Bombers sit tight at Trade Week

Basically no improvement! Lost a player and gained 10 spots in a supposedly ordinary draft. Let's hope the recruiting guys get it right!

- Alan McCready (posted 17/10/2011 5:01:55 PM)

I'm proud of the clubs efforts to get Caddy. We done everything we could and anyone who thinks otherwise has no clue. Gold Coast simply wanted more than we can give. We are rebuilding a strong list from within anyway, and whilst it would have been nice to have Caddy, we will push on. We don;t need to rob Peter to pay Paul. We can try again next year.

- Andrew Couch (posted 17/10/2011 5:04:04 PM)

CORRECT, Mr. Paul Hamilton, we GOT TO GET SOME MIDFIELDERS, with Picks: 19 and 31....

- Nick Tomaras (posted 17/10/2011 5:05:46 PM)

Mark Thompson why not target the Geelong players

- MARK JONES (posted 17/10/2011 5:06:17 PM)

Gee, we are tough on our club. We improve 10 spots in a shallow draft and only lose a rookie. Still retain Hooker, who we nearly lost, as well as Dyson, Slattery, Gumbleton. Two good kids at 19 and 31 is good for the draft and maybe some experience with 59 and 77. Tough luck about Caddy, but let's move on and trust our club.

- Wesley Hull (posted 17/10/2011 5:08:52 PM)

I agree with Andrew Couch. The bombers tried hard to get Caddy, but unfortunately we didn't have enough to offer the Suns.

- Cameron Roffey (posted 17/10/2011 5:13:13 PM)

Andrew Couch this strong list you talk about? I hope its not Dyson,Prismal and i don't want to mention the other turn over KING. Another waste of time. Please Bombers get someone with grunt to help Jobe. GO BOMBERS

- ted big (posted 17/10/2011 5:22:48 PM)

Very disappointed not to get Caddy. That said, we can still get something good with pick #19. The 1st round is actually quite deep.

- Joel Fruci (posted 17/10/2011 5:33:47 PM)

How about we try and develop the young midfielders we have eg colyier,zaka,Browne, Ross, and melksham. We do need to find a gun mid but I don't see a Lloyd or Lucas in the forward line. Sheedy should have found a gun mid but instead chose Bradley ,gumby and Ryder (sellwood wasn't good enough ?)!

- Chris Steffen (posted 17/10/2011 5:34:48 PM)

Why is everyone so negative? The club did there best to get Caddy. We didnt have what they wanted. Its as simple as that. We are a big chance of getting him next year.

- Andrew Cichello (posted 17/10/2011 5:43:05 PM)

We have midfielders just not enough A grade midfielders (no offence to our boys). There's no point going out and just grabbing 4 more in the faint hope we luck one of quality with our 4th or 5th round pick. Pick a midfielder with pick 19 and then the best possible player from then on. Make sure next year we get a Boak, Gaff or Caddy who will compliment Joe Daniher beautifully.

- Sam King (posted 17/10/2011 5:44:25 PM)

hope you are right paul,need midfielders,need midfielders.and a good one at that'with selections 19,31 do you really think we will pick up someone with a lot of talent? i dont think so. good luck with that to the recruiting guys....

- Jim Giovinazzo (posted 17/10/2011 5:45:41 PM)

Andrew, I don't know how you could be happy with our efforts to get Caddy.., if he wanted to go to Collingwood, Carlton or Hawthorn they would have succeeded, where we again failed. When are we going to be in line to get a top ten midfielder again soon?? The talk keeps coming but we don't succeed, Judd, Griffin, Mundy etc, but I'm sure we will pick up a nobody with our new pick 31.. Very unhappy.

- Russell House (posted 17/10/2011 5:47:58 PM)

I'm slightly shocked that we couldn't seal the deal for Caddy. Gumbleton, Hooker, Myers, Carlisle (preferably not) surely could have been bundled with (one if not more). I truly hope the recruiting team are right. I can't remember the last time we have come close to getting a quality midfielder via trade or draft.

