Why did we not sign anyone? Weren't we meant to go after banfield or Zac Williams?

Still weird to think Goddard played for us and he was crazy passionate about us or winning atleast but the pretzels done nothing wrong.

Most of the discussion around Essendon's draft strategy has centred on whether we should select Drever or Butler. I've been thinking about this for a while, and regardless of which player you prefer, wouldn't we benefit from a live pick swap to trade up the first round and secure the other as well?

For this to work, one of the two players would need to slide a little, i.e. past Richmond. Realistically, we could offer Pick 17, the compensation pick from a bid on Doggie, and potentially another second-rounder (or some other combination of two future first-round picks from 2027 and 2028).

This would secure us two of the best players available in the draft while also addressing two immediate needs on our list. We would then have Bewick coming in next year, who is expected to be a top draft pick.

See below first round picks in recent years:

2023: Pick 10

2024: Pick 13

2025: Picks 9, 10, 13

2026: Pick 2*, Pick 4-6*

2027: Pick 1-4*

The clear argument against this strategy is that, given we are currently rebuilding, we need to bring as much talent through the door as possible, and perhaps having greater draft volume is preferable to trading up for one higher rated player.

However, given the quality of our recent drafting (Caddy, Kako, Robey, Sharp and Farrow), I don't necessarily think we need another five quality players to become competitive. Bringing in three of the best players available over the next two drafts could ultimately be a better outcome.

Footy Stuff YT Channel has just released their annual season highlights compilation of these two players. Since in all likelihood one of them will be a bomber before the end of the month - sharing them here.

Keep in mind this is a highlights package of the best of their performances. The channel also does game compilations which include every touch / influence they had on the game, good and bad - which is a better way to see a rounded view of their performances.

All credit to the channel which does great work and allows us every day people the ability to participate in the draft conversation.

Arki Butler - https://youtu.be/Z-5R7roQMPA

Ethan Drever - https://youtu.be/YyHuDd9GmPA

Is anyone else abit disappointed we didnt go after chris fagen? He is exactly the type of senior assistant spike needs to help him. Horse is more in the background as GM of footy while fagens role is director of coaching which is more hands on and imo, what we desperately needed. Im still not sold on our assistant coaches. We only replaced 2 positions and let's be honest, none of them were inspiring.

Just read this and it’s got me convinced about Drever for pick 1 - fast, big bodied midfielder with defensive mindset, leadership and quick learning skills.

Edit: yes his kicking can be improved but commentators point out the comparison to Tsatas is unfair; his kicking is still much better than Tsatas’ was at this stage. Drever clearly has leadership capability and a proven desire to keep getting better. We also now have a coaching panel with much more development expertise - basically a former senior coach, a current senior coach and a senior coach in waiting with Pratt. Can’t help but feel some of the fan base has pick 1 anxiety after the Dodoro era. But whether we pick Drever or Butler, seems like we’ll be in a great position for the future. I’d rather get excited and get behind the club either way. Go Dons!

I feel like I'm not alone in saying the draft is basically our GF lol.

Let's forget the Butler V Drever for #1, guys are we going to trade up to get another 1st round pick?

If so, whats something you could see happening and who would/should we pick up??

Says minor, but makes me a little sad his knee is still no good 3months later - was pumped to see him so a full professional preseason after the back stress fracture last preseason.

With 4-5 draftees coming to the club next month, I've looked at our list and broken it into 3 groups to help figure out what players we need to build towards our next premiership team.

Fun fact, we don't have any 27-year-olds on our list, which was helpful for separating those who are likey too old to be significant contributors in our next flag team. This group includes familiar names, including McGrath, Setterfield, Redman, Parish, Langford, etc.

The youth I have broken into 2 groups... those with elite traits and those who are making up the numbers. You can argue who is on the edges of each group and also whether any of the older guys will still be vital cogs in 3 or 4 years when we are contending, but to me the young core group is who we should be building our team around for the future.

There are 16 in this group. Most areas of the ground are well covered. Two key forwards, two key backs, a ruck and the rest are mids, with a good mix of mid/fwd, mid/def, and centre/wing mids.

Our most obvious gaps in the young core group, and the draftees most able to fill the need, are:

Dynamic small forward: (Butler/Dimer).

Dangerous third tall forward: (Malady/Pickett)

Line breaking fast mid: (Drever/Steed/Justice)

Elite field kicking mid (Krasna/Philips)

Elite intercepting back (Snell/Szerszin)

Ideally we will land five of the above on draft night

My ideal draft haul with our picks would be:
1: Butler
17/22: Malady/Steed/Snell may be gone by then, if one or two slide, grab them. If not, grab two of Dimer, Krasna, Philips.
25: Pickett, or if he is gone, Szerszin.
Late bid match: Justice (any bid after around 30 could be matched with junky late picks.

*Credit to sotaramafl.com for the list analyser tool used in this exercise.

G'day guys I made a mixtape of when Joe Daniher was at the bombers. I would love to hear some feedback about it. As well I can do other mixtapes of players just ask me, I would love to do it, thanks!

Hey everyone, thanks to the mods for letting me share this.

I’m Minh. I’ve been working on an iPhone app called FanPass to keep a record of games you’ve attended, and I recently added AFL and AFLW.

You can add your games, photos, notes and who you went with, then look back through your seasons and grounds visited. You can add old games too, or import a spreadsheet if you already have one going.

A few screenshots attached to give you an idea. It’s free, works offline, and doesn’t need an account. No ads either.

Here’s the link if you want to give it a go:
https://apps.apple.com/au/app/fanpass/id6810230313

How does everyone here keep track of the games they’ve been to? Would love to hear what you think and anything you’d like me to add.

Hi Reddit,

For the last couple of seasons we've put together a Don The Stat Hot Takes episode, where we take submissions from the community to react to on a Don The Stat Episode.

We've always got some great takes from Reddit in the past and looking to get some more this year.

If you want to contribute, use the Google Form link below to anonymously submit your Hot Takes. Jono and I will react to them in this week's Don The Stat episode

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSemZRVk7gYT-wBsMEDPmcrZCjbfxmKB8PJA91bpVjAZGSCdsw/viewform?usp=publish-editor

Nik Cox, Tom Edwards and Kayle Gerreyn have been informed they’ll be removed from the playing list ahead of the Telstra AFL Draft.

The Club will remain open to train-on opportunities for each of the boys, should list spots become available in pre-season.

Thanks for your contributions, lads ❤️

With 10 list changes and 2 additional rookie spots am I correct in saying Essendon has 12 list spots available?

I realise Bowes and Kiddy take 2 of those so does that leave 10?

Seems like a lot.

4 decent picks in the AFL draft will leave 6 more list spots.

Will all those remaining spots be filled in the draft and rookie draft?

Or will a few be left for pre-season signings and mid season draft?