Charged Firefighters have money to spend this off-season.
The Sun Herald reported last week Essendon has “much more” than $ 2 million in boundary space as the club evaluates commercial and free agency space.
But what is the best strategy for the club to allocate its funds?
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The report highlighted that, instead of going in favor of a star free agent or player in the market, the Fire Department could use its maximum space to contribute more draft capital, adding to its current selections the Selections 3 and 21.
Fremantle did this during last year’s trade period when he assured Will Brodie to ease the pressure on the Suns ’salary cap, also acquiring Picks 19, 61 and 69 in exchange for a future second and fourth round.
Firefighters have fallen in 2022 (Photo by Quinn Rooney / Getty Images) Source: FOX SPORTS
It comes in a season in which the Fire Department has fallen dramatically, currently occupying 16th place on the ladder with three wins after appearing in last year’s final.
Essendon has already increased the draft in recent years to have an exciting core to build. And after his sudden rise last year, the club might have thought he is ready to reload himself with experienced players and push an unprecedented 17th flag.
But should the club adjust those plans as they now seem much further away from fighting than they seemed?
WHICH PLAYERS HAVE BEEN LINKED TO?
Given the excessive amount of funds the Fire Department has, there are no limits to who they can chase.
Last year they were very interested in Giant Bobby Hill and almost reached an agreement for him during the trading period, but recent reports claim that interest has now faltered.
Other names Essendon has linked include Karl Amon of Port Adelaide and Rory Lobb of Fremantle, while the club is expected to make another offer to Josh Dunkley of the Western Bulldogs two years after the deal failed after the Fire Department they would not be willing to separate from two. first round elections while under contract.
The Fire Department would still have to give up something for Dunkley given that he is not a free agent, but his commercial value has now diminished.
The Herald Sun’s Last week’s report said Essendon was looking for midfielders, midfielders, a key defender and potentially a tall striker, but I understand it could take a couple of years to fill his roster.
Interesting to see is Collingwood free agent Jordan De Goey. While there has been no real interest, the club is clearly in a position to make an offer.
Should Essendon chase De Goey? (Photo by Darrian Traynor / Getty Images) Source: FOX SPORTS
De Goey has received Collingwood’s contractual talks in the aftermath of his controversial getaway to Bali to no doubt make him more accessible than ever.
Surely a large number of clubs will ask De Goey’s question – with St Kilda for a long time courting the 26-year-old – and the most important thing they will ask is whether it is worth the attached risk given his history of outside cadres. of incidents off the field. .
“It’s very difficult to answer. It will be the personal opinions of each team, list director and board of directors about what they think is the kind of behavior they want to bring to their club. Everyone is theirs,” St Kilda legend said. Leigh Mountain foxfooty.com.au about possible De Goey offers.
“For some clubs it may depend on the value of the dollar rather than just, yes or no, so it’s hard to answer.”
IS YOUR LIST IN BETTER FORM THAN PEOPLE THINK?
The Fire Department began rebuilding its roster in late 2020 after the departures of Joe Daniher, Adam Saad and Orazio Fantasia.
He saw them have three picks in the top 10 in that year’s draft, with Nik Cox, Archie Perkins and Zach Reid (all 20 years old).
Then the club added another exciting piece to Ben Hobbs (18) in last year’s draft with Pick 13 in what appears to be a steal.
Essendon has also used the mid-season draft as a genuine tool to incorporate young talent into the club and build their roster, recruiting Will Snelling (24), Sam Durham (20) and Massimo D’Ambrosio (19), while other clubs . sometimes they have used it as a kind of knit.
Add Nick Bryan (20), Jye Caldwell, Harrison Jones, Nic Martin (21) and the Fire Department have a very promising harvest at their disposal to move forward.
Not to mention the size of Jordan Ridley, Sam Draper, Brayden Ham (all 23), Mason Redman, Andy McGrath and Darcy Parish (all 24) are still at the younger end.
Overall, it’s the profile of an inexperienced roster: it ranks 14th in middle age and 16th in average games played this season, according to Draftguru. This includes people like Anthony McDnald-Tipunwguti (29) and Michael Hurley (32) who have not played a game this season.
He launches Zach Merrett, Nick Hind, Peter Wright, Dylan Shiel and Kyle Langford and Montagna is optimistic about the direction of the Fire Department.
Perkins has shown great signs this season (Photo by Will Russell / AFL Photos via Getty Images) Source: FOX SPORTS
“I think their roster is in better health than most people give them credit for, I think they can absolutely bounce back next season and play the final,” he said.
“I would look to come back with mature and quality players. Either a De Goey or an Amon. I think they have a good old profile with their roster – their midfield is in good shape. In Perkins and Hobbs there are some good young people.
“He would be aggressive at the free trade and agency table, much like Carlton. We give some credit to Carlton, people hit them for overpaying for Zac Williams and Adam Saad and then doubling down and getting Adam Cerra and George Hewett has made a big difference for the Blues.
“My general view is that clubs are not aggressive enough to change their roster to try to attract talent from other teams.
“It’s an interesting year to see if the teams do it, because you could easily say that right now there are 12 clubs that believe they can finish in the top four. I would love to see some clubs that are around the brand be ultra aggressive and really try to top their list, and I think Essendon is a club that is in that position. “
Montagna believes the Fire Department should aim for another high-forward and second-ruck option, a strong defender with a large body and small forwards, noting that McDonald-Tipungwuti has been a “big loss.”
But the All-Australian dual called for the club to continue to have a “balanced” approach and use their draft hand as well.
“It’s always a balance and it’s always to weigh which players are available and what you think you can achieve in the draft table. You can’t change all your picks and reload them with all the mature players, and you can’t do it the other way around, ”Montagna said.
“I think Essendon has done well in the draft in recent years, they’ve hit their picks right over the last three years. It gives you a chance to be a little more aggressive in trades and free agency, but you still have a balance.”
WHICH CURRENT PLAYERS ARE OUT OF CONTRACT?
Several Essendon players are without a contract due to decisions that will mark the club’s hiring capacity.
Of course, McDonald-Tipungwuti has retired, while Hurley’s future remains cloudy after a series of setbacks due to injuries that have sidelined him since the end of the 2020 season.
Other non-contract firefighters include McGrath, Ham, Dyson Heppell, Alec Waterman, Andrew Phillips, James Stewart, Matt Guelfi and Tom Cutler.
At the time, Parish, Jones, Redman, Bryan, Wright, Draper and Snelling were not hired beyond 2023.
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It was speculated that McGrath might have been weighing his options, but since then reports have indicated that the old Pick 1 is expected to start.
But there is still an intrigue surrounding Heppell’s situation, as the Fire boss has not yet submitted a new deal for the club.
It comes amid a season of ups and downs for the veteran, who has averaged 22.8 discards per game and 6.1 points and turned 30 last month.
“He would only leave if the club no longer sees him in his best team and he still thinks he has football to play. I doubt very much that he will ever be his choice, he is an Essendon man even, ”Montagna said.
“It would only be if another club values him, wants him and offers him a place. It would be more if Essendon no longer saw a role for him at the club, it’s the only way to see him on another team, I don’t think he would do it on his own terms. “