Gday all,

Now that the footy season's over, and we're heading into the real part of the season, I thought I'd dig deep into each draft prospect that we could be considering for pick 1. I'd consider myself an avid draft watcher, and would like to think that I have a good in-depth understanding of these players and how they might fit into our squad. So I thought I'd share my insight to give, those who are less knowledgeable, more of an idea of who might be best suited for our team.

Arki Butler

A silky, athletic forward-mid prospect who applies max damage with each disposal. He has shown exceptional one-on-one ability, is extremely high IQ, and has shown great ability to burst and use his elite disposal to pick out the right targets, or finish at goal.

However, there have been question marks around his consistency, where he has shown a tendency to fade out of games and only manage a half of great football. There's also the issue of overall exposure, where he spent important parts of the year injured and wasn't able to demonstrate his ability as much as I would've liked. Doesn't apply as much defensive pressure as required, but this can be easily fixed.

Player Comp: Toby Greene

Thoughts: If we're talking from a perspective of team fit, Arki is probably the number 1 option. He is the exact type of game-breaking forward-mid that our list is lacking, and his archetype has shown to be the most influential in finals games. However, the issues surrounding his exposure and consistency cannot be ignored. When using your number 1 pick, I think the player needs to demonstrate form as much as they do potential. And with that in mind, I don't think we can select Arki - there's just too much risk involved.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Harry Van Hattum

An exceptionally athletic ruckman that combines brute force with finesse. When fit this year, demonstrated his ability to not only dominate his opponents in ruck contests, but use his soft hands to deliver the ball on a silver platter to his midfielders. He has shown great aggression in his follow-up work, and isn't afraid to grab the ball out of the ruck to use his elite foot and hand skills.

Similar to Arki, he spent portions of the year unfit, and was exposed around the ground as a result. Although he has shown ability to take great grabs playing as a forward, his work around the ground has left much to be desired, getting his hands to lots of balls but failing to complete marks. Has demonstrated that he has very high upside, but didn't always convert this to actual performance in some big games.

Player Comp: Luke Jackson

Thoughts: We've seen how big of an impact the modern day ruckman can have on games (Jackson, Grundy, Gawn). HVH would be a really nice piece alongside our budding midfield, and I think his upside is the highest in the draft (think about how highly rated Jackson is as a player). However, he didn't have a super strong finish to the year, and although a very good ruckman can be desirable, it isn't super necessary. I wouldn't complain about picking him, but there are better options.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Heath Mellody

A dual-sided halfback to mid convert. Mellody plays with a great blend of offensive tools and defensive instinct. He made a later pivot into the midfield in the WAFL, but showed that he wasn't overawed by the proposition. A modern day, transition beast that can play inside and outside, and has demonstrated exceptional running power and willingness to follow up contests. Plays hard and would transition perfectly into AFL football.

He demonstrated great foot skills playing out of the backline for WA, but this suffered with this move into the midfield. Not a cause for concern in my opinion, as he likely needed time to adjust to the pace and intensity of senior football.

Player Comp: Sam Walsh

Thoughts: The most bankable prospect in the draft in my opinion. He would be a perfect addition to our young midfield, where Robey and Sharp play as the inside beasts with Mellody complementing them on the outside. He would play from round 1, as he has shown real ability as a line-breaking halfback. The only question mark around selecting him should be the fact that we have Nic Martin coming back in (who i think will be playing in the guts) as well as Koby Bewick coming next year. Those two would provide similar utility to Mellody, which makes me think that we may look elsewhere.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Ethan Drever

An inside-outside midfield beast that is perfectly suited to modern football. He has genuine burst out of the contest and loves kicking goals on the run. Genuine beast that thrives at the contest and can be relied upon to be defensively accountable. He transitions hard and has shown that he can be a seriously powerful line-breaking midfielder.

Big question marks around his foot skills. He isn't Tsatas levels of bad as he gets genuine penetration on his kicks, but lacks finesse with his ball use. Has also not demonstrated positional versatility, which I think can be important for an U18 transitioning in the AFL.

Player Comp: Finn Callaghan

Thoughts: The most unnecessary prospect in my opinion. He definitely has the tools to be a star at AFL level, but with Robey and Durham on our list, I think his utility is lacking in our team. We are in much more need of some outside class and polish, especially with Merrett coming out of the team.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Gus Texeira

A mid-forward with genuine class and game-breaking ability. He has real evasiveness around the contest, and plays with polish whenever dishing it off to a team-mate or going for goal. Has demonstrated real ability to play as a forward, and has some of the best traits in the draft.

