Members' Wing

No idea what that means, but Bugg was a Caulfield Grammar boy

Garlett was in and out of court on assault charges, lost his drivers licence and was dishonest more than once to the club. As I said above, Melksham has had a tough couple of years but so have all the Essendon players. Have I missed something on Kennedy? Has he had a number of off-field issues I'm not aware of?

Why else isn't he getting games then oracle if not for his ability and talent? His injury record is pretty good off the top of my head. J Kennedy was in and out of one of the best midfields in the game, and a lot of the time was being played out of position. There are a hell of a lot more examples of recycled discards not getting games at their previous clubs then having little to no impact when given a second chance at another club. Riley, Newton and Michie being three of them.

Because he was being an absolute idiot off-field for a while. Had plenty of runs on the board on-field. Completely different set of circumstances.

The personality of a player? I've got NFI what his personality's like, I'm basing my arguments on all I've seen of him as a footballer, and facts. The fact of the matter is that he's struggled to get a game for Essendon for a long time. My old man is Essendon, I watch a lot of them and he's amongst the most consistent butchers of the footy in the comp. You make an interesting observation about die-hard supporters overrating their own players. Why then is every single Essendon supporter ecstatic to see the back of Melksham? If Watts or Howe, two of the most maligned players on our list, were to leave there'd still be howls of protest from a vocal minority. There's been none of that from Bombers supporters. Barely a dissenting voice. As for Kennedy I've seen him play at ones and twos level. He's another one like McKenzie and Matt Jones who dominates in the VFL but struggles badly at AFL level. I'm not saying there isn't extenuating circumstances for both of them. The supplements saga would have been incredibly draining, and Collingwood has a good young midfield. But please don't try to dress these two up as a real coup for the club.

Geez you're an irritating poster. Anyone who has the temerity to disagree with you has their intelligence insulted. And I'd suggest that people who find giving up a 2nd round pick for two blokes who can't get a regular game in bottom 7 clubs a touch baffling perhaps have good reason to. You cite a need to increase our depth, and that's all well and good. But these are not players who will change games for us or even be good foot soldiers. They're players who their own current club's supporters are more than happy to see leave. For the first time in a long time I've got some faith in the footy department so am happy to reserve judgment, but I find the deal underwhelming. What I won't do is mock you for disagreeing.

But why would you advocate we give up picks in next year's draft which is far, far stronger?

He's now been in the system for 6 years and has played as a key forward the entire time with occasional stints in the ruck. Not once in those 6 years has he even averaged a goal a game. Set your sights higher.

What is it with your bizarre obsession with wanting to recruit players not good enough to get games at their current side?

Hogan, Jones, Brayshaw, Salem, Petracca, McDonald

We've waited 50 years for a flag. I just want to see one, whenever that may be. The most important thing is we get our drafting right. No point getting in a player just cos he's 'ready made'. Need to get whoever will end up being the best player. We're not going to improve enough to be able to compete with the top sides with quick fixes.

Me too please

Yet to talk to or see a single Essendon supporter that's disappointed about losing him. Not a single one. Even the most maligned players on here like Howe, Toumpas and Watts have their supporters!

Was widely reported earlier in the year MELBOURNE JAKE LOVETT — Son of Brett The Demons have shown interest in the inside midfielder, who spent a week training at his old man’s club and was given a fitness program to follow during the early part of the year. Has has a solid if not spectacular season for the Dandenong Stingrays, averaging around 15 disposals a game

Yeah I don't know. Bullsh1tters are usually pretty easy to spot - they're usually the ones who big-note and try to go into too much detail in an attempt to sound convincing. This guy isn't pretending to know an exorbitant amount, and it's a plausible story. Certainly doesn't mean it's a done deal but it's nice to be talking about a potential A-grader possibly coming to the club again rather than spuds like Melksham and Bastinac.

Another follow up in response to someone asking why us and what the chances are: Fair to say he was positive. I'd only heard the rumours we weren't interested. When he said to me we are getting Bennell I questioned it. I know how close this guy and Nev are. He said he'd spoke to Nev today and the meeting was a couple of days ago. Why would he choose us? I can't answer that . Maybe we are a destination club

After a long time where we probably couldn't honestly say yes, hopefully we've now got the right people in the relevant places RTG. I'd like to see us take the risk. It's going to take a series of calculated gambles coming off to get us pushing for a flag again in this age of free agency, with the powerful clubs staying at the top of the ladder for longer.

Agreed. He's the exact type of player we need. Just got to back in our environment.

About as funny as leprosy

If we could get Bennell for Howe and our second rounder, we'd be mad not to, surely? Because of his rap sheet I'm not sure clubs will hand over a first-rounder for him so that might be the best trade GC get offered, and Howe would be a good fit for them.

Follow up post from old mate: Basically Nev will be his mentor at the club. His work in this area I know for fact is amazing. Can't comment on Harley's state of mind etc but depending what we have to give up the upside of this deal is massive. Also told Watts will be staying due to lack of interest. Howe gone to Gold Coast. Not relevant but Lewis Jetta will be at West Coast

I can't wait til September is our most exciting month for what's happening on-field rather than what's potentially happening off it.

Nothing mentioned. Someone has asked him on twitter.

Brett Anderson on SEN reporting that North and Richmond both have huge interest in Hartlett

Why do we have a thread on every out of contract spud advocating that we should make a play for them? It's getting ridiculous.