KingDingAling

Just because they were great footballers it doesn't make them exempt from criticism. Both men have an issue with MFC and have been called out on it. Watson called out on other things, but that is what you get when you defend drug cheats.

Brayshaw was excellent. He is an upgrade on Salem in that midfield. Brayshaw did well. He will be a good addition to our midfield should we keep him in there.

Watson is a Hird and Thompson apologist. His son also got stripped of a Brownlow due to drug cheating. At this point in time he isn't getting much right, I'm ok if he doesn't like MFC. As for Bartel, he has always been very sulky. Good player, great to watch, probably knows his football, but just a sulky type.

And what standards did anyone in the box at EFC set? There is no doubt those in the coaching box would have known about Bombers drug addiction. It is also a fact those in the box known about Dank's suspect doping program (as they were all on board). Any of the individuals tied to Essendon at the time of the saga have no business in the football industry IMO. There is just not enough scrutiny being placed on them and Bomber was a prime example of that. A lot of the blame shifting during the saga ended up being very effective in shifting the blame - Hird was painted as a hard done by and naive coach, and Bomber the guy who wanted to speak up and stop the program but didn't (and lived in regret). Perhaps there was some truth to Bomber wanting to speak up, but ultimately he didn't speak up, and therein lies the problem for many of those in the coaching box - they didn't do anything to prevent any of this mess (and that includes Bomber's drug addiction whilst he was coaching). None of these individuals belong near a football club IMO. Essendon is better off without them all.

Oliver has been massive this year. He has stepped it up even further, and its good to see him kick the ball more. I see no sign of Oliver slowing down.

Oliver has been massive this year. He has stepped it up even further, and its good to see him kick the ball more. I see no sign of Oliver slowing down.

Just goes to show how much of a rabble Essendon were under Hird and Thompson. Two drug addicts at the helm, implementing a drug program with help of a shady scientist. Anyone who was at that club and didn't stop it, has absolutely no business in setting standards for AFL level players. Its just disgraceful what people will justify and put up with. I knew something was up with Bomber Thompson in 2010 when he basically pushed Ablett jr up the GC. People just automatically assumed Ablett was going for the coin, but Bombers behaviour at the time (in alienating Ablett) didn't help, and it was unprofessional. It was around that time that I speculated to my family that I think Bomber has a drug problem. So I suspect he is long gone.

We moved Salem out and Brayshaw in. I thought Salem looked better down back, and actually hits targets when he kicks out - unlike some others that kick out, and Brayshaw helped with our pressure in the midfield. No doubt Brayshaw adds a lot to the midfield, but he still needs to lift. We bat deep in our midfield.

We must think alike. Scary.

Hannan was a good inclusion and adds A LOT to our side. Fritsch, Spargo, Hannan and Hunt need to stay in the side, they all add far more than any vanilla inside mid.

I recall there been talk of Lever being capable of playing as a mid. I don't know where I heard that from, so its possible I heard it in relation to MFC considering selecting him with the potential of Lever playing as a mid. You could be right. He could play mid. He is well balanced and usually makes good decisions.

Lever is superior to Dunn. I wasn't a big fan of the Lever trade, but its done now. The positives are that Lever has previously played up to an AA level, has talent, is a great mover, a good kick and usually a good decision maker. On top of that, he has only recently turned 22. Still a kid and given time to fill out he could be the KP player we need.

Brayshaw isn't very quick, but his lack of pace isn't a bad thing. He needs to slow down going into congestion. It decreases his chance of getting concussed. It is the really short and sharp movements in tight that Brayshaw needs to focus on. He doesn't need to be explosive in a 100m sprint, he just needs to be good in a small space. He is also great on either foot, so if he can improve his spread he should be able to utilize those skills. So long as Brayshaw can avoid getting concussed I think he has a future. We are not talking about a Jack Trengove who has nothing else to offer once he loses his speed, Brayshaw has a lot more tools at his disposal. Should he slow down he can still be very effective.

