bing181

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/the-names-of-the-34-essendon-players-have-been-released-then-removed-by-the-court-of-arbitration-for-sport/story-fni5f6kv-1227352382547?sv=975afb5f9267749f2fea0ab35af04501 "Jake Melksham"

Perhaps, but very different situation. At Collingwood, Kennedy is last cab off the midfield rank, while at Melbourne, we're crying out for players like Toumpas, even to the extent of promoting rookies ... but Toumpas still doesn't get a look in. Also, Kennedy seems to have been very good/consistent at VFL level. Personally, I'd be happy to give Jimmy T another year. I know he's had 3 already, but he had hips in the first, appendix in the second (he missed a slab of the season across the middle, and couldn't really get up to speed again afterwards), and then there were a few injury hiccups this year as well. Just feel something hasn't quite clicked for him. Of course, it may never click, but you don't get the feeling that you're watching a player who's reached his limits (e.g., Bail, Riley, McKenzie etc.).

I wonder if the WADA situation is one of the factors behind a 4-year deal - which becomes, effectively, a 3-year deal. OK, we're probably one player down next year, but having the likes of McKenzie etc. on our list has left us one player down in any case.

Nah. He had some very good sniffs, especially earlier in the year.

Last year we brought in a guy that couldn't get a game at Carlton. Was worth 40 Goals. Melksham has shown that he's a solid, capable, first-22 player. That's the Melksham that we're looking to sign, not the one who has obviously had a hard time over the last 2 years.

No he/they can't.

Anyone with any info on a straight swap Toumpas for Matt Crouch? Rumours in The Other Place, go home factor etc. etc.

Viney (and Hogan) a bit stiff, another vote or three wouldn't have hurt given their seasons/performances.

Perhaps. Depends if at the end of the match you remember the good work, or the clangers/turnovers. (I'm a fan of Tom, don't get me wrong ... rather he tries and messes up than doesn't try. Still, hopefully will spur him on to tidy up his game.)

Trengove isn't a failed pick. OK, injured, and agree, may never play again, but he showed in his first year what he was capable of. (unlike the others ...)

This story isn't going away: BRENDAN McCartney remains in the mix to win Essendon’s vacant senior coaching job after a second round of interviews. McCartney, West Coast premiership coach John Worsfold and Collingwood assistant Scott Burns are believed to the final three candidates, with the club expected to make a decision on James Hird’s replacement within a fortnight. While Worsfold is widely seen as the raging favourite, it is understood McCartney impressed the coaching panel in his presentation on Saturday. His strong relationships with the Essendon players, whose passion for the game has been strained throughout the drugs scandal, is said to be a key plank in his application. McCartney served Essendon as assistant coach in 2011 before winning the Bulldogs’ senior post. He resigned from the kennel last year after the shock departure of ex-captain Ryan Griffen. But Western Bulldogs’ veteran defender Dale Morris has backed McCartney to thrive in the top job at Tullamarine, saying his coaching had played a key role in the Dogs’ rapid rise this season. “He was great for our group with his emphasis on development, teaching and contested ball,” Morris told the Herald Sun. “He brought a passion for coaching that I think would benefit Essendon enormously.” McCartney was one of the most sought-after assistant coaches in the game after serving as Mark Thompson’s right-hand man in Geelong’s 2007-11 triple-premiership reign. He left the Dogs in tumultuous circumstances but the 54-year-old, who has maintained a low public profile since then in his role as Melbourne development coach, has told friends he has learned from the Bulldogs’ experience.

Vandenburg! Way to go. Great drafting by Jason Taylor.

Ablett. A grade is A grade.

They well might. I'm not sure where the club is re Watts, I was just replying to post that wanted a trade for someone who would be one of our 10 best players. Just think that that possibility is unlikely, and would be surprised if Jack isn't a Demon for at least one more year.

I'd want that too, but think it's very unlikely. Watts hasn't even been able to hold his place in our first 22, so just getting someone who does would already be an upgrade.

I can't find anything in the WADA rules that cover a team situation where players have long-term contracts. I know that in cycling, if you're banned, you aren't paid by your team. Maybe someone else has clear info. At the very least, he would lose match payments (as in the Crowley case), and if the contract is mainly built around match payments, then we don't leave ourselves with too much of a financial millstone. As for bans, I've always thought that they'd be banned. 2 years, but a reduction for no significant fault, probably down to 18 months, perhaps 12 months. But they've already served 6 months or so, and it also depends on what's currently happening. It's the off-season again, so have these players restarted their provisional bans, just in case? IOW, if he only received a 12 month ban, he could be available from early next season. If it's 18 months, he would miss next season, and be ready to go when Goodwin takes over. Also, on returning from a ban, you can return to (team) training 2 months before the end of the ban. As I understand it ...

Yep. A formality.

But payment situation not the same. In theory if you're banned/suspended, you don't (can't?) get paid, but if you're injured you still get paid, including match payments.

Chris Dawes?

Big risk, but presumably it's being taken into consideration. It's not as if it's not out in the open.

Pretty big field.

Don't think they'd take the chance of delist and re-rookie, he was starting to show something and had a very good final game.

OK. Carry on.

Something you've heard, or something you're proposing?

Just not sure Toumpas has any real trade value.