Spencil is still only 24, which is still fairly young for a ruckman. Although I much prefer Gawn as a ruck prospect, Spencer could very well surprise us in the next couple years.

Yep, never right off ticka, its counts for a lot more than pure skills with no heart, & Go Go..

I don't actually think Spencer is a 'competent back-up' and, frankly, I'm still disappointed that after six years on the list he's still only at the 'competent back-up' stage. But that's what he is, and in the context of our list he clearly needs to still be here. It's not even close to our weakest link, either.

Jamar's breakout season was his 8th.

For 6 seasons he didn't average more than 2.3 marks a game.

For 6 seasons he didn't average more than 2.5 kicks a game.

In his 5th season he averaged 9.7 HOs a game. For 7 seasons he didn't average more than 22.7 HOs a season.

I know these are stats in a vacuum (and to many that's where all stats should end up) but it takes a while for ruckmen to reach the peak of their abilities and Spencer has been afforded 29 games so far. Jamar was able to play 52 games in a different era when back up rucks didn't have to contend with the sub-rule that is inherently biased against 1-dimensional ruckmen.

Spencer may be moved on when a suitable replacement for Jamar is identified but that is not something we can just assume will happen either this Summer or the next.

Ahem. Any exciting updates, as opposed to Spencer-bashing/defending??

To me, on the list of contracts, Blease, Tapscott, Strauss, Byrnes, Nicholson and Terlich should be the ones most worried.

My prediction out of that lot:

Blease - traded

Tapscott - re-signed for 2 years

Strauss - delisted

Byrnes - retired

Nicholson - delisted

Terlich- re-rookied

You scoff at me wanting to delist these players for late draft picks and rookie picks yet last year we could have taken a Tom Derickx with a delisted free agent pick before the draft and we would have a better player than Spencer and Fitzpatrick. We could have taken Jonathon Simpkin the year before and had a better player than Evans and McKenzie. Jeremy Laidler was there last year and he gets a regular game at Sydney. Pick 95 in the National Draft could have got you Eli Templeton who showed as much in 5 games as Jetta did in 5 years. Anthony Miles could have been taken late in the ND.

You're naming fringe players made to look good in good/great teams, and comparing them to fringe players made to look average in a decidedly average team.

For a guy with the name "Dunn" in his username, this is terribly ironic.

Made a list interested to get some thoughts on who will be chopped at the end of the year based who is out of contract this year.

Definitely:

- Clark

- Burnes

- Blease

- Westrupp

- Strauss

Potentially out the door:

- Tapscott

- Clisby

- Evans (trade like Morton arrangement)

- Fitzpatrick (trade to Dogs)

- Frawley (free agent)

- Terlich

- Riley (depending on his contract and would be unlucky)

I think from this list above, and potentially a trade of other players not listed, that there will be 10-12 changes at the end of the year.

Also hoping for a recruitment drive for Casey affiliate players of decent quality and not what is the cheapest option.

Jamar's breakout season was his 8th.

For 6 seasons he didn't average more than 2.3 marks a game.

For 6 seasons he didn't average more than 2.5 kicks a game.

In his 5th season he averaged 9.7 HOs a game. For 7 seasons he didn't average more than 22.7 HOs a season.

I know these are stats in a vacuum (and to many that's where all stats should end up) but it takes a while for ruckmen to reach the peak of their abilities and Spencer has been afforded 29 games so far. Jamar was able to play 52 games in a different era when back up rucks didn't have to contend with the sub-rule that is inherently biased against 1-dimensional ruckmen.

Spencer may be moved on when a suitable replacement for Jamar is identified but that is not something we can just assume will happen either this Summer or the next.

and those statistics are from a club with a woeful develoment record.

I would say normally it takes Rucks around 5Yrs, to pull they're own weight around well.

- Riley (depending on his contract and would be unlucky)

I don't think they would keep him around for a year just to heal his broken leg..

Not a fan at all of just getting rid of blokes just to churn the list - you have to be mindful of what talent you are bringing in.

Due to Frawley's situation - we won't be bringing in FAs (unless they are a star), the draft always runs about 70 players deep (if deep is the right word...), Delisted FA has few hidden gems, and the state leagues are being mined by all and sundry lately.