- James Mantella (posted 17/10/2011 5:49:14 PM)

Im sure they put on the table what they could for Caddy and most probably a little bit more than they wanted, but it takes two to make a deal. But not necessarily wasted efforts. With him out of contract at the end of next season, hopefully they've now built a solid relationship with the lad, that could still see him in the red and black in 2013

- tim j (posted 17/10/2011 5:51:04 PM)

Essendon put in the effort to claim Caddy but Gold Coast wanted more than that was reasonable. We can still claim some quality talent and as Essendon knows, ordinary drafts can still hold real diamonds (James Hird for example).

- Peter Gassner (posted 17/10/2011 5:52:42 PM)

Bellchambers, Dyson, Riemers, Slattery... All options??? Disappointing. Let's hope for some significant improvement over preseason. In Hird and Thompson we trust.

- James Mantella (posted 17/10/2011 5:53:30 PM)

bombers sit tight alright, sounds like they're very loose with draft picks if they gave away pick 41 plus player just for one lousy draft pick. Why not give a player and a draft pick to gc in exchange for Caddy? Then the club could say they've done something. To me it sounds like essendon just sat in a corner and watched the other 17 clubs do trade week. Bad move by Essendon.

- Adriano Soldaini (posted 17/10/2011 5:57:33 PM)

I think that it is an almost certainty that Josh Caddy will be with us in 2013. The fact that he will know that Essendon wanted him so badly will mean heaps. He is going to be the right footed version of Dyson Heppell. We just need to be smarter with our trading strategy.

- Leigh Molloy (posted 17/10/2011 5:57:39 PM)

Dropped the ball boys. Have 12 "untouchables" tops. Could have traded 20 players to get a quality midfielder. We actually had one that wanted to come to this great club. Very bemused

- Wayne Leonard (posted 17/10/2011 5:59:04 PM)

very disappointed we couldn't land Caddy. But pleased that Essendon is starting to become an attractive place for opposition players again. I think we will be OK in the midfield next year as long as we can get a decent player at 19. Carn BoMbeRS!

- Andrew Heffernan (posted 17/10/2011 6:01:04 PM)

Come on guys, don't be all doom and gloom. We have a solid list (obviously there is room for improvement), many of which are at the beginning of a career. We won some stellar games and I'm for one really looking forward to the next year. Also picks 19 and 31 aren't atrocious, god Jimmy himself was picked up in the 70s (I think)

- Carl Sieger (posted 17/10/2011 6:04:26 PM)

Trade guys suck. Can't get the job done the get out and let someone else do it.

- Marcus Camili (posted 17/10/2011 6:06:30 PM)

dudoro blows it every year so getting caddy was never a hope we have new coaches, players and even a new facilty on the way but he still finds a way to keep his job every year after one blunder after another

- Brett Martin (posted 17/10/2011 6:16:23 PM)

Welcome to Dodoro's brilliant trading. How come Stanton, Dyson, Gumbleton, Slattery etc are still on our senior list? Please explain Dodoro. What's going on in the inner sanctum?

- KG (posted 17/10/2011 6:17:55 PM)

Unfortunately you either succeed or fail, and the inability to get Caddy must be regarded as a failure. Picks 19 (from a weak draft) and an average player are no compensation for a Pick 7 from a strong draft. Interesting to see the Richmond comp pick go through - that should have been the package

- Steve Kite (posted 17/10/2011 6:20:06 PM)

Gutted we could not get Caddy. Will be good when GWS and the Suns are brought back to the pack with the draft. All high and mighty at the moment. Give em both a pumping like we did to the Suns this year!

- Brad Scarr (posted 17/10/2011 6:27:47 PM)

We can still get Caddy in the pre season draft because he's nominated to play for us, and he wanna come home because of personal reasons. Caddy to wear 49 for us.

- al Catraz (posted 17/10/2011 6:27:58 PM)

Disapointing trade week as usual. Several players like John Mccarthy etc were on the trade table and nothing was done. It is a thin draft but hopefully we do what Sydney did last year and get some bargains.

- Jaden Frigo (posted 17/10/2011 6:28:45 PM)

Pick 19, Jonathon Patten, pick 31 Matthew Little, pick 41, Justin Maddern, Pick 57 Michael Coad, Pick 95 Israel Folau.

