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- Jan 20, 2008
- 62,132
- 104,711
- AFL Club
- Essendon
- Other Teams
- Nic Martin
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AFLW 2024 - Round 3 - Chat, game threads, injury lists, team lineups and more.
I would. He's a major point of difference at the moment.If he continues to perform like he has for the past couple of weeks, do we re-sign him?(if he's wanting to stay)
Yeah agreed, takes a lot of pressure off of Merrett/ParishI would. He's a major point of difference at the moment.
If he can string together his current form for a whole season, look out.
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Isn’t he contracted for another year? Will probably come down to how invested he is in our future or, if instead, the club is invested in getting some young talent onto the list while he’s got some value.If he continues to perform like he has for the past couple of weeks, do we re-sign him?(if he's wanting to stay)
Nah it’ll come down to dodo not wanting to let go of a playerIsn’t he contracted for another year? Will probably come down to how invested he is in our future or, if instead, the club is invested in getting some young talent onto the list while he’s got some value.
Essendon’s Dylan Shieljogged everyone’s memories with an inspired burst of brilliance in the final quarter of the Bombers’ come-from-behind win over Fremantle last Sunday.PLAYERCARDSTART9Dylan Shiel
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 24.6
- 5star
- K
- 12.3
- 5star
- HB
- 12.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 3.9
- 5star
- CL
- 4.9
- 5star
- D
- 23.4
- 5star
- K
- 13.6
- 5star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 2.2
- 2star
- T
- 3.4
- 4star
- CL
- 6.4
- 5star
- D
- 19.8
- 5star
- K
- 8.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
The exceptional final clearance from inspirational skipper Zach Merrett made the headlines, but it was Shiel – the one-time All-Australian Shiel – who shifted the momentum of the match.
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Dylan Shielwith a show of strength against Essendon vice captain Andy McGrath at training.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGESPLAYERCARDSTART9Dylan Shiel
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 24.6
- 5star
- K
- 12.3
- 5star
- HB
- 12.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 3.9
- 5star
- CL
- 4.9
- 5star
- D
- 23.4
- 5star
- K
- 13.6
- 5star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 2.2
- 2star
- T
- 3.4
- 4star
- CL
- 6.4
- 5star
- D
- 19.8
- 5star
- K
- 8.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
His three consecutive clearances midway through the final quarter led to Essendon goals as he used his ballroom dancer’s feet and sharp hands to put teammates into enough space to create scoring chances with deep forward-50 entries.
Quickly, the Bombers went from 17 points behind to one point up against the Dockers.
It was Shiel’s fifth consecutive game back following his arduous return to the AFL after a pre-season delayed due to foot and knee surgery. He endured a lengthy stint in the VFL, a tough test for someone with more than 200 games to his name.
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But his performance provided a pointer to what a second coming of Shiel could offer the Bombers for the remainder of this season and beyond.
“Even now he would be in the top few at zero to 15 metres off the mark,” former teammate Devon Smithsaid. “[He’s a] very powerful, fast-twitch-fibre guy. He’s a freak.”PLAYERCARDSTART5Devon Smith
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 176cm
- Wt
- 78kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 18.8
- 5star
- K
- 11.1
- 4star
- HB
- 7.8
- 5star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 5.3
- 5star
- G
- 0.9
- 4star
- D
- 16.3
- 4star
- K
- 9.1
- 4star
- HB
- 7.1
- 4star
- M
- 2.3
- 2star
- T
- 5.0
- 5star
- G
- 0.6
- 4star
- D
- 15.6
- 4star
- K
- 9.2
- 4star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 4.0
- 5star
- G
- 0.2
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
Shiel still has one year left on his Essendon contract but remains of interest to other clubs, such as St Kilda, who have been trying for a while to convince him to train under the bayside skies near where he grew up.
Shiel wants to make it work at Essendon, having been frustrated by injury in the past two seasons, and unfortunately for the Bombers none of their early midfield draft picks – Ben Hobbs, Archie Perkins or Elijah Tsatas – have been good enough to storm through the door the veteran’s recent lack of good fortune left open.
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His best season at the club was his first, when he was second in the club’s 2019 best and fairest after crossing from the Giants as a big-name signing who was not only All-Australian, but had established with former ruckman Shane Mumfordan explosive centre-square combination.PLAYERCARDSTART41Shane Mumford
- Age
- 38
- Ht
- 198cm
- Wt
- 105kg
- Pos.
- Ruck
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 10.9
- 3star
- K
- 3.0
- 1star
- HB
- 8.0
- 5star
- CL
- 3.0
- 4star
- HO
- 29.9
- 5star
- D
- 7.3
- 2star
- K
- 1.3
- 1star
- HB
- 6.0
- 3star
- CL
- 2.3
- 4star
- HO
- 18.5
- 5star
- D
- 6.2
- 2star
- K
- 1.6
- 1star
- HB
- 4.6
- 4star
- HO
- 12.4
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
On Sunday, he showed that his football could still be elite and, in some areas, he is actually a better player than he had been before the foot problems.
