I wouldn't put this rumour as dead just yet, Goodwin, Melksham and also is great mates with Watts..... interesting one

Wasn't it reported last week on 3AW that he and Hibberd (I think was the other one) had stopped training with the main group.

7 hours ago, Night Crawler said:

Oh bummer. That will push our first round pick back.

 

you mean the 1st round pick we traded away last year

Re Hurley:  How good would it be to get a freebie, first rate FA.  Sick of them going to top clubs.

17 hours ago, daisycutter said:

not if most go as dfa's

but the afl could make up the rules as they go....as they do

Theyll give them priority picks instead. 

If we got Hurley next year, guaranteed finals, and we would push top 6 easy. Him and tmac in defence would be a great pairing. 

9 hours ago, DeeSpencer said:

You don't pass up the chance to get top shelf quality but I think there are a few reasons this won't happen 

1. Our lack of first round pick - I expect the AFL to demand Essendon players be traded for even if they are declared as some type of free agents
2. The FD seem to have a lot of faith in Oscar Mc
3. It's still probably a little earlier than perfect to add a big fish in the list build stakes
4. We really could do with a pacy wingman, continual addition of players who can run and kick as well as ruck/ruck forward depth. The best shot of getting them is probably holding our draft picks.

If the Bombers finish bottom 2, I suspect they will get better compo if some of these guys leave as FA than they would under a trade. Could hold the first 3 picks in the draft if both Hooker and Hurley leave.

First priority will be to get T Mac to sign I would think 

I can't believe some supporters think we'd have other priorities that would preclude Hurley and/or Prestia.

My priority is getting better.  The better we are the more players will want to remain and be part of the success.

Dawes will free up $500K and while I've never taken an interest in off-field stuff like the CBA I believe there will be more money in the player payments pool.

Melbourne will (rightly) be desperate to land both.  

2017

Jetta I Hurley I Garland
Melksham I T. McDonald I Salem
Trengove I Viney I Prestia
Petracca I Hogan I Kent
Garlett I Weideman I Watts 
R: Gawn I Brayshaw I N. Jones
IC: Oliver I Vince I vandenBerg I Kennedy

E: Tyson I Stretch I O. McDonald

Twelve top 10 draft picks/bids (only GWS could match that).  Even without Hurley/Prestia we'd have 10 with the inclusion of Tyson.

Obviously not everyone will agree with that projected team, but the makings of a premiership are right there ^^^ 

2 minutes ago, ProDee said:

IC: Vince

E: Tyson

Lel.

 

1 minute ago, stuie said:

Lel.

 

You're a drongo, Stu.

I'd prefer going after Hooker, although he's probably going to WA if anywhere.

 

7 minutes ago, GM11 said:

I'd prefer going after Hooker, although he's probably going to WA if anywhere.

 

I wouldn't.

He'll be close to 30 next year. Hes not in our window.

20 hours ago, ProDee said:

I posted the following on 16 March in the "Essendon's List" thread:

"I had no info at the time, but Mark Harvey has told a good source that Melbourne are right into Hurley.

Now I know a lot of clubs would be, but Melbourne was specifically mentioned. The only club mentioned. 

Who knows ?  He'll probably stay, but he might want a fresh start and at 24-25 he might not see a flag at Essendon.  Plenty of his mates have moved on, including Melksham.  And he'll also be familiar with Goodwin.

I hope we go hard.  Hogan up front, Hurley down back with that developing midfield could be very exciting. 

I'm sure the Hawks and Pies, etc. will be just as keen." 

We have had more players lost by free agency than any other.

If we were to get a player of Hurley's class and maybe Prestia as well, you would think any Demon player wavering on our future and with a good offer, would re sign.

1 hour ago, ProDee said:

 

Dawes will free up $500K and while I've never taken an interest in off-field stuff like the CBA I believe there will be more money in the player payments pool.

Melbourne will (rightly) be desperate to land both.  

 

Terlich, Matt Jones, Spencer and maybe Pedersen and even Grimes,( if he doesn't play many games this year ) would free up more. Added to Dawes, that is about $1.7m, before the new salary cap increase.

