Ben the Gooner
Stand by Hird
It's not quite the end of the season, but here goes:
1. Mark Johnson.
A poor year from Johnno. He is a good player when surrounded by quality, but the quality simply isn't there. I have been thinking this for the year, but he needs to be traded. If we can get something like we did for Solly (Bachar Houli and Kyle Reimers for Solly and Brock O'Brien), we'd be pretty happy, especially as we should be drafting very strongly this year (read Hawthorn a couple of years ago).
2. Ricky Dyson.
Just hasn't shown much consistency. He has a great motor, and could become a very good player if he gets his head right. If I were the new coach, I'd tell Ricky at the start of the year that he will play the first seven or so games, and tell him not to worry about being dropped, just to show me what he can do.
3. Scott Gumbleton
The kid has enormous potential, but would do well with a big preseason in the gym, and on the track, and would benefit enormously from a season in the VFL just playing as the main forward (rather than behind Scotty and Lloydy). Did some good things towards the end of the year.
4. Jobe Watson
He is an amazing in-and-under player, and has a good handball, but really needs to improve his fitness and his kicking. This kid could easily become one of the elite midfielders in the competition with some good coaching over the preseason.
5. Sir James
What can I say? He is the Messiah, and will be sorely missed.
6. Angus Monfries
I've said it before: this kid has the potential to be a captain of the Essendon Football Club. The way he gives 100% in every contest was epitomised by the way he stood in front of a rampaging Jonathan Brown, was flattened and got straight back up to keep chasing. He needs to improve his decision making a little, and needs more time in the midfield.
7. Leroy Jetta
Showed a bit in the early games, but has the worrying potential of becoming another Richard Cole or Ty Zantuck. Hopefull one of the senior players will take him under their wing and get him focussed on football.
8. Jason Winderlich.
A breakthrough season for Winder. Needs to improve his kicking, but him on a half back flank looks very promising for the next 8-9 years.
9. Adam Ramanauskas
Is 27, and is still a chance of featuring in another serious premiership contending team. Great to see Rama back, and he should become a very handy forward pocket and a real leader of the team, not to mention an inspiration.
10. Mark McVeigh
Gee, we'd love to have another couple of McVeighs. We need him as a tagger, a premier midfielder, a back pocket and a forward pocket. I'd like to see him in the midfield, and rotating through the forward line, especially if we can get someone like a Tommy Hislop to be a solid tagger for the next couple of years.
11. Damien Peverill
Pev is 28, and was one of our best this year. Quite frankly, for a good ordinary battler to be one of our best is just not good enough. I can't see him leaving, and he probably doesn't deserve to leave, but I can't see him featuring in our next great side.
12. Andrew Welsh
I prefer him up forward, only going back to play on a Mark Williams, Brad Johnson sort of player. He is a solid player, and played some good footy this year.
13. Andy Lovett
This kid has some amazing talent. I'd like to see three of him, Alwyn, Leroy and Dempsey rotating throught the midfield/wing, forward flank and the bench. Showed some Dean Rioli/Michael Long talent, and hopefully will build on that next year.
14. Jason Johnson
Unfortunately, it looks like JJ will retire/be delisted. He has been an amazing servant of the club, but injuries have taken their toll, and it doesn't look like he can hit any good form again.
15. Courtney Dempsey
Showed on Sunday night that he has the skills to be an exceptional player. As I said with Andy Lovett, I'd love to see him in a rotation around the ground.
16. Kepler Bradley
Seems to be a better player up forward, but it's hard to see him getting an opportunity with Lloyd, Scotty, Gumbleton, Ryder and even Mal Michael ahead of him in that position. I think one of him and Courtney Johns needs to be traded (to someone like a West Coast or a Western Bulldogs who need tall forwards).
17. Scott Camporeale
It's a shame to see his career end like that, but I can't see him coming back from that. Campo has always been a good player, and an excellent kick of the football, something some of our younger players should take note of.
18. Matthew Lloyd.
I wasn't 100% behind Sheeds naming Lloydy captain at first, but boy was I wrong! Lloydy showed himself this year to be one of the beast leaders in the competition. He leads not only by example, but off the field, in the media as well. I'd like to see Lloyd playing as the traditional Full Forward, with Scotty going further up the ground, but it's hard to see that happening.
