Honestly I watch very little footy now, other than Essendon.
The officialdom and they way they have become way to influential makes it unwatchable for me.
However, I have read we are very interested in Starcevich and from what I know of him, he would add some strength and tenacity to our backline.
If Draper goes we will have to replace him with an established ruckman, I have heard Darcy (Freo) mentioned, who will cost. O’Brien (a FA) would reduce the Draper compensation and Marshall is the other name I’ve heard could go on the merry go round and would cost.
I know Byrne-Jones is a FA and he is the type of player that would help our forward line. I know he’s around 30, but, for a few years his attack on the ball and player would be a good example for the Kako’s & NGA’s coming through this year. He certainly would be an upgrade on Menzie, Davey, etc.
A lot of the other names I don’t know enough about; but, if we could target one or 2 hidden gems to lead & compliment our young kids for the 2 or so years and get them cheap ($ only) this could only benefit us.
This is the list.
There isn’t much there from a RFA perspective. Only Starsevic, Richards, Worpel, Allen and DeKonning.
I’m not sure which of those have re-signed.
I imagine Starsevic is the only one of real interest to us. But I doubt any FA is desperate to get to us this year.
Do we?
I’d prefer to address other areas of the list as a priority and get by with whatever rucks we can until we are on the cusp of contending.
Then you go get one using FA or trade. If we have to get one now then look at a really cheap option.
Some of those other FA options are not compelling, and we are not a great destination atm.
I’d be rapidly addressing ball use, half back pace, fwd line in general, out the front clearance and power running on transition as a priority through the draft.
Draper doesn’t have to replaced immediately, we are not close enough.
If Draper gets us a top 10 pick, then we won’t disturb that by going after free agents. We will only trade for players.
But if it’s end-of-first-round round…that’s about pick 30…that’s not that meaningful. We might just say “stuff it”, and bring in Worpel et al, and wipe the compensation out with our shopping spree.
And until Draper signs or doesn’t, there is no harm in having discussions with different players to cover a variety of scenarios.
Whoever we are after, we need a forward who can kick goals (not behinds!).
Ridley was one of our best last night did a great job on Cadman
Hope we dont lose him.
True, if we lost Ridley we wouldn’t be a good football side
We’re far from a good football side.
I take your point, but, I have to disagree.
If last night showed us anything, a dominant ruckman in the centre creates armchair opportunities and gifted midfielders will maximize these opportunities benefiting of their forwards.
Bryan won’t be available until well into next season and won’t have a sufficient pre season. Vigo is not ready & Goldy has to retire.
I expect we will be replacing a number of our midfielders over the pre season and the last thing they will need is a centre square dominance to the opposition week in week out.
Most games are won out of the middle.
We get Bryan back early next year, I’d just back him in and see how it looks come end of next year
I had a quick look at that and Ed Richards would be a dream; however, I don’t think we would be a chance to get him. What I was looking for more was players that could play roles that would support the development of a young list. Players with leadership, physical & mental strength and tenacity.
As an aside, if the Pies win the flag I would be offering Pendlebury a 3 year contract. Even if he didn’t play the last year the learnings and leadership he would bring would be invaluable.
PS: I don’t expect to happen 
Most games are won on ball movement and transition. Not ruck. A dominant ruck helps, but Draper isn’t that either. You just need someone to break even.
Inside to outside ball movement. The best teams are not the best teams because of centre clearance.
Draper isn’t back any sooner than Bryan. Bryan will do for now, Vigo developing and Goldy or some jobber as back up.
Draper going allows us to address other areas.
Based on this year’s learnings what is the likely of a Number 1 ruckman having soft tissue issues coming off a restricted pre season?
Considering we will have a completely new S&C department, no one knows.
But I dont think investing in a big name ruck when we have a promising ruck sitting right there is best.
Maybe I over value ruckman, although the way they are umpired sometimes makes me wonder why.
Most games I have seen teams with a clearly dominant ruckman and descent to good midfield win. Admittedly if we don’t do something about the structure and game plan of our forward line a centre square of Madden, Watson, Williams & Baker wouldn’t make a lot of difference.
We lost the centre clearances 12-13. The giants average 11.5 points from centre bounces across the season, and last night they had 13 points (2.1).
Stoppage clearance numbers are vastly different though, and Briggs just launched Vigo aside or held him out with ease
Yup but the comment I was replying to specifically said “a dominant ruckman in the centre”, which is why I only referred to centre stats. Vigo got absolutely rinsed.
I have not heard about Ridley So I don’t know, but if he had an irreconcilable difference I’d be very suprised if he would playing and continuing to put his body at risk.