shiel and a first rounder?

Definitely more realistic then the post above yours

3 number 1 picks in total have turned into superstars. A few have been busts, most have been average and the other is Jack Watts

 

[demondavey]

Definitely more realistic then the post above yours

3 number 1 picks in total have turned into superstars. A few have been busts, most have been average and the other is Jack Watts

I'd keep it if I was Essendon.

 

[NathanMX]

I'd keep it if I was Essendon.

Bar Fremantle to Hawthorn nobody else has traded pick 1 have they?

 

[Adelaide Hawk]

Bar Fremantle to Hawthorn nobody else has traded pick 1 have they?

I think St.Kilda may have in the late 80s.

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Definitely more realistic then the post above yours

3 number 1 picks in total have turned into superstars. A few have been busts, most have been average and the other is Jack Watts

Most of those number 1 picks were in an era where the recruiting department was a couple of old blokes that drove to local footy games every weekend. Very different in the modern era, particularly when we aren't dealing with key position players who tend to go early because of their position.

 

[NathanMX]

Most of those number 1 picks were in an era where the recruiting department was a couple of old blokes that drove to local footy games every weekend. Very different in the modern era, particularly when we aren't dealing with key position players who tend to go early because of their position.

Hope whoever you pick at least dodges injury. Pick 2 with Gumbleton would have hamstrung any team given his bad luck.

Bar Riewoldt, Hodge and Goddard nobody else has come close to being an outright superstar so the lesson here is to listen to our recruiters not Carlton or Melbournes
Oh and never ever ever take advice from Fremantle on draft picks either

 

[Rack Watts]

Don't envisage significant improvement until the likes of Laverde, Langford, Parish, Tipungwuti and Fantasia have all played 50+ games. Not convinced on their 2017 prospects like many others seemingly are, though I think they'll be okay in the long run with some additional depth. 13-16 is their range next season and mid-table or better in 2018.

Many others? Who's enthusiastic about our 2017?

 

[Chuckie357]

In the words of dyson heppel "Yeah, nah mate

 

[Randomizor]

2015 was not a reflection of yours.

Witty. Take you a while to come up with that one?

 

[Jade]

Witty. Take you a while to come up with that one?

About a second; was handed to me.

 

[bomberz20_72]

Hardly anyone mentioned it but what an advantage they had this year being able to trial a bunch of random blokes and assess their capabilities at the top level, it will help them immensely in 2017.

Subconsciously or not during this year and probably the previous few years since February 5 2013, they have been getting pumped up for season 2017, everyone involved with that club is eagerly chomping at the bit for their stars to return and have been able to use the 2016 season to quietly build momentum towards their freedom as a club next year, they have been waiting for it for a while now and as we saw this year with the Dogs, momentum and emotion can go a long way...

How far can they go?

Surely drunk, yeah?

 

[demondavey]

Bar Fremantle to Hawthorn nobody else has traded pick 1 have they?

Are you trying to be a smart arse?

 

[NathanMX]

Are you trying to be a smart arse?

Nope, not sure why you think that. Just dont keep track of every top pick, Fremantle giving up their choice of Hodge/Ball/Judd is infamous, perhaps other teams traded pick 1 but the deal did not go as awry?

 

[Bomberblitzer]

Its never as good or as bad as it seems. Essendon will finish 8-12th and upset a few teams along the way. 2018-19 is really when the elite talent we've been picking up will start showing.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Bulldogs showed that anything could happen.

Personally I think we will start slow but then get up to speed as the season progresses.

 

[demondavey]

Nope, not sure why you think that. Just dont keep track of every top pick, Fremantle giving up their choice of Hodge/Ball/Judd is infamous, perhaps other teams traded pick 1 but the deal did not go as awry?

I think Fremantle was the only club on record to trade pick 1. It certainly backfired when in 2004 Croad was back at Hawthorn. Essentially got nothing in the end. This is the same club that didn't like the look of Andrew McLeod because he had an earring.

 

[abluebagger]

Hardly anyone mentioned it but what an advantage they had this year being able to trial a bunch of random blokes and assess their capabilities at the top level, it will help them immensely in 2017.

Subconsciously or not during this year and probably the previous few years since February 5 2013, they have been getting pumped up for season 2017, everyone involved with that club is eagerly chomping at the bit for their stars to return and have been able to use the 2016 season to quietly build momentum towards their freedom as a club next year, they have been waiting for it for a while now and as we saw this year with the Dogs, momentum and emotion can go a long way...

How far can they go?

 

[bombersfan4000]

Hardly anyone mentioned it but what an advantage they had this year being able to trial a bunch of random blokes and assess their capabilities at the top level, it will help them immensely in 2017.

Subconsciously or not during this year and probably the previous few years since February 5 2013, they have been getting pumped up for season 2017, everyone involved with that club is eagerly chomping at the bit for their stars to return and have been able to use the 2016 season to quietly build momentum towards their freedom as a club next year, they have been waiting for it for a while now and as we saw this year with the Dogs, momentum and emotion can go a long way...

How far can they go?

add in the fact they have some decent draft picks for winning the wooden spoon

 

[PP34]

How many of these threads want to pop up?

Even with the banned players back, I just can't see a lot of improvement. They've been very ordinary for years.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

How many of these threads want to pop up?

Even with the banned players back, I just can't see a lot of improvement. They've been very ordinary for years.

That's about to change my friend.

 

[PP34]

That's about to change my friend.

Why would it?

Watson and Goddard would have to be very good for the next few years to see you climb up the ladder. Highly doubtful with both getting on in age.

Impressed by the likes of Merrett, Parish and Daniher, but that's only three players. You've had better lists and been absolutely nowhere.

 

[emblurr]

Disclaimer: Past Performance is Not Necessarily Indicative of Future Results

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Why would it?

Watson and Goddard would have to be very good for the next few years to see you climb up the ladder. Highly doubtful with both getting on in age.

Impressed by the likes of Merrett, Parish and Daniher, but that's only three players. You've had better lists and been absolutely nowhere.

You can add Fantasia,Laverde,Tippa,Langford,Francis to the list plus will be adding some more from this years draft if anything our list is in it's best shape for a long time imo.

 

[SouthSwans]

Why would it?

Watson and Goddard would have to be very good for the next few years to see you climb up the ladder. Highly doubtful with both getting on in age.

A fresh Hurley, Hooker, Heppell & co will be handy as well.

Impressed by the likes of Merrett, Parish and Daniher, but that's only three players. You've had better lists and been absolutely nowhere.

There are plenty of others apart from those three whose development accelerated immeasurably during the experience of 2016, I'm not just talking about the players either.

 

[LB#16]

Why would it?

Watson and Goddard would have to be very good for the next few years to see you climb up the ladder. Highly doubtful with both getting on in age.

Impressed by the likes of Merrett, Parish and Daniher, but that's only three players. You've had better lists and been absolutely nowhere.

On what occasion did Essendon have a better list? I've been following since they've been mediocre and I can't remember a season with a better combination of young players and experienced heads.