Very Jaded

He might not be physically quick, but he's mentally very quick. One of those players who finds time and space, and also has superb awareness around the contest. Much like Watts, their basketball background gives them great spacial awareness which makes them able to almost "slow down" the play around them. On an unrelated note, I think people are judging Brayshaw harshly. He was superb in his 1st year and had a rotten run with injuries last season. He is a very talented player and a wonderful ball winner. I think he'll become a mainstay in our best 22 in the very near future. Not every player can do an Oliver. It's completely normal for a young mid to take 3-4 years to really hit their straps, especially when injury has curtailed their development. Just look at Salem, finally injury free and nicely hitting his straps.

So we all agree Lever is a gun but then we don't want to give up a good player for him in return? Brayshaw for Lever is a fair trade until sentiments get involved

And Hogan But Predergast still needs to be hung

PLEASE lets beat North this year. I am so sick of losing to them. MCG game. No excuses.

My Essendon mate texted me as soon as the deal went through and said "he's a f*&cking fighter, you'll love him"

And because we don't wanna waste good picks next year upgrading players. Might as well do it this year with late 4th/5th round picks.

Why? Hibberd is a very very good player, and will make a great structural difference to our side, by allowing Hunt and Salem to play wings. He is in his prime at 26. Pick 29 has a 50-50 chance of being a dud. We have so many kids on our list, draft picks aren't what we need right now. Good deal, and welcome Hibbo. My Essendon friend is crying into his coffee as we speak!

Aside from Mark Neeld quotes making me want to vomit, this is such a good article with plenty of insight into the character that is Viney. I reckon someone else with his unremarkable traits- average height, average speed, average kick, would have turned out to be an ordinary run of the mill player. Instead Viney has become an extraordinarily talented midfielder, one of the best young talents in the competition, not because of his natural gifts, but because he worked harder than anyone. What a brilliant culture changer to have around. I look forward to him holding that premiership cup as captain in a few years.

I said he was my big improver for 2016, and I'm glad he proved me right. For such a slight frame, he isn't afraid to go hard. He always finds time and space, and gees he can use it. Reminds me of Watts in terms of footy smarts and ball use. Massive upside too.

Season is basically done. We are going into the 4 hardest weeks of the season without arguably our best player. Good times.

Don't get me started on this [censored] home game at Etihad against a team that plays all their home games at Etihad, thus having a complete advantage. Awesome work by the AFL yet again.

Kid probably tackled his own placenta on the way out. Had 3 weeks off for rough conduct.

The consequence of a doctor breaking the rules are slightly more severe than players taking banned substances. And even then it is nearly impossible to get a doctor banned for life from the profession. Murderers don't even get life sentences here. To say that players should be banned for life is very harsh given it was a club driven program

Stop it. I am having so much FOMO right now. Round 1 is going to be exciting. Goosebump stuff if/when Trenners returns to the field.

The face of a 10 year old, the body of a 30 year old who spends his weekdays pumping iron and his weekends sinking [censored]. Confusing all around. His highlight package though is pretty phenomenal.

All these kids look 12 to me. Also now I'm going to spend the next 6 months trying to learn how to spell Sam's surname correctly #draftstruggles #firstworldfootyproblems

Welcome Sam. Hope you don't mind sharing the limelight with some kid named Jesse May your love blossom for one another and may your date nights involve decapitating key position defenders together.

Welcome to Melbourne Clayton I look forward to 10 years of Oliver vs Parish threads Buckle up kid, and whatever you do stay away from Demonland

I hope my royalty cheque is in the mail!

If his recruitment alone makes Salem a better player and a midfielder, it was worth it. I rate Salem only behind Hogan & Brayshaw for talent* *Apologies to Petracca- waiting to see him in action

I don't really know how to describe how I feel about this deal. This just about sums it up

My Essendon friend just laughed at me over the trade. It's been a long time since he's had any reason to laugh. I don't like it.

Clark has been a bust, but we were criminally screwed in that trade given Clark's potential ceiling. He came with high risk, high reward factor. Lumumba has also been a massive disappointment. He was a low risk low reward.

I read the first 6 words and nearly vomited Salem to play midfield. Salem NOT moving anywhere. Phew!

I also love that Jack Viney is not Cale Morton