AFL Player #26: Kaine Baldwin - Not offered a contract for 2025, thanks Kaine! 26/8

[Lore]

Contract Status: Out of contract 2024
My Boy Draft 2024: Pick 33, Zach Package

 

[Kong]

I love him, but think his timing’s off. Heppell’s going around for another, so he’d still be behind him an Lav.

I both think and hope another club will pick him up

 

[mcgrath_truther]

it's a shame that he's been unable to get is body right because i think he's got what it takes to play AFL

 

[P Money]

I'm a huge Baldwin fan. If he can get himself on the park (assuming he gets another chance on the list), is he a potential FF option for us? Someone who can stand under a high ball and out-body his opponent for a mark? Given our game plan appears to be 'bomb it long on top of a bunch of leading fwds who can't take a park mark to save themselves', could Baldwin be our next (fwd version) Cale Hooker

26

Cale Hooker

Age

35

Ht

198cm

Wt

103kg

Pos.

D/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

16.2

4star

K

8.2

3star

HB

8.0

5star

M

6.3

5star

T

1.8

4star

MG

213.6

3star

D

11.8

3star

K

5.8

2star

HB

6.0

3star

M

5.0

5star

T

0.8

1star

MG

107.0

2star

D

14.6

4star

K

3.2

2star

HB

11.4

5star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.4

4star

?

 

[Runk]

Out of contract at years end. Bloke's body just can't handle AFL it seems....it's been a fair gamble all in all.

 

[Zach Package]

I'm a huge Baldwin fan. If he can get himself on the park (assuming he gets another chance on the list), is he a potential FF option for us? Someone who can stand under a high ball and out-body his opponent for a mark? Given our game plan appears to be 'bomb it long on top of a bunch of leading fwds who can't take a park mark to save themselves', could Baldwin be our next (fwd version) Cale Hooker?

He’s the kind of guy that if list sizes were bigger you would absolutely continue to invest in but in this brutalist world of immediate gratification I don’t see it.

 

[supportyourteam]

Love you Kaine. Here is to you becoming Able.

 

[AnGus BurgerFries]

Surely you ideally want Ridley in that Heppell role.

I'd only day no to that because I have no idea what Heppell's role is going to be week to week.

 

[VelvetSledge]

No contract next year.

Hind, Baldwin, Wanganeen not offered playing contracts

Dons announce list changes.

www.essendonfc.com.au

 

[Runk]

That's life - gave him every chance to become an AFL player and sadly it wasn't meant to be - Good luck to him.

 

[Darealrath]

Feel sorry for him. Showed something in defence.

 

[The Dustbin]

Christ almighty. Disappointed

 

[faible]

Feel sorry for him. Showed something in defence.

Has ability but a body made of tissue paper unfortunately.

 

[Rick Ross]

Shame but with list sizes, only realistic option for us. Hope he has better luck on a SANFL list back home and gets a second shot.

 

[Howard Moon]

Was a punt anyway, this one didn't come off

 

[Snake Charmer]

I really liked Baldwin. What a shame

 

[mcgrath_truther]

as is the nature of the game. it happens

 

[boncer34]

Has ability but a body made of tissue paper unfortunately.

Zach Reid is surely nervous end of next year.

 

[The Donners]

I’m ok with moving on list cloggers (due to body, not skill) but he’s played the same amount of games as Zach Reid in virtually the same period of time.

 

[SpeckieMcVeigh]

He's a big what if for me. I actually rate him quite a bit but kinda cursed with injuries like Hunter and Reid. Hope he's able to get a second chance elsewhere.

 

[thepokey]

insert quote from Jake Carlisle here

 

[Nicholas61]

Sorry to see you go Kaine I always believed and still do, hope you have some luck with the body. Genuine footballer with lovely skill, competitiveness and a brain.

 

[P Money]

Can understand the decision, but he's one that will make us look real silly if another club takes a punt on him and he gets his body right. Like, proper silly, not Voss silly or even Mass silly. Can seriously play and has all the strengths that our team needs (other than being able to get on the park of course).

 

[BrunoV]

Have not persisted with 2 other guys who made their way back onto AFL lists to keep this guy.

I completely understand the tragic element of Baldwin's career and I do feel for the boy. But the extent of the tragedy for Baldwin is proportionate to the stupidity of those who manage our list who bothered with him.

 

[fairbump_playon]

You’re still on my list Kaine

 

[Crow till I die]

Injuries ultimately robbed him of his best footy as he looked a real talent as a junior. Kudo's to your club for giving him a chance and it was just not to be for him. A might have been story.