Top up with old blokes and go for the flag next year. Stevie J and Goodsie dont make plans for 2016. *
*sorry. Will actually give a serious answer after I think about it.
There is still enough talent in the list to turn this right around by 2017, if we draft and trade smart, and have a bit of luck.Correct. We know the bulk of the backline, a couple of the forwards, and 5-6 mids are good things. Add 4-5 good mids/smalls and one more decent ruck/tall ish type into that mix, and things start to look pretty damned good.But to me the major major part of the ‘rebuild’ that we needed to do (and weren’t doing) is we’ve given up on top 4 this year and we’re putting games into the kids that we’ve already got. That (understandably) didn’t happen much in 13, started to happen under Bomber last year, then slowed almost to a walk in the first half of this year. And results haven’t been as bad as we thought they might. Which bodes well for a future side built around Hepp/Zerrett/Joe.
Just need to add more, and better, kids into the mix.
Adding 4-5 good mids/smalls over two years is actually pretty tough. 2-3 good mids in a draft is a damn good result. Doing that twice in a row mostly happens when teams have multiple first round picks. Depending on your definition of ‘good’ I suppose.
Tricky, but doable. No point aiming for something easy.
I don’t reckon it’s out of the question tricky. We’ll have a top 10 pick (likely earlier), and likely another around 25. Hopefully a combination of trading & FA compo gets us another in the 2nd round. In that range there’s normally still a few guys left of the ilk of Colyer/Laverde/Zerrett.
Supplement that with a couple of mature-agey guys in the PSD/rookies. Gives us 5 or 6 bites at the cherry. The early pick should be a pretty good chance, and the later picks more speculative.
Do that twice ('16 & '17 drafts) = 10-12 shots at it, hope to land 4 or 5.
3. List Management - Drafting.There are some real constraints here. Mostly, anybody you pick up cannot be assumed to be more than a serviceable best 22. Planning to draft another Heppell or Merrett is planning to fail. So essentially any draftees we get are the ones we expect to push for selection in 2-3 rather than be stars.
We should aim to get serviceable role players?
So many people here are so damned weird.
There is still enough talent in the list to turn this right around by 2017, if we draft and trade smart, and have a bit of luck.Correct. We know the bulk of the backline, a couple of the forwards, and 5-6 mids are good things. Add 4-5 good mids/smalls and one more decent ruck/tall ish type into that mix, and things start to look pretty damned good.But to me the major major part of the ‘rebuild’ that we needed to do (and weren’t doing) is we’ve given up on top 4 this year and we’re putting games into the kids that we’ve already got. That (understandably) didn’t happen much in 13, started to happen under Bomber last year, then slowed almost to a walk in the first half of this year. And results haven’t been as bad as we thought they might. Which bodes well for a future side built around Hepp/Zerrett/Joe.
Just need to add more, and better, kids into the mix.
Adding 4-5 good mids/smalls over two years is actually pretty tough. 2-3 good mids in a draft is a damn good result. Doing that twice in a row mostly happens when teams have multiple first round picks. Depending on your definition of ‘good’ I suppose.
Tricky, but doable. No point aiming for something easy.
I don’t reckon it’s out of the question tricky. We’ll have a top 10 pick (likely earlier), and likely another around 25. Hopefully a combination of trading & FA compo gets us another in the 2nd round. In that range there’s normally still a few guys left of the ilk of Colyer/Laverde/Zerrett.
Supplement that with a couple of mature-agey guys in the PSD/rookies. Gives us 5 or 6 bites at the cherry. The early pick should be a pretty good chance, and the later picks more speculative.
Do that twice ('16 & '17 drafts) = 10-12 shots at it, hope to land 4 or 5.
Agree that it’s not out of the question. Assuming (mildly optimistic) odds something like a top 10 pick is a 70% chance of, 20-30 is about 50%, and those later guys is 20%, then the chance of getting 5 good players over 2 years is pretty much 50%. Not likely, but not unlikely.
Donate $50,000 to afl umpires association. 
so we get an even playing field
Donate $50,000 to afl umpires association. :) so we get an even playing field
If we hand the afl any more money I’ll vomit
There is still enough talent in the list to turn this right around by 2017, if we draft and trade smart, and have a bit of luck.Correct. We know the bulk of the backline, a couple of the forwards, and 5-6 mids are good things. Add 4-5 good mids/smalls and one more decent ruck/tall ish type into that mix, and things start to look pretty damned good.But to me the major major part of the ‘rebuild’ that we needed to do (and weren’t doing) is we’ve given up on top 4 this year and we’re putting games into the kids that we’ve already got. That (understandably) didn’t happen much in 13, started to happen under Bomber last year, then slowed almost to a walk in the first half of this year. And results haven’t been as bad as we thought they might. Which bodes well for a future side built around Hepp/Zerrett/Joe.