His kicking has improved during his time at Essendon, while this version of Shiel also appeared more composed when he won possession.
His forward handball to Kyle Langfordin space when the heat was on against the Dockers led to a Bombers goal as he resisted the urge to kick deep and long, and instead looked for the better option.PLAYERCARDSTART4Kyle Langford
- Age
- 27
- Ht
- 192cm
- Wt
- 88kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 15.7
- 4star
- K
- 8.3
- 3star
- HB
- 7.3
- 5star
- M
- 3.9
- 4star
- T
- 3.3
- 5star
- G
- 0.7
- 4star
- D
- 17.4
- 4star
- K
- 9.0
- 4star
- HB
- 8.4
- 4star
- M
- 4.4
- 4star
- T
- 1.6
- 3star
- G
- 0.7
- 4star
- D
- 8.2
- 2star
- K
- 3.2
- 2star
- HB
- 5.0
- 4star
- M
- 2.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- G
- 0.6
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
Defensive aspects of his game remain a weakness, but the improvement of Jye Caldwell, who was best on ground against the Dockers, and the determination of Merrett to contribute defensively, may allow the Bombers to cash in on Shiel’s strengths.PLAYERCARDSTART6Jye Caldwell
- Age
- 23
- Ht
- 183cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- M/F
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 13.3
- 3star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.5
- 4star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 3.7
- 5star
- CL
- 1.8
- 4star
- D
- 14.3
- 3star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 7.3
- 4star
- M
- 3.3
- 3star
- T
- 3.3
- 4star
- CL
- 1.8
- 4star
- D
- 13.6
- 4star
- K
- 7.0
- 3star
- HB
- 6.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.8
- 4star
- T
- 3.8
- 5star
- CL
- 1.6
- 4star
PLAYERCARDEND
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Dylan Shielgave Brad Scott plenty to smile about, particularly late, in the Bombers’ win over Fremantle.CREDIT: GETTY IMAGESPLAYERCARDSTART9Dylan Shiel
- Age
- 31
- Ht
- 182cm
- Wt
- 84kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 24.6
- 5star
- K
- 12.3
- 5star
- HB
- 12.2
- 5star
- M
- 3.1
- 3star
- T
- 3.9
- 5star
- CL
- 4.9
- 5star
- D
- 23.4
- 5star
- K
- 13.6
- 5star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 2.2
- 2star
- T
- 3.4
- 4star
- CL
- 6.4
- 5star
- D
- 19.8
- 5star
- K
- 8.4
- 4star
- HB
- 11.4
- 5star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 2.6
- 4star
- CL
- 3.8
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Smith, who played alongside him at both the Giants and Essendon, has no doubt the now-31-year-old will re-emerge as a key player with the Bombers.
“At his best, he has to play with that explosiveness and almost on instinct. He is not someone you can harness and say ‘stand here, do this’,” Smith said.
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Collingwood’s Steele Sidebottomhas won a second flag in the twilight seasons of his career.CREDIT: AFL PHOTOSPLAYERCARDSTART22Steele Sidebottom
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 86kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 27.4
- 5star
- K
- 14.1
- 5star
- HB
- 13.3
- 5star
- M
- 5.5
- 5star
- T
- 3.7
- 5star
- CL
- 3.2
- 5star
- D
- 24.0
- 5star
- K
- 12.0
- 5star
- HB
- 12.0
- 5star
- M
- 4.5
- 4star
- T
- 4.3
- 5star
- CL
- 2.3
- 4star
- D
- 31.6
- 5star
- K
- 14.4
- 5star
- HB
- 17.2
- 5star
- M
- 4.2
- 4star
- T
- 4.2
- 5star
- CL
- 6.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Not only is he one of the few Bombers with winning finals experience, but his training standards are elite, setting a benchmark for teammates, and he is more relaxed now after becoming a father last year.
Brad Scott doesn’t always say it out loud, but he is acutely aware of what Shiel at his best can offer. And it’s clear from the coach’s time at North Melbourne that he understands players can emerge from a down patch around the age of 30 and find their best in their twilight years. He may not be a “resultist”, but he could well be a revivalist.
Former Kangaroos Shaun Higgins, Nick Dal SantoPLAYERCARDSTART4Shaun Higgins
- Age
- 36
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 89kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 20.4
- 5star
- K
- 10.6
- 4star
- HB
- 9.8
- 5star
- M
- 3.9
- 4star
- T
- 3.2
- 5star
- G
- 1.0
- 4star
- D
- 21.8
- 5star
- K
- 10.3
- 4star
- HB
- 11.5
- 5star
- M
- 2.3
- 2star
- T
- 3.6
- 4star
- G
- 0.1
- 3star
- D
- 12.0
- 3star
- K
- 7.2
- 3star
- HB
- 4.8
- 4star
- M
- 2.8
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
- G
- 0.6
- 3star
PLAYERCARDENDand Jarrad WaitePLAYERCARDSTARTNick Dal Santo
- Age
- 40
- Ht
- 185cm
- Wt
- 85kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 22.9
- 5star
- K
- 13.0
- 5star
- HB
- 9.9
- 5star
- M
- 3.7
- 4star
- T
- 3.6
- 5star
- CL
- 4.0
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 13.2
- 4star
- K
- 6.8
- 3star
- HB
- 6.4
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
PLAYERCARDENDall flourished under Scott’s tutelage late in their career after crossing from other clubs, with question marks hovering above them about how much they still had to offer. That they would perform as well as they did in Kangaroos colours was not obvious to anyone at the time they arrived, but Scott made it work.PLAYERCARDSTARTJarrad Waite
- Age
- 41
- Ht
- 194cm
- Wt
- 96kg
- Pos.
