Yep I’m coming around too. Will be an easy decision either way post Rd 23.
He will be at Essendon next year if we want him.
Can he just nominate for the PSD and we take him through that?
I honestly think he will be drafted by another team, we wont use any of our first 3-4 picks on him (nor should we) and i reckon by the time we want to take him he’ll be gone (barring some luke ball draft managing)
Best game for the club.
I love the way he’s gone about it. He will be playing seinor footy next year and I hope it’s with us.
He is an upgrade on Gwilt
It's like the Mitch Brown situation all over again.
And that’s about where we should take Dea too if we can; around the 50-60 mark
Dea - list clogger or depth player. What’s the difference? Depends on your point of view. If you like a player then he’s depth. If you hate him then he’s a list clogger. IMO if he plays 6 to 10 games a year then he;'s depth. If it’s only a handful of games then we’re looking at a list clogger.
It’s like the Mitch Brown situation all over again.
would prefer him over others currently on our list, is hard nosed and determined with decent skills and a pretty good footy brain, also in a good age bracket
Dea’s second chance
Matt Dea wasn’t going to let his AFL career go begging.
In January, Dea was preparing for a season with Williamstown in the VFL and working as a labourer after six years on the Richmond list.
When the CAS decision to suspend 12 current Essendon players was handed down and the reality that additional players would be required at Tullamarine, Dea reached for the phone.
“I thought given it was such a unique circumstance I tried to get on the front foot and be as respectful as I could to the players, but I was keen to put my hand up,” he said.
“When Adrian (Dodoro) actually returned my call that was pretty cool and I was ready to go.
“It took me by surprise but it beats labouring.”
Dea has played every game for the Bombers this season after 31 matches with the Tigers.
After claiming the Tigers VFL best and fairest award last season and getting delisted post season, Dea decided to join the VFL reigning premiers in a bid to rejuvenate his career.
“I was keen to play the highest level footy I could and for me that was VFL. I was going to have one more crack at it,” Dea said.
“I was really keen to play for Williamstown and was looking forward to it but this came up and it was an easy decision at the time.
“You don’t appreciate something until you lose it I suppose, to have your career finish and then to work out exactly where you’re at is hard to do.
“But to get it back in such a unique way was a pretty surreal feeling. I’m very appreciative.”
The former basketballer was selected by the Tigers with pick 44 in the 2009 draft on the strength of just three TAC Cup games for North Ballarat and impressive results at a state screening.
Injury cost Dea a regular run in his early years with his best being 14 games in 2012. After seven games in 2014, he did not add to his tally throughout the 2015 season.
“The coaches just thought I probably wasn’t AFL standard,” Dea said.
“I guess they thought I couldn’t play small or tall, and last year our backline was pretty solid and we were winning.
“It’s not about proving anyone wrong, I’ve just been grateful to get an opportunity and I think that’s all I needed last year but it wasn’t to be.
“I’m really enjoying the opportunity (at Essendon) and the coaches are backing me in which is great and I’m just trying to, as cliché as it is, play my role and have a crack.”
After missing the bulk of the pre-season, Dea was nervous about how he would be received by his new teammates.
“Obviously the first couple of weeks you are just trying to find your feet – it’s like the first day of school I suppose,” he said.
“The boys and coaches have been really welcoming, that was something that I was a bit unsure about but they were fantastic.
“The longer the year goes on the easier it is going to get as well.’
The 186cm defender has been impressive in his first season with the Bombers averaging 16.1 disposals.
On the weekend against the Kangaroos he had 19 touches, 18 of which were effective, eight marks and six rebound 50’s.
Dea wasn’t getting drawn into speculation that his stay at the Bombers will stretch beyond this season.
“It’s way too early to comment on that, I haven’t spoken to my manager or the club about it,” he said.
“Given the unique situation I think it will be more relevant towards the end of the year if I’m still in the team.
“For me it’s just about putting my hand up to play every week.”
Sounds like a very mature and level headed bloke. Must have been hard to come to the conclusion that Richmond didn’t seem to think he was AFL standard.
They sure as hell could have used him this season…
Perhaps they can fold
They can’t afford to hire a lawyer to do that either
Perhaps they can fold
I love the way he is playing and what he is adding to the defence. A bit of a find actually. We knew there would be a couple of roughies that would emerge from the top up mess. Hopefully we can keep him next seasonHas Bulldogs written all over him.
Perhaps they can nurture some guys in their own reserves, then draft them ?
they can’t afford a reserves
I love the way he is playing and what he is adding to the defence. A bit of a find actually. We knew there would be a couple of roughies that would emerge from the top up mess. Hopefully we can keep him next seasonHas Bulldogs written all over him.
Perhaps they can nurture some guys in their own reserves, then draft them ?
I love the way he is playing and what he is adding to the defence. A bit of a find actually. We knew there would be a couple of roughies that would emerge from the top up mess. Hopefully we can keep him next season
Has Bulldogs written all over him.
I love the way he is playing and what he is adding to the defence. A bit of a find actually. We knew there would be a couple of roughies that would emerge from the top up mess. Hopefully we can keep him next season
I reckon we could get him in the rookie draft if we wanted. Think he’d still be there.
Last year we just had to get our hands on Brown. Desperately needed that height.
I don’t think we are similarly desperate for a player with Dea’s attributes.
Can we ask him to just sign up for the PSD?Only if he doesn't get drafted in the ND
He doesn’t have to sign up for the ND I thought.
Can we ask him to just sign up for the PSD?Only if he doesn't get drafted in the ND