Just need to add more, and better, kids into the mix.
Adding 4-5 good mids/smalls over two years is actually pretty tough. 2-3 good mids in a draft is a damn good result. Doing that twice in a row mostly happens when teams have multiple first round picks. Depending on your definition of ‘good’ I suppose.
Tricky, but doable. No point aiming for something easy.
I don’t reckon it’s out of the question tricky. We’ll have a top 10 pick (likely earlier), and likely another around 25. Hopefully a combination of trading & FA compo gets us another in the 2nd round. In that range there’s normally still a few guys left of the ilk of Colyer/Laverde/Zerrett.
Supplement that with a couple of mature-agey guys in the PSD/rookies. Gives us 5 or 6 bites at the cherry. The early pick should be a pretty good chance, and the later picks more speculative.
Do that twice ('16 & '17 drafts) = 10-12 shots at it, hope to land 4 or 5.
There are a few issues though with those assumptions. Firstly, we can’t just take mids. Our tall and ruck depth is almost non-existent, so picks have to be used there. Especially if Belly goes to give you that second 2nd round pick.
Secondly, as you say the first pick might be a good chance, but the others are all more speculative. Given that leaves you needing 2-3 players from the 10 picks (minus talls) your odds are not on your side.
Thirdly, even good picks can take time. You use Colyer as an example of a successful pick (I agree), but its taken him 6 years to establish himself as an AFL player. Myers took years, Jobe took years, Winders, there is no guarantee that even if the right players are picked, that they’ll be ready to contribute before 2018-2019 (or later).
There feels like an awful lot of hope there that the players will be both picked and then ready in time. If we’re really going for it, we would probably be better off trading the first two picks for one or two players who can immediately impact.
You’re right Ants, a good way to rebuild our older list with younger guys would be to give away our best opportunities to get younger guys for older guys.
Good thinking.
get as many top 20 picks as possible this year and next. Even if this includes trading talent ie: Carlisle if it can yield multiple picks inside 20
I would be drafting only quality mids inside 20 and looking for a free agent ruck/trade for cheap ruck
3. List Management - Drafting.There are some real constraints here. Mostly, anybody you pick up cannot be assumed to be more than a serviceable best 22. Planning to draft another Heppell or Merrett is planning to fail. So essentially any draftees we get are the ones we expect to push for selection in 2-3 rather than be stars.
We should aim to get serviceable role players?So many people here are so damned weird.
Can’t PLAN on picking up a Judd. And as such any strategy has to revolve around what’s likely.
It’s club who go in saying this draft we got a Judd, danger, cox, two Careys and a Jackovich that get into trouble. Especially when they end up like Trengove, gumby etc.
Getting a Hepp and Merret as good as they are is a bonus not the expected outcome.
If you base your need to draft the next Heppell as your way of getting a flag in 2019, then your ■■■■■■ before you start.
We should be drafting based on the likely historical success and development path of the average for that draft bracket.
You're right Ants, a good way to rebuild our older list with younger guys would be to give away our best opportunities to get younger guys for older guys. Good thinking.Heh, who said anything about a rebuild? In that line of posts you were participating in that I responded to it was all about getting a premiership in 2017, not focussing on rebuilding. You guys were saying we had the cattle to do that. I was just pointing out that if you want to fill the gaps via youngsters, your goal of getting 4-5 good smalls and have them playing in the best 22 in two years is pretty ambitious. A better chance for that is to trade the picks. Try and get Bennell plus change with our first and third, and use the change and our second to get Aish. Both contribute next year, both young. Both with some big doubts over their heads. Keep Carlisle & Bell, add an older FA and suddenly we might be right in with a show. Pick up Brown/Tippa/Yarran/Baulderstone with later picks to improve the depth.
If the goal is to jag a premiership in the next two years, don’t go half-hearted, trade the picks. If your goal is to rebuild, then of course you don’t.
Destroy WADA. Then…
1st rounder Mid, Prestia, 2nd Rounder Mid. Keep Carlisle.
Tippa, Mckenna upgrade.
Ruthlessly play the kids under a strong leadership group of Watson, Myers, Hep, Goddard, Stants. The cream will rise to the top. After WADA is gone I think the team will peform and start to play exciting footy… As a club become an inviting/exciting place once again.
