Yep.I’d say it’s less that Essendon tried to shortcut it and more Essendon bought in the wrong players.
The 5 drafted in players between 2020-23 should have set this team up by now.
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Yep.I’d say it’s less that Essendon tried to shortcut it and more Essendon bought in the wrong players.
Yep.
The 5 drafted in players between 2020-23 should have set this team up by now.
Yep.
The 5 drafted in players between 2020-23 should have set this team up by now.
Especially when you include getting Martin, Duz as freebies
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I view Martin as the honorary 2019 first round selection (based on age), Durham for 2021 and Caldwell (with Duursma 2nd) for 2018. If Reid can continue lessening the severity of his injuries as he seems to be his talent has shown he can be the saving grace of 2020.
In hindsight our honorary 1sts/2nds drafting history (based on age) looks like,
2018: Caldwell, Duursma
2019: Martin, Bryan
2020: Reid
2021: Durham
2022: May
2023: Caddy, Roberts
2024: Kako, Clarke
2025: #4, #5, #6, #22, #25
If our picks were taken in said succession most would look back on that and consider it a pretty solid run. Despite the busts we seemed to have lucked out on some in the midst of it, with 11 (+ a possible 5 this year, 16 in total) worthy 1sts/2nds that have the potential to form good part of our list build going forward notwithstanding the 2026/2017 drafts and free agency to come.
I would also put Lewis Hayes into the list from the 2022 Draft.I view Martin as the honorary 2019 first round selection (based on age), Durham for 2021 and Caldwell (with Duursma 2nd) for 2018. If Reid can continue lessening the severity of his injuries as he seems to be his talent has shown he can be the saving grace of 2020.
In hindsight our honorary 1sts/2nds drafting history (based on age) looks like,
2018: Caldwell, Duursma
2019: Martin, Bryan
2020: Reid
2021: Durham
2022: May
2023: Caddy, Roberts
2024: Kako, Clarke
2025: #4, #5, #6, #22, #25
If our picks were taken in said succession most would look back on that and consider it a pretty solid run. Despite the busts we seemed to have lucked out on some in the midst of it, with 11 (+ a possible 5 this year, 16 in total) worthy 1sts/2nds that have the potential to form good part of our list build going forward notwithstanding the 2026/2017 drafts and free agency to come.
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Taylor Walker | A | #75 National 2007 |
| Brodie Smith | B | #14 National 2010 |
| Matt Crouch | B | #23 National 2013 |
| Wayne Milera | B | #11 National 2015 |
| Darcy Fogarty | B | #12 National 2017 |
| Chayce Jones | C+ | #9 National 2018 |
| Lachlan Sholl | B | #64 National 2018 |
| Harry Schoenberg | C+ | #24 National 2019 |
| Josh Worrell | C+ | #28 National 2019 |
| Riley Thilthorpe | C+ | #2 National 2020 |
| Luke Pedlar | C+ | #11 National 2020 |
| Brayden Cook | C | #25 National 2020 |
| Sam Berry | C+ | #28 National 2020 |
| Josh Rachele | B | #6 National 2021 |
| Jake Soligo | B | #36 National 2021 |
| Zac Taylor | C | #44 National 2021 |
| Max Michalanney | C+ | #17 National 2022 (father/son) |
| Billy Dowling | C | #43 National 2022 |
| Hugh Bond | C | #50 National 2022 |
| Dan Curtin | C | #8 National 2023 |
| Charlie Edwards | D | #21 National 2023 |
| Oscar Ryan | D | #27 National 2023 |
| Sid Draper | D | #4 National 2024 |
| Tyler Welsh | D | #59 National 2024 |
No current season stats available
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Rory Laird | A | #5 Rookie 2011 |
| Reilly O'Brien | B | #9 Rookie 2014 |
| Lachlan Murphy | C+ | #38 Rookie 2017 |
| Kieran Strachan | D | #7 Rookie 2018 |
| Jordon Butts | C+ | #39 Rookie 2018 |