- al Catraz (posted 17/10/2011 6:30:07 PM)

Get Fev!!! Simple as that. I will but 3 Fev jumpers the second he walks in the doors

- Kieran Rimmer (posted 17/10/2011 6:34:15 PM)

We supporters seem to be a bit negative. If we didn't have what the Suns wanted, then okay, look elsewhere in the draft. Sometimes a real champion goes very late (look at James, and they don't come better than that!!). I know another quality midfielder would be nice to help Jobe, but our boys are coming along, anyway, so who knows, we mightn't need another.

- Joan Hill (posted 17/10/2011 6:40:00 PM)

We had a potential star come and say he wanted to play for us. We better go after him next year, and be into him all next year to make sure he walks at the end of the season and becomes a bomber for free. I understand that gc17 have to what's best for the footy club, but keeping a kid away from his sick father will surely become destabilising with thier club. Tonight, I am a very disappointed member, however I understand it wasnt through a lack of effort. Dodoro however, hasnt got a great track record with landing stars out of contract.....

- Dan Lennon (posted 17/10/2011 6:42:38 PM)

The club was only joking about getting Caddy, they would have knew they had no chance, & if he want's to return next year it will be a real bidding war especially if he lives up to his reputed ability, Andrew, with all due respect our list very, very shallow

- Mark McLachlan (posted 17/10/2011 7:11:52 PM)

Is it just me who thinks our list is at best a good ordinary list. We can probably sneak into the 8 again. We probably have 3-4 potential stars, a list of hard working battlers and 6-7 that are definitely no good and would not be required by any other club. I would rather try some mature age VFL, SANFL or WAFL players. We picked up Hibberb, Jenkins and Crameri with low draft or supplementary list picks. They have performed better than most of our high draft picks.

- Roger Youil (posted 17/10/2011 7:29:39 PM)

Disapointed not to get caddy, but have faith in the recruiters. We did end up with possibly the best 1st year recruit last year in Heppell. Hope we target a hard nut in the draft. Stanton, winders, gus, dempsey, colyer, zarka, dyson etc are more like sheep dogs than bull terriers like the Johnson boys and Hocking etc.

- ian Cocking (posted 17/10/2011 7:31:31 PM)

Warnie would have been proud of that spin, Paul.

- alec shiffman (posted 17/10/2011 7:51:56 PM)

At least we didn't trade for a list clogger. I just wonder if our attempts at Caddy were as amateurish as they were for Gunston - Gunston himself on SEN said Essendon's offer for his services were too late in the process. Then again, Caddy was probably a 1% chance of joining Essendon. Was the attempt to lure him simply to appease Essendon supporters who thought we, EFC, were sitting on their hands during trade week?

- Stewart Fewster (posted 17/10/2011 7:57:31 PM)

ted big - instead of worrying about the few lesser talents we stoill have, how about taking some notice of the rest of the developing list and the huge amount of potential that is developing. Unfortunately, supporters like you only want a quick fix. You cant just delist contracted players, or get rid of ahlf a list at a time. It takes time. So settle in and enjoy the rise of the club or rack off. Supporters like you bring this club down, not the decisions of the Club.

- Andrew Couch (posted 17/10/2011 8:04:58 PM)

Caddy would have been a great get, but like the team,he will take time to develop.Our key positon prospects are still 2 to3 preseasons away from their prime and Caddy may still get a chance next year when his contract expires.The club has always stated throughout the year it is about development and instilling a sustainable game plan.'SO BE PATIENT'.A couple of good mids in the draft,a good trade next year and some people will need to apologies to Dodoro and recruiters from 2014 onwards.They are BUILDING A GOOD TEAM.

- andrew bryce (posted 17/10/2011 8:15:06 PM)

"Adrian Dodoro put a lot of work in but we came up short" - what a surprise !!! The best trades are a win/win so if we really wanted Caddy we had to bite the bullet give something worthwhile which historically hasn't been the Essendon way.

- Greg Baker (posted 17/10/2011 8:46:57 PM)

hmmm hope big josh does not kick too many against us...