19 David Hille
Hilley is an interesting one. I really can't see him and Laycock in the same premiership team. Therefore one of them needs to go, preferably now, while the team is at the bottom, and a new Matty Allen come in for a couple of years while Paddy Ryder and the ruckman we pick up in this year's draft develop. Personally I think that Laycock is a better tap ruckman, and is slightly better in the stoppages. Therefore I think Hille should be traded to a Bulldogs or a similar club, and a good running player picked up in return.
20. Henry Slattery
Slats played a good season as a tagger, with the highlight being the West Coast game where Daniel Kerr wasn't found until one of the trainers found him in Slats' pocket after the game. Hopefully another year of improvement to come. Needs to work on the tackling though.
21. Courtney Johns
Like I said under Kep, one of the two needs to be traded. I'd be inclined to think that Courtney should go, but the two of them are really even, and it (hopefully) will be up to the new coach.
22. Mal Michael
A good first season for us, with Mal delivering what he always has for Brisbane. In three years time though, I don't see the key defenders. Paddy's only there for the next couple of years until he becomes the right build for a ruckman, and Andrew Lee and Kepler Bradley haven't shown me anything. Should be a major focus in the draft.
23. Mark Bolton
Needs to go. He's had a long time, and by all reports is a great player to have around the club, but isn't Essendon standard, and the club needs a major change, so he needs to go. Maybe we can trade him to West Coast, so he can come in for the 2-3 Sydney games each year and shut down Adam Goodes.
24. Brent Stanton
Came along again this year, but really needs to improve his kicking and his decision making if he wants to make the leap to the elite midfielder status. Will nonetheless be part of our next premiership team.
25. Scott Lucas
Is the reason that we have the best FF/CHF combo in the league. He is good enough to be the No.1 tall forward at almost any club, but still plays second fiddle to Lloyd. Will finish high in the Crichton medal and should have another good season next year.
26. Chris Heffernan
Like I've said for JJ and Campo, Heff is a great past servant of the club, but needs to be moved on as he won't feature in our next premiership team. It is better to have a young midfielder on the list, getting a few games each year than a past it player.
27. Jason Laycock
Like I said for David Hille, one needs to be traded. I'd prefer Laycock to stay, as he would be traded for less, and because he is a better ruckman than Hille. With an uninterupted preseason, Laycock should have a big season next year.
28. Richard Cole
Needs to go. See Chris Heffernan. Used up all of his chances.
29. Alwyn Davey
Possibly the best debut half-season I've seen in the red and black for a while. Alwyn had everything that the team did not on Sunday night: heart, passion, desperation, pride and footskills. Should become an integral part of the team in the next couple of years.
30. Paddy Ryder
Really broke through this year. Looked very assured at Centre Half Back, and will become (hopefully) one of the premier ruckmen in the competition in the next few years.
31. Dustin Fletcher
Player much better when he was freed up by Mal Michael. Is one of those players who will give his best til the day he retires. And we all know how good his best is.
32. Andrew Lee
Don't know how he is going with what seems to be chronic OP. I know he was drafted to replace Nodda or Fletch, but that didn't seem to work out, and he could be one of those players whose career never got off the ground. Needs to get off the radio and onto the footy field.
33. Adam McPhee
Disappointing year. His skills, especially when under no pressure are not up to scratch, and neither is his decision making. We need to trade him while he is still worth something.
34. Jay Neagle
No Comment, as I haven't seen him play
35. Tom Hislop
Looks to be a decent player, and showed that in patches against Geelong. I'd like to see him learn his trade by being a tagger next year.
36. Sam Lonergan
Same as Jay Neagle
37. Kyle Reimers
Wasn't expecting much, but he delivered. Reimers looked very good for a first year player, and should go on next year to become much more assured at the top level. However, he raises just one question: Is it Ray-mers, Ree-mers, Rie-mers?
38. Jay Nash
Looks to be an outstanding prospect coming off the half back line. Let's just hope there's no lasting damage from Sunday night.
39. Heath Hocking
Didn't see enough of him against Carlton
40. Dean Dick
Ditto
41. Danny Chartres
Ditto
42. Nathan Lovett-Murray
Again showed his class, and should be the third tall in the backline for many years to come. Has good skills coming forward as well.
43. Bachar Houli
Showed a lot and has a lot of potential. Hopefully some more gametime next year.
44. Lachlan McKinnon
It's almost now or never for him to break into the senior squad. Has the height to play AFL football as a ruckman, but we need to see him play a few games next year.
