Heard a rumour we may going hard after Micheal Hurley for next season in the expected exodus of Essendon players. Apparently Goodwin as coach may be the jam.  Anyone else heard it?

2 minutes ago, america de cali said:

Heard a rumour we may going hard  after Micheal Hurley for next season in the expected exodus of Essendon players. Apparently Goodwin as coach may be the jam.  Anyone else heard it?

We'd be mental not too, along with every other club.

He is a free agent and would a massive get. Cost plenty but no pick. Here's hoping!

Would be absolutely crazy not too!

Not only is he an A grade backman but his ability to push forward and kick goals is a massive plus! 

Him and McDonald down back or him and Hogan up forward.. take your pick!

 

Ps: Can they throw in Dyson Heppell aswell..

Goodwin + Melksham + Fresh Start + Walk Up Start in our defence (For Dunn or Garland) = A very very good pickup.

 

To take Dunns spot??

I think we'll hear rumours about most of the 12 that have been banned this year.  It sounds as though Cale Hooker is already gone and it wouldn't surprise to see a few others do the same.

We will have a decision to make though.  If, say, Dion Prestia is available and interested in coming to the club, can we then land another player like Hurley too, knowing there will be lots of interest from other clubs which would drive his price up?  Can we fit them under the salary cap, knowing we have quite a few quality players to re-sign this year and next?

Lots of water to go under the bridge but it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

2 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

I think we'll hear rumours about most of the 12 that have been banned this year.  It sounds as though Cale Hooker is already gone and it wouldn't surprise to see a few others do the same.

We will have a decision to make though.  If, say, Dion Prestia is available and interested in coming to the club, can we then land another player like Hurley too, knowing there will be lots of interest from other clubs which would drive his price up?  Can we fit them under the salary cap, knowing we have quite a few quality players to re-sign this year and next?

Lots of water to go under the bridge but it will be interesting to see how it all plays out.

Sydney and Hawthorn seem to be able to fit them all in.

The man bun puts me off...

Just now, Wrecker45 said:

Sydney and Hawthorn seem to be able to fit them all in.

True, although Sydney have more money in the cap than other clubs.

And guys like Gunston have already come out and said they would take less to keep/get players in to the club.  I have no doubt their older players have taken less money to play on as well, plus they ended up having a large sum of money lying around when Buddy left as well.

We have lots of young players coming out of contract who I'm sure we want to keep around, and making sure we can do that should be our top priority.  If we can fit in a high profile recruit as well then that would be fantastic.

Edited March 29, 20169 yr by Wiseblood

5 minutes ago, Wrecker45 said:

Sydney and Hawthorn seem to be able to fit them all in.

We are in the unique position next year when we are well and truly in our Premiership window and I suspect that some of our key/star players may re-sign for less to remain part of it.

He isnt a free agent is he

7 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

He isnt a free agent is he

IIRC, all of them automatically become delisted free agents due to the suspension.

There was an article a month or so ago that stated there's at least half a dozen clubs contacted Hurleys manager.

 

Edited March 29, 20169 yr by McQueen
mo64's better explained below.

3 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

He isnt a free agent is he

Not under the traditional free agency rules, but all the 12 banned Bomber players are eligible to apply for FA on the grounds of negligence by the club with doping.

Yes please!

24 minutes ago, nutbean said:

The man bun puts me off...

There will be a ritual cutting of the hair if he comes to the MFC. Plenty of jungle music and tribal dancing.

Would be a great get, and personally I'd love to see him go forward again.

16 minutes ago, DemonLad5 said:

He isnt a free agent is he

this is his 8th year so depending on salary is either rfa or ufa

p.s. first played 2009 so 2016 makes 8 years on contract

Edited March 29, 20169 yr by daisycutter

exact same as watts.

 

however, he is under contract - but all contracts for the 12 still-at-essendon players can effectively be considered null and void as a result of the suspensions.