- Margaret Dickson (posted 17/10/2011 8:49:20 PM)

I am disappointed that we didn't get Caddy, but I believe that everyone involved at our club tried their utmost to do a deal where we didn't give away more than we got. We would have not got Caddy even if we gave gave the Suns six fringe players.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 17/10/2011 8:54:53 PM)

Ok we didn't get Josh Caddy but was he worth losing one of Top 5 Players because that's what Gold Coast wanted for him. Well done bombers.I think we forget we have had success deep in the Draft before.

- Stuart Donaldson (posted 17/10/2011 8:57:06 PM)

A hell of a lot seem to be missing the whole point, we have reasonable mids already, and with a bit of time these kids can develope into A graders, have a good hard look at the time it has taken others to develope, Luke Hodge for one was in the system for a few years, young Jake Melksham has improved in leaps and bounds this year, David Myers will step up, and what about young Dyson Heppell and a few others, probably the shortfall would be in depth, lose a couple through injury, would cause problems.

- Max Rodwell (posted 17/10/2011 9:05:56 PM)

Apparantly they wanted Hurley for Caddy... are they nuts?! Wouldve loved to have Caddy though, too bad goldcoast didnt wanna be ripped off :(

- Philipp Klink (posted 17/10/2011 9:19:03 PM)

So maybe we need some trade perspective. A team made from those traded (not counting father/son picks or 17yo mini draft). B Warnock Lisle Sierakowski HB Hill Reid Armstrong CEN Yagmoor Power Milera HF Ebert Gunston Morton F Walsh Clark Maric RUCKS Hudson Morris Marty Clarke INT (from) Renour Boumann Saad Brogan Jenkins Elliot Cornes Zorko Lynch Brown. I'd like to play them, and I think GWS would beat them. No disrespect intended, but where are the match winners we were wanting? 17 other clubs couldn't find them either.

- Wesley Hull (posted 17/10/2011 9:41:47 PM)

Caddy should apply to the AFL for extra time to be traded due to compassionate grounds. I can't believe a trade to a melbourne club didnt happen. i know essendon wanted to hook a big fish and he must have been a chance to be picked up by essendon last year, but the main reason this kid wanted to come home is because of his Dad. Absolute discrace from GC. Would have thought pick 19 and a player would have been good enough, considering the circumstances. Hope they get nothing for him next year.

- Gerard Smith (posted 18/10/2011 2:08:34 AM)

Chris I believe sellwood had bad knees, so like 5 other clubs, the bombers didnt take the risk. This happens all the time, Judd, buddy, sellwood, heppell, and the best of all time James Hird(pick 79 or what ever he was picked at) so I think you can give the recruiters a break.

- Gerard Smith (posted 18/10/2011 2:16:02 AM)

Good result - losing Cale Hooker would have been huge loss especially with Tate Pears struggling to get on the park. We will get Caddy next year for FREE and still keep a core component of our backline.

- Ozzie Yildiz (posted 18/10/2011 3:40:46 AM)

gaining 10 spots in the draft for nothing, Jenkins was never going to get a game with the competition we have for that spot in the ruck, especially when you keep in mind Daniher is coming in as well next year. Gold Coast wanted too much & we couldn't match it, nore should we for a player who will leave them for nothing next year & carried an injury through his 1st year. Wilderlich in, Dempsey in freeing Heppell to the mid with Watson, Stants, Zaka, Hocking, Melksham & Howlett with Colyer, Brown, Lonergan & Prismal applying competition for places. Where's this weakness really, a second Watson I doubt Caddy would be.

- David Mitchell (posted 18/10/2011 3:55:59 AM)

dan connors Richmond WAKEEEEEEEEEEE up ESSENDON sTAR wants a new home

- jordan jordan (posted 18/10/2011 4:02:39 AM)

We did not get Caddy - get OVER it. If we had it would have been almost by default anyway. His Dad is sick, which is the main reason he wants to come back to Melbourne. If it had not been the case, the whole thing would probably have never arisen. As for Jenkins, does it ever occur that players want to move?? Ten spots better is huge in a shallow draft. Anyway, almost nothing happened in this draft but some posters make out as it Essendon has been guilty of criminal neglect - get a grip.

