Lil_red_fire_engine

Hodge clearly has played a role in their acceleration. However to be contending and have a role available for an experienced twilight player from strong culture is part of the broader picture. Smith on a 2 year deal when we have one wingman and a maybe wingman in Baker I can see the interest.

Its working ok for Brisbane?

I cant see the net effect of our end of year 22 being anything but improvement next year. Jones and Jetta are the older players in decline who finished outside the side. Hibberd and Melksham (who was poor) are the only players likely to have reduced output and impact due to age. Harmes and TMac who had shockers will either not be there or if they make it back in will be through signficantly improved output. You would expect the core elite of Trac, May, Viney, Oliver, Langdon, Gawn to sustain if they have strong preseasons. Another year of development into Petty, Jordon, Sparrow, LJ, Pickett, Rivers will improve the 16-24 bracket quality. This is before trade and draft trying to improve areas of deficiency. The big questions for me will be what type of 2021 consistent impact can Brayshaw, Lever and Weideman have.

I would only keep one of Hannan and Hunt. Hunt would be my choice. Both are inconsistent in game and quarter but Hunt’s best is better and I believe has the more positional flexibility and scope to improve both consistently and impact. In saying that I will not be too concerned if Neither are there as there is a large gap between their best and worst.

Worth considering with this that Brown does not have much exposed form at the MCG (10 games 21 goals) vs Docklands (66 games 173 goals). My view is his game is much more suited to Docklands.

I would need to know speed over what distance before I question whether that is surprising. Also these are one off acts and games.The most interesting thing there is none of them could repeat it and get in the top 5 more than once per match or act.

If anyone doesn’t have the defensive gut running then its Melksham.

Merrett isn’t slow and is exactly the type of second ring player to take the ball away from the clearance and connect play down the ground. I am sure I heard quoted last week he has the best inside 50 effectiveness of any mid in the league.

For those scoffing at Preuss potential worth need to consider the following. He is in contract. There are a few clubs in desperate need of a primary ruckman and it looks like a year where they are in short supply. We are paying him fairly for a plan b for if Gawn got a long term injury, LJ may be second ruck preference but not for full games or runs of games. He showed in his 2 full games that he can more than hold his own now with improved endurance. He held his own and we squared the stoppages against the pies and he smashed English. It will come down to how much a club needs him and what they have that we may value highly.

I would assume that most people would know now that we have a good one that wingman cant really be made from anyone. You need a certain set of base attributes which starts with gut running endurance, repeat sprints and the discipline to maintain your width in situations most players would be drawn to the play. Baker is a chance with another preseason where he should be partnered with Langdon, Bedford has the endurance and repeat rate but unsure if he can find the ball and maybe a touch small. Hannan I dont think has the endurance or focussed discipline to play the role. Unless he agrees to a one year base contract I would delist him. He is the type of fringe player we seem to hang on to for too long.

I would look at Preuss to GWS for Riccardi or Himmelberg, preferably Riccardi. There is no reason to give him up unless we get something we value.

This is due to two things in my view. 1. We don’t defend the stoppage when we lose it. 2. When we get first hands on it we don’t execute the next disposal well. I think we tried to solve both with Melksham in the middle late in the year. We could have solved it better with Harmes as the third banana all year.

I would have a touch of confidence if Walters was playing as he can win games off his own boot however cant see it without him. I think the dogs have a mental steel that we lack but very happy to be proven wrong.

Has high talent but looks heavy in this legs and wonder whether he does the work to make up for his lack of height as a true power forward. I dont think he Is a priority that solves our problems but would not say no if it made sense as part of a broader plan.

I could have split the 1 between May, Brown and Salem. All three were good.

It could be worse. You could be Essendon watching a player they delisted play like that against them.

6. Gawn 5. Petracca 4. Lever 3. Oliver 2. Hunt 1. May

After the Fremantle and Sydney games I promised that I would never trust this side again. This side does not fill me with confidence that they have week to week or collective mental resilience. Essendon have been putrid most of the year, partly injury and partly game style embedding. They are playing for nothing which in mind will be our issue. They will free wheel and we will over think it. A good side with a maturing culture would just get it done. Let’s see who can stand up two weeks in a row.

No. He has recurring soft tissue injuries which is the first sign. The second sign is surely he can see when has been in that the game has started to pass him. Thirdly surely he understand he will be holding back the development of a younger player. In a year where list sizes will be tight it seems like a very self centred decision. This was his extra year, we owe him nothing more than that.

LJ and Hibberd are best 22. Ignore LJ’s height he is quality on ground and in pressure just as much as In the air (maybe more so) Jetta out for Hibberd or Lockhart (if Hibberd not ready) Hunt or ANB for LJ I would personally play Harmes over AVB but cant see them doing it.

Disagree I suggest he would have a kicking efficiency as good if not better than Salems.

Has already made a half back flank his own but i reckon he has all the traits to be a seriously good mid as his tank improves.

Whilst he is not directly having a massive impact. Melksham into the midfield in a defensive role improved both our midfield and forward dynamic tonight.

I dont think its confidence. Maybe we should consider in a shortened year the young 40 game player who has been the key target in 11 straight games may be tiring? Its not like with LJ and Petty out and TMacs form we’ve had viable options to give him a rest. He has clearly dropped off his impact but his effort is still there and he is halving more contests than not. Hopefully a weeks break will recharge him for the Bombers.

Out: Jetta, AVB, Fritsch In : Lockhart, Harmes, LJ