We overachieved this year, and we need to clean this list up completely.
1. Mark Johnson.
A poor year from Johnno. He is a good player when surrounded by quality, but the quality simply isn't there. I have been thinking this for the year, but he needs to be traded. If we can get something like we did for Solly (Bachar Houli and Kyle Reimers for Solly and Brock O'Brien), we'd be pretty happy, especially as we should be drafting very strongly this year (read Hawthorn a couple of years ago).
2. Ricky Dyson.
Just hasn't shown much consistency. He has a great motor, and could become a very good player if he gets his head right. If I were the new coach, I'd tell Ricky at the start of the year that he will play the first seven or so games, and tell him not to worry about being dropped, just to show me what he can do.
3. Scott Gumbleton
The kid has enormous potential, but would do well with a big preseason in the gym, and on the track, and would benefit enormously from a season in the VFL just playing as the main forward (rather than behind Scotty and Lloydy). Did some good things towards the end of the year.
4. Jobe Watson
He is an amazing in-and-under player, and has a good handball, but really needs to improve his fitness and his kicking. This kid could easily become one of the elite midfielders in the competition with some good coaching over the preseason.
5. Sir James
What can I say? He is the Messiah, and will be sorely missed.
6. Angus Monfries
I've said it before: this kid has the potential to be a captain of the Essendon Football Club. The way he gives 100% in every contest was epitomised by the way he stood in front of a rampaging Jonathan Brown, was flattened and got straight back up to keep chasing. He needs to improve his decision making a little, and needs more time in the midfield.
7. Leroy Jetta
Showed a bit in the early games, but has the worrying potential of becoming another Richard Cole or Ty Zantuck. Hopefull one of the senior players will take him under their wing and get him focussed on football.
8. Jason Winderlich.
A breakthrough season for Winder. Needs to improve his kicking, but him on a half back flank looks very promising for the next 8-9 years.
9. Adam Ramanauskas
Is 27, and is still a chance of featuring in another serious premiership contending team. Great to see Rama back, and he should become a very handy forward pocket and a real leader of the team, not to mention an inspiration.
10. Mark McVeigh
Gee, we'd love to have another couple of McVeighs. We need him as a tagger, a premier midfielder, a back pocket and a forward pocket. I'd like to see him in the midfield, and rotating through the forward line, especially if we can get someone like a Tommy Hislop to be a solid tagger for the next couple of years.
11. Damien Peverill
Pev is 28, and was one of our best this year. Quite frankly, for a good ordinary battler to be one of our best is just not good enough. I can't see him leaving, and he probably doesn't deserve to leave, but I can't see him featuring in our next great side.
12. Andrew Welsh
I prefer him up forward, only going back to play on a Mark Williams, Brad Johnson sort of player. He is a solid player, and played some good footy this year.
13. Andy Lovett
This kid has some amazing talent. I'd like to see three of him, Alwyn, Leroy and Dempsey rotating throught the midfield/wing, forward flank and the bench. Showed some Dean Rioli/Michael Long talent, and hopefully will build on that next year.
14. Jason Johnson
Unfortunately, it looks like JJ will retire/be delisted. He has been an amazing servant of the club, but injuries have taken their toll, and it doesn't look like he can hit any good form again.
15. Courtney Dempsey
Showed on Sunday night that he has the skills to be an exceptional player. As I said with Andy Lovett, I'd love to see him in a rotation around the ground.
16. Kepler Bradley
Seems to be a better player up forward, but it's hard to see him getting an opportunity with Lloyd, Scotty, Gumbleton, Ryder and even Mal Michael ahead of him in that position. I think one of him and Courtney Johns needs to be traded (to someone like a West Coast or a Western Bulldogs who need tall forwards).
17. Scott Camporeale
It's a shame to see his career end like that, but I can't see him coming back from that. Campo has always been a good player, and an excellent kick of the football, something some of our younger players should take note of.
18. Matthew Lloyd.
I wasn't 100% behind Sheeds naming Lloydy captain at first, but boy was I wrong! Lloydy showed himself this year to be one of the beast leaders in the competition. He leads not only by example, but off the field, in the media as well. I'd like to see Lloyd playing as the traditional Full Forward, with Scotty going further up the ground, but it's hard to see that happening.
