Recruiting AFL Trade & Free Agency XII - 💰💰💰

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Spoiler: 2024 Draft Order

 

[Rick Ross]

We’re not in a good spot. We have an average list (just finished 11th), have no draft picks outside the bare minimum and we seem to have no appetite to trade away valuable players to improve our hand. Stringer, Shiel or Laverde aren’t going to land much if anything.

It’d be a shock if we did anything interesting, we’re not really in a place to.

Likely* we’ll have 2 first rounders in a strong draft. Kako being exactly what we need. Another hopefully before him… most clubs are trying their arses off to get to 2 early picks in this draft. How can that not be a good spot?

 

[BuffDog]

We’re not in a good spot. We have an average list (just finished 11th), have no draft picks outside the bare minimum and we seem to have no appetite to trade away valuable players to improve our hand. Stringer, Shiel or Laverde aren’t going to land much if anything.

It’d be a shock if we did anything interesting, we’re not really in a place to.

We are somewhat lucky that we can rebuild before Tassie and we do have plenty of cap space. But it's likely going to need two consecutive bottom 4 finishes to get access to the elite end of the draft along with relying on FA to add mature talent.

 

[cAsEy_18]

Likely* we’ll have 2 first rounders in a strong draft. Kako being exactly what we need. Another hopefully before him… most clubs are trying their arses off to get to 2 early picks in this draft. How can that not be a good spot?

The entire rest of the list?

The fact of the matter is we simply lack the talent of the best sides. And by some distance.

Also the way the game is played and the strengths of the best teams are also our clear weaknesses. We don't have any good small forwards, both from a goal-kicking perspective, and equally importantly, from a forward pressure perspective. And simply saying we're bringing in Kako isn't enough. The best teams all play 3-4 of these good small forwards... better than anyone we can put out there.
The other big strength of good teams which we suck at is kicking the damn ball, particularly out of defense. It sticks out like a sore thumb, our inability to move the ball down the ground with any skill or pace.

That's why we're in a bad spot. Not because we might have 2 early picks this year. They are potentially step 1 and 2 in what is still a long journey.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

We are somewhat lucky that we can rebuild before Tassie and we do have plenty of cap space. But it's likely going to need two consecutive bottom 4 finishes to get access to the elite end of the draft along with relying on FA to add mature talent.

If we were rebuilding we’d be getting on the front foot and exploring who we can trade out for high picks.

We’re genuinely nowhere as a result of two things - a terrible run at the pointy end of the draft (Cox, Perkins, Reid, Tsatas, Hobbs) and long-term huge contracts to non-key pieces (Parish, Redman, Ridley).

Upside is Caddy, Durham, Caldwell. Hayes could be okay but too early.

It can turn quickly but we’re in a hell of a spot. We have absolutely ****ed the dog on list management over the past few years and I hope they realise the extent of it.

 

[jdstorm]

If we were rebuilding we’d be getting on the front foot and exploring who we can trade out for high picks.

We’re genuinely nowhere as a result of two things - a terrible run at the pointy end of the draft (Cox, Perkins, Reid, Tsatas, Hobbs) and long-term huge contracts to non-key pieces (Parish, Redman, Ridley).

Upside is Caddy, Durham, Caldwell. Hayes could be okay but too early.

It can turn quickly but we’re in a hell of a spot. We have absolutely ****ed the dog on list management over the past few years and I hope they realise the extent of it.

I won’t accept this Ridley slander absolute gun when healthy

 

[Bunk Moreland]

I won’t accept this Ridley slander absolute gun when healthy

Yep he is, but questions on his body and he’s an interceptor - not exactly the most difficult role to replace and we’ve already brought in McKay on huge money - and interceptor is his best role.

It’s not like he has no value - he has big value - and that could possibly be better unlocked in a trade, considering where we are at

 

[jdstorm]

Yep he is, but questions on his body and he’s an interceptor - not exactly the most difficult role to replace and we’ve already brought in McKay on huge money - and interceptor is his best role.

It’s not like he has no value - he has big value - and that could possibly be better unlocked in a trade, considering where we are at

Ridleys so much more than an interceptor, he’s also an elite user and rebounder.

We’ve been wasting him in lockdown roles but playing in that loose defender role he’s elite.

Trading him now you’d get massive unders.

 

[DonsRule]

Yep he is, but questions on his body and he’s an interceptor - not exactly the most difficult role to replace and we’ve already brought in McKay on huge money - and interceptor is his best role.

It’s not like he has no value - he has big value - and that could possibly be better unlocked in a trade, considering where we are at

As jd said above I think just an interceptor is being a bit harsh. Yes he does it but would be I think our best ball user out of the backline - he had a few slip ups this year but think his vision/decision making was pretty good over all, in form he is pretty deadly by foot. Considering our backlines ability to turn the ball over. .

 

[cAsEy_18]

Ridley's a good user but a very safe user. Yes he is probably our best user out of defense - but that isn't saying much when his competition is McGrath, McKay, and has been Heppell and Kelly. Even Redman's was pretty underwhelming all year.

We desperately need him to be more creative and take the game on more with his kicking.

 

[joey_jo_jo]

Ridley's a good user but a very safe user. Yes he is probably our best user out of defense - but that isn't saying much when his competition is McGrath, McKay, and has been Heppell and Kelly. Even Redman's was pretty underwhelming all year.

We desperately need him to be more creative and take the game on more with his kicking.

