Tigers have 2x Raso and Toner, I think they’ll both be early picks potentially before our first.
Tigers might have 3 players taken in the top 10 with McCarthy a lock too imo
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5 out of the last 6 says otherwise
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Darcy is 210 and not even a ruckman.
Were just out of the 8 on percentage i wouldnt say the seasons a write off just yet.
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AFL 2025: Essendon Bombers list strategy to focus on youth, talent and culture, CEO Craig Vozzo says
Essendon chief executive Craig Vozzo has explained some of the club’s list strategy, such as the focus on high-end talent and players who are not older than 28 when recruiting from other clubs.
Vozzo also described the Bombers’ specific needs as “hamburger with the lot” – indicating multiple needs – but said they had tried to clearly define what an Essendon player looked like, in both football and cultural terms.
Vozzo, who was hired as a CEO with a long background in football management at West Coast (and a legal background), said the Bombers would prioritise players in the younger age profile and needed high-quality players to support skipper Zach Merrett and a few others.
“We obviously have had a deliberate strategy of refreshing the list, in my time anyway … (20)23 into ’24, those off-seasons we’ve made 20 list changes, which is one of the highest in the competition. We’ve had a real draft focus as well.”
The Essendon boss said the club’s recruiting focus was on “high-end talent that suits specific list needs for us, and the age demographic is important”.
Asked about the approach when they traded in mature players or landed them as free agents, Vozzo said the target was “high-end quality who’s not 28 … in the younger age demographic.”
The Bombers, under their plan, could pursue Port Adelaide superstar Zak Butters – who is the right age – but would not be chasing players who are pushing or past 30 years of age in the upcoming trade period.
The Dons have also made a cultural fit important to their objectives, having worked hard in Brad Scott’s time to improve what had been a team that had inadequate standards in training and professionalism.
They are considered certain to be on the hunt for West Coast’s Harley Reid should he become available for trade at the end of 2025, or at the end of 2026 when Reid is out of contract.
“We’ve tried to define very clearly what we’d like Essendon players to look like as a starting point, coming into the club, as players but also culturally as well,” Vozzo said.
“We’ve tried to be really specific with what our list needs are, and then try to hit those marks with our recruiting, whether that’s lateral or through the draft. You don’t always get it right, but that’s the strategy.”
Vozzo said they needed “higher-end talent to support Zach [Merrett] and a few of the other boys within the group and maybe laterally.”
Asked about their specific needs, he quipped: “hamburger with the lot. Yeah, there’s lots of different aspects you want to get better at.
“And you’ve got some kids that we’ve got a lot of – not hope – confidence in.”
Essendon is in a strong position to pursue players from rival clubs this year and next with significant room in their salary cap and an excellent draft hand of two first-round picks and two second-round picks – the Dons having Melbourne’s first choice as well as their own.
He said leadership, culture and development were the primary objectives in building a team at Essendon.
“We’ve made 20 list changes in the past two years, we’ve got one of the youngest squads in the comp and that’s not to create an excuse.
“I’m still very excited about the growth we can get out of our 21-to-27 year olds and that’s our focus … the organic growth we get out of those guys is critical to any timeframe to ultimate success and sustained success.”
Vozzo said the path to a premiership took time, citing Damien Hardwick’s premiership in his eighth year as coach at Richmond, and Chris Fagan’s flag in his eighth year at the Lions. At West Coast, the Eagles hoisted the cup in Vozzo’s eighth year.
“It takes time, but I’m not suggesting it takes eight years and we’re part way through that journey … the organic growth we get from our group now is really important.”
The Bombers have found a cornerstone of their future this year in key defender Zach Reid, who has finally overcome injuries to show his enormous ability as a tall intercepting defender.
“It’s so pleasing. I don’t want to jinx him, but he’s done a lot of work over a number of years. He’s getting the reward now with some durability and the performance comes off the back of the durability and the hard work. We’re seeing him grow in front of our eyes I think.”
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That is a lot of words saying absolutely nothing.
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People wanted to be told what our approach is, that was provided, people then complain about that too.
Damned if they do, damned if they don’t.
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You’ve just done it Craig.
This guy is a forward too.
Bontempelli reads news then tells his agent not to bother to ask for Essendon for their offer.
You haven’t accounted for the inevitable after bye collapse.
With the injuries, it’s going to be even worse this year.
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Bulldogs twice (split)
Suns twice (split)
cats twice (split)
richmond twice (2W)
Sydney again L
Brisbane L
Fremantle L
Saints 50/50
Giants L
Our double up games are important.
I think were a chance now against Cats and Suns, whereas previously thought 4 losses, same as put swans down as 2 losses earlier in the year. And think we could pinch one against the dogs. 5-6 more wins puts us at 10-11W
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I’ve agreed with every word you said up to this point.
Of course we should be taking every swing at the ball that we’ve been given. The only upside to these horrendous LTIs is that we can get the jump on the 5 kids that went undrafted last year that have started this 2nd-tier season well, and/or the 22 yo SEHs of the world that we think have a chance to step up and step up well.
For a 6-mth contract, to get them in a pro environment and roll the dice, it’s lunacy not to use every pick. And that’s before you look at our insane track record in the MSD thus far.
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If we have the enviable issue of having accidentally drafted 5 guns in the MSD and needing to find more guys to move on EOY, I highly doubt we’ll struggle to find marginal talent on our list to move on.
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No compensation for MSD
Are you sure about that?
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Spot on.
It’s a good chance to have a look at some kids closely. Especially any 19 year olds who could be pushing their way into the first 2 rounds of the ND.
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I was, as it came straight from someone at a State League Club, but that doesn’t mean I’m not wrong. Interesting.
We’re in the 8 once you take into account “match ratio”
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What exactly would you like him to say that would please you?
I’m guessing nothing
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