They might not be up to it.
This is the whole benefit of the train on scenario, and why players often overlooked in drafts in first place
Fejo’s highlight reel in SANFL reserves grade a long long step up to AFL and if you are an outside player can see you go completely missing
I’m completely fine with selecting no one if those training haven’t been able to prove themselves
Still a way to go though. More intraclubs/preseason games etc. Might see become more comfortable and start to have impact.
It’s as much of a step up, as say what Alister Lord has taken.
It’s only one intraclub match. Not everyone steps straight into it like Hobbs.
Guys like Fejo & Lord are relying on being in the right spots to get the handball receive. They haven’t learned to run to the right spots yet. I don’t think it’s about talent, it’s more about chemistry.
Haven’t you learnt that relying on chemistry to improve players is fraught with danger?
Also worth keeping in mind that most of those young lads were up against the best we have.
Difficult to be a predominantly receiving player in a side with everything stacked against you.
Maybe we are waiting for Rance to make a decision first?
It is also difficult as an outside, skilful, drop of the ball player to impress at our windswept Tullamarine training base.
It would be much different than playing at Marvel for instance.
Exactly. See what Clarke can do under the roof at Marvel before passing judgement!
Now we’re relying on playing at Marvel to make our players better? 
Haha nah not at all. Just saying they are poles apart.
Even the G is fairly protected at ground level vs our open training base.
I’m not adamant about any of our SSP guys.
It will basically come down to 1) How likely they feel that they will eventually become AFL quality players 2) How much they preference selecting for the here and now vs for in a few years time.
If we have 2 spots it wouldn’t surprise me to see us use one on a longer term prospect who may either fail completely or have significant upside and become a class player and the other on someone who may not have as high a ceiling but can be relied upon ‘to do a job’ when selected beginning from season 2022.
There’s even every chance we pick someone not even training with us.
I feel that Essendon may save one pick for the mid season draft given its recent success in drafting Snelling and Durham.
Yeah, I have to agree with that, in the sense that we moved to one of the most open, windy places we could have.
It was a weird decision. Showgrounds would have been preferable after caving to a bowls club.
Anyway. Footy nous is few and far, and athletes are athletes. Development shouldn’t be counted out in any point or aspect of being a professional sportsperson, unless you just want to be an entertainer like Nick ‘Robbi Williams’ Kyrios.
Yeah good shout.
Not long ago I felt Hurley’s future may figure into all of this as well.
But it does seem like he’s persisting and giving this season a crack.
So that’s why he quit 9…
You mean those 2 mid season drafts that we did not keep a spot open for?
Well looks like you have covered all bases with this post.
Every chance? Fat chance.
I’m not obliged to make hot takes. What you just said about me ‘covering all bases’ is reflective of my point that I think it’s pretty wide open how we go about the remaining list vacancies including in terms of personnel and the timing of when we fill them. It doesn’t seem clear cut nor is anyone banging the door down. Hence why I said a lot of it will come down to philosophy of catering to the now vs to the future.
Did Baldwin train with us? Was he an SSP last year?
Pipe down Captain!! You’ve run the ship aground!
Screw it put Courtney Ugle on the rookie list
5 more weeks before deadline for SSP. The club will have a good look at all available options including those who are not training with us. Potential COVID impact on the season is something to consider before making decisions.
Get stuffed, you’re not getting her.
At least we only have to wait another week to see the VFLW list… and we identified a few more of the inclusions today!