| Ben Keays | B+ | Re-drafted #7 Rookie 2019 (originally drafted by Brisbane, #24 National 2015) |
| Mitch Hinge | B | Signed as a Delisted Free Agent (originally drafted by Brisbane, #20 Rookie 2016) |
| Nick Murray | C | SSP 2020 |
| James Borlase | C+ | Zone 2020 |
| Jordan Dawson | A | Traded in 2021 for 2022R1 (Melb) (originally drafted by Sydney, #56 National 2015) |
| Luke Nankervis | C+ | #2 Pre-Season 2021 |
| Mark Keane | B | Signed via SSP 2022 (originally signed by Collingwood, International 2018) |
| Izak Rankine | B+ | Traded in 2022 with #46 for #5, 2023R3 (Adel) and 2023R4 (Adel) (originally drafted by Gold Coast, #3 National 2018) |
| Chris Burgess | C+ | Traded in 2023 with #14 for #23 & #26 (originally prelisted by Gold Coast in 2018) |
| Karl Gallagher | D | International 2023 |
| Toby Murray | D | #7 Mid-Season 2023 |
| Alex Neal-Bullen | B | Traded in 2024 for #28 (originally drafted by Melbourne, #40 National 2014) |
| Isaac Cumming | B | Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent 2024 (originally drafted by GWS #20 National 2016) |
| James Peatling | B | Traded in 2024 with 2025 R3 (GWS) and 2025R4 (GWS) for 2025R2 (Adel) (originally drafted by GWS, #8 Mid-Season 2020) |
| Lachlan McAndrew | D | Signed via SSP 2024 (originally drafted by Sydney, #12 Mid-Season 2020) |
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Draft |
|---|---|---|
| James Sicily | A | #56 National 2013 |
| Blake Hardwick | B | #44 National 2015 |
| Harry Morrison | C+ | #74 National 2016 |
| Mitch Lewis | B | #76 National 2016 |
| James Worpel | B+ | #45 National 2017 |
| Dylan Moore | A | #67 National 2017 |
| Will Day | B+ | #13 National 2019 |
| Finn Maginness | B | #29 National 2019 (father/son) |
| Seamus Mitchell | C | #29 National 2020 |
| Josh Ward | C+ | #7 National 2021 |
| Sam Butler | C | #23 National 2021 |
| Connor Macdonald | B | #26 National 2021 |
| Jai Serong | C | #53 National 2021 |
| Cam Mackenzie | C+ | #7 National 2022 |
| Josh Weddle | B | #18 National 2022 |
| Henry Hustwaite | D | #37 National 2022 |
| Bailey Macdonald | D | #51 National 2022 |
| Nick Watson | C+ | #5 National 2023 |
| Will McCabe | D | #19 National 2023 (father/son) |
| Bodie Ryan | D | #46 National 2023 |
| Calsher Dear | C | #56 National 2023 (father/son) |
| Noah Mraz | D | #35 National 2024 |
| Cody Anderson | D | #64 National 2024 |
No current season stats available
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Luke Breust | B+ | #47 Rookie 2008 |
| Jack Gunston | B | Traded in 2011 with #53 and #71 for #24, #46 and #64 (originally drafted by Adelaide, #29 National 2009) |
| Conor Nash | B | Unregistered 2016 |
| Jarman Impey | B | Traded in 2017 with #67 for #33, #61 and 2018R4 (Haw) (originally drafted by Port Adelaide, #21 National 2013) |
| Changkuoth Jiath | B | Unregistered 2017 |
| Ned Reeves | C+ | SSP 2018 |
| Jack Scrimshaw | B | Traded in 2018 with 2019R4 (GC) for 2019R3 (Haw) (originally drafted by Gold Coast, #7 National 2016) |
| Sam Frost | C+ | Traded in 2019 with #42, #61 and 2020R4 (Melb) for #2020R2 (Haw) and #50 (originally drafted by GWS, #1 Rookie 2011) |
| Jai Newcombe | A | #2 Mid-Season 2020 |
| James Blanck | C | #20 Mid-Season 2021 |
| Max Ramsden | D | #6 Mid-Season 2021 |
| Karl Amon | B | Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2022 (originally drafted by Port Adelaide, #68 National 2013) |
| Lloyd Meek | C+ | Traded in 2022 with 2023R3 (WB) for O'Meara and 2023R4 (Haw) (originally drafted by Fremantle, #69 National 2017) |
| Massimo D'Ambrosio | B+ | Traded in 2023 for #61 and 2024R4 (Coll) (originally drafted by Essendon, #3 Mid-Season 2021) |
| Mabior Chol | B | Traded in 2023 with #62 for 2024R2 (Bris) (originally drafted by Richmond, #30 Rookie 2015) |
