Recruit of the Year (so far)

[beerbandit]

Weitering has been the best key defender in the league for 5 years and still struggles to make the 40. The AFL mafia will still put Harris Andrews, Tom Stewart and Sam Taylor in before anyone else, regardless of form. And then when we speak about form, Ben McKay is certainly still no lock.

Darcy Moore and Harris Andrews have been better then Weitering for a 5 year period.

 

[The 747]

Weitering has been the best key defender in the league for 5 years and still struggles to make the 40. The AFL mafia will still put Harris Andrews, Tom Stewart and Sam Taylor in before anyone else, regardless of form. And then when we speak about form, Ben McKay is certainly still no lock.

This would suggest that either your assessment is wrong, or everyone else is wrong.

 

[Tall poppy Syndrome]

McKay at Essendon is the one. Not only has he been excellent individually seems to have massively improved their whole defensive structure.

Ginnivan a bit of a sleeper at the Hawks. While he hasn’t actually played that well so far every Hawks fan can see what he brings in terms of footy IQ and skill. You just know he’ll have big games at some point.

Also, while it’s his second season across from Freo at the Hawks, Lloyd Meek is now coming on strong-new ruck rules really suit his bullocking style.

 

[FlowersByIrene]

Darcy Moore and Harris Andrews have been better then Weitering for a 5 year period.

Incorrect.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Pretty happy with Elijah Hollands so far. Slotted in at HFF very well, oozes class.
Orazio not so much.

Gotta be Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

for output or Jeremy Sharp for cost.

 

[The 747]

Pretty happy with Elijah Hollands so far. Slotted in at HFF very well, oozes class.
Orazio not so much.

Gotta be Ben McKay for output or Jeremy Sharp for cost.

Well what did you expect?

 

[Maddo11]

Is it Grundy? it's Grundy!

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Well what did you expect?

I expected for him to have some sort of breakthrough game by now.

 

[windyhill]

I expected for him to have some sort of breakthrough game by now.

Agreed,he just looks completely lost.

 

[GoEaglesGoSGIO]

McKay by such a long distance that he almost won Eurovision as a result of being so far ahead

 

[Lingsface]

Grundy.

 

[beerbandit]

Brodie Grundy

4

Brodie Grundy

Age

30

Ht

202cm

Wt

105kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

17.5

4star

K

8.0

3star

HB

9.6

5star

CL

4.1

5star

HO

32.0

5star

D

16.4

4star

K

6.8

3star

HB

9.6

5star

CL

4.0

5star

HO

34.6

5star

D

13.8

4star

K

5.2

2star

HB

8.6

5star

CL

2.6

5star

HO

20.6

5star

 

[beerbandit]

Incorrect.

No, 100% Correct.

If you think Weitering has been a better player over last 5 years then Moore and Andrews then you need to take your glasses back to OPSM.

 

[The 747]

I expected for him to have some sort of breakthrough game by now.

Was a free hit, still might work out in some important game somewhere along the line.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Was a free hit, still might work out in some important game somewhere along the line.

I thought so too but he looks either past it or he can't play at a high intensity without doing a soft tissue injury, so he coasts through at 70% to preserve himself, perhaps a directive until the season ramps up.

A few big games in the second half of the year would be great. But he'll be lucky to get a game once Martin, Motlop and Fogarty are fit. They like Durdin too.

 

[RonnieRaven]

Jeremy Sharp probably not the best but deserves a mention
Free pick up has kicked 6 goals in 9 games on the wing.
Had 28d 500+ metres gained
9 score inv and kicked 2 goals on the weekend.

 

[Yoda_]

Ben McKay a clear number 1..worth every $$$..irrelevant what Essendon are paying him this season as it’s a massively front ended contract. Over the length of his deal, he will be under paid. Cost the Bombers zero in draft capital as well.

Goldstein, Duursma & Gresham were all excellent recruits as well. Essendon smashed the 2023 off-season.

The best value recruit has been Jeremy sharp. He’s become one of the best pure wingman in the AFL. Incredible to think the Suns gave up on him & only Fremantle showed interest. He’s elite at his role & would be getting a game at every other club.

Has anyone checked on Wild Bill or Nostradumbass ?

Plenty was being said paying overs, not worth the $$ etc. etc etc. Is this the first time Dodoro has a win:win (Roos picked up Zane Dursma did they not?)

 

[Yoda_]

Yup and the most impressive Dons have done - get him fit and on the park.

Seemed like the Roos could never do this.

At North he had 8 wins in 7 seasons

At Dons* he's already had 6 wins in 9 games

6 seasons at North

Ironically, if Pies game went in our favour, the matching win (assuming goes our way this week) would be against his former employer

Some times the footballing gods just know

 

[HeHateMe]

D'Ambrosio

 

[HairyO]

D'Ambrosio

He and Chol get better and better each week.

 

[masai tu]

Bang for buck, would be Jeremy Sharp.

Cost was zero, output has been pretty good.

 

[kreuze_missile]

Elijah Hollands.

By far.

 

[Pie eyed]

Is it Grundy? it's Grundy!

Maybe it's the Pie in me but I never really thought Grundy was THAT good.
Not that he is not a very good player.

Just did not ever really get the hype.
Darcy Cameron replaced him seamlessly.

 

[Maddo11]

Maybe it's the Pie in me but I never really thought Grundy was THAT good.
Not that he is not a very good player.

Just did not ever really get the hype.
Darcy Cameron replaced him seamlessly.

I mean no disrespect to Naismith and Hickey, but really we've been using stop gap ruck options for so long that having an AA ruck has elevated our midfield group out of sight. Also his follow up work and tackling has been immense

In '19 / '20 we were forced to use Aliir Aliir in the ruck for decent amounts of time. '22 was only good because Hickey and Reid had abnormally good years at the same time.

Watch the 10 minute period after half time against Carlton a fortnight ago, we were walking it in because he was so dominant in the middle.

If Gawn wasn't also having a career year Grundy would be a lock for AA

 

[HalloweenJack]

IMO McKay and Goldstein have been the standout recruits for Essendon this year. Gresham and Duursma have been good. Their defence is really in-sync with McKay seamlessly slotting in. The return of Ridley improves that part of the ground.

Goldstein has been a revelation so it is no surprise that the midfielders are all in great form. Essendon win this by a long way.

Grundy for the Swans has been brilliant and he has helped improve an impressive midfield. Warner and Heeney the main beneficiaries.

It is amazing how much a team can be improved if the right recruits are obtained.