The level of revisionism around Heppell is crazy. Was best 22 last year. Probably will be this year as well. We have a fascination as a fanbase with the new shiny toy. Youth over everything else as if it is the answer.
7 Likes
we have a fascination with good kicks and speedy players.
I’ve got a feeling that your optimism is going to get swept up in the tidal wave of pessimism.
2 Likes
They embarrassed us twice, and still finished below us on the ladder
2 Likes
What kind of sorcery is this?
3 Likes
The pulling out of contests is only going to increase with the new focus on protecting the head. I think we will see increasing instances of players choosing to pull out of contests not because they are soft but because they realise that they are the one who is last to the contest and any collision will be seen as their fault and possible suspension.
4 Likes
He’s been ‘rested’, yet most here read his omission as a dropping.
If he was playing VFL, then you’d consider it a dropping. Until then, I expect him to play more AFL games than not in the first half of the season. What happens after that is anyone’s guess.
3 Likes
You mean no public access?
Geelong site (and now Essendon site too) says closed session for VFL game. Gates for public not open til 4.10
channel 7 said personal reasons
2 Likes
My point exactly
Thanks. I was thinking of driving down
1 Like
To all the pessimists on this site. I predict 13-14 wins this season.
2 Likes
I reckon will will do better than 13-14 wins. The ALFW team is pretty good and the VFL team played well towards the end of the year. I think we will get a total of 16-17 wins.
3 Likes
im believer!
1 Like
This is where people differ on best 22.
I don’t believe picking the best 22 for a rebuilding team should be the best 22 players available, I think we are better in 2025 if Roberts and Bryan play more footy in 2024 than Heppell and Goldstein.
Would we win less games if we prioritize development of raw talent over experience? Likely yes, do I think it serves us better in the coming years, big yes.
Shiel, Kelly, Heppell, Goldstein and Stringer should only play to rest Tsatas, Davey, Roberts, Bryan and Caddy
But that’s my opinion, I’m not scared of losing, I’m scared of losing with older players when we can blood a few more kids.
10 Likes
History says that doesn’t work. North just did that and tanked the club. You need the experienced players around the youth. Gifting games to players who don’t earn it teaches them the wrong thing. You want Heppell’s spot… you take it off him. Being 18 years old and talented enough to get drafted should not get you a spot on the field.
Prioritise form.
14 Likes
Who said to play all kids all the time? We have plenty of mature bodies in the side already. Every club in the comp plays kids who aren’t fully ready. North aren’t bad because they played heaps of youth, they’re bad because their senior players are no good.
4 Likes
Frustration and disappointment is understandable, bitterness towards EFC would have to be a misplaced emotion.
Surely.
1 Like
EFA