It was a lot to give up for a bloke who doesn't even man the oppositions best forward. Adelaide fans were right when they were saying Melbourne are selling the farm for a third up intercept defender. At this point I would try giving Lever a run in the midfield.

Toumpas was sh*t even before the draft. I thought he was hopeless in the Nationals that year, but like myself and many on footy sites, perhaps the recruiters got sucked in by the hype. I know I did. I watched the Nationals of Toumpas and came away thinking that kid is useless I hope we don't pick him, but then after the chatter elsewhere you start to buy into the hype. Wines on the otherhand was exceptional in the Nationals, and is the player he is now. It was bad drafting and our drafting experts were no better than us mugs when assessing players those bad years.

If he was good at it he would be still there. He wasn't good enough at it to keep his position. Brayshaw is an out and out midfielder, and is actually a quite capable one. He does need to make some adjustments - in order to limit his potential for head knocks - but if he can do that (and it looks as though he is making inroads there), then there is a position for him in the midfield. He would be better than Salem (who is unwilling to actually go in and get the footy and prefers to sit stationary off of the pack). Brayshaw shouldn't be disappointed that he is at VFL, but should use it as an opportunity to work on his game because that third midfield spot is up for the taking (Tyson isn't good enough - lacks awareness and is a poor kick), and Salem is unwilling to go in and get the football. Until Viney gets back its there for the taking. I hope Brayshaw steps up because he is capable, he is the guy who would do well in that spot and clearly wants it.

Ahwell, his value has just gone through the roof.

The thing with Brayshaw is that he can't play anywhere else bar midfield.

It wasn't our finest moment.

Still a year or two away IMO. I don't understand why clubs take project players, but they do, and when they do these players need time.

I agree. Also has been too inconsistent and hasn't played up to his potential. Capable type but needs to get his head right.

I am still stoked we landed Fritsch. I thought at beginning of trade night, if we walked away with Fritsch I'd be happy, anything more is a bonus. I don't know much about the others. I have only seen Fritsch play a handful of times - but he looked impressive. I remember watching Mitch Hannan play most of his games the year we drafted him, and I was happy we landed him, he did it against men, and his frame wasn't a limitation. I don't expect Fritsch frame to limit him at all. I think he may play early. There is nothing about his game that suggests he has to put on size (at least in respect of contributing at AFL level - size will naturally come in time). So its a good get for mine. Hope he does well.

Well said. I agree. Less pressure on them and less whinging from all of us. I am guilty of expecting too much too early off of draftees, and I think part of it comes from the mediocre performances off of our senior blokes. We are always looking for some youth to step in - because our seniors are letting us down. Since we have had Roos we have improved I believe. 5-6 years ago I'd be hoping Petty was the next big thing because we needed him to be. Now it feels as though it doesn't matter as much. We appear to have a ready made list now. There is no excuses for the guys in the side. Best MFC team I have seen in a long time. I do get ahead of myself but our side looks really promising. Hopefully Petty just develops at Casey and gets to learn his craft without expectation. We still have key position back in Keilty who will be ready before he is. That should ease the pressure.

Size is no longer a disadvantage in this game. Because players can no longer are not supposed to dive on the ball, it means they have to bend down and pick it up (mostly that is what happens). Smaller players do not have to expose their neck, they are mostly already there at the ball. They don't have to bend down as much (so they should be able to get the ball quicker). They just have to watch out for the hip and shoulder - which is practically outlawed. I watch Caleb Daniel make a mockery of his opposition. And if you watch Daniel he basically scoops the ball up with absolute ease, his low centre of gravity means that he is also very evasive, and strong through the core. Small players have advantages if they know how to use them. If this kid can play he is a good pick up.

Adelaide had a pick inside the top 10. Then neither Adelaide or Port had another pick before we selected Petty. I suspect that is why we were able to land him.