- Fwd
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 14.3
- 4star
- K
- 9.8
- 4star
- HB
- 4.5
- 3star
- M
- 5.8
- 5star
- T
- 2.7
- 4star
- G
- 1.5
- 5star
No current season stats available
- D
- 9.4
- 3star
- K
- 6.2
- 3star
- HB
- 3.2
- 3star
- M
- 2.4
- 3star
- T
- 2.2
- 4star
- G
- 0.6
- 3star
PLAYERCARDEND
In more recent times, the Giants’ Callan Wardand Collingwood’s Steele SidebottomPLAYERCARDSTART8Callan Ward
- Age
- 34
- Ht
- 187cm
- Wt
- 83kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 22.8
- 5star
- K
- 11.2
- 4star
- HB
- 11.5
- 5star
- M
- 3.8
- 4star
- T
- 4.3
- 5star
- CL
- 5.4
- 5star
- D
- 17.8
- 4star
- K
- 9.0
- 4star
- HB
- 8.8
- 4star
- M
- 2.3
- 2star
- T
- 2.3
- 3star
- CL
- 3.3
- 4star
- D
- 10.0
- 3star
- K
- 4.4
- 2star
- HB
- 5.6
- 4star
- M
- 3.0
- 3star
- T
- 1.8
- 4star
PLAYERCARDENDkick-started their careers after doubts about their longevity emerged when injuries and form issues stifled them for two seasons.PLAYERCARDSTART22Steele Sidebottom
- Age
- 33
- Ht
- 184cm
- Wt
- 86kg
- Pos.
- Mid
CareerSeasonLast 5
- D
- 27.4
- 5star
- K
- 14.1
- 5star
- HB
- 13.3
- 5star
- M
- 5.5
- 5star
- T
- 3.7
- 5star
- CL
- 3.2
- 5star
- D
- 24.0
- 5star
- K
- 12.0
- 5star
- HB
- 12.0
- 5star
- M
- 4.5
- 4star
- T
- 4.3
- 5star
- CL
- 2.3
- 4star
- D
- 31.6
- 5star
- K
- 14.4
- 5star
- HB
- 17.2
- 5star
- M
- 4.2
- 4star
- T
- 4.2
- 5star
- CL
- 6.0
- 5star
PLAYERCARDEND
Now Shiel has three more games and potentially finals to show just how valuable he can be to the Bombers’ immediate future.
Was it just a blast from the past, or something more sustainable? That’s the question many continue to ask.
In an era when judgments are often made at warp speed, Shiel has given the Bombers something to carefully consider as they weigh up the balance of their team and what they want it look like in 2025.
“He is very powerful, but pretty smart. If he gets his tail up and is confident, good luck stopping him. He’s a different beast when he is up and going as well,” Smith said.
Because we really are close to the premiership window . We have been contending for finals for 10 years.If we're serious about contending for finals in the next 1-2 years it would be a no brainer to keep him(unless he wants out), as he's so much better than all our other mids, excluding merrett, durham, parish.
Or if we're committed to this luxurious 8 year plan we'd trade shiel, parish and even merrett as they would be too old for the premiership window that brad scott entails
Do we keep Shiel and pray Hobbs and Tsatas become good or trade a few of our mids for picks/small forwardsBecause we really are close to the premiership window . We have been contending for finals for 10 years.
Need to get into the draft as we need some fresh players. Trade Shiel . He is not going to be in the next wave. Hobbs maybe. Is stuck behind Merrett / Durham / Caldwell to start with as well as Parish. If someone wants to offer something for Parish then you look at it. Stringer needs to go. Tstatas is probably a keep for now but .Do we keep Shiel and pray Hobbs and Tsatas become good or trade a few of our mids for picks/small forwards
Not sure I am calculating that into my list management plans .Sheils only 1 season away from being Father son eligible at Essendon. That status is worth far more then a 2nd round pick
We could trade Parish as he’s over the threshold but after an injury riddled year don’t think you would get much in return so might be better off just keeping everyone and having depth/ selection pressure
um…. Really?Sheils only 1 season away from being Father son eligible at Essendon. That status is worth far more then a 2nd round pick
We could trade Parish as he’s over the threshold but after an injury riddled year don’t think you would get much in return so might be better off just keeping everyone and having depth/ selection pressure
No, but we probably don't get a second anyway.um…. Really?
Except he isn't.given he's uncontracted
Except he isn't.