He also goes into his shell with positioning as the interceptor. In his first game back against the tigers he was very aggressive in his positioning and was making a lot of intercepts on the wings, as the season went on he started to stand deeper and deeper in our 50 so when he got the ball most of his options were short/lateral kicks to other defenders rather than attacking options.
He is one of our most gifted players and I know he has had injury concerns so will give him some slack but with Heppell gone I would like him, McGrath and Redman to step up as leaders of the backline and set a better standard in regard to competitiveness/composure.

 

[jdstorm]

He also goes into his shell with positioning as the interceptor. In his first game back against the tigers he was very aggressive in his positioning and was making a lot of intercepts on the wings, as the season went on he started to stand deeper and deeper in our 50 so when he got the ball most of his options were short/lateral kicks to other defenders rather than attacking options.
He is one of our most gifted players and I know he has had injury concerns so will give him some slack but with Heppell gone I would like him, McGrath and Redman to step up as leaders of the backline and set a better standard in regard to competitiveness/composure.

That’s because he was playing a different position as 2nd tall. Had more lockdown responsibilities.

That free playing high player is who he really is but coaches need to put him in a position to play that way

 

[JayJ20]

This thread was far more active with Dodoro at helm. We used to come to pages of discussions around trade suggestions, wild rumours, trade requests, failing negotiations, posturing, "hard-to-deal with", angry comments from opposition list managers etc. Rosa is too stable and rational of a list manager for Essendon. It's giving uncanny valley vibes.

Now both the season and off-season are boring. I see it as a good thing.

 

[Keystone agony]

Its a great sign that clubs like Dees and Dogs are offering F1 for a later pick such as 13 from the GC Suns

 

[Mercurial89]

Ridleys so much more than an interceptor, he’s also an elite user and rebounder.

We’ve been wasting him in lockdown roles but playing in that loose defender role he’s elite.

Trading him now you’d get massive unders.

If the coaches are set on playing players in certain positions then unfortunately that is what they will be, and the idea that we as fans have for them is exactly that, an idea.

We can all imagine Ridley the intercepting good disposal defender, but quite simply over the past two years he has either been injured or played as a more lock down/accountable defender with others intercepting.
We have done the same thing with Redman gutting his form due to the Martin experiment which who knows if it's only a one year thing.

 

[bombersim]

Tbh, i think next season is a real wait and see on a lot of our players, no longer are they kids, most have had 2-3 preseasons now and should be making improvements:

Cox, Reid, Davey Jnr, Hobbs, Tsatas, Perkins, Bryan, Hayes and Jones I think really need to show progress next season. (Lots of talls in that group, and for that reason I’d be reluctant to draft any more talls until we know what we are dealing with)

We should be putting the acid on these guys in particular to drive the place forward. Most of them should be taking big strides in 2025

 

[Keystone agony]

If the coaches are set on playing players in certain positions then unfortunately that is what they will be, and the idea that we as fans have for them is exactly that, an idea.

We can all imagine Ridley the intercepting good disposal defender, but quite simply over the past two years he has either been injured or played as a more lock down/accountable defender with others intercepting.
We have done the same thing with Redman gutting his form due to the Martin experiment which who knows if it's only a one year thing.

I also think people are forgetting Ridleys year, off very little training

Avg (8 games)
24 disposals
9 marks
7.5 intercepts
450 metres gained
3 Intercept Marks (Maybe best in comp - need to double check)

 

[Yoda_]

Its a great sign that clubs like Dees and Dogs are offering F1 for a later pick such as 13 from the GC Suns

If true, would be bent hell and high water on trying to turn current 1st into future 1st and current second.


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[FlyingV]

We should be putting the acid on these guys in particular to drive the place forward. Most of them should be taking big strides in 2025

Couldn’t agree more, they need a sense of urgency. Honestly if they are in Europe having the offseason of their lives this year of all years, they have their heads in the sand.

 

[ghostdog]

Seems it will be a trade period where draft picks will be king, plenty of clubs will be trying to trade their 2025 picks.

2024 picks are all the rage, and 2025 picks will never be cheaper, we could seriously turn 8 and 31 into 3 picks inside 25 next year and points for Kako.

Kako and then a monster 2025 draft hand sounds ok to me.

We could, but do we know anything about the quality of next year's draft?

Clubs are interested in this draft becausr it's deep.

 

[Keystone agony]

Sounds like GWS wont be too keen to trade Stone

See him as a repalcement to Perryman/Cumming

Can play FWD/Mid like Peatling aswell

Maybe he wants out still if they add Stringer/Shiel ect

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Tbh, i think next season is a real wait and see on a lot of our players, no longer are they kids, most have had 2-3 preseasons now and should be making improvements:

Cox, Reid, Davey Jnr, Hobbs, Tsatas, Perkins, Bryan, Hayes and Jones I think really need to show progress next season. (Lots of talls in that group, and for that reason I’d be reluctant to draft any more talls until we know what we are dealing with)

Cox doesn’t even have a position, he’s not going to improve until he does.

Reid just needs to get on the park.

Bryan is a ruck and can only play there in the VFL if we’re playing Draper.

Hobbs, Tsatas, Perkins, to truly grow need midfield time. I have no idea where they’re getting that behind Merrett, Parish, Caldwell, Durham and maybe Shiel (he played in front of them this year).

They need to be chucked in the guts and loaded up with minutes to improve, the only place that is happening for them at Essendon is in the VFL.

 

[Travisty1331]

Sounds like GWS wont be too keen to trade Stone

See him as a repalcement to Perryman/Cumming

Can play FWD/Mid like Peatling aswell

Maybe he wants out still if they add Stringer/Shiel ect

Won’t have much choice as he’s out of contract