Lord Nev

Sums up Essendon atm then doesn't it.

They asked the question. Won't happen.

It's on 7mate.

Kane Cornes on SEN this morning reckons there's some talk from SA clubs that Pickett is a bit of a watch this space.

Just rumour, but what I've hear is that we'll be going a bit younger for the next 2 years. Partly to have more young talent coming through, partly to fit in around the contracts we've been getting done and need to get done in the next year or two. Would be pretty surprised if we traded away our picks for players. Might be some pick splits etc that become part of that, but outside of maybe 1 or 2 key targets I don't think we'll be huge players in the trade period in terms of bringing in players.

Hunt, Harmes and Weideman all chances to be at other clubs. Dees will hit the draft a bit more this year. JVR and Howes will feature more next year. That's the extent of the rumours I've heard so far.

Lots to it. We were cooked, selection maybe exacerbated it, game plan etc etc. Honestly think we'll be a lot better next year with improved fitness and luck with injuries. On to the trade and draft board we go...

Ben. Brown.

Nibbler sensational contest and follows up with a goal.

Grow up.

More tape than skin on our boys at this stage. Makes you realize just how lucky we were last year with injuries.

Smith confirmed as sub.

Yeah that's fair. I think we're all in agreement that there's some kind of 'fitness' issue there, but just differ on our guesses as to the cause and who has responsibility (and then how much). I just wouldn't be surprised from what we know about Goodwin's relationships with fitness and medical staff that there's a different dynamic between him and Griffith compared to what there was between him and Burgess.

100% agree mate! It's absolutely an issue for us, I just differ on what I think is the cause of it. I'm not blaming Griffith, at least not without evidence it's his fault.

You're missing so much of the context there though. - Clearly we have a fair few players carrying niggles and soreness. - That would impact their ability to run out games as well as train. - The performance manager and fitness staff would make recommendations and provide updates on fitness, but ultimately team selection and how hard the players are pushed is up to the selection committee. - As recently as earlier this year we had examples of how hard Goody pushes the players and what influence he expects to have on fitness decisions. This is not purely a fitness staff matter, there is far more happening here, I find it really interesting how people can't see the big picture.

Burgess was more than just a performance manager for us, he was practically an assistant coach and Goody's right hand man. That's why he was quite vocal on the bench during games and why we paid him an absolute truck load (which he deserved). I'm sure Griffith is a very capable performance manager, but Burgess is an entirely different beast.

As per my previous comment, I have no doubt Griffith knows the science, but how much sway he holds over selection is an entirely different matter, and I doubt he would have as much say as Burgess would have.

Absolutely, but Burgess isn't at the club anymore and I wouldn't think Griffith is anywhere near the strong personality Burgess is and wouldn't have as much say in selection.

I raised impact injuries to show our injuries weren't the result of the performance manager - ie not soft tissue injuries. For sure, the club doctor would provide recommendations on injury management, but given what we know of Goody's history with such matters, how much of a bearing do you think it would have on selection? I don't think it would be the main one tbh.

Why is it all on the fitness department? We've continually selected players carrying niggles and soreness, that's on the selection committee. I don't recall many of our injuries being soft tissue ones, more impact related injuries, that's not on the fitness staff at all. Those injuries would clearly have impacted our training ability which in turn obviously effects how we run out games. Highly doubt Griffith is under "extreme pressure".

Right side is attacking side.

Might need him even more then if we make the Grand Final...