Ted Lasso

Heard anything regarding the staying/going/re-signing of players other than Jesse Hogan?

at the end of the day Jake has been labeled a drug cheat because he is a professional athlete who took some substances and he cannot prove what they were, he is 100% responsible for what goes into his body, he didn't ask questions of the right people or make enough noise and he's bought this on himself. there are people who give talks about this stuff before players even get drafted, there is no excuse, regardless of political agendas or how badly run people think ASADA might be, you're responsible for what you take, if you can't prove it you wear whatever comes your way. having said that Jakes ban is over and i look forward to seeing him in the red and blue in 2017

I reckon Montgomery would be a good get, been at the dogs for a long time and worked under Bevo

Clearly doesn't understand that targeted recruiting is the opposite of scattergun, but then purple is no stranger to making himself look like an absolute tool by having no idea what he's talking about.

This one is interesting, i've been told he's basically cracked the shits because they've paid massive overs to keep a lot of the players who were suspended and offered him unders. Saints have been linked to him like they have to every player that isn't on their list but i think he's a good player and gettable, price being the only issue.

I agree, and i think given the success we've had with the succession plan he's the sort of person clubs might look at if they try and implement something similar perhaps the Lions are considering something like that with Fagan-Rawlings

Hahaha must be, i am more than happy to trust my own info, just out of curiosity, have you considered ignoring GNF's posts? seems more productive than venting the same opinions over and over and getting absolutely nowhere?

Unlike posting several comments specifically to have a pot shot at another poster

I had a chat with Jack Trengove in about Febuary this year and he definitely described it as a very tough time, you just want to be part of it especially with how exciting it is at our club right now, but i still think that is much much better than being out of the club and AFL system totally for 12 months, it might take Melksham a little bit longer to get back into it, again not saying it 100% will but i would understand if it did.

we would have found a way if he wanted to get to the club, not having high end picks hasn't stopped Hawks chasing O'meara and Mitchell

I poster earlier the perfect fit if we want an experienced player into coaching role is Matty Boyd, if the dogs let him go we should make a call, he'd reenforce the back line and provide great experience and Crossy, Macca and Craig Jennings have all worked with him.

Correct, i think having being involved in the succession plan here may have won him some points.

I've already seen a fair bit of "classy debate" on facebook so it's certainly drummed up some interest, but none the less Eddie comes out looking silly Dees head into a super exciting pre season after a few straight years of improvement and the Pies head into a year where they either improve which they haven't managed at any stage under Buckley or they sack a favourite son of the club. pretty happy to be a Dee.

This is my concern, you add in Thompson and Barlow potentially and it's two young kids potentially missing spots, and Barlow would really be on the fringe of best 22. I don't think Barlow will happen as we have nothing to trade for him unless they want Dawes or Dunn

Oh for sure, just stoking the fire between the two clubs and supporter groups.

Roosy making the comments he did about Richmond so close to this is very interesting. I really don't think there is to much disputing that the Pies succession plan hasn't been perfect, Eddie just blew his top with an immature irrational reaction and made himself look stupid again and i'm sure PJ is sitting back having a good laugh about it.

It's also about the reward, even if there was a chance of him getting right it's not like he's an O'meara level superstar, he's a good average player, the reward isn't even worth the effort.

The big difference being that a year out within an AFL club means a rehab program within the four walls of the club with day to day coaching by some of the best fitness staff around, he's missed that for the better part of 12 months, while i'm sure Mission has given him his program ect it's definitely not going to be the same as actually working with him every day. Time will tell, i was against the recruitment of Melksham at the time and still very unsure it was the right move, especially given what we gave up but time will tell.

It's a whole different challenge but we clearly recruited Jake with the idea in mind that he'd play off half back and essentially play the role Jayden Hunt is playing, now with Hibberd likely coming on board, Salem mostly playing that role and Hunt playing great footy we have to re-think where he's going to play. I personally think he has the attributes to be a pressure forward, he's quick, creative and a good tackler and i really think that high half forward role is one he could really do well, but obviously it'll be interesting. I personally have my concerns about all these Essendon guys, not only have they had a year off, they've had a year off the AFL system totally and it's not something that they will move forward from overnight, very difficult to replicate the AFL enviornment and everything training wise, so the transition back into the side may take a little longer than some are expecting

The worst thing about the Pies is when you compare them to Melbournes footy department it's like Amateur vs Pro's they grab any well know assistant regardless of needs and strengths, ironically a similar sort of plan to our old draft high picks and it'll just happen theory Bucks, Sando, Harvey, Burns, Rocca, it's not a great mix. Goodwin senior coach Macca head of development Jennings Stratergy and opposition Rawlings highly rated backling coach Mathews highly rated midfield coach we recruit people to fill a role, they recruit the big name people and bend the role around them. and i strongly suspect this is a big part of why they've consistently gone down hill under Bucks.

It's sad because he's so consistently in the media for saying stupid things, Adam Goodes, Caro recently and others and it's like he doesn't realize that he's the problem. proof will be in the pudding though on this matter, the Dees have gone up every year for the last 4 while the Pies have gone downhill every single year and all the pressure in the world is on their club next year.

This isn't meant to be a pot shot at Neeldy and i hope it's not take like that, but the difference between Goodwin and Neeld when they took over is so obvious! Goodwin is just so sure of himself and know's he can do the role, Neeld seemed a bit more as though he hoped he could do the role and that is clearly a huge benefit of the succession plan I reckon it will become a more and more common part of footy moving into the future

You want an experienced player who'd be clearly best 22 for 1-2 years and then move into a coaching role there is one person who'd be even better than Thompson, Dal Santo and Harvey and that's Matty Boyd All Australian this year, great leader would give us great experience and leadership down back where we desperatey need it if the Bulldogs can't get a deal done with him i would love to see us make a phone call.

How impressive is Goody!?

It hurts to say. I hate Essendon more than Collingwood.