| Jack Ginnivan | B | Traded in 2023 with #39, 2024R2 (Coll) and 2024R4 (Coll) for #33, 2024R2 (Haw) and 2024R3 (Haw) (originally drafted by Collingwood, #13 Rookie 2020) |
| Jasper Scaife | D | #5 Mid-Season 2023 |
| Josh Battle | B | Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2024 (originally drafted by St Kilda, #39 National 2016) |
| Tom Barrass | B | Traded in 2024 with 2025R4 (WCE) for 2025R1 (Haw), 2025R2 (Haw), and 2025R3 (Haw) (originally drafted by West Coast, #43 National 2013) |
| Matt Hill | D | Unregistered 2024 |
| Jaime Uhr-Henry | D | Unregistered 2024 |
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Draft |
|---|---|---|
| Zach Merrett | A | #26 National 2013 |
| Kyle Langford | B+ | #17 National 2014 |
| Jayden Laverde | C+ | #20 National 2014 |
| Darcy Parish | B+ | #5 National 2015 |
| Mason Redman | B+ | #30 National 2015 |
| Andrew McGrath | B | #1 National 2016 |
| Jordan Ridley | B | #22 National 2016 |
| Matt Guelfi | C+ | #76 National 2017 |
| Harrison Jones | C+ | #30 National 2019 |
| Nick Bryan | C | #38 National 2019 |
| Nik Cox | C+ | #8 National 2020 |
| Archie Perkins | B | #9 National 2020 |
| Zach Reid | C | #10 National 2020 |
| Ben Hobbs | C+ | #13 National 2021 |
| Elijah Tsatas | C | #5 National 2022 |
| Lewis Hayes | D | #25 National 2022 |
| Alwyn Davey | C | #45 National 2022 (father/son) |
| Nate Caddy | C | #10 National 2023 |
| Luamon Lual | D | #39 National 2023 |
| Archie Roberts | D | #54 National 2023 |
| Isaac Kako | D | #13 National 2024 (NGA) |
| Kayle Gerreyn | D | #37 National 2024 |
| Angus Clarke | D | #39 National 2024 |
| Rhys Unwin | D | #61 National 2024 |
| Zak Johnson | D | #70 National 2024 |
No current season stats available
No current season stats available
No current season stats available
No current season stats available
| Name | Grade (draft guru) | Acquired |
|---|---|---|
| Sam Draper | B | #1 Rookie 2016 |
| Dylan Shiel | B | Traded in 2018 with 2019R2 (GWS) for #9 and 2019R1 (Ess) (originally a GWS Underage Selection) |
| Peter Wright | B | Traded in 2020 for 2021R4 (Ess) (originally drafted by Gold Coast, #8 National 2014) |
| Jye Caldwell | B | Traded in 2020 with #44 and #74 for #29 and 2021R2 (Ess) (originally drafted by GWS, #11 National 2018) |
| Sam Durham | B+ | #9 Mid-Season 2020 |
| Jye Menzie | C+ | #18 Mid-Season 2021 |
| Nic Martin | B+ | SSP 2021 |
| Will Setterfield | C+ | Traded in 2022 with #68 for 2023R4 (Ess) (originally drafted by GWS, #5 National 2016) |
| Todd Goldstein | B | Signed as an Unrestricted Free Agent in 2023 (originally drafted by North Melbourne, #37 National 2006) |
| Ben McKay | B | Signed as a Restricted Free Agent in 2023 (originally drafted by North Melbourne, #21 National 2015) |
| Xavier Duursma | C+ | Traded in 2023 for Zerk-Thatcher, #73, 2024R4 (Carl) and 2024R4 (Ess) (originally drafted by Port Adelaide, #18 National 2018) |
| Vigo Visentini | D | #8 Rookie 2023 |
| Saad El-Hawli | D | #13 Mid-Season 2023 |
| Jade Gresham | B | Signed as a Restricted Free Agent in 2024 (originally drafted by St Kilda, #18 National 2015) |
| Jaxon Prior | C | Signed via SSP in 2024 (originally drafted by Brisbane, #59 National 2019) |
| Liam McMahon | D | Re-drafted #18 Mid-Season 2024 (originally drafted by Collingwood, #31 National 2020) |
| Archie May | D | #6 Mid-Season 2024 |
| Jayden Nguyen | D | B-Rookie Signing 2024 (NGA) |
| Archer Day-Wicks | D | #6 Rookie 2024 |
| Tom Edwards | D | SSP 2024 |
| Lachlan Blakiston | D | #13 Mid-Season 2024 |
| Oskar Smartt | D | #17 Mid-Season 2024 |
No we shouldn't tank. That's against the rules.I guess this is the right thread. Devil's advocate question... If we finish last next year would the AFL be obliged to give us a priority pick? And should we tank assuming we get the usual tough draw.
