Reading that James Kelly is likely return to his career pursuit at the AFL in November made me think of a radical approach to the last eight games of the season.

Before I start, there are a few qualifications.  

I have greatly admired the work and dedication of the ‘additional recruits’ and older players who have distinguished themselves with leadership and steadiness during this tough period.  They have played with pride and dedication to the Essendon jumper.  I greatly respect all of them.

Watching the VFL on the weekend, pressed home to me just how much young talent the Bombers have on their list.

After also watching the loss to West Coast, I analysed the team, as we enter the final third of the season.

Essendon's side featured six players over 30 years of age.  That’s too many in my opinion.  All of these players have had great careers and have been in the team to add direction and stability to young players.  Rest up now, don't risk injury, manage your loads and get ready for round one, 2017.

Darcy Parish is young, but he can look after himself.  Zach Merrett continues to play well in the midfield.  Patrick Ambrose has improved.  Michael Hartley has been great under pressure but has stood up.  Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti have added excitement.  I’ll debate they don’t need the boys ‘riding shotgun’ anymore and there is plenty of young talent at the coaches disposal.

There are eight games to go and it’s hardly a formidable draw.  Eight games of senior experience on offer for our young players.  It’s like gold for Worsfold and his team.  Are they going to walk to the end of the rainbow and find that ‘pot of gold’?

Essendon play Brisbane, Richmond, Carlton, Gold Coast and the improving Saints (well at Etihad anyway).  That’s not scary.  Hardly insurmountable odds there.  Adelaide away, Geelong and the Bulldogs (a young team) are finals teams and the icing on the cake to challenge our young generation.

Adding eight games, and yes I’m giving games away, to a youngster’s CV will take them into next year’s pre-season having had the experience under Worsfold.  They will be better prepared for senior football having played in front of crowds and under senior scrutiny.  How could you lose? How could Essendon lose?  It will excite them and propel them into 2017.  They will say; ‘I want more of this’.  Essendon will then have assessed all their kids and identified who joins the returning players in 2017. It’s too good an opportunity to ignore.

So warts and all here is my plan for the final eight games.

It’s alternative, it’s out there, it’s challenging and I guess it’s me!

This is an eight game plan based on looking at everyone on the list.

I would bring the ten or so 30+ players in and talk through the situation.  In short form it would centre around this (the last eight games) and obviously club management and coaching would be central to the conversation.  They can have great input on the track and in team/leadership meetings but their role now is to become coaches.  They will ‘buddy’ up with a young player and guide them.  Unfortunately, they will have to guide them from the grandstands and the VFL circuit. They will not be playing AFL, as I said, their priority is next season.  Brendon Goddard is the exception as club captain. 

Their job will be to analyse the young players games and go through their videos.  That way their legacy may even be greater than their playing input.  In all seriousness it may also be John Worsfold’s legacy.  ‘Remember back in 2016 when I put them all in!!’.

In 1997, Essendon was faced with a raft of injuries.  Kevin Sheedy threw the kids in and gave them prominent roles in the later stages of the season.  Justin Blumfield (19 years old), Blake Caracella (20), Chris Heffernan (18), Matthew Lloyd (19), Scott Lucas (19) and Gary Moorcroft (21) got valuable time at senior level.  Three years later, they were premiership players in one of the game’s most dominant sides.

A number of Essendon's 2000 premiership players gained important experience at the end of 1997.

Here is how my side would look, assuming Matthew Leuenberger misses only one match.

B. Dea Hartley Ambrose

HB. Walla Brown Dempsey

C. Fanatsia Zaharakis JMerrett

HF. Goddard (capt) McKernan Laverde

F. Francis Daniher Parish

Foll. Michael (Leuenberger) Langford

Rov. ZMerrett

I/C from Gleeson, Redman, Edwards, Bird, Ashby, McKenna, Long and Kommer

I would play a set back six with Gleeson in rotation support.  Goddard, Langford and Laverde rotate on ball and through half forward.  Parish and Zach Merrett would be used as traditional rovers while the likes of Ashby, Edwards and McKenna can add some run in a variety of positions.

Redman goes forward to relieve Francis who I accept will be underdone.  McKenna, with his speed, can come on to the wing, which allows Fantasia to push forward to replace the ‘resting’ Parish or Merrett when they have a break.

Brown goes to centre half back for team balance and to allow McKernan to spend time in the forward half.

There are three ruck options in Michael (or Leuenberger when fit), McKernan and Daniher.  If an opposition player gets ‘off the chain’, Bird comes on to a run with role.  

Since the start of Round 10 Essendon have lost by an average of 65 points.  Would it really make that much difference?

There are 32 quarters of football to go.  896 minutes of football.  The clock is ticking.