Recruiting Trade & Free Agency VIII

[Lore]

ATTENTION OPPOSITION POSTERS: You are on the Essendon board - not the draft board, or the main board or your club board. You are welcome to post here but you will mind your manners or you will be carded. Don't waltz in here telling the locals what's happening/not happening, what's dumb etc. By the same token sealioning will also not be tolerated so be warned. You do not have equal standing here no matter how right you think you are.

Spoiler: AFL TRADE, DRAFT AND FREE AGENCY KEY DATES 2020

Draft Combine
Tuesday October 1 - Friday October 4

AFL Grand Final
Saturday October 24

Free Agency Window
Friday October 30 – Friday November 6

AFL Trade Period (Players and picks)
Wednesday November 4 – 7.30pm Thursday November 12

List Lodgement 1
Wednesday November 25

Delisted Free Agency Window 1
Thursday November 26 - Sunday November 29

List Lodgement 2 (Final date for primary list delistings)
Monday November 30

Delisted Free Agency Window 2
Monday November 30 - Tuesday December 1

AFL Trade Period (Picks only)
Concludes Thursday December 3

National Draft
7pm Wednesday December 9

Preseason and Rookie Drafts
12pm Thursday December 10

Final List Lodgement
Mid-December (tbc)

Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP)
Wednesday January 6, 2021 – will conclude prior to the start of the 2021 Toyota AFL Premiership Season

Spoiler: DRAFT ORDER

Any issues with it post in this thread:

Draft discussion goes here: Draft Watch

Father/Son & NGA discussion goes here: James Hird Academy (Father/Son and Next Generation)

Poll results: Who should stay? | Which key forward do you want? | What would you give up to get Josh Dunkley

5

Josh Dunkley

Age

27

Ht

191cm

Wt

87kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.8

5star

K

10.4

4star

HB

11.3

5star

M

4.3

4star

T

5.8

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

20.7

5star

K

7.0

3star

HB

13.7

5star

M

2.3

2star

T

5.3

5star

CL

2.7

4star

D

14.2

4star

K

7.2

3star

HB

7.0

5star

M

4.8

5star

T

4.0

5star

CL

1.4

4star

?

 

[ghostdog]

Nah, no way. It's selflessness. Last weeks attempted pass to Mozz is a prime example. You reckon he lacks that much confidence he doesn't think he can kick it from 10m out? He boots them from 50 regularly.

He also passed off several goals to McKernan this year but IMO they were to try and bring him into the game because he was in a pretty rough form slump.

If Tip took all the chances he's given off this year, he'd be on the best part of 30 goals tbh.

I agree with this summation of Walla trying to bring others into the game. It reminded me of Mark Arks, scolding Dumby and his mates for "mucking around on them flanks."

 

[ghostdog]

As well as Rich, Lester, Bewick, a bit of Josh Walker, it was a bit of a mish mash group that really gelled and grew while he was there, they don’t have to be 20 year old kids to be able to learn things and grow as players.

Is there someone out there that can do what Hodge did for Brisbane’s defensive group? Or going back a few what Daniel Cross and Jordan Lewis did for Melbourne’s midfield? Set lasting, non negotiable standards that endure and resonate with anyone that walks in the door?

I’m not sure there is but I’d be certainly keeping ears to the floor. That’s where you’re going to get your lasting and potentially rapid improvement from, not by blowing everything up and starting again. To me the fact that we are able to play a desperate, manic, forward half pressure game but only when we feel like it is down to fitness and the fact that Devon Smith is the only real lead by example genuinely tough prick we have. It might not even be a player coach, it might be an assistant who’s voice genuinely resonates.

As far as what we do about it, not panic would be rule number 1

Isaac Smith?

 

[eth-dog]

Passing from 10 metres out was an insane idea. Definitely should have taken the shot.

And I wasn’t talking about that moment in isolation as evidence of a lack of confidence.I’ve seen him pass quite a few other times when he should have pulled the trigger.

And as for this “if he took all his chances business” - it’s irrelevant. He didn’t take them. A high quality small forward would have nailed them. It’s his job.