Then the following year go the draft as deep as possible. Think we got a good group of youngens there…luckily…
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Nail our first two picks in the upcoming draft. This is super important
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If Carlisle leaves make sure it lands us a Prestia or Aish type. Otherwise a top 20 pick as well as a player who would be an upgrade on Melksham or Howlett. This would most likely mean trading with Hawthorn or a 3 way trade
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If Bellchambers leaves same as Carlisle although I dare say we would need to settle for a 20~30 pick. Remember Shaun Hampson netted pick 28. Even if he stays, we need to find a ruck,.just as long as we dont over pay for Zac Smith
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Upgrade our strength and conditioning department. Best medics and all that. Spare no expense
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Be realistic. We are not gonna get much for trading out Kav, Howlett, Melksham etc (the usual trade bait). In a weak draft I don’t think we will get a Lonie or Caleb Daniel with a pick in the 40s. If we do, thats a massive, massive bonus
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Look at changing some of the assistant coaches
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If we have the chance to nab Shultz. Do it. He can play. And fark Port
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Tippa!
This is interesting. Thank you for providing some food for thought.
I’m hoping that Langford will become an a elite forward. The perfect 3rd tall. I hope so. He reminds me a bit of Scott Lucas. Similar kind of role perhaps? A lot depends on what direction Jake will go in. I loved watching him play in defence and was gobsmacked how well he played at times. I would dearly love to see him become a powerhouse of a forward though. Maybe, Jake/Hurley/Hooker playing in defence could really work. If so then another forward needs to be found to accommodate Joey and Langford and that could come in any size, doesn’t need to be a 200cm monster, but someone who is a natural forward. So that would be on the cards for me. I would of liked to of seen our 37 pick from last year to have been used on Jack Lonie. Still early days, but we do need a classic forward pocket type who crumbs, has a bit of bite about them and tackles and has shots at goal. So a small forward and possibly another mid-size/tall forward is something i would be looking at. Most importantly - natural footballers. Specialists in their position.
Must add that I do think Fantasia is a promising footballer & McKenna might just be the kind of good luck the club needs. Edwards provides a spark as well, but i’m not sure which position would suit him best. Unfortunately Kommer is injured so i don’t know what to make of his role as such for now. In saying all that i think it might not take much to get ourselves a very well balanced and effective forward line.
If it’s down to Hooker & Hurley and Jake go’s bang in the forward line then i would be looking at versatile backman.
I like the sound & look of Darcy Parish. I haven’t seen him play live and he does seem to be a bit light in kg department. To me though he looks like the kind of midfielder we need. Outside speed and a true proper ball winner with skills who plays direct football. A natural footballer? I hope so.
Another inside midfielder too, as i don’t know how much we will get from Watson/Myers/Hocking in the coming years - as much as i love them as players. Heppell can’t be our only inside mid. He needs more space.
I believe in the the next line of midfielders at the club. J & Z.Merrett, Coyler, Leverde, Melksham & Zaka. Support them and give them the time and hopefully they get a good run at it.
Ruckman - yes. No brainer that one.
Our backline ls good. Could be the best in a year or two. I think Ashby will come good. Gleeson - yes. How i wish Bags was in his early 20’s not 27/28. Would love to see a player like him in the team for 10 years plus. A tough back pocket is must in any team in my opinion. I hope Browne has a good run and makes it. I think he can produce the kind of football we want from him in time. Though It does look like we need to develop another back flanker, Quarterback type, so i would keep that in mind.
So in the next two years if we could draft a quality forward, outside mid, inside mid and a running back flanker and a ruck man of course, well we could have a healthy list that has some depth and one that is well balanced in positions and in a similar age group.
A few players need to be delisted at the years end. No offence to any of the players.
O’Brien, Kav, Steinberg, Pears.
Retirements - Chapman, Winders & Fletch.
Elevate - Mckernan. Hopefully Mckenna.
5 live picks at this years draft. That’s how it works yeah?
I don’t have an opinion on any possible trades involving Bellchambers or Dempsey. I’m from the outside looking in. I do not see how how the players behave around each other or how they go about the day to day in a club environment. Personalities are something to take into account as well as on field performance. Both players are better than what they have shown this year. But if the deal was there and we could find a better ruck man then yes. Even though i believe in doing your best to keep teammates together & the fabric of the club strong.
On notice for next year ( & this year too ) would be Ambrose, Dalgleish, Hams, Howlett, Kommer. Hibberd & Cooney would have to improve to. Gwilt as well.
I don’t know much about free agency and yes it’s an option, but i won’t comment except that i think Goddard has been a good get.
I feel i could spend more time on this as it has been a fun exercise, but it don’t pay the bills.
So i better get off the computer.
Thanks.
Y
Give GC our first pick for prestia or Bennell, trade tbell for 2nd Rnd pick. Go after majak daw or zac Smith to play as no. 1 ruck. Trade demps and kav for what ever we can, possibly nothing. Maybe throw in a 3rd selection to try and get a pick upgrade. look at second round pick offers for myers. See if howlett and hocking attract any interest. Aim for 3 picks in the 20s and Prestia/Bennell - daw/smith.Break the mold with a daw/smack ruck combo and stack the side with pace around a hepp, jobe Prestia engine room.