- Kris Bayne (posted 18/10/2011 4:06:08 AM)

hayden croizer

- Jeddy Telescourt (posted 18/10/2011 6:20:54 AM)

I suppose better to do nothing than have a repeat of the 2009 Mark Williams bomb deal. Like everyone has stated, midfielders are the priority

- Mark Petterson (posted 18/10/2011 7:05:40 AM)

I'm kind of getting a little bit sick of all the negativity going towards the club at the moment. If you are not going to trust in the club then don't bother commenting. Put at least some faith in this... S.Mitchell pick 36, D.Swan pick 58, S.Black pick 31, J.HIRD PICK 79! Have faith people!

- jason judd (posted 18/10/2011 7:37:30 AM)

Very confusing indeed. Our achillies heel is our midfield, we finally get a player that actually wants to come to the club yet can't do a deal?

- Wayne Leonard (posted 18/10/2011 7:45:12 AM)

I dont think all the comments have been allowed to be printed on this website due to the members anguish at the failure once again to attract talented players off other clubs lists!

- Wayne Leonard (posted 18/10/2011 7:47:11 AM)

why is gumby still at our club...he's had WAY TOO much given to him,let him go..he wont play senior footy again,not at essendon anyway

- Eddie Bostjancic (posted 18/10/2011 7:53:52 AM)

Settling in period is over now for Hirdy and coaches. Whatever Hird touches turns to gold so get behind our boys and be positive and look to the future cause that is where we are going. Only way is up. Go Bombers. Toni Courtney

- Toni Courtney (posted 18/10/2011 8:10:08 AM)

I can't believe all you people bagging the club for not getting Caddy, the only way they were going to get Caddy was to swap him for Hurley and I know who I would prefer. Let's not forget it took Carlton 5 years of tanking to be where they are and don't forget they swapped a key forward for a midfielder and it might be coming back to haunt them!!!

- jamey coles (posted 18/10/2011 8:29:06 AM)

Its amazing how EFC supporters have come to accept mediocrity. We haven't fired a shot at the trade table or in the draft for 10 years and its no co-incidence that we have experienced poor results over that period. Clearly our list needs some work, our midfield is serviceable at best, a few risks need to be taken to improve it and give Watson and co some support. The silver lining is our new facility, that may be catalyst to start enticing quality players to at least consider EFC.

- Darryn Glanvill (posted 18/10/2011 9:08:35 AM)

Unfortunately we couldn't get Caddy with the Suns asking way to much, hopefully this backfires on the Suns and we pick him up next year for nothing. Good move with the Jenkins deal, we still have Joe Daniher coming through with the father sun selection.

- craig sinclair (posted 18/10/2011 9:19:01 AM)

i swear i am so sick of reading supporters bag this club, if your not happy barrack for port or another club that accepts mediocrity. when we win a flag or 4 in the coming years it'll be all you doubters that are saying they never lost faith, we know who you are.

- Andrew Woolcock (posted 18/10/2011 9:20:29 AM)

Lets work out the numbers people, who do you think, with any potential ability, will get thru to 19 when there is not much available..can't wait to see

- Mark McLachlan (posted 18/10/2011 9:38:41 AM)

the issue for me is that we got rid of a ruckman with plenty of upside that could compliment the ruck division but we kept one which has been on a downward slide for the past 2 years and would have netted a higher pick.

- kristian zach (posted 18/10/2011 9:57:17 AM)

I understand the comments above BUT didnt we grab dyson hepz last year in the draft? (the best pik?) Their doing something right! I believe some people are misinformed about the process and workings of a professional club..their passion turns into negativity.. Theres always woulda,coulda,shoulda..lets just support the club we love

- John Blore (posted 18/10/2011 10:13:07 AM)

I am more than happy to trust our club, coaches & managers etc. to do the job they are employed to do. Adrian seems to be very committed & passionate about his role at the club. " a bird in the hand" we have some great talent at our club

- Gail Taylor (posted 18/10/2011 10:13:23 AM)

How did we improve 10 spots??? We picked Jenkins up with pick 12. Doesnt that mean we are down 19 spots? Someone is not good at maths here

- Gary Freytag (posted 18/10/2011 11:05:34 AM)

Hamilton and Dodoro can put as much spin on the situation as they want. The fact is, poor list management has been going on at Essendon for over a decade. Tell me I'm wrong! Ask me if I think I know more than them? Give me the job for the next 3 years and we'll see. Could I do any worse?

