Lucifers Hero

Ess offer the guy only 2 years and less $$ and they want A grade trade in return. If they truly valued him that highly surely they would better our offer! They start with such a ridiculously high ambit demand for trades that they get far too much in return. Given the reports on how we are handling Jeremy Howe's contract, I am confident TV and JT will not be conned!

This is a coaching movement rather than player but nowhere else to really put it. It seems that Little, Jobe Watson and others flew to Adelaide in Little's private jet to get Worsfold to coach Essendon! They broke their verbal and 'handshake' undertaking to not approach other club staff! Dubious ethics and gobsmacking arrogance! That club has learnt nothing from the drugs saga and ethical boundaries! Adelaide (rightly) not very happy as they are playing a final this weekend. Ess have apologised...too little too late...(no pun intended)

I saw this in an AFL article: 'Eade said the club would focus on picking up the best available talent in the upcoming draft, while it would use the trade period to boost its playing stocks in the 22 to 27-year-old age bracket.' Suns appear to be losing Dixon so will need a 'tall'...could it be that Watts and Howe are heading towards the sun. Maybe in return for a player eg Prestia, O'Meera, Bennell? In an ideal world we get to keep our 1st round pick.

Lachie Plowman played a pretty good game today, having started on the bench: 20 poss (3 kicks, 17 HB) of which 6 uncont. at 85% efficiency and 3 tackles. Not bad for 1st game this year at AFL level. We get to have a closer look at him when he plays against us next week.

From Greg Denham: '...Carlton who, with Melbourne, are also chasing out-of-contract Giant...Lachie Plowman' From the GWS website: 'A tall defender, Lachie Plowman was selected…with pick three in the 2012 NAB AFL Draft. With a terrific ability to win the contested ball in the air and at ground level, Plowman is a poised player with good decision-making skills.' As a defender, our interest could be a replacement for Dunn and Lumumba in a few years (earlier if their form doesn't improve). Plowman has played forward so could be a 'swingman' type or a replacement for Howe. My doubt around Plowman would be why a #3 pick cannot get a game in 2015, a year riddled with injuries for GWS. But then we can certainly use a lot of 'poise' and 'good decision-making skills'!!!! While doubt remains about Roos' ability to convert player attitudes there is little doubt about his nous picking 'the right' players. Right now I am very happy to take anyone who gives 100% effort and get rid of anyone who has a poor attitude and won't/can't change. So, I would take him as he would come cheaply.

It seems that among Essendon's 20 uncontracted players there are 5 Free Agents:- Tom Bellchambers, RFA Courtenay Dempsey, UFA James Gwilt, UFA Tayte Pears, UFA Brent Stanton, UFA Jason Winderlich, UFA Watch the AFL deal EFC back into the early rounds of the draft if some of those guys go and it gives a few 2nd round picks. What is suppoosedly a shallow draft becomes a lot weaker, especially when you add all the FA's floating around that are likely to attract 1st round, end of first round, 2nd round picks ie Suckling, Dangerfield, Selwood, Leuenberger. Plus all the Academy players (4/5 in the first round), so on the current ladder our 2nd rnd pick will be about pick 28-30 ie the 28th-30th best player!! Yes, the Academy clubs need to pay the 'draft points' but they are getting the best players. Can't see a strong case for keeping any but our 1st pick.

Here is an interesting line from Emma Quayle when discussing OOC Essendon players: Jake Melksham has been loyal but is the sort of player another club might see unfulfilled potential in. He will have other options put to him, a reunion with Simon Goodwin at Melbourne not out of the question. He is 23, was their pick 10 in the 2009 draft, plays midfield and played just over 100 games. IMO he doesn't fit the A-grade midfielder category but he is in our 'target' age/experience group. Emma may be guessing but her intel is usually pretty good!

ash could you put in a comma or fullstop...not being pedantic just trying to work out the deal. Is that a straight swap of Tomlinson for Howe or Tomlinson for our 2nd round pick...I would do this in a heartbeat, especially as it looks like Howe is staying!

Just listening to sen and they said Melbourne really into Tom Lynch (24 yo)from the Crows. He wants 3 years, they want 2. Of course its idle talk at this stage but I wouldn't mind him as our 2nd tall forward. He kicked 33 in 2013 then Viney broke his jaw in 2014, and he had a neck fracture later in the year. Great replacement for Dawes! He would have played with Goodwin (and Vince) so they may be working their connections.

Do these count on the 'break embarrassing records' list: - First win over Pies since 2007! - Collingwood records its lowest score against Melbourne since 1988! - Contrasting crowds: "Saturday’s crowd of 37,894 at the MCG was the lowest between the two sides since round 17, 1997...It was a far cry from round 10 when a crowd of 66,120 watched the Dees and Pies play at the MCG". Very nice to get a few up on the Pies!! http://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/2015-08-03/the-demon-within-round-18

Would definitely say yes to Motlop but think that is unlikely. Also, I wonder whether we need another speedy small forward when we have Garlett. He has great after-burners and when he gets the ball out the back (usually from a very smart kick from Gus) he gains meters on the opp and kicks a goal. I recall some talk from Roos to play him in the midfield occasionally so our picks/trades/money may be spent better elsewhere.

