Former #40 Tex Wanganeen

He had a very solid run in the VFL to end the year last year including 4.1 in his final game.

3 Likes

Yep had a few good games last year, unfortunately injury keeps setting him back.

There’s definitely talent there, time is unfortunately running out.

With Hind/Hepp etc having pretty good seasons we’re going to be pretty tight for list spots come the end of the year

His 4 goals were in the first half alone it seems.

1 Like

I still reckon he’s got talent.

I’m worried it’s not coming out.

2 Likes

So about the same as every other club bar Geelong?
We also got an AA, BnF and 4x club leading goal kicker out of JoeDan.

1 Like

Every AFL listed player has talent

I think Tex can take some measure of comfort out of this assessment, given it was only weeks ago that someone (no prizes for guessing who) declared Essendon Football Club should be burned to the ground. Started up again.

2 Likes

It’s getting to the critical stage now where he has to decide if he wants to be on our list or not. Needs a very strong second half of the season

2 Likes

I asked him - he said he does.

6 Likes

I’d also like to be on the Essendon list next year too.

3 Likes

I think his bulking transformation is a clear indicate he is willing to do the work. Injuries and a clear run at it is all he needs. I’d be very disappointed if we cut him at the end of the year. He needs a full preseason. I think we should have an answer by end of 2025, bit his body won’t hold up or he will be a lock 22 small forward.

2 Likes

How long can we keep hearing this.
I’d love to see him succeed but if he can show some serious form between now and the end of the year I’m not sure we can keep him on the list

6 Likes

Would you ?

3 years on the list as a small forward.
You need to be playing senior footy by Year 3.
That still may happen given our stocks, but man, he needs to put some consistent performances together at VFL level…quickly.

6 Likes

Pies too… Darcy Moore and two Daicos’.
Lions will have two Ashcroft’s who are both supposedly guns.

Oh and Dogs! Libba, Sam Darcy, Mitch Wallis, West, Cordy, Hunter.

2 Likes

Unless something significant changes where he has a sharp increase in output in the VFL to earn a spot in the AFL side and perform decently there before year’s end, then I’m just not sure how you could do the necessary list changes and not have him included amongst the outs.

Right now as things stand, out of contract, not rated highly enough to be drafted initially and with a history of injury, he’s a pretty simply delisting.

7 Likes

Son of Gavin, who chose Essendon over Port. A bloke who has shown glimpses of footballing ability when freedom from injuries has allowed.

He’s an interesting case study, Tex. Another Essendon player who has been cruelled by injury and never been able to put a consistent body of work together.

The romanticism of a father-son making the grade and in particular, if it’s in a role the team requires is tantalising. Heaven knows, the Bombers are crying out for a good small forward, and it’s there for the taking should Tex be able to step up.

Like so many others have posted, I believe that if he can’t get some continuity of game time throughout the remainder of this season and show some ability, he’s going to be looking down the barrel of delisting.

I so, so want him to succeed. But the father-son romanticism in football has to be weighed against the realities. It will be interesting to see how Tex goes for the rest of the season, and how much patience or leeway (if needed) Essendon provides to him at seasons end.

5 Likes

We are probably about average across the league. Other teams have done really well.

Geelong, like you said have had great success with F/S.

Collingwood have had 15 F/S in the same period including Nick Davis, the Shaws and the Clokes and now Moore and the Diacos’.

WB have had Cordy, Libba, Hunter, West and now Darcy.

It’s also about the strike rate. Our strike rate isn’t great.

Neagle - bust
Jobe - Brownlow medalist
D.Daniher - bust
J.Daniher - ultimately a bust for EFC
Wallis - bust
Long - bust
Hird - bust
Wanganeen - looking like a bust
Davey - ?
Davey - ?

1 Like

Jobe wasn’t looking great to begin with, but ultimately wanted it enough.

Maybe that’s the problem for some of these other guys?

2 Likes

It is the problem.
With the fletcher kids they loved playing footy. But it got to a point where they didn’t enjoy it as much and looked elsewhere.
It would be tough to be a 16 year old with a large fan base following your every move comparing you to a club legend.

Jobe was lucky not to develop in the toxic sporting social media days of the last decade. It’s just something 16 year olds shouldn’t have to experience. They should be able to enjoy playing football (like any 16 year old kid) and develop at their pace.

4 Likes

Isn’t there a vid with Gavin hugging Tex and telling his son, ā€œyou’ve got to want itā€.

The dedication to an AFL training regime and lifestyle requires mental toughness as well as physical. There’s numerous cases of players with oodles of footy ability not making the cut due to not applying themselves. Ie. Cupido, Laycock, J. Nagle.

I have no idea (wrong thread) if Tex applies himself to AFL training and lifestyle. Hopefully, he does and thus gives himself the best chance to show a bit once injuries allow.

4 Likes