19 David Hille
Hilley is an interesting one. I really can't see him and Laycock in the same premiership team. Therefore one of them needs to go, preferably now, while the team is at the bottom, and a new Matty Allen come in for a couple of years while Paddy Ryder and the ruckman we pick up in this year's draft develop. Personally I think that Laycock is a better tap ruckman, and is slightly better in the stoppages. Therefore I think Hille should be traded to a Bulldogs or a similar club, and a good running player picked up in return.
20. Henry Slattery
Slats played a good season as a tagger, with the highlight being the West Coast game where Daniel Kerr wasn't found until one of the trainers found him in Slats' pocket after the game. Hopefully another year of improvement to come. Needs to work on the tackling though.
21. Courtney Johns
Like I said under Kep, one of the two needs to be traded. I'd be inclined to think that Courtney should go, but the two of them are really even, and it (hopefully) will be up to the new coach.
22. Mal Michael
A good first season for us, with Mal delivering what he always has for Brisbane. In three years time though, I don't see the key defenders. Paddy's only there for the next couple of years until he becomes the right build for a ruckman, and Andrew Lee and Kepler Bradley haven't shown me anything. Should be a major focus in the draft.
23. Mark Bolton
Needs to go. He's had a long time, and by all reports is a great player to have around the club, but isn't Essendon standard, and the club needs a major change, so he needs to go. Maybe we can trade him to West Coast, so he can come in for the 2-3 Sydney games each year and shut down Adam Goodes.
24. Brent Stanton
Came along again this year, but really needs to improve his kicking and his decision making if he wants to make the leap to the elite midfielder status. Will nonetheless be part of our next premiership team.
25. Scott Lucas
Is the reason that we have the best FF/CHF combo in the league. He is good enough to be the No.1 tall forward at almost any club, but still plays second fiddle to Lloyd. Will finish high in the Crichton medal and should have another good season next year.
26. Chris Heffernan
Like I've said for JJ and Campo, Heff is a great past servant of the club, but needs to be moved on as he won't feature in our next premiership team. It is better to have a young midfielder on the list, getting a few games each year than a past it player.
27. Jason Laycock
Like I said for David Hille, one needs to be traded. I'd prefer Laycock to stay, as he would be traded for less, and because he is a better ruckman than Hille. With an uninterupted preseason, Laycock should have a big season next year.
28. Richard Cole
Needs to go. See Chris Heffernan. Used up all of his chances.
29. Alwyn Davey
Possibly the best debut half-season I've seen in the red and black for a while. Alwyn had everything that the team did not on Sunday night: heart, passion, desperation, pride and footskills. Should become an integral part of the team in the next couple of years.
30. Paddy Ryder
Really broke through this year. Looked very assured at Centre Half Back, and will become (hopefully) one of the premier ruckmen in the competition in the next few years.
31. Dustin Fletcher
Player much better when he was freed up by Mal Michael. Is one of those players who will give his best til the day he retires. And we all know how good his best is.
32. Andrew Lee
Don't know how he is going with what seems to be chronic OP. I know he was drafted to replace Nodda or Fletch, but that didn't seem to work out, and he could be one of those players whose career never got off the ground. Needs to get off the radio and onto the footy field.
33. Adam McPhee
Disappointing year. His skills, especially when under no pressure are not up to scratch, and neither is his decision making. We need to trade him while he is still worth something.
34. Jay Neagle
No Comment, as I haven't seen him play
35. Tom Hislop
Looks to be a decent player, and showed that in patches against Geelong. I'd like to see him learn his trade by being a tagger next year.
36. Sam Lonergan
Same as Jay Neagle
37. Kyle Reimers
Wasn't expecting much, but he delivered. Reimers looked very good for a first year player, and should go on next year to become much more assured at the top level. However, he raises just one question: Is it Ray-mers, Ree-mers, Rie-mers?
38. Jay Nash
Looks to be an outstanding prospect coming off the half back line. Let's just hope there's no lasting damage from Sunday night.
39. Heath Hocking
Didn't see enough of him against Carlton
40. Dean Dick
Ditto
41. Danny Chartres
Ditto
42. Nathan Lovett-Murray
Again showed his class, and should be the third tall in the backline for many years to come. Has good skills coming forward as well.
43. Bachar Houli
Showed a lot and has a lot of potential. Hopefully some more gametime next year.
44. Lachlan McKinnon
It's almost now or never for him to break into the senior squad. Has the height to play AFL football as a ruckman, but we need to see him play a few games next year.
We overachieved this year, and we need to clean this list up completely.