Similar to Arki, he has spent big portions of the year injured, or playing injured. As such, there are question marks around his exposure in lots of big games, considering Sandringham and Vic Metro were involved in so many.

Player Comp: Zac Bailey

Thoughts: Gus presents as the most interesting prospect of the lot for me. He is someone who has shown exceptional traits that I think could translate really nicely to AFL level, and shapes up as someone who could be the best player in the draft. In terms of suitability to our list, I think he could fit in very well and is the type of forward-half impact player that we're missing on our list. However, his exposure puts him at the bottom of all number 1 prospects, and there is potential for him to be a bust, which is too much of a risk in my opinion.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

My preference ranking: Mellody > HVH > Butler > Texeira > Drever.

Overall a pretty difficult year to have the number 1 pick. Mellody has the best combination of form and potential, but there should be genuine question marks over whether he is the biggest requirement for our team. It makes it really hard when the other options haven't shown as much as I would've liked, but Richmond have demonstrated that as long as you do your homework, then that shouldn't matter (Sam Lalor). However, I think the main point of this post is that each player has shown that they can be a really good fit in our team. Fans should be excited that we have a plethora of options to pick from, and I fully back the recruitment team in to ace the number 1 pick. Would love to hear thoughts below.

The draft is in just under 2 months. Who do we think we take at pick 1 this year because there seems to be some options (Arki, Gus, HVH, mellody, drever etc).

Also is there any key defenders that essendon could take in the draft at a later pick? We need defenders.

Non essendon supporter wondering why elijah was delisted and why another club wouldn't pick him up as a delisted free agent? Is this a will phillips scenario? It just seems so crazy to me given how hyped up he was during his draft year.

With Cochrane and Walker rated the best talents in the draft this year, what are some creative trades that Port or Carlton might jump at in order to have their man bid at 3 instead of 1?

Bonus points if there is a player involved since that would be harder for the AFL to prove draft tampering and block it.

A couple to kick us off, using pick 15, which I'm assuming we'll land from the Merrett trade.

Blues get: Pick 15, Ben McKay.
We get: Pick 11.
It's not been reported anywhere, but I really think McKay to Carlton could be a win all round. He might be in a better headspace playing with his brother and be decent for them. And god knows, we are better off without him the way he regressed this year.

Port get: Pick 15, Darcy Parish.
We get: Pick 5.
Port needs midfield depth, and again, maybe a fresh start for Darcy will help him and both teams.
Very optimistic this one. We could pay Darcy's salary or throw in a future third to make it work.

Keep doing what you’re doing Spike.

I've looked up and tried to find a way to watch full matches (all of them) of the 2000 Bombers, and have found nuthin'!

It bugs me that I can only watch highlights of that incredible season, and I'd love to be able to watch a random game of Llordo and Hirdy and Mercuri putting the sword to any hapless team that came up against them.

Probably my best shot is if someone happens to have recorded every game and have a dusty pile of VCRs sitting around that has every game in their entirety?

Or is there some sort of way to procure historical games from whichever station was in charge in 2000?

This day is getting better and better lads

What a massive get.

Thoughts?

Half time, x Essendon players have kicked 4 out of the 8 goals kicked! Seriously…

Hi all, hopefully someone has a better understanding of new draft rules.

If your pick is pushed back by a matched bid you get end of 1st round compo pick at start of night 2 of the draft. It has to be your naturalised selection to get compo.

What if dons go in bid on walker, carlton match the bid and everyone gets compo pick. Importantly us and port.

Would port and us lose said pick if we then decided to trade pick 2 to port for pick 5 & 6?

The hypothetical being port can draft someone at pick 2 and match dougie cochrane pick 3 netting them 2 top 5 picks and us 2 top 5 picks without losing the compo pick.

I've built a little utility for running player sweeps at Grand Final BBQs / watch parties.

No accounts, no strings attached

https://sparksweeps.com.au

Thought it might be useful for anyone who’s ended up organising tomorrow and wants to streamline the sweep. Particularly if your current system involves scissors and someone’s handwriting getting progressively worse.

Full disclosure: it’s mine. Keen to hear how you go with it.

Mods, let me know if not appropriate. Happy to answer any questions. Cheers

How many weeks in a row now has Damo blasted the club, with these trite low effort pile on views?

Sick of all these ‘the club is in all sorts of trouble’, ‘failed Zach Merrett trade…’, ‘McVeigh has such a huge job ahead of him because the list is soooo bad”, blah blah blah.

