I get the feeling we won't have to worry about Cross going, and I wish Jamar the best of luck as a top up at Essendon if he gets signed up.

Essendon's top up search could be very interesting.

Hard to imagine Cross extending his playing career by one year to play with a team widely tipped to struggle and give up the start of what could be a very successful second career.

 

 

Frankly I think the whole concept of top-up is a disgrace and that Essendon should absorb their full penalty (which has been massively diluted due to the passage of time wherein they have been able to reduce the number of effected players from 34 to 12). With as eligible list of 32 plus plus 5 rookies they should have no problems in fielding a team of 22 (& 3 emergencies) each week without any OH&S issues. Without raining on Jamar's parade, maybe he should come back and ruck alongside Spencer at Casey! No Top-up is my strong view!

That's the new slogan

Top up. Not Bottom out.

Edited January 19, 20169 yr by Barney Rubble

There is no option but to let them top up. If they get 12 injuries which happens sometime and suspension or two, they cannot field a team. That would be an even bigger farce. 

Relax. Top ups = rejects, retirees, players that can't get on a rookie list. And the 32 squad players won't be invested. Why should they?

I thought I read in an article somewhere that the essendon players may go overseas to do some high altitude training to help maintain their fitness. I would assume the club would not be allowed to pay for or sanction or support such activities. One wonders if they did if this would count towards their salary cap?

1 hour ago, Deecisive said:

I thought I read in an article somewhere that the essendon players may go overseas to do some high altitude training to help maintain their fitness. I would assume the club would not be allowed to pay for or sanction or support such activities. One wonders if they did if this would count towards their salary cap?

The club will find a way to pay for it without "paying for it".

11 minutes ago, Good Times Grimes said:

The club will find a way to pay for it without "paying for it".

i'm sure they could gtg, after-all they managed to find plenty of ways to be innocent without "being innocent"

Jamar would be ideal choice for Bombers.  One year only. Mature strong body. Experienced. Great bloke.

1 minute ago, spirit of norm smith said:

Jamar would be ideal choice for Bombers.  One year only. Mature strong body. Experienced. Great bloke.

used to losing by 100 + points as well...perfect fit

It's a disgrace that Port Adelaide start 2016 with one less player because of this, Essendon are the only team who should be playing short, absolutely embarrassing how the AFL compromise it's stance against drugs in sport for $$

Is Neeld still at Essendon?

I heard that Jamar and Neeld really didn't see eye to eye during there time together at the Dee's.  Especially after Jamar was dropped from the leadership group when Neeld arrived and then the Neeld/Moloney relationship didn't help either as Jamar was close with Moloney.

If true I wonder how Neeld would feel in the coaching department with Jamar being there and possibly playing again.

Always been a fan of Jamar.  An unskilled, non mobile plodder who got the best out of himself smashing his body into opponents game after game in the worst spot to play on the ground (imo).  Wish him the best however I wont be able to stand it watching him play in the red and black if he does.

Would be a good battle in Rd 2 if he's in vs Maxy.  The teacher vs the student.  Tipping the student to run him ragged and kick 5

Jamar will be as effective as this Russian bomber in 2016

Edited January 20, 20169 yr by america de cali

56 minutes ago, deeko said:

Is Neeld still at Essendon?

I heard that Jamar and Neeld really didn't see eye to eye during there time together at the Dee's.  Especially after Jamar was dropped from the leadership group when Neeld arrived and then the Neeld/Moloney relationship didn't help either as Jamar was close with Moloney.

If true I wonder how Neeld would feel in the coaching department with Jamar being there and possibly playing again.

Always been a fan of Jamar.  An unskilled, non mobile plodder who got the best out of himself smashing his body into opponents game after game in the worst spot to play on the ground (imo).  Wish him the best however I wont be able to stand it watching him play in the red and black if he does.

Would be a good battle in Rd 2 if he's in vs Maxy.  The teacher vs the student.  Tipping the student to run him ragged and kick 5

 

I can understand why Jamar might be selected as a top up player. Essendon need key defenders. McKernan could take one of those roles, rather than playing as a backup ruckman or forward. Jamar could then be the backup forward and ruckman. He may never get to play a game, but he'd be some handy insurance. 

Nice to see the article in this morning's paper saying that Port are after Jamar as a "top-up" player to cover for Ryder and Montfries. Be excellent if it happened and Essendon had one of their ruck coaches poached!

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-and-port-want-mark-jamar-20160129-gmh1jk.html

 

Edited January 30, 20169 yr by CBDees

1 hour ago, CBDees said:

Nice to see the article in this morning's paper saying that Port are after Jamar as a "top-up" player to cover for Ryder and Montfries. Be excellent if it happened and Essendon had one of their ruck coaches poached!

http://www.theage.com.au/afl/essendon-and-port-want-mark-jamar-20160129-gmh1jk.html

 

Given Mark is already on the Bombers payroll and may want to stay in Victoria, he is less likely to go to Port.

2 minutes ago, Redleg said:

Given Mark is already on the Bombers payroll and may want to stay in Victoria, he is less likely to go to Port.

If I were him I'd pick Port over getting pumped by 100pts every week. He's had enough losses like that in his career; surely he'll want a bit of success.

On 14/1/2016 at 2:00 PM, TeamPlayedFine39 said:

Good on him for having a go.  

I know that if I was a recently retired AFL player, who'd just finished up a 10 year + career, I'd be fat as a horse (ala Brian Lake).  Well done Russ on staying in shape. 

I hope he gets to Port instead of the Bummers,   as he is a Port boy. stoof the bummers.

On 20/1/2016 at 10:54 PM, america de cali said:

Jamar will be as effective as this Russian bomber in 2016

 

 

'bout as effective as this tank is to da Blues.

the LandKreuzer P1000 Ratte...   greatest tank to have ever rolled on field...  mosquito squad in tow.

 

8 hours ago, Redleg said:

Given Mark is already on the Bombers payroll and may want to stay in Victoria, he is less likely to go to Port.

He could just tell Port Adelaide to include rental assistance in his contract. Problem solved.

25 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

He could just tell Port Adelaide to include rental assistance in his contract. Problem solved.

the thing is he may get 2 years at Port?   I think they may be shallow on ruck depth anyway?

 

who would want to put on that stained Red & Black jumper... it stinks of a foul odor 'de Hird'.

17 minutes ago, dee-luded said:

the thing is he may get 2 years at Port?   I think they may be shallow on ruck depth anyway?

 

who would want to put on that stained Red & Black jumper... it stinks of a foul odor 'de Hird'.

Really sad to see some former greats of the game, retired, selling their souls to help out such a corrupt, drug-cheating club.

Anything for a buck, it seems. Embarrassing way to tarnish your legacy though.

16 minutes ago, SaberFang said:

Really sad to see some former greats of the game, retired, selling their souls to help out such a corrupt, drug-cheating club.

Anything for a buck, it seems. Embarrassing way to tarnish your legacy though.

lets hope its not the Russian...    he wouldn't want to get the nickname Roman fingers ?

Good on him if he gets another year.

Obviously the premises for it happening are a poor AFL/Essendon joke, but best of luck to him if the opportunity presents itself.