Just a friendly reminder that this thread exists
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You guys are making it sound like itās his obituary, heāll probably be back in a week.
Like Smith from the dogs, it was all over the news and then he returned 3 days later.
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Wasnt it rumoured that Rutten convinced him to not hang up the boots or something earlier this year/late last year? Thought i saw it mentioned from someone. Could be wrong
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Josh Mahoney on SEN dismissed that this would be the last time we see tippa at essendon
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whether he is or isnāt coming back, heās hardly gonna say on radio āyeah, doubt heās coming backā
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Agree. Probably some context around what he actually said is needed.
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If it was already decided he wasnāt coming back what would be the point of lying?
Theres a short Jake Niall article in the Sun about how we can do without Walla.
Can someone post the test?
it wouldnāt have been decided. my point was there was only going to be one answer at this point. anyway, hope he does come back!
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Essendon believes it still has the forward firepower to cover for the loss of Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti as senior midfielder Dylan Shiel and young draftee Ben Hobbs prepare to spend time in attack this year.
The Dons have known for some time McDonald-Tipungwuti was unlikely to feature in the early rounds of the season given a lingering calf injury but he has now taken personal time away from the club.
It means a club that had hoped in the trade period to secure GWS small forward Bobby Hill and Gold Coastās electric goalsneak Malcolm Rosas Jnr has at least had time to plan for his absence.
Champion Data rated McDonald-Tipungwuti as one of only four players from 2021 who ranked elite for goals, score assists and score involvements alongside Toby Greene, Tom Papley and Isaac Heeney
McDonald-Tipungwuti has been given a modified training schedule but clearly will not factor in early rounds even if he does return soon given he would need to find match fitness with a lengthy training block.
Jake Stringer remains Essendonās most dynamic medium forward but will also be needed in the midfield given his rampaging form as a player in the Dustin Martin mould in the back end of last season.
Archie Perkins is also ready to make another jump after an impressive summer that followed his debut season, where he played 21 games and kicked 9.14 with flashes of brilliance.
In Essendonās losing final he managed only six goalless possessions as the No.9 draft pick understandably tired after a long season but the hard trainer has put in another strong pre-season.
Hobbs was selected with the No.13 draft pick as an hard-tackling fierce inside beast but he also has a goal-kicking edge to his game and given the strong Dons midfield he will spend time forward.
Shiel returned from a Round 2 meniscus injury to play six late-season games and will again spend time at half forward, while last yearās mid-season pick Sam Durham will also be part of the attacking mix.
Devon Smith, Will Snelling, Alec Waterman and Kyle Langford will also spend time forward but McDonald-Tipungwutiās brilliance is impossible to replace.
He kicked 34.14 in 20 games last year as a superb fall-of-the-ball crumbing forward who often creates goals from the most meagre of opportunities.
But Essendon believes it is creating a game style of fierce pressure and quick ball movement reminiscent of Richmondās premiership best that gets the ball into attack to the best advantage of its front six.
Essendonās free agency acquisition Jake Kelly told the clubās website this weekend he could not be more impressed by his new teammates after crossing from Adelaide to help key defensive talls Jordan Ridley and James Stewart.
āI canāt speak more highly of the group and how motivated and driven they are,ā he said.
āItās really easy to come in to work with 45 driven blokes all driving towards a premiership.
āItās good when there is that unity of vision and unity of purpose. Itās a good place to be.
āI know coming here with the staff and coaches and players, they are on the cusp if we get something right we can do something special for years to come, you can feel it and itās a great spot.ā
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oh god
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I donāt know what going on with Tippa.
ā¦but all the best.
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Parish the forward flanker to join them too!! 
I think Hobbs may play forward.
Uncertain how much impact Shiel can have as a high half forward. But I think Iād prefer him having shots at goal rather than delivering to the forwards. Remains to be seen how dangerous he can make himself and if he can work into the right spots to scoot out the back and kick those long running goals.
While I agree having Shiel taking shots at goal instead of field kicking is a good thing, Iām not sure Shiel will work as a pressure forward. His defensive efforts are very poor.
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The dude has a big engine and is deceptively quick. Reckon Shiel could play as a flanker who pushes up and down the ground, essentially acting as an extra mid during open play. Like Monfries did years ago - granted Monfries had forward craft which Iām not sure Shiel does.
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