Picks 4, 5, 27, 48, 70, 90 (Elevation for Jetta), and a DFA would almost see us out I would think.

That's 7 Primary List spots.

I think 7 list spots would be about right. I dare to say we will go in with a similar strategy to last year, our first round pick will be on the table for a midfielder and try to pick up someone on the DFA market. If Frawley goes that pick will be banked for an early pick another midfielder

I don't think they would keep him around for a year just to heal his broken leg..

Not a fan at all of just getting rid of blokes just to churn the list - you have to be mindful of what talent you are bringing in.

Due to Frawley's situation - we won't be bringing in FAs (unless they are a star), the draft always runs about 70 players deep (if deep is the right word...), Delisted FA has few hidden gems, and the state leagues are being mined by all and sundry lately.

Picks 4, 5, 27, 48, 70, 90 (Elevation for Jetta), and a DFA would almost see us out I would think.

That's 7 Primary List spots.

I think you are right concerning Riley. I was too harsh on the kid. Specially considering most people with nasty knee breaks take an extra pre-season to get back to 100%. Also agree concerning the free agency points. But we will surely be very active trying to trade out players and get some players from other teams and what gems haven't been already mined from state leagues. 7-9 primary spots.

Pretty sure PJ's contract is up at the end of the year, wouldn't be surprised if the AFL tries to convince him to go in and rescue Essendon once ASADA finish cleanng out every drug tainted element of their club.

Pretty sure PJ's contract is up at the end of the year, wouldn't be surprised if the AFL tries to convince him to go in and rescue Essendon once ASADA finish cleanng out every drug tainted element of their club.

Are you serious??? That would be just shocking news for us.

It would be interesting to see if he would decide to go back to a club that he helped build up to the very top, only to have it totally trashed after he left by one of the (ex)players he no doubt revered and promoted. His (PJ's) legacy has been blighted by Jacques Merde and his associates.

Unfortunately very serious, hopefully he stays around

It seems he and roosy are emotionally invested in getting us where we belong

Not in the slightest bit worried about PJ jumping ship.

Not one iota.

Pretty sure PJ's contract is up at the end of the year, wouldn't be surprised if the AFL tries to convince him to go in and rescue Essendon once ASADA finish cleanng out every drug tainted element of their club.

Haven't you heard from Essendon people?

They are in tip-top shape - don't need any assistance at all...

Not in the slightest bit worried about PJ jumping ship.

Not one iota.

To expand on this: PJ isn't in this to pad his bank balance for a couple of years then jump ship; he, like Roos, relishes a challenge the opportunity for succes, and they understand that their job is about legacy more than anything else.

His comments at the recent MCC/MFC Premier Members Luncheon were far from supportive of a return to Essendon. The direct opposite in fact.

Pretty sure PJ's contract is up at the end of the year, wouldn't be surprised if the AFL tries to convince him to go in and rescue Essendon once ASADA finish cleanng out every drug tainted element of their club.

It's always best not to return from whence you came just to do the same job. It's effectively "going backwards". I would expect PJ would realise this. (Unfortunately, though, Cameron Schwab did not.)

Iirc, Schwab was hesitant to take the MFC job the 2nd time around... Or was that just posturing?

Iirc, Schwab was hesitant to take the MFC job the 2nd time around... Or was that just posturing?

Don't know whether Schwab was hesitant or not and in retrospect I was probably unfair to individualise. Some people do 'come back' with great success (Steve Jobs is an outstanding example) but I suspect for the vast majority the second attempt does not end satisfactorily.

pickles might be on the chopping block. 4-6 week shoulder injury in a season where he hasn't produced too much. We've held on to him for so long and he showed some glimpses last year, but i don't think think the club could possibly consider retaining him after this year. He has been unlucky, seems prone to injury.

Yep, poor old Pickles is done I'd say.

Evans is contracted and we've got enough uncontracted players to move on as it is. Given that contracted players only get delisted in extreme circumstances and this isn't one of those, I imagine he'll see his contract.

I'd like to see Roosies list.

The one with everyone's name on it and how many have crosses in the columns beside them.

You know just like the one we had for girl friends.

i seem to remember those lists had two columns

Nasher - I didn't realise that - I thought he was on the list as coming out of contract this year. My bad. He certainly won't be delisted if he's on contract.

By the way, what's with the quote buttons not working?