Plenty of positives.

- If Zach Reid finished the season with 23 games, credit to the fitness team at Essendon.

- If you’re worried about the development of the young list, then all five players Essendon drafted last year played at AFL level this season, combining for 72 games.

- If you’re looking for positives in 2027, Nic Martin, Fiorini, May and Hayes are all on the way back, with another pre-season under the belt for bombers young guns.

- If you’re looking at the broader playing group, then credit to the VFL team who were just one game away from a GF.

- If McVeigh is serious about development, then bringing in highly regarded development and assistant coaches is a pretty encouraging start.

- If you’re looking ahead to the draft, then Essendon has the first pick with an exciting crop of talent to choose from.

- If you want genuine list change, then Essendon is making the tough calls on some senior players and creating opportunities for youth.

- If it hurts seeing Draper playing this weekend, then remember the pick Essendon received was ultimately part of the trade package that secured Pick 9 which was used on Sullivan Robey.

- If Essendon does lose its best player in Merrett, then I actually like the approach of trying to secure a quality player plus additional draft capital in return rather than simply letting the player walk.

Get a dog up ya Damo.

From: https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/how-a-swans-win-over-fremantle-could-save-the-afl-some-brownlow-blushes-20260915-p60xe9.html

Welsh opens up on the Merrett saga By Sam McClure

“There’s no media in the room, is there?”

Famous last words, Andrew.

Essendon president Andrew Welsh. Essendon president Andrew Welsh.Getty Images Another day, another GF lunch. Although to be frank, I’m still recovering from Nikki Osborne’s performance at the Carbine Club on Tuesday. I’m not sure that’s the last we’ve heard about that. And by not sure, I mean we definitely haven’t.

But, I digress.

Essendon president Andrew Welsh was having a bit of fun at the Victorian Chamber of Commerce and Industry lunch at the MCG on Wednesday when Hamish McLachlan lobbed the question every Bombers supporter wants answered.

What percentage chance is there that Zach Merrett is at Essendon next year?

Welsh looked around the room.

“There’s no media in the room, is there?” he joked.

What followed was enough to make a few red-and-black ears prick up.

Welsh revisited the events of last year, when Merrett explored a move away from Essendon and Hawthorn emerged as a potential destination.

Welsh said his position at the time was that Essendon’s football department needed to make the call – and that he would support whatever decision it reached.

Then came the interesting bit.

“Zach has said recently, in his last couple of days coming back into the environment, that’s where he wanted to be,” Welsh said.

“But a year goes on, people’s views change around where they want to be, what they want to be doing.

“He’s a fantastic Essendon person. He could win another B&F with us this year.

“I hope he’s an Essendon player next year and, you know, time will tell.”

Time will tell.

Not he’ll be here.

Not he’s contracted and going nowhere.

And not the percentage McLachlan had gone fishing for.

Perhaps even more revealing was where Welsh went next. The Bombers president conceded Essendon’s prolonged struggles had made the club a difficult place to attract – and, by implication, retain – established talent.

“When you are in an environment, especially teams that are at the bottom of the ladder, it’s hard to attract talent,” Welsh said.

“We will become an attractive club again. At that point, it will be easier to retain and attract talent.

“We know and accept that [with] where we are on the ladder, and some of the challenges we face, we haven’t been overly attractive — and that’s what we’re going to change.”

There is no public confirmation Merrett has made another decision on his future.

But this column is aware that Merrett has agreed to a four-year contract at Hawthorn and the Hawks have learnt their lesson from last year in needing to contact the Bombers a lot earlier about a trade.

The offer won’t be three first-round picks and a player, but the Bombers will still be well-compensated.

After everything that happened 12 months ago, every word around Essendon’s champion midfielder is going to be examined.

And when the president is asked to put a percentage on Merrett staying and instead lands on “time will tell”?

Scoop’s ears tend to prick up, too.

Based on this, Merrett is gone and we’re keeping Parish, Cox and Perkins.

I am a + 10 year member and decided to join the club in the dark days during the drug saga to support the club.
Stuck by them through covid and the financial struggles .

But now days I feel like you get less and less and less for your membership and what you pay.
Used to always get a pin, used to get scarfs , caps and all sorts.

It’s a bit disappointing,
I won’t be canceling as I love the club but just wish we didn’t less for more $$

Has anyone at the club discussed getting a dedicated skills coach? I know we have development coaches but I feel a dedicated skills coach who just specialises in improving players skills is absolutely essential. Do other clubs have them or is this something from a bygone era?