- Josh Byrne (posted 18/10/2011 11:06:04 AM)

I agree with Russell. Carl, Coll, Haw and even Syd would have got Caddy. Same old same old. RL.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 18/10/2011 11:14:00 AM)

patience bomber faithful, caddy and toy - both bombers at heart are out of contract next year. Build in 2012 and get stability and consistency. Then get them in. GO BOMBERS!!!!!

- Marc Collis (posted 18/10/2011 11:14:03 AM)

We should get caddy next year - Also need to make sure we lock down Hurley, surely we can match just about anything gws throw at him. Pick #19 get a young midfielder and the rest we should look at quality mature age players who can play midfield next year. We'd be stupid not to look at Fev as long as he can prove he's got it together - go dons

- Alan Pratt (posted 18/10/2011 11:14:37 AM)

Just read Dave Mitchell's comment and couldnt help but laugh. I love Jobe, and think he is an outstanding leader and fantastic player but where as watson took years to come of age, Caddy is of the elite midfield bracket. Hope he tears it up this year at the Suns, then gives them as much compassion as they have shown him when his contract ends.

- Marc Collis (posted 18/10/2011 11:29:51 AM)

Gary, Jenkins was taken at pick 12 in the ROOKIE draft. So we have actually improved our position in a shallow draft by 10 places. Might want to check your facts before posting.

- Nicole Da Silva (posted 18/10/2011 11:31:21 AM)

If Dyson is part of this club's midfield's future plans, can somebody explain why the hell he couldn't get a game for half the season with 4 midfielder's out with knee injuries?

- Johann Sebastian-Wilson (posted 18/10/2011 11:39:18 AM)

Ted,you could not be more wrong.Stanton is not the turnover king as you put it.All the great midfielders from carlton geelong and collingwood (actually most teams)had as many turnovers as Stanton.For the amount of times he had the ball,what did you expext. Maybe you should have read Murphy Judd and Swann,just to name a few.Most games they had more.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 18/10/2011 11:39:32 AM)

In order to re-build, you must demolish. Otherwise, it's just a renovation. If you really love and support this club, stop blowing smoke and accepting mediocrity. Voice your opinions of disappointment, otherwise, we will continue to be an average club. How many of you out there could be equally inept and still keep your job? My bet, not a one!

- Josh Byrne (posted 18/10/2011 11:48:43 AM)

Some make me laugh.We should have traded this player or that player.First off,GC have ruck stocks.Why would they want more.They wanted a top 10 pick.Some of you want to trade just for the sake of trading.So you wanted us to trade one of our top 10 players for Caddy. Caddy's player manager was SEN this morning.He said Essendon tried everything possible to get him.We offered our first pick in the draft plus player but they wanted one of our best.So we lose our first pick and one of our best.I think not.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 18/10/2011 11:49:25 AM)

Jenkins wanted more game time,as he should.Well said Nicole Da Silva.Our Crichton Medal winner Zaka pick 23,Colyer pick 26,Carlisle 24,Hooker 54,Hocking 20,Pears 23,Crameri and Howlett rookie draft 43 & 30,.Faith people. Geelong Collingwood didnt become sensations overnight. I remember when Geelong supporters wanted Thompson sacked,said he was not taking the players anywhere and he wouldnt win a GF. Boy,how wrong were they.Swann was deemed no good in his early days,by many.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 18/10/2011 11:59:08 AM)

Loyalty is a good thing, let's not lose a player for nothing ie. Mcphee!

- Alan McCready (posted 18/10/2011 12:24:05 PM)

Yes you could do alot worse Josh Byrne according to your previous posts - Fev would be the start of it! Ouch!!!

- Brad Scarr (posted 18/10/2011 12:28:52 PM)

they wanted Hurley, I guarantee you 50 000 members wouldve walked if that trade had happened, get over yourselves and learn a bit about football. Go bombers, good midfield construction underway.

