Essendon

[stan]

Do all the suspended players have an unconditional right to return to Essendon if they want to

Can Essendon delist some of the suspended players at the end of the year

I think Jim covered this a while back. Something about they can be delisted free agents and things like that. Best get the advice from jim on this one.

[Jim05]

Do all the suspended players have an unconditional right to return to Essendon if they want to

Can Essendon delist some of the suspended players at the end of the year

All players have been given an option on an extra year if they wish so none of them would be delisted. Players who want to leave would be declared delisted Free agents and able to move if they choose. Would imagine maybe half would stay and some would go

[Jim05]

Sam Grimley to be announced as top up number 8 in the next day or so

[RustyCage]

Has been announced

[Jim05]

Has been announced

Thanks hadn't heard that.
Just knew he had been in training with us for about 2 weeks and was in the main group today so thought a signing was imminent

[marbles]

Has been announced

Thanks hadn't heard that.
Just knew he had been in training with us for about 2 weeks and was in the main group today so thought a signing was imminent

he'd be more useful than Ports Schultz (time will tell)

[Jim05]

Has been announced

Thanks hadn't heard that.
Just knew he had been in training with us for about 2 weeks and was in the main group today so thought a signing was imminent

he'd be more useful than Ports Schultz (time will tell)

Leading goal kicker in the VFL for the last 2 years but just couldn't crack it into the Hawks team regularly in the last 6 years which is nothing to be ashamed of. Would be a starter in plenty of sides and the aim is hopefully he can take some heat of Joey up forward.

[carey]

Chris McDermott has Essendon with 5 wins for the year in today's paper.

Dreaming.

[Jim05]

Chris McDermott has Essendon with 5 wins for the year in today's paper.

Dreaming.

I'll have some of what he is smoking

[daysofourlives]

Chris McDermott has Essendon with 5 wins for the year in today's paper.

Dreaming.

I'll have some of what he is smoking

Probably the only time I have ever agreed with McDermott, Essendon wont be that bad unless of course they choose to play for the number 1 draft pick.
You couldnt put up a best 22 could you Jim and then give us the next 6-8 players in the squad. I suspect they will be alright midfield forward but will lack key backs

[Jim05]

If all are fit Round 1 I'd guess something like:
B: Baguley, Hartley, Gwilt
HB: Francis, Brown, Gleeson
C: Zaharakis, Crowley, Goddard
HF: Laverde, McKernan, Fantasia
F: Langford, Daniher, Dempsey
R: Luenberger, Simpkin, Z.Merrett
Int: Kelly, Parish, Bird, Grimley

Next 6
J Merrett
Stokes
Jamar
Cooney
Dea
Ambrose

[bennymacca]

When you write it out like that it looks pretty terrible. Wouldnt stack up to Carlton, Brisbane, Melbourne, St Kilda

[Jim05]

When you write it out like that it looks pretty terrible. Wouldnt stack up to Carlton, Brisbane, Melbourne, St Kilda

Hence why I don't think we will win a game

[daysofourlives]

If all are fit Round 1 I'd guess something like:
B: Baguley, Hartley, Gwilt
HB: Francis, Brown, Gleeson
C: Zaharakis, Crowley, Goddard
HF: Laverde, McKernan, Fantasia
F: Langford, Daniher, Dempsey
R: Luenberger, Simpkin, Z.Merrett
Int: Kelly, Parish, Bird, Grimley

Next 6
J Merrett
Stokes
Jamar
Cooney
Dea
Ambrose

As I thought. backline pretty crap but not too bad elsewhere, Bird will be a starting Mid, Reckon all bar Jamar from your next 6 could easily be in best 22, the balancing act they have is game time into their own young players and being competitive with the older recycled top ups. Questions like does Langford play in front of a Stokes or Kelly will be asked reguarly this season. The answer to that question will determine the amount of wins for the year.
They have nothing to gain by playing top ups in front of their own.

[Spargo]

Their heads simply won't be in the right place for the whole 120 mins of each game. It's these lapses of a quarter here, 2 quarters there that will see the losses blown out regularly.

[bennymacca]

Their heads simply won't be in the right place for the whole 120 mins of each game. It's these lapses of a quarter here, 2 quarters there that will see the losses blown out regularly.

Yeah when they get 8 goals down, you can see it becoming 15 pretty quickly

[Grahaml]

I can't fathom how anyone would seriously look at that side and think it would be anything but rubbish. They were already in decline. Not good enough last year and they'd been on a push for a flag (or respectability, take your pick) by recruiting some older guys. Cooney isn't going to get any better. Goddard either. They've lost some seriously good players and replaced them with blokes who weren't good enough to play for any team in the comp. Sure, half that side would manage a game at other clubs. But GWS and Gold Coast could have made the same boast in their first years in the comp. And Essendon have no stars like Ablett floating around.

And that's best case scenario.....

[stan]

If all are fit Round 1 I'd guess something like:
B: Baguley, Hartley, Gwilt
HB: Francis, Brown, Gleeson
C: Zaharakis, Crowley, Goddard
HF: Laverde, McKernan, Fantasia
F: Langford, Daniher, Dempsey
R: Luenberger, Simpkin, Z.Merrett
Int: Kelly, Parish, Bird, Grimley

Next 6
J Merrett
Stokes
Jamar
Cooney
Dea
Ambrose

As I thought. backline pretty crap but not too bad elsewhere, Bird will be a starting Mid, Reckon all bar Jamar from your next 6 could easily be in best 22, the balancing act they have is game time into their own young players and being competitive with the older recycled top ups. Questions like does Langford play in front of a Stokes or Kelly will be asked reguarly this season. The answer to that question will determine the amount of wins for the year.
They have nothing to gain by playing top ups in front of their own.

You pose.and interesring question there. I would say the listed youngsters would get games in front of top ups. But a balance in general will be needed in terms of kids and mature players.

And Grimley should start in front of McKernan. I know that doesnt work with my first paragraph but christ I attack a hamburger harder than he attacks the ball!

[marbles]

Alex Rance vs Shaun McKernan

[Dutchy]

When you write it out like that it looks pretty terrible. Wouldnt stack up to Carlton, Brisbane, Melbourne, St Kilda

Dont underestimate Carlton's ability to really stink it up.

It was going to be a redevelopment year for the Bombers before the suspensions anyway, this just means Worsfold gets to fast track some of the development with some kids who might have got 2-3 games will now get 10-15, he will have a good grip on the ones who will take the club forward come September.