Recruiting Mid Season Draft Thread - Welcome to Essendon Archie May, Lachlan Blakiston, Oskar Smartt & Liam McMahon!

[andleanback]

Is he a key back? I’d be happy take a key back and a ruck.

He’s 194, more of a 3rd tall back.

 

[andleanback]

IS there something wrong with Lewis Hayes or have I missed something?

Nothing wrong with Lewis Hayes, just if geelong and Collingwood really rate him, that’s always a good sign. Why not take him before they can, he’s started the year on fire full time vfl, after only playing local footy.

 

[Yoda_]

Nothing wrong with Lewis Hayes, just if geelong and Collingwood really rate him, that’s always a good sign. Why not take him before they can, he’s started the year on fire full time vfl, after only playing local footy.

Not McCartin in particular but a couple of posters have suggested taking a key back. Im unsure why

 

[Call Me Cake]

key back. Im unsure why

Depth

 

[eth-dog]

Not McCartin in particular but a couple of posters have suggested taking a key back. Im unsure why

We have one AFL listed key defender in the twos. A second would be a good idea

 

[andleanback]

Not McCartin in particular but a couple of posters have suggested taking a key back. Im unsure why

We don’t actually have a heap of depth in tall defenders. And if we could potentially upgrade someone like prior it wouldn’t be the worst thing

 

[Petrify]

We have one AFL listed key defender in the twos. A second would be a good idea

Lewis Hayes & Laverde makes two right?

 

[eth-dog]

Lewis Hayes & Laverde makes two right?

As I said, one key defender.

 

[Snake Charmer]

IS there something wrong with Lewis Hayes or have I missed something?

I don’t mind Hayes. It’s interesting to me that we haven’t seen him debut yet tho. Is he behind Laverde? Cox even. I don’t mind the idea of another tall back who could come in and play a head of Lav, if that means giving Hayes plenty of time to get it right at vfl level.

I think my preference of picks would be
First pick - McCartin/ best overage player/ mid season drsft riser Durham type.. Kobe Ryan being the one. As I believe he’s an afl player with a couple of years in the system.
Second pick - ruck unless we have to go early on the one we want
Third pick - id be passing on the pick, or just say **** it and take Dom Brew to boost the vfl for a year but clubs don’t do that sort of thing

 

[Duckworth]

I don’t mind Hayes. It’s interesting to me that we haven’t seen him debut yet tho. Is he behind Laverde? Cox even. I don’t mind the idea of another tall back who could come in and play a head of Lav, if that means giving Hayes plenty of time to get it right at vfl level.

I think my preference of picks would be
First pick - McCartin/ best overage player/ mid season drsft riser Durham type.. Kobe Ryan being the one. As I believe he’s an afl player with a couple of years in the system.
Second pick - ruck unless we have to go early on the one we want
Third pick - id be passing on the pick, or just say **** it and take Dom Brew to boost the vfl for a year but clubs don’t do that sort of thing

Clubs seem to treat these short term contracts like a marriage certificate. Surely the MSD is the perfect set up to say, we are short on a ruck. Come and ruck and help us for 6 months, get some exposure, see what happens.

 

[faible]

If there’s no rucks in the MSD we’d view as a long term prospect (or at least viewed as a main ruck chance next year) then I’d just see out the year with Goldy / Visentini covering the ruck, with Wright able to carry a decent chunk of minutes in there as support, plus Gerreyn, Jones and McKay could all play there in a pinch.

Can pick up a starting ruck on the AFL ruck merry go round in the offseason if we need a starter for a half season (or more) before Draper or Bryan are likely to be available.

I’d rather use the MSD to take guys that have potential to be on the list for more than a stop-gap, give me some runners that can kick.

 

[ant555]

Cal gave Sam Grlj a good plug for the MSD. One of Vic Metro's better players in the last trial. 182cm midfielder with very good pace and agility. Takes the game on. From all reports a real competitor.

 

[JT_the_Man]

So we’ll be taking Crossley yeah?

I’m of the opinion that we should grab a ruck on a 6-month deal as a stop gap. Obviously Goldy is probably still better than whoever we take, but I’d rather not have to play guys out of position just for the sake of it when he inevitably needs a couple games off. Unless we are of the opinion that Vigo can step up.

 

[ghostdog]

Cal gave Sam Grlj a good plug for the MSD. One of Vic Metro's better players in the last trial. 182cm midfielder with very good pace and agility. Takes the game on. From all reports a real competitor.

If we take Sam Grlj, I bags MonGrlj as my new BF name.

 

[ant555]

In reality the ruck spot is simply a watch and see on both fronts for the next 6 weeks.
We have 4 ruck options now.
If we have no issues with Goldstein or 2MP in that time then we can get to the end of the year with those two and Vigo and Gerry n reserve.

The only way I see a need for a 6 month stop gap is if the next 6 weeks throw up another curve ball

 

[jdstorm]

Cal gave Sam Grlj a good plug for the MSD. One of Vic Metro's better players in the last trial. 182cm midfielder with very good pace and agility. Takes the game on. From all reports a real competitor.

Small mid no thanks

 

[ant555]

Small mid no thanks

I get it but he has some X factor and we would not be looking at him to play a massive inside role.
He has real line breaking potential and speed. He would be more of a complement to Caldwell and Durham.
I would not look at another small inside midfielder but anyone who has speed and agility and potential to break the lines and loves to compete is an interest to me.

 

[eDPS]

Cal gave Sam Grlj a good plug for the MSD. One of Vic Metro's better players in the last trial. 182cm midfielder with very good pace and agility. Takes the game on. From all reports a real competitor.

Grlj isn’t for MSD

 

[ghostdog]

I get it but he has some X factor and we would not be looking at him to play a massive inside role.
He has real line breaking potential and speed. He would be more of a complement to Caldwell and Durham.
I would not look at another small inside midfielder but anyone who has speed and agility and potential to break the lines and loves to compete is an interest to me.

Is he anything like Braeden Campbell in that respect?

 

[ant555]

Grlj isn’t for MSD

Okay. Cal mentioned him after one he had for the MSD. Must have missed the swap over to end of year.

 

[ant555]

Is he anything like Braeden Campbell in that respect?

He could be. The players I mention at this stage of the season are always a watch and see

 

[jdstorm]

I get it but he has some X factor and we would not be looking at him to play a massive inside role.
He has real line breaking potential and speed. He would be more of a complement to Caldwell and Durham.
I would not look at another small inside midfielder but anyone who has speed and agility and potential to break the lines and loves to compete is an interest to me.

Fair enough. I just think it handicaps you too much defensively/physically if your overall team is too small and Essendon trend small. I’d rather take chances on 186-192 guys with decent decision making /footskills

 

[eth-dog]

Fair enough. I just think it handicaps you too much defensively/physically if your overall team is too small and Essendon trend small. I’d rather take chances on 186-192 guys with decent decision making /footskills

That isn't the issue with our midfield anymore. It's the fact it's extremely one dimensional

 

[jdstorm]

That isn't the issue with our midfield anymore. It's the fact it's extremely one dimensional

Until Durham/setterfield get injured and there is no backup.

Nevertheless I just don’t think you are that likely to find difference making (X factor players) in the MSD so I’d rather take 2-3 stabs at versatile utility types and hope 1 works out

 

[Yoda_]

Our "big" midfielders are small in comparison though. I used to think it was a POD issue but getting physically beat up when push comes to shove seems to be a major issue.