And again, he is a good player. Hence having trade value.

I think it's more that we have better depth elsewhere for similar quality (like key defenders or small inside midfielders) that would be more productive to taking us forward.

 

[ghostdog]

Cahill, Smith, Snelling, Lachlan Johnson, townsend and Parish.They won’t all be playing in the midfield at once.

Also, tippa has done 2/5s of fu** all this year. He won’t leave as bigger hole as you’d think.

He's had a down season but so has the whole team. Amazing to me that we struggle to kick goals yet there are people seriously postulating we trade Walla. There have been complaints about the club having no soul this week and here we are, throwing up a heart and soul player who has the capacity to inspire others to action and can win clutch moments. The only other player we have capable of that is Daniher. Get real.

 

[Lore]

And I think tippas “unselfishness” is just a lack of confidence.

According to Tippa himself they are coached to play for the team and be unselfish. He might be taking that a little too seriously, as I doubt the coaches would be telling him to palm it off 5m from goal, but there does seem to be a reason other than lack of confidence at least.

 

[Godzke]

I feel the criticism of Townsend on here is a tad harsh. Has been the victim of a horribly coached team with no functional format of i50 delivery.

Went missing at times (who didn't bar Ridley) but thought he showed sufficient endeavour and application to warrant a 1yr extension.

He's probably our best target forward outside our best 22 (behind Joe, Stewart and Stringer).

 

[eth-dog]

I feel the criticism of Townsend on here is a tad harsh. Has been the victim of a horribly coached team with no functional format of i50 delivery.

Went missing at times (who didn't bar Ridley) but thought he showed sufficient endeavour and application to warrant a 1yr extension.

He's probably our best target forward outside our best 22 (behind Joe, Stewart and Stringer).

I think Townsend has shown to be a mediocre AFL footballer that tries hard. I'm not sure if he's the type of player we need right now.

 

[faible]

AFL footballer that tries hard

This is almost exactly what we need right now!

 

[Snake Charmer]

Two words: Phil Inn.

Plus other incidents that haven't seen the light of day.

Let me guess, you can’t tell any of those secrets in here?

 

[Mootsy]

who cares, it'll be the same Ol' essington.

 

[eth-dog]

Let me guess, you can’t tell any of those secrets in here?

Unless it's already public knowledge, no. But hey, there's always ant's word, look at what plenty of Collingwood supporters are saying about his lack of professionalism, look at how he missed rounds 2-7 despite being fit (not sure about round 1 though). I'm not having a go, but if a guy that has his talent misses a significant amount of games there's a reason for that.

 

[ghostdog]

Unless it's already public knowledge, no. But hey, there's always ant's word, look at what plenty of Collingwood supporters are saying about his lack of professionalism, look at how he missed rounds 2-7 despite being fit (not sure about round 1 though). I'm not having a go, but if a guy that has his talent misses a significant amount of games there's a reason for that.

I heard Mick Hurley belted a cab driver once.

 

[Zach Package]

Isaac Smith?

Mentioned him as a potential option a couple of pages back. He ticks some boxes as a freak runner, strong ball user and someone with genuine experience but you certainly wouldn’t call him a ‘follow me type’ player, not a contested ball winner either. I’d keep an eye on him though, I believe him to be a better option for us than Crouch, he’d add something different and fill a need.

I doubt someone with coaching ambitions that’s as perfect for us as Hodge was for Brisbane at the time exists unfortunately.

 

[ghostdog]

Mentioned him as a potential option a couple of pages back. He ticks some boxes as a freak runner, strong ball user and someone with genuine experience but you certainly wouldn’t call him a ‘follow me type’ player, not a contested ball winner either. I’d keep an eye on him though, I believe him to be a better option for us than Crouch, he’d add something different and fill a need.

I doubt someone with coaching ambitions that’s as perfect for us as Hodge was for Brisbane at the time exists unfortunately.

