Horrible question to think about I know, and things are obviously a bit unclear with how they are all feeling at the moment but how many of the 12 banned Bombers do people think will ever play another game for us again?
I’ve put it on this board assuming at least 1 or two of them may ask for a trade.
I’m still not quite sure how Pears got a contract last year, or why at the end of 2014 we didn’t accept the (rumoured) offer for Howlett. Everyone else is worthy of getting a game for us, and I’m not sure why the hate on Belly.
But if we have to decide between a good youngster or keeping Pears and Howlett to be loyal - well I’m going to cringe if we keep those two.
I’m also in the camp that thinks from a strategic, winning a premiership point of view, that losing Hooker for a top 2 pick could be a good thing.
I don’t worry about the players leaving. They’re having a year off. As much as they would all absolutely love playing AFL footy, players don’t get much of a chance to live normal lives that normal people in their 20’s do. They all have a chance to have one of the best years of their lives and will come back refreshed and motivated to continue their AFL careers.
I can’t see Watson retiring as he is smart enough to know that he shouldn’t end his career like this and will want to prove and remind everyone how good a player he has been over his career. Stanton the same, but has a few more years up his sleeve especially with his Robert Harvey-esque running abilities.
Myers and Colyer I are probably the only worries. Both young enough to still have great second halves of their career and could weigh up a fresh start.
I feel for Pears the most. Lucky to still be in our list for so long anyway but would be gutted that he didn’t have that last chance to prove himself. Wont play again especially as Hartley and Brown have golden opportunities to establish themselves in the backline.
Can’t see Watson or Stanton playing again.
Heps mum was on radio last night and seemed positive, said the club was good to them leading up to everything and believes they will still be good to them.
I worry about Hooker as he is a free agent and also Myers as this will be 2 years without playing (more or less)
I guess it depends on who the players blame for this mess. It seems (in the open anyway, not sure behind closed doors) that they are comfortable in knowing what they took so can sleep easy about that. If they feel they were (e)scapegoated by the AFL they may all want to stay but if they feel the club was entirely at fault then you would think they would leave.
Doubt that Tayte Pears will be at EFC in 2017.
Hooker is the one I worry about.
I’d lock Heppell in for the long term, touch wood.
Hurley/Hooker are massive smokeys, every game Hooker plays it looks like he loves the club and the team but if this is the final straw for him or Hurley it would set us back 10 years.
I’d like to see them all there again in 2017 but I accept that it is unlikely. If they choose to walk I won’t begrudge them that, they’ve all been exceptional over the last three years in their strength, character and loyalty. The only exception has been Ryder but he was led astray. Either way, none of us should ever boo any of them should they be on an opposition team. It may hurt us as supporters to see them go and hurt the team’s future prospects, but these guys have been badly let down and deserve to be respected in whatever choice they make.
im annoyed stanton probably misses 300 games due to this.
Colyer is one im most worried about losing. Can see him retiring or requesting a trade to WA.
Next is probably myers clubs will go hard as free agent. And could offer more coin.
If kids play well Howlett may look for other opportunities as well if they are presented.
And if brown/ hartley play well in pears absence may be career over for him at essendon. Wfats worse is he cant prove his worth in VFL.
Might be a good time for orange capri pants (bellchambers)to get a fresh start as well. but Id lean towards him staying.
Heppell hurley hooker will stay IMO
Watson/stanton will stay or retire
hocking will stay
There may not be a spot for monfries at port when he returns if sam gray & acher play well as small forwards. Port will probably use ryder as a excuse for missing finals.
Dogs will be forced to play the million dollar man. And there may be less need for crameri if he develops.
Dees wont miss melky as they never had him.
Saints will be missing carlisle and good excuse for richardson if saints dont improve. also good experience for young defenders like goddard.
i think Hocking will go around again. Footy and Essendon tragic
That said, his work as a chef is pretty important to him (from what I gather from his extended family anyway) so he might end up giving up on footy to focus on that
Bellcho Hocking, Myers probably stay. Myers as a small chance of going.
