Notwithstanding the fact that Fagan had the Lions top four in his third season with 16 wins. After finishing dead last in 2017.
But we don’t need to deal in facts. And stuff this turning things around quickly business, we’ll take our eight year plan thankyou very much.
I say most of the work was done when Justin Leppitsch was coach Fagan came in and took it future
Wow that is some take Nino, Leppiitsch left an absolute cluster Fark for Fagan and the administration to clean up. Players were walking out left right and centre.
I remember going to the MCG for an afternoon game when Fagan’s young Lions were just starting to look competitive again. We blew them away in the first quarter, piling on the goals and effectively ending the contest early. But they never dropped their heads.
From the second quarter on they were organised and disciplined, sticking to their grid defence and system even though the game was all but over. I walked away genuinely impressed. You could see they were building something that might take them places in a few years. It struck me because I’ve never seen anything like that at Essendon over the past two decades—a modern, well-drilled zone defence and a clear system. It’s why I’m never fully convinced we’re about to turn the corner.
It’s actually incredible across about 5 coaches and heaps of different players, we have never been able to execute this fundamental discipline of the modern game.
Wonder if that comes up in the GPS numbers - I’m guessing clubs keep that data themselves.
Hope our club still uses needles when they have too as well.
In a way that did help their rebuild and probably is a big reason they are where they are now.
Very astute drafting as well.
As far as I can figure out:
In 2016 they got a priority draft pick, pick 19 ( they finished above us on the ladder, but we didn’t get a priority pick, hmmm). They traded it for a future first (which ended up being pick 12). They then traded that for Charlie Cameron (who basically turned the game yesterday)
In same draft/trade period (2017) they also got rid of former captain and gun player Tom Rockliff and got pick 18 (Starcevich). And also drafted Cam Raynor and Zack Bailey.
Meanwhile we were loading up on Smith, Saad and Stringer (and a year later, Shiel).
Us and Lions are in different places today because of decisions made eight years ago.
Started in the 2016 draft where we took McGrath over a McCluggage.
2017 they got Rayner, Bailey, Starcevich and Payne whilst we traded out and didn’t have a pick until round 3 which was Houlahan and a total waste of a pick.
2018 wasn’t a great year for either of us at the draft but they trade in McCarthy for a packet of chips plus Neale whilst we traded in Shiel.
Those 3 drafts hurt us big time but was the cornerstone of the Lions build
That was the day tippa went nuts right
Might have been, a day game at the G, I think stringer had a good first quarter too from memory.
I’m very much in the camp that we are the architects of our own demise. But it’s pretty farked when the back to back premiers - who fueled their success with pick 1 level talent fathers sons that they paid a pocket of change for - are adding a captain and number 1 ruck from two of the worst clubs in football plus a top 5 level pick for almost nothing again. And the clubs that pay are, again, the struggling clubs by moving further back the draft order. Oh and they are changing the rules next year after that club has already profited to further entrench their position.
Sure which makes it even more important to take whatever opportunities are available.
Honestly if we smash one draft hard, 4-5 really really good kids, it changes the entire club.
ive got faith our recruiters can find kids given opportunities but the club needs to empower them to really 100% load up.
Ashcroft brothers, Fletcher, Logan Morris all in last 3 drafts and all legit stars already
Who is their development coach?
anyone know anything about the Lions’ assistant coaches?
fages doesn’t present like mastermind supercoach. there must be some quality no-names in that coaching set up.
I think there are 7 players that didn’t play 2025 GF that can play in 2026 - berry, hipwood, coleman, payne, draper, allen, annable.
Remember there was the whole thing on draft night where everyone said McCluggage looked close to tears being drafted by Brisbane? He really wanted to be picked number 1, and come to Essendon.
Yeah… if he’s still crying, they aren’t tears of sadness.
I don’t see hipwood making their best 23 any more. Adding Allen and Draper in there ahead if him and Morris isn’t moving aside.
Josh Jenkins is right clubs should start targeting some of Brisbanes young guns a few them have broke out they won’t be able to keep them all.
Clubs at the bottom should tell them you will be playing in the side every week if you stay you might be behind others and wont get any games
Which of Brisbane’s quality kids is getting pushed out of the best 23?
There’ll almost certainly be a couple who get enticed by money Brisbane couldn’t possibly match, but none will leave because their spot is under threat.
More money and guaranteed spot every week will get them turning their heads