Maybe that was where the seed was planted. I think his attitude and professionalism would be great for the young players especially. I'd make Redman, Ridley, Francis, Ham and Langford follow him everywhere and pick his brain.

 

[eth-dog]

I heard Mick Hurley belted a cab driver once.

Yep. He was, what, 19 or 20? After which he turned it around, put his head down and worked hard to become one of the best key defenders of the past decade. Sier is nearly 23 and this stuff has been following him his entire career. If he's learned from it and puts his head down and works hard for the rest of his career, well done for turning it around. But there's plenty of word surrounding his professionalism, regardless of what I've said.

If there's any word regarding anybodies lack of professionalism that's a red flag to me.

 

[eth-dog]

Okay, honest question to those who have been questioning what I've heard. If Brayden Sier was 181 cm instead of 191, would this even be a discussion? If there was a hint of a rumour of someone that size to not be completely professional, would anybody be interested?

In other words, does anybody want Sydney Stack right now? I don't.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Okay, honest question to those who have been questioning what I've heard. If Brayden Sier was 181 cm instead of 191, would this even be a discussion? If there was a hint of a rumour of someone that size to not be completely professional, would anybody be interested?

In other words, does anybody want Sydney Stack right now? I don't.

I mean, it's not just the height, but the overall size and aggression too. He's listed at 88 kegs which is 11 more than Parish, for example. 10cm in height (and by proxy, girth) is a lot. Plus, he'll fill out that larger frame as he gets older.

It's a bit of a weird question though. If Nick Bryan was 190cm instead of 202cm, would we have drafted him?

Also, I tend to take rumours like that with a grain of salt. Notwithstanding that young players do dumb things like the Phil Inn incident. But come on, it was a game of basketball, not a homicide. Nobody has mentioned anything about that dust-up Mozzie got in while he was out on the town which was much worse IMO.

Regardless, one noted indiscretion doesn't mean he should earn the "unprofessional" moniker for his entire career.

 

[eth-dog]

I mean, it's not just the height, but the overall size and aggression too. He's listed at 88 kegs which is 11 more than Parish, for example. 10cm in height (and by proxy, girth) is a lot. Plus, he'll fill out that larger frame as he gets older.

It's a bit of a weird question though. If Nick Bryan was 190cm instead of 202cm, would we have drafted him?

Also, I tend to take rumours like that with a grain of salt. Notwithstanding that young players do dumb things like the Phil Inn incident. But come on, it was a game of basketball, not a homicide. Nobody has mentioned anything about that dust-up Mozzie got in while he was out on the town which was much worse IMO.

Regardless, one noted indiscretion doesn't mean he should earn the "unprofessional" moniker for his entire career.

Don't get me wrong, I understand the attraction as a player. I've been vocal about wanting that type of player.

It's me asking whether we should actively recruit someone who's had persistent rumours about a lack of desired professionalism. Are we so desperate for someone of his size that we're willing to overlook that?

And as for Mozzie, wasn't someone assaulting him and him defending himself? In any case, there's a difference between giving someone another chance and actively bringing one in.

 

[Lore]

Don't get me wrong, I understand the attraction as a player. I've been vocal about wanting that type of player.

It's me asking whether we should actively recruit someone who's had persistent rumours about a lack of desired professionalism. Are we so desperate for someone of his size that we're willing to overlook that?

And as for Mozzie, wasn't someone assaulting him and him defending himself? In any case, there's a difference between giving someone another chance and actively bringing one in.

Jake Stringer.

If we recruited a guy that was too good to pass up except for being a bit unprofessional, you'd think they would have done their homework and back themselves in to straighten him out, or else pay a price that corresponds to the degree of risk.

I'd just as happily pass on him, but you'd be mad not to ask the question.

 

[eth-dog]

Jake Stringer.

If we recruited a guy that was too good to pass up except for being a bit unprofessional, you'd think they would have done their homework and back themselves in to straighten him out, or else pay a price that corresponds to the degree of risk.

I'd just as happily pass on him, but you'd be mad not to ask the question.