You said creative, and I haven’t seen enough of daw as no. 1 ruck to have any idea of whether this has any merit at all.
You lost me at Daw.
give Ross Lyon whatever he wants to come and coach us.
Destroy WADA. Then...1st rounder Mid, Prestia, 2nd Rounder Mid. Keep Carlisle.
Tippa, Mckenna upgrade.Ruthlessly play the kids under a strong leadership group of Watson, Myers, Hep, Goddard, Stants. The cream will rise to the top. After WADA is gone I think the team will peform and start to play exciting footy… As a club become an inviting/exciting place once again.
Then the following year go the draft as deep as possible. Think we got a good group of youngens there…luckily…
Well as much as Crumbs has gone for the nuclear option…
Until we get rid of the stench of the “saga” billowing around the true value centre, who would want to come to our club?
BUT, when it’s all sorted, with our facilities and (saga not included) our track record as one of “the big clubs”-the future looks a lot brighter.
Still, (unfortunately), we might still be perceived as damaged goods, and that would affect our ability to bring across elite/semi-elite f/a’s.
As for drafting, sure we can trade for picks, but again, think back to how we have been shafted in the last two trade periods. Other clubs/agents know we can bent-over/leveraged against by rolling out the “drugs saga” bs line. So we are forced to take unders. And logically, our competitors would also know our weaknesses, and deal accordingly.
Look, it all sounds geat in theory, but unless I’m mistaken, there’s an elephant in the room that renders a fair portion of this discussion at best speculative, and at worst moot.
But at least we’re not stressing over in the saga thread.
So you are the Head recruiter at Essendon in July 2015. Paul Little has come to you and said his expectations are that the club is aiming for a premiership window in 2019. What are your next steps? What process do you take immediately to address the current playing list while looking into the future?What is your draft strategy next 3 years? Who are you looking to elevate?
Looking for some creative suggestions from Bomberblitz? Go for it
I hope you don’t mind CJohns but I’m going to expand it your post to look at the off field stuff that’s set in place and try to fix all of that first.
My suggestions are under the impression that Paul Little has given me an open cheque book to do what needs to be done.
Memberships- Every single person that has been a member for the past 5 years straight, gets their memberships for free until the year 2019. Would reward loyalty and be a thankyou for sticking with the club over the journey. Any essendon fan that rocks up to a essendon game gets in for free as long as they are wearing a Bombers jersey. This would ensure we are playing in front of pretty much full capacity stadiums each week.
I would throw cash at the best recruiters in the game and have them working for the essendon football club. Would have at least 2 recruiters for each state. I would employ double that in the NT- their sole job is to find the best aboriginal talent. Not only would that help us, it would hurt the others club.
Identify the best 20-23 year olds in the comp and talk to their player managers and ask them what they would want to get them to come to essendon. I would be buying their families houses,cars etc if they came across (dont know if this is allowed or not)
I would have specific arrangements for aboriginal players who joined the club. I would be flying their whole families down each week or even staying with their children so they don’t get homesick. Setting up houses and a whole infrastructure for them so that they feel comfortable.
I would hire specific coaches to work with the players- whether it be one on one coaching or whatever needs to be done. I would look for the best of the best. I would only hire people that have been involved in a premiership winning club in the last 5 years. I would make it clear if they were to join essendon we would set them up for life and take care of them after the career is finished.
Hire the best minds in the business to break apart every opposition teams gameplan, and to give detailed instructions on how to beat them.
Every single person who has donated $50 or more to the flight plan over the journey gets to participate in a training session (if they want to that is) with the team, either during the week or during pre-season. Would increase donations as well as giving something back to the fans.
I would have the head coach and assistants explain how we are going to achieve success and the reasons why we are taking certain steps. That way everyone can know what is going on and be all behind the same plan.
Hire the best medical team, and physio’s in the country.
Hire the best weights guys, best fitness guys.
Spare no expense
Might be quicker to just change our colors to poo n wee
First thing I would do is demand Cripps from Carlton for Carlisle, but settle for pick 28 (or thereabouts).
First up I’d recognise that premierships are won by clubs that continually improve absolutely everything they do.
I’d start a bench marking team and make it a permanent part of the organisation. Benchmark the hell out of the other clubs. Know everything about how they operate. Expectation is that every position at the club should know how their equivalents operate and what is best practice in industry. Build a culture of continual improvement.
I’d establish development processes for coaches. Each coach to spend being exposed to the coaching practices of coaches in other sports.