- Todd Walsh (posted 18/10/2011 12:31:14 PM)

Was gold coast serious asking for hurley to get caddy.youve got to be kidding..when I read that in the herald sun almost died laughing.sign up hurley now bombers dont want caddy nxt yr for hurley....

- Peter Sprenger (posted 18/10/2011 12:40:40 PM)

Gold Coast can get stuffed IMO. Asking for Hurley (Pick #5, 2008, 50 games, proven match-winning potential) for a kid with just 2 games for the 17th place team. Idiots. Anyway, we'll be cashed up to secure Hurley next season, and all our players. You'd think Caddy coming off contract might then be offered a good deal to come to Bomberland, and GC are left with nothing! I hope we get a gun with our Pick #19 this year and snare Caddy next year. That would really stick it up GC.

- Daisy Graham (posted 18/10/2011 12:41:42 PM)

Steve Kite,Greg Baker to name a few.I wonder if you think pick 19 and Hurley would have been a better option for you.If so,I am so glad you are not on the coaching panel.This is what they wanted.Our highest pick is 19,we cannot give something we dont have.Peter Linton(player manager)said Essendon did everything possible to get Caddy.GC wanted more and we were not prepared to give our first pick and our top player.GC were apperently suspicious as he only wanted to deal with Essendon.Peter said that because of the sensitive issue for Caddy wanting to go home,they felt they didnt want to deal with a lot of clubs so therefore picked Essendon.Nothing sinister.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 18/10/2011 12:44:25 PM)

(Part 2...) and Picks 19 and 31 are theoreticaly Picks 8 and 20 if you take GWS out of the equation. So that's a good platform versus the other clubs. I just hope we get it right (I look back to 2007 and see Myers at #6, whilst Dangerfield went at #10 and Rioli #12 and of course 2006 with Gumbleton at #2, whilst two all-australians went at #7 J.Selwood and #8 B.Reid)

- Daisy Graham (posted 18/10/2011 12:49:05 PM)

Think it wouldn't be to bad to have Fevola in the goal square,a bit of a hoon off field but can kick goals, would be great to have him kick 10 for us against the Blues, that would really rub it in !

- Gavin Ford (posted 18/10/2011 12:56:29 PM)

Why didn't we make any other moves during trade week to secure a strong and quick midfielder? I understand we couldn't get Caddy as GC was asking for far too much but why was he the only one we were targetting? Surely there are others out there worth taking a shot at. Why does Essendon F.C. always seem content to just twiddle their thumbs during trade week hoping a club approaches them? BE PROACTIVE!

- Justin Wiseman (posted 18/10/2011 1:02:21 PM)

Brad, why would FEV be a bad move? Where else will we find a forward who can kick 80+ a season? If you think we already have one, you are dreaming. Ask David Smorgon if he thinks recruiting Barry Hall was a bad move! FEV is on his last chance, everyone knows it, and he knows if he stuffs up he's done for good. The reward seriously outweighs the risk.

- Josh Byrne (posted 18/10/2011 1:06:11 PM)

To all you good doers. What will you say after nothing happenss at next trade period. The club will not make tough decisions full stop. RL.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 18/10/2011 1:16:36 PM)

Puts the pressure on now, I know we were wise not to bow to pressure from Suns to trade Hurley for Caddy, but if we cant secure Hurleys' signature and he walks at the end of next year for big bucks it will prove a very unwise decision indeed.

- Marc Atkins (posted 18/10/2011 1:19:26 PM)

I cant believe the Stanton baggers ie KG, have dared raise their heads again. The guy is judged, by our coaches, as our second best player this season (despite being one of those to carry an injury for a period) and there are STILL those of you who want to get rid of him. Ridiculous

- tim j (posted 18/10/2011 1:49:52 PM)

should have offered melksham for caddy! melksham rates low with me.

- peter campbell (posted 18/10/2011 1:53:11 PM)

Q. Why is club desperate for midfielders. A. Because it knows what it has is not good enough. When opportunities arise YOU TAKE THEM. No excuses. RL.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 18/10/2011 2:20:14 PM)

The worst part about missing out on Caddy is that you can bet we won't have a 1st round draft to offer next season - clubs will challenge us over Daniher in the father/son pick and force us to give up our top pick ! No doubt he's worth it,but the window of opportunity slams shut.