Pedersen will be 30 and should be replaced by the likes of Weideman, Oscar and the two Kings.

Spencer can be replaced cheaply by a Rookie journeyman ruckman from another club or league and again, maybe by the two Kings.

19 hours ago, Redleg said:

Terlich, Matt Jones, Spencer and maybe Pedersen and even Grimes,( if he doesn't play many games this year ) would free up more. Added to Dawes, that is about $1.7m, before the new salary cap increase.

Pedersen will be 30 and should be replaced by the likes of Weideman, Oscar and the two Kings.

Spencer can be replaced cheaply by a Rookie journeyman ruckman from another club or league and again, maybe by the two Kings.

Hogan will go up probably the amount freed by Dawes for his next contract, Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver will want decent coin, as will Tyson and Tmac, Vince is reportedly going to be getting more money.

I am sure the club will be super keen to ensure that all of these guys are secure before offering huge contracts to other players.

21 hours ago, It's Time said:

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.

 

 

I like your analysis. I also agree with your point 2. I think this year footy may be changing back to suit the Scullys and dare I say it even the Mortons of the world. Aerobic beasts with bursts of speed. We're now a team very big on contested footy, with a lot of the body types that go with that.  We needed to address that side of our game  but we may well be caught out this year I think. On the flip side perhaps in a more open game, or especially as teams tire in the last quarter (or the end of quarters ) is it possible that suddenly  Watts might become  more valuable than Hurley.? 

The interchange rule is changing the game. For better or worse. Will be interesting to see how things develop.

3 minutes ago, Peter Griffen said:

Hogan will go up probably the amount freed by Dawes for his next contract, Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver will want decent coin, as will Tyson and Tmac, Vince is reportedly going to be getting more money.

I am sure the club will be super keen to ensure that all of these guys are secure before offering huge contracts to other players.

Can't argue with that, but there are other ways outside the cap as well, with marketing allowances etc, which can also help.

A player like Hurley would be a far bigger get than Prestia IMO, as he is very versatile and can play both ends. We are getting a handy midfield together and if it meant getting one I would take Hurley. Also the fact that he is a free agent avoids us giving away draft picks which could be used to get another mid.

I forgot there is also the Melksham money which can be used next year as well.

19 hours ago, Redleg said:

Can't argue with that, but there are other ways outside the cap as well, with marketing allowances etc, which can also help.

A player like Hurley would be a far bigger get than Prestia IMO, as he is very versatile and can play both ends. We are getting a handy midfield together and if it meant getting one I would take Hurley. Also the fact that he is a free agent avoids us giving away draft picks which could be used to get another mid.

I forgot there is also the Melksham money which can be used next year as well.

If we were able to land either it would be amazing for the club but both would be out of this world, Heppel would be alright as well if he want's a new club haha!

2 hours ago, ProDee said:

I can't believe some supporters think we'd have other priorities that would preclude Hurley and/or Prestia.

My priority is getting better.  The better we are the more players will want to remain and be part of the success.

Dawes will free up $500K and while I've never taken an interest in off-field stuff like the CBA I believe there will be more money in the player payments pool.

Melbourne will (rightly) be desperate to land both.  

2017

Jetta I Hurley I Garland
Melksham I T. McDonald I Salem
Trengove I Viney I Prestia
Petracca I Hogan I Kent
Garlett I Weideman I Watts 
R: Gawn I Brayshaw I N. Jones
IC: Oliver I Vince I vandenBerg I Kennedy

E: Tyson I Stretch I O. McDonald

Twelve top 10 draft picks/bids (only GWS could match that).  Even without Hurley/Prestia we'd have 10 with the inclusion of Tyson.

Obviously not everyone will agree with that projected team, but the makings of a premiership are right there ^^^ 

Love your work Pro.

Maybe its just me but I don't really rate Hurley and think he is a bit of a sook. I can't stand his girly-bun either.

Wouldn't be the first defender I would go chasing....

 

1 hour ago, Peter Griffen said:

Hogan will go up probably the amount freed by Dawes for his next contract, Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver will want decent coin, as will Tyson and Tmac, Vince is reportedly going to be getting more money.

