AFL Player # 1: Andrew "Pidge" McGrath (VC)

[Beerfish]

Contract Status: Unrestricted Free Agent 2030
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 13, Vindicater

 

[Towno78]

Read bits and pieces, some positives but doesn't seem to be standing out too much. Personally think that's a great thing compared to other years where our first rounders have been setting standards, our team is in a much better position so it isn't as easy to burst on the scene. Also hard to get a read if he's playing on Fanta and Tippa who are primed to become one of the elite small partnerships in the comp.

Meh, a first year player commanding a senior spot day 1 is hardly a blight on the side, some blokes are just too good for the 2s. That is definitely a bonus.
But I'm certainly not going to judge a first round pick if they don't, plenty of time.

 

[Vindicater]

Hopefully will continue to grow in confidence through the actual pre-season games.

 

[Rack Watts]

Don't think we will see him debut right away hasn't been dominating pre season.

Of course he hasn't, pre-season is about conditioning, it's a good thing he isn't, or what does it say about our other players, we want flashy moments from him though.

 

[ezard15]

I know he's only young but still waiting for this kid's break out game.

Has had plenty of opportunity to prove himself now.

 

[Bombers36]

Seems some people are thinking he's not going to play round 1? What is this based on?

 

[Longjohnmire]

I still think he will, but there's a battle heating up for small defender roles between Gleeson, Bags, Kelly, McGrath, Dea, Stanton, Goddard, McKenna, j.Merrett. Maybe some others I've forgotten. So if he doesn't I will not be too upset.

The other thing that makes it really hard for everyone to say he's gonna play round one is trying to squeeze him in around the returning blokes as well as the likes of dea, tippa, fantasia, parish, Hartley etc who all impressed last year.

Actually looking forward to the preseason games to get some sort of gauge on wtf we are going to play/set up like with a full contingent of players.

 

[Rack Watts]

Essendon fans, so confused about having depth, that they don't know how it works

 

[IHurley]

Essendon fans, so confused about having depth, that they don't know how it works

Ordinarily this all makes sense but wasn't one of the reasons we chose McGrath over the others because people thought he was ready to hit the ground running?

 

[Synth]

Ordinarily this all makes sense but wasn't one of the reasons we chose McGrath over the others because people thought he was ready to hit the ground running?

Ordinarily the top pick doesn't get drafted into a finals contender.

I don't think there's any draft pick that would just walk into this lineup now that we have 10 senior players returning but McGrath truly was one of the most likely to do so.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Ordinarily this all makes sense but wasn't one of the reasons we chose McGrath over the others because people thought he was ready to hit the ground running?

He is but others can run faster... figuratively.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Ordinarily this all makes sense but wasn't one of the reasons we chose McGrath over the others because people thought he was ready to hit the ground running?

No. That would be a stupid reason to draft someone.

Him bring ready is a by product of the actual reasons we drafted him

 

[IHurley]

No. That would be a stupid reason to draft someone.

Him bring ready is a by product of the actual reasons we drafted him

I agree it is a stupid reason to draft him - and I have no idea what was going through Dodoro's mind - that is just what I read. I certainly hope it isn't true.

 

[eDPS]

Even if he doesn't play round 1 I believe he will play a lot of games for us this year and if he isn't that says a lot about the depth we have this year

 

[Rack Watts]

Him being ready is a by product of the actual reasons we drafted him

True, I still think he will play from round 1. The modern game requires his type, hence the draft pick.
I can't wait to see the ball go from him in the backline, to Colyer on the wing, to Fantasia on the forward flank. Absolute lightning.

 

[doug85]

True, I still think he will play from round 1. The modern game requires his type, hence the draft pick.
I can't wait to see the ball go from him in the backline, to Colyer on the wing, to Fantasia on the forward flank. Absolute lightning.

Put Tippa somewhere in that chain!

We're going to have a very quick side.

 

[DapperDon]

No need to rush him in just because he's number 1 pick.

If he's good to go round 1 it's because he has earned it and impressed enough for the coaches to believe he's ready.

 

[Runk]

THIS ****ING CLUB!!!!

 

[Pweter]

No need to rush him in just because he's number 1 pick.

If he's good to go round 1 it's because he has earned it and impressed enough for the coaches to believe he's ready.

GTFO!

We've been more than patient with this kid. Round 1 or delist is the only decision the club has to make.

 

[eth-dog]

Put Tippa somewhere in that chain!

We're going to have a very quick side.

To Walla in the FP to goal

 

[scanlon]

No need to rush him in just because he's number 1 pick.

If he's good to go round 1 it's because he has earned it and impressed enough for the coaches to believe he's ready.

How is he meant to win the coleman, bnf and brownlow to keep us fans happy then?!? Anything else and he's a bust.

 

[WEEVZ]

How is he meant to win the coleman, bnf and brownlow to keep us fans happy then?!? Anything else and he's a bust.

Let's not forget the Norm Smith

 

[JayJ20]

Essendon fans, so confused about having depth, that they don't know how it works

Yeah what do we even do with all of these players? lol

 

[Eleven 38]

Let's not forget the Norm Smith

Norm smith is THE MEDAL. The other ones are solely individual awards. The Norm Smith is an individual award but it also means you've had team success. Which is we as supporters really want, it's been too long.

 

[blitzer]

To be honest all this depth talk is all well and good but lets see how many fit and available players we actually have coming into round 1. I reckon they'll squeeze him in for sure.

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Norm smith is THE MEDAL. The other ones are solely individual awards. The Norm Smith is an individual award but it also means you've had team success. Which is we as supporters really want, it's been too long.

B&F in a premiership year is THE medal.