Interesting article or eos player moves: http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-30/staying-or-going-this-years-afl-exchange-period-previewed?utm_medium=RSS Regarding Howe: "The high-flying utility has put off contract talks with the Demons...and his future remains clouded...a number of other clubs are believed to be monitoring him carefully. Industry sources suggest Howe could attract rival offers of up to $600,000 a season, which Melbourne is unlikely to match." Another indication that he is Gone! As an aside, notice the ridiculously low figures for Motlop $500+k and Suckling $400k. Would take either in a heartbeat.

1) Lets face it he came to us because he was a mate of Neeld and Leigh Brown! 2) That he is 'much less a failure than Rodan and Byrnes' makes him a seriously, seriously bad recruit. Right up there with some of ourdisastrous high draft picks. What is more those guys did not cost pick #20, get a 4 year contract at 500k+ per annum! Dawes does not deserve to be on our list. On a value for money basis he should be the first to go, contract or no.

Dawes' 2 terrible 1st qtr kicks to inside 50 and his missed goal were total morale killers. Must be totally demoralising for young players see a senior guy dribbling the ball to a free team mate and shortly after miss an unpressured goal from 20 mtrs out!! He gave up any chance of getting momentum back our way. We never recovered! So much for his leadership skills. Simply put, he must go. No need to trade him - just give him away, at least it will clear his massive salary from our cap! We can then use it to reward a younger play or fund Prestia/another player we trade in. We must get better value from the money we are spending on Dawes so sorry to repeat: He must go.

Looks like Jared Rivers will call it quits at the end of the year. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-21/rivers-runs-dry-as-cat-concedes-season-may-be-his-last- Extract: "He (Rivers) said he was aware he needed seven games to reach the 200-game milestone..."It’s a big thing for some people, and for me, who has had an up and down career with injuries and also playing at two different clubs, I’d love to try and get to 200," Rivers said. "It’s been a battle, but there’s still a chance to get there and it would be a proud moment for me." Jared was a great servant of our club, gave his all in the worst of circumstances. As the 200 games mean so much to him, I hope his injuries stay away so the Cats can get him those 7 games. Its a shame their last game isn't against us...we could give him an MCG farewell and beat the Cats, again!

Plenty of chat today in footy media that Danger is about to sign with the Crows. If true, very happy to see Geelong miss out on another FA...Frawley being the other!

Would agree with that. In a shallow draft Roos may prefer to get an FA in instead of a comp pick, if Garland goes. For those interested here is the list of 2015 FA's http://www.afl.com.au/trade/free-agency Not many goodies left for Roos to choose from. Kreuzer is in negotiations with Carlton Leuenberger, Selwood and Dangerfield tipped to go to Geelong Suckling has been linked to Lions Roos is probably creating a smokescreen with his FA comments! Probably has some surprises in store!

An update on other club interest is some players mentioned by posters: http://www.theage.com.au/afl/fremantle-in-talks-for-gold-coast-forward-charlie-dixon-20150715-gid747.html Summary: Charlie Dixon suitors: Freo, Crows, Lions Leunberger suitors: Cats Suckling suitors: Lions (Suckling a FA and still uncontracted) Treloar suitors: Pies, Tigers, North (Pies tipped to get him) Also, earlier this week I heard that Carlisle is a lock to go from Bombers to Blues. So that is a few players off some 'wish lists'. As it looks likely that we get Dion, the midfield is still our priority. This will cost our first pick (at least) so it limits our ability to trade in, another high quality player eg a forward, forward/ruck.. Hopefully, our recruiters can pull off a Vandenberg type find, or do a 2 for 1 trade (eg Toumpas and Howe for player X), or they have confidence in one of our developing players, to fill the positions we are poor in.

To give credit where credit is due, 'Sir Paul Roos' called Dion a month ago. Here is his PM: Sent 15 June 2015 - 05:59 PM Dion is the one I'm confident of...

On Ch7 this morning Goodwin was asked about the list turnover...about 22 in last 2 years and maybe another 12-14 coming up (before he takes over in 2017). Goodwin said: yeah that is a huge change. My take was that the players we on DL complain about will be gone end of 2016. So any player coming our of contract in 2015, 2016 is in strife if they can't become a regular 22. We have enough newer Roos recruits for depth to not keep the pre Roos NQRs. I then wondered if, given this year is a shallow draft and the lack of trade value of many of our NQR player, we could see all 4 rookies upgraded. Then bring in 4 new rookies that we can groom and have a good look at. Would be quite happy with all 4 rookies to be upgraded to seniors eos. BTW Bernie was asked about the 'mansion' he has bought a few doors from Roos' house. In his cheeky style Bernie said it was the old wooden shack at the back. Allowing for any sort of house in the area is $1m+ it was interesting that Bernie is settling into Melb.

Very good point! Forgot Leuy is an FA.

Great wrap for Leuenberger yesterday. http://www.afl.com.au/news/2015-07-05/ruck-dilemma-looms-for-lions-after-leuenberger-finds-form?utm_medium=RSS Heard somewhere the Lions are interested in Howe. Straight swap, anyone?

I would cancel my membership!

Not meaning to criticise but the way Max King is going he is a very similar type. Max, soon to be 20, 200cm, can kick a goal. (Kicked 5 today with Scoprions) Just needs some experience! Max can be our Mitch Clark, or Kurt Tippet or ...

Harmes and King playing well at Casey so at this rate we may need to upgrade 3 rookies: Vandenberg, King and Harmes! Each is certainly making a case for upgrade. Otherwise another team might pinch King and Harmes!