For what it's worth, I agree. Players have to be given the freedom to play their best. However any late season heroics to get off the bottom should be "managed".No we shouldn't tank. That's against the rules.
But we should focus on developing the kids on our list, exposing as much of it as we can, and if the losses pile up then so be it. Don't know if that qualifies us for a priority pick since it's not cut and dried anymore, you don't automatically qualify just by being in the bottom couple for some number of years. Would have to put together a request.
) Justin CrowNo current season stats available
I would just let him go.The two 'sells' I would be pitching to a guy like Ridley who seems like is 50:50 on asking for a trade, are;
** Drafting & list management**
Not only have we changed the list management team, Dodoro is not there any more, Rosa is. Matt has selected good young talents who have shown at the level they can compete. Some more than others. Further more, the overall pick exchange is something that seemed out of the previous regimes depth.
Furthermore, from my understanding, the ability to roll the CBA improvements in salary cap was denied by the previous regime. Will Rosa be up with the new trends in list management?
** Strength & conditioning / high performance**
Obviously in the time of say Ridley, its been former VFL player () Justin Crow and now Sean Murphy. Both have not worked as well as we'd hoped. Someone with a positive track record at multiple high performing clubs should be confidence enough that maybe, just maybe we have a chance elevating the injuries for the recurring bunch.
The sell would be hard that we likely are going backwards before moving forwards but the rewards would be something else for someone like Jordan Ridley who has been off the field more than he's been on it it feels like.
For the right deal of course. But yeah.I would just let him go.
He’s injured all the time, let him try something else.
with 4 years on his contract, id be trying to get him right over the nest 24 months. If unable to, sell him with 2 years on his contract and we'd still likely get a decent return for him.I would just let him go.
He’s injured all the time, let him try something else.
Do you think that would improve his value? Let someone else “get him right” if they think they can.with 4 years on his contract, id be trying to get him right over the nest 24 months. If unable to, sell him with 2 years on his contract and we'd still likely get a decent return for him.
if we get him fit, he stays. If we're unable to, other clubs would use that narrative.Do you think that would improve his value? Let someone else “get him right” if they think they can.
We’ve spent the last 8 years trying to get him right. We’ve sent him all over the world. I don’t think making him 2 years older is going to help the situation. Just cut the losses and move forward with players who actually want to be hereif we get him fit, he stays. If we're unable to, other clubs would use that narrative.
1) we have a new fitness boss, hence my postWe’ve spent the last 8 years trying to get him right. We’ve sent him all over the world. I don’t think making him 2 years older is going to help the situation. Just cut the losses and move forward with players who actually want to be here
104 AFL games in 9 years. His issues are chronic, he’s basically made of scar tissue. Give it two more years and he may well retire. He’ll be worth nothing at the trade table even under contract.1) we have a new fitness boss, hence my post
2) when fit, is arguably one of our top 3 players on our list and one of the absolute top shelf interceptors in the game. Something you cant just replace, because
I was semi hoping they'd move him on last year. One of the few guys who has value in the market but we arent really getting much out of him being on list. Feel like every year our season falls apart when he has an inevitable season ending injury, would rather rip the band aid off and figure out how to build a backline structure without him.I would just let him go.
He’s injured all the time, let him try something else.
as per the reasons I pointed out above, the key, when fit, is arguably one of the best players in the comp. With a new fitness boss, we need to back ourselves in.104 AFL games in 9 years. His issues are chronic, he’s basically made of scar tissue. Give it two more years and he may well retire. He’ll be worth nothing at the trade table even under contract.
I don’t think he’s critical to our list build. He’s one of many injury prone players and we can’t carry that level of risk, no matter how good the new medical and HP guy is.as per the reasons I pointed out above, the key, when fit, is arguably one of the best players in the comp. With a new fitness boss, we need to back ourselves in.