Sorry wrong years.
This year instead of 2023.
Two years time (2026) instead of 2025.
1 Like
Guelfi on current form yes. But I donāt think heās shown he can sustain it for a whole season yet
He did that in 2022
2 Likes
His back half of the year was good, but the first half wasnāt great. 5 goals in his first 10 games
He did the same in 2022 back end when shifted forward. Didnāt last year for unknown reasons. Iād back him to sustain it in a team with more overall pressure.
If the Menzie/Davey spot had an absolute killer crumbing forward in there, I think our small forward situation would be totally fine. Greshamās a solid high half forward, Guelfi does his defensive role, Amazing Smith is electric. Not an overall team strength, necessarily, but totally fine. Premierships have been won with a small setup like that.
Right now, that Menzie/Davey spot is ā ā ā ā ā ā ā dire, and an area of immediate need. Itās possible we overshoot while trying to address it, end up with two really good players, and Guelfi loses his spot. Iād say, on past evidence, Essendon massively overspending on small forwards seems unlikely.
If the Menzie/Davey spot ends up with a player whoās just fine, then both that spot and Guelfiās are under the moderate pressure of keeping an eye out for a really good option, but thatās at least one contract extension for Guelfi away.
Guelfi gets picked every week, and has been by three coaching groups, heās 26, he generally plays to a standard that is at least anonymous, often better, gets the occasional coaches votes, and has played everywhere itās reasonable for a 184cm player to play. A two year contract extension being announced during the bye would be the least surprising contract news of the year.
8 Likes
Which I guess is just a long winded way of saying āGuelfiās the least of our problemsā even though I find that a very annoying phrase.
3 Likes
1 Like
Would be nice if one of the Daveys and Wanaganeen make it.
2 Likes
Fixed
Fixed
1 Like
Lots of players still without a contract for 2025 including;-
Caldwell
Cox
Stringer
Guelfi
Hind
Shiel
Jones
Menzie
Setterfield
Heppell
Certainly some currency amongst that group it will be interesting to see how we prioritise signing (or not signing) each of these players in the coming months
I have a funny feeling we might look to trade Stringer and target another big bodied mid and/or key forward
1 Like
Thatās a fascinating listā¦ expect there to be a couple of surprises in how that plays out.
1 Like
Jones is ideal trade bait (probably as steak knives)
2 Likes
Shiel is contracted, heāll be running around Windy Hill next year on 850k
1 Like
Iād definitely be keeping Jones
Highly unlikely. If no other clubs want him, he will be delisted with a payout, list spots will be more important then wasting salary on a payout. Gone
8 Likes
Anyone know if Menzie has to be upgraded to the main list at the end of the year? It will be 2.5 years on the list and Iām not sure if the AFL changed the rules for mid season picks and they can spend 3.5 years on the list now?
If he has to be upgraded then, thatās another list spot we need to consider.
2 Likes
The longer the season goes, the more i hope hunter gets retained for the small chance he ends up good. Our key forwards are diabolical
4 Likes
Weideman is 100% gone so I think we would have to keep Hunter on, otherwise our depth in that position would be so thin
2 Likes