I am sure the club will be super keen to ensure that all of these guys are secure before offering huge contracts to other players.

A lot of our players have been on front ended contracts in order to free up more money in coming years for just this sort of opportunity. They could easily play around with when players are paid and should be able to fit them all in. We hardly have the team of stars the Hawks or Cats have managed to fit under their caps in the recent past. 

9 hours ago, ProDee said:

I can't believe some supporters think we'd have other priorities that would preclude Hurley and/or Prestia.

My priority is getting better.  The better we are the more players will want to remain and be part of the success.

Dawes will free up $500K and while I've never taken an interest in off-field stuff like the CBA I believe there will be more money in the player payments pool.

Melbourne will (rightly) be desperate to land both.  

2017

Jetta I Hurley I Garland
Melksham I T. McDonald I Salem
Trengove I Viney I Prestia
Petracca I Hogan I Kent
Garlett I Weideman I Watts 
R: Gawn I Brayshaw I N. Jones
IC: Oliver I Vince I vandenBerg I Kennedy

E: Tyson I Stretch I O. McDonald

Twelve top 10 draft picks/bids (only GWS could match that).  Even without Hurley/Prestia we'd have 10 with the inclusion of Tyson.

Obviously not everyone will agree with that projected team, but the makings of a premiership are right there ^^^ 

Pretty much agree with all of it, except I think Tyson would replace Trengove as he's a better ball winner. That said, Jack's a better user. Either way, this team would give us some great headaches at the selection table (depth) and not only would you want to remain at the club, you'd see other players wanting to join the MFC.

It's exciting to see this list, because I think we'll get Prestia. I'm just not convinced we're after Hurley or that we'd be able to fit them both in the cap. But the beauty of this list is we have every single one of these players on the list already bar two.

Note: Viney wasn't a top 10 pick, but he probably would have been if he wasn't already tied to us.

7 hours ago, Peter Griffen said:

Hogan will go up probably the amount freed by Dawes for his next contract, Brayshaw, Petracca and Oliver will want decent coin, as will Tyson and Tmac, Vince is reportedly going to be getting more money.

I am sure the club will be super keen to ensure that all of these guys are secure before offering huge contracts to other players.

Yeah, I think you're right, mate. If we can secure our own blokes by midyear that'll allow us time to go hard at the second bloke (ie. Hurley). That's how I'd do it anyway.

7 hours ago, Wells 11 said:

I like your analysis. I also agree with your point 2. I think this year footy may be changing back to suit the Scullys and dare I say it even the Mortons of the world. Aerobic beasts with bursts of speed. We're now a team very big on contested footy, with a lot of the body types that go with that.  We needed to address that side of our game  but we may well be caught out this year I think. On the flip side perhaps in a more open game, or especially as teams tire in the last quarter (or the end of quarters ) is it possible that suddenly  Watts might become  more valuable than Hurley.? 

The interchange rule is changing the game. For better or worse. Will be interesting to see how things develop.

I don't think so. Besides, contested footy is what stands up in finals. And as long as you move the ball quickly (ie the final quarter against GWS), you can counter that lack of leg-speed. GWS looked slow and knackered in the final quarter last week, but I suspect a lot of it was because our ball movement was so much better. It makes teams look second rate when you get it right. 

I think you will get exposed out the back a fair bit this year, just because blokes will tire as the game rolls on, with the reduced rotations. Teams appear to be pressing a lot higher this year too, so that's why teams look quick if they get through the press. It's going to be a fascinating season. 

5 hours ago, AdamFarr said:

Note: Viney wasn't a top 10 pick, but he probably would have been if he wasn't already tied to us.

You'll note that I said top 10 picks/bid.

Adelaide bid pick 7 for Viney, which unquestionably makes him a top 10 draft pick from a value perspective. 

6 minutes ago, ProDee said:

You'll note that I said top 10 picks/bid.

Adelaide bid pick 7 for Viney, which unquestionably makes him a top 10 draft pick for all intents and purposes. 

Ah, missed that. Apologies.

And that's the first I heard Adelaide bidding pick 7. Interesting. I thought they were excluded from the first two rounds that year.