I'll pay that, but Brayden Sier is not Jake Stringer the player. As well as the fact the jury is still out on that one.

I'm not sure we're at a place to take a risk on someone like him. Someone like West Coast, Richmond, Geelong, absolutely. They'll spit him out if he doesn't shape up without any change to their culture.

 

[Schnitzengruben]

Don't get me wrong, I understand the attraction as a player. I've been vocal about wanting that type of player.

It's me asking whether we should actively recruit someone who's had persistent rumours about a lack of desired professionalism. Are we so desperate for someone of his size that we're willing to overlook that?

And as for Mozzie, wasn't someone assaulting him and him defending himself? In any case, there's a difference between giving someone another chance and actively bringing one in.

I mean, persistent rumours are just that - rumours. He's had one noted indiscretion which is a fact. I'd back the club in to do their proper DD on him and his background. Isn't Tim Watson connected to the Sier family? I may be mistaken, but he may offer some insight.

I'm not really for or against Sier personally, but if he's the best we can get I'd take it and run. But I understand your point. He might be a bad egg, or he might just be a young man who is only human and done some silly things. But at this point, I'd think I'd rather the mongrel with a bit of gnarly about him than another squeaky clean choirboy.

From what I saw, Moz seemed just as much the instigator as the other bloke. You mentioned Stack before though - wasn't he the one attacked? Not completely abreast of that situation but that was my understanding anyway.

Also the other poster mentioned Hurley and his indiscretions yet you seem to make defences for him. They were basically the same age too. The differences seem arbitrary at best. In fact, I'd say Hurleys are worse because there's actually proof.

 

[eth-dog]

I mean, persistent rumours are just that - rumours. He's had one noted indiscretion which is a fact. I'd back the club in to do their proper DD on him and his background. Isn't Tim Watson connected to the Sier family? I may be mistaken, but he may offer some insight.

I'm not really for or against Sier personally, but if he's the best we can get I'd take it and run. But I understand your point. He might be a bad egg, or he might just be a young man who is only human and done some silly things. But at this point, I'd think I'd rather the mongrel with a bit of gnarly about him than another squeaky clean choirboy.

From what I saw, Moz seemed just as much the instigator as the other bloke. You mentioned Stack before though - wasn't he the one attacked? Not completely abreast of that situation but that was my understanding anyway.

Also the other poster mentioned Hurley and his indiscretions yet you seem to make defences for him. They were basically the same age too. The differences seem arbitrary at best. In fact, I'd say Hurleys are worse because there's actually proof.

Okay, it's obvious we're going to disagree on Sier as a whole. I respect that.

I'm not talking about the fight with Stack. I honestly couldn't give a shit about that, it was obviously someone who wanted to bigtime himself by fighting an AFL player. I'm talking about breaking iron clad COVID regulations to do what? Go to a strip club? It was just silly.

And as far as Hurley is concerned, it's been abundantly clear that he learned his lesson. If Sier does that, credit to him. If he doesn't, I hope it's somewhere away from Essendon.

 

[Vindicater]

Not sure why everyone is so quick to want to delist Townsend, we need more of his type, not less.. we severely lack mongrel and he provides it in spades.. throw him in the guts the last 2 games and see what happens I say.. guarantee you he would win more clearances than our current crop. Could be Greenwood like...

I have nightmares about Townsend trying to catch midfielders bursting away from stopages.

 

[THE_GUN]

I mean, persistent rumours are just that - rumours. He's had one noted indiscretion which is a fact. I'd back the club in to do their proper DD on him and his background. Isn't Tim Watson connected to the Sier family? I may be mistaken, but he may offer some insight.

I think they have, Sier was on the trade table last year
No Takers

 

[yodellinhank]

Jake Stringer.

If we recruited a guy that was too good to pass up except for being a bit unprofessional, you'd think they would have done their homework and back themselves in to straighten him out, or else pay a price that corresponds to the degree of risk.

I'd just as happily pass on him, but you'd be mad not to ask the question.

Yeah, we knew we could fix his fitness issues and turn him into the midfielder he has since become.