Heppell and Hurley a lock IMO, Hurley slightly less.
Watson and Stanton probably gone.
Howlett and Pears will probably jump at their free year extension on offer.
Hooker and Colyer - panic stations. Colyer mostly.
Who have I missed?
Hasn’t TBell re-signed for 2 years? I thought this was announced on the day justice failed our boys.
I think Heppell stays, hopefully Colyer, Hooker and Hurley do too. Honestly I have no idea what the players will do and I would not begrudge any of them leaving, though it would hurt if they went to the blose, mudlarks or norf. If they went to the dorks I would understand they want to get that elusive flag.
Bellcho Hocking, Myers probably stay. Myers as a small chance of going. Heppell and Hurley a lock IMO, Hurley slightly less. Watson and Stanton probably gone. Howlett and Pears will probably jump at their free year extension on offer. Hooker and Colyer - panic stations. Colyer mostly.Who have I missed?
Hibberd
Can't see Watson or Stanton playing again. Heps mum was on radio last night and seemed positive, said the club was good to them leading up to everything and believes they will still be good to them. I worry about Hooker as he is a free agent and also Myers as this will be 2 years without playing (more or less)I guess it depends on who the players blame for this mess. It seems (in the open anyway, not sure behind closed doors) that they are comfortable in knowing what they took so can sleep easy about that. If they feel they were (e)scapegoated by the AFL they may all want to stay but if they feel the club was entirely at fault then you would think they would leave.
Myers not playing for two years (more or less), would be more of a reason for him NOT leaving IMO. Would you recruit a guy who hasn’t played for two years?
Stanton and Watson would probably retire, I would think.
Can't see Watson or Stanton playing again. Heps mum was on radio last night and seemed positive, said the club was good to them leading up to everything and believes they will still be good to them. I worry about Hooker as he is a free agent and also Myers as this will be 2 years without playing (more or less)I guess it depends on who the players blame for this mess. It seems (in the open anyway, not sure behind closed doors) that they are comfortable in knowing what they took so can sleep easy about that. If they feel they were (e)scapegoated by the AFL they may all want to stay but if they feel the club was entirely at fault then you would think they would leave.
Myers not playing for two years (more or less), would be more of a reason for him NOT leaving IMO. Would you recruit a guy who hasn’t played for two years?
Stanton and Watson would probably retire, I would think.
If there is an injunction, Watson, Stanton, Myers, Hocking and Pears would have to play given where their careers are at. If there is no injunction how Crowley performs should inform Jobe and Stants in particular regarding the prospect of playing well in 2017.
I think if their is an injunction and all the 12 play, players like Kelly and Crowley in particular should be offered specialist coaching jobs and places on the VFL list if possible. Someone suggested Rookie spots but I can’t see the other clubs would be happy with us getting any advantage out of this, particularly with no prospect of the verdict being overturned before the end of the year.
I worry that Stants will go the way of TD after the 1990 Grand Final suspensions — train so hard the body gets trashed.
I cannot countenance the thought of Watson and Stanton not playing again. Good chance I’ll have to though.
Hope none of the 12 feel like they need to stay. Completely supportive if they decide to pursue opportunities elsewhere, would even go so far as urging some to seek fresh starts somewhere else.
Hope none of the 12 feel like they need to stay. Completely supportive if they decide to pursue opportunities elsewhere, would even go so far as urging some to seek fresh starts somewhere else.
I would even go so far as urging some “supporters” to seek a fresh start somewhere else.
Too bad there’s 12 and not 9
I could come up with a lot or LOTR jokes
I'd lock Heppell in for the long term, touch wood.Hurley/Hooker are massive smokeys, every game Hooker plays it looks like he loves the club and the team but if this is the final straw for him or Hurley it would set us back 10 years.
Hurley seems the very loyal kind of guy from a supporter’s perspective.
As for Cale, before he became a locked best 22 down back he was on the trade table and chose to stay instead of going elsewhere. Following this he was the 2014 All Australian CHB then Essendon Best and Fairest this past season. I’d say if he was ever going to go he would have done so then. I can’t see him going now.