If we can somehow lure Hurley over it would be a massive get. Although Dunn and Garland are OK players I still think we are a bit weak in the tall defender department. Adding Hurley would give us one of the strongest back lines in the competition.

We also need to look for some speedy, skillful outside runners as we still lack a bit of pace at times. We've got enough explosive contested ball winners now, though I'm always happy to get more if Prestia wanted to join us. Exciting times ahead let's hope we can land a medium to large fish at the end of the season to catapult us into the finals!

44 minutes ago, Bombay Airconditioning said:

To take Dunns spot??

Interesting question. It raises a more general one. What positions on our list do we most need to recruit to fill.  

I think we have 3 difficiencies left.

1. A second key forwad.  However, it looks like we've got one on the list, the Weid, who will take another 3 years to fill out. Hurley's not a key forward anyway. I watched the praci game on Friday, he was delivering what I'd seen in his highlights package. Is a master at marking the ball at its highest point, out in front, arms fully extended. Impossible to defend when all of that happens together. He's supposedly already heavier than Wattsy but you wouldn't know it if you stand next to them. I don't think we need to go recruiting someone to fill this role, we're just going to have to be patient. One or more of Dawes, Frost or Pedersen will have to fill the role till he's ready.

2. Speed. It was pretty evident from the GWS game that they have a lot more faster players than we do. If the weekends round was the way footy is heading we may have an issue with lack of speed. Teams are burst sprinting now on transition from defence. We couldn't keep up with GWS. The list build under Roos has been based around footy slowing down and becoming more contested which requires big bodies and speed is secondary. Hope he's right. If not speed better become a priority going forward. 

3. Skill. We are a lot better than we used to be but I went to the Cats v Hawks game and the level of skill in that game was on another level to us. We're bringing it in but we still need more.

 

 

1 hour ago, america de cali said:

Heard a rumour we may going hard  after Micheal Hurley for next season in the expected exodus of Essendon players. Apparently Goodwin as coach may be the jam.  Anyone else heard it?

Any substance to the rumour? 

If Essendon lost the likes of Hooker (Frem) and Hurley and anyone else (ie. Heppell) that would cripple the blinkered 'don the sash' crew. They would have to do a 'whatever it takes' to get competitive again in a short period (2-3 yrs).... oh wait..maybe back to the drawing board would be a safer option.

It beggars belief what Cooney was thinking going to the Hangar.

2 minutes ago, H_T said:

Any substance to the rumour? 

If Essendon lost the likes of Hooker (Frem) and Hurley and anyone else (ie. Heppell) that would cripple the blinkered 'don the sash' crew. They would have to do a 'whatever it takes' to get competitive again in a short period (2-3 yrs).... oh wait..maybe back to the drawing board would be a safer option.

It beggars belief what Cooney was thinking going to the Hangar.

They'll get massive FA compensation. Assuming they finish bottom, and the likes of Hooker and Hurley are offered big contracts to leave, the may end up with the top 3 picks in supposedly a strong draft.

10 minutes ago, H_T said:

Any substance to the rumour? 

If Essendon lost the likes of Hooker (Frem) and Hurley and anyone else (ie. Heppell) that would cripple the blinkered 'don the sash' crew. They would have to do a 'whatever it takes' to get competitive again in a short period (2-3 yrs).... oh wait..maybe back to the drawing board would be a safer option.

It beggars belief what Cooney was thinking going to the Hangar.

No substance but came from an Essendon member I know well who appears to know a bit what is happening over there and seems convinced that Goodwin will sway him over to us. Could be panic talk but I hope it is true.  Was interested if any whispers are coming from our side.

Edited March 29, 20169 yr by america de cali

Most won't agree but I'd love him as a forward next to Jesse, at least until Weid is ready. Add to that fleet of tough, aggressive players that we're building. 

I have heard his thumbs are in terrible nick and tape is the only thing allowing to mark a footy.