- Mary Tovey (posted 18/10/2011 2:24:30 PM)

Several of my comments (posted yesterday and another recently) have "disappeared" Imagine if I did that when the club asks for an extra effort from its supporters. We have every right to be disappointed and equally, every right to express that on this supporters forum. No abuse,just a statement of facts as many of us see it.

- Mary Tovey (posted 18/10/2011 2:52:21 PM)

Josh, i have to agree we need to increase the standards of everything the football club does, if that means moving people on then we should. I also agree with your point on fev I was at the venue where fev was having a beer in hawthorn recently with his casey team mates and to be honest he was about the best behaved of all of them. Nothing to lose!

- Alan Pratt (posted 18/10/2011 2:53:37 PM)

Well said Mary. Read all you do gooders.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 18/10/2011 2:56:29 PM)

Some posters have been standing in a draft too long. The lack of understanding and grasp of reality is as stunning as it is diverse, and it seems this time of year brings out the worst. God I hope the players and coaches etc avoid this site like the plague until the games start again - I'm considering it.

- Kris Bayne (posted 18/10/2011 3:09:42 PM)

Some people are making too much of this player trading business. If a club can do a good deal or two where it gets something as good as or better than it gives then fine, our club tried hard but could not get Caddy without giving the Suns too much. AFL clubs mostly build their lists by recruiting players in the national, rookie and pre-season drafts. Geelong hardly did any trading of players in building its brilliant list, the only two I can think of are Ottens and Prismall.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 18/10/2011 3:49:51 PM)

Suns wanted Hurley -> Dont Think So However to come up empty handed is pretty disapointing-Hope we arent making up the numbers again in 2012

- Louis Cypher (posted 18/10/2011 4:13:31 PM)

We could always pick up Jim "Bones" Mackay, Phil Mickelson's caddy, when he comes out for the presidents cup!

- Nathan Williams (posted 18/10/2011 4:16:21 PM)

apparently GC wanted Hurley for Caddy. Hmmm an untried midfielder for pure gun key position player. I have to say well done for not going on that. The other reason that trade fell threw is that dyson, slattery and a few others were offered, but unfortunately GC had seen them play

- Greg Kemp (posted 18/10/2011 4:17:24 PM)

Please do Kris. I think all the mercury in the seafood over there has you dribbling down your chin on a regular basis. I have a firm grip on reality, and reality is, we will never win a flag with 15 plodders in our best 22!

- Josh Byrne (posted 18/10/2011 4:23:44 PM)

Shivers,no action-you have got to be joking!!We will not go anywhere with the list we have got-A midfielder for Hooker,Slattery and Gumbleton-Wake up !!!!

- Ross Bannon (posted 18/10/2011 4:26:35 PM)

Roger Youil, spot on about our list, we are capable of beating anyone on a given day but not consistaet enough to be a genuine threat to top 4, about 25 would be very lucky to make any other list, we didn't see any clubs knocking down our door to get of our bottom 20-25 players

- Mark McLachlan (posted 18/10/2011 4:38:06 PM)

Don't blame Dodoro, he just observes the draftees, HIRD & THOMPSON would have TOTAL control over who gets selected, to think otherwise you would be kidding yourself

- Mark McLachlan (posted 18/10/2011 4:40:59 PM)

I cannot believe people are so negative. We now have the man most responsible for Geelongs champion team in our corner, and your still worried about our future. Jobe was hardly rated until he decided to give it everything he's got. Look at him now, our current players need and will fill the gap.

- daniel stubbs (posted 18/10/2011 4:45:30 PM)

Hang in there Kris - still smarting over losing Jen Herrald! Will reply shortly Josh.

- Brad Scarr (posted 18/10/2011 4:48:21 PM)

just throwing this out there to get thoughts............Number 12 to go to BENNY HOWLETT IN 2012

- Dyanne Cox (posted 18/10/2011 5:23:34 PM)

A great example of the Theory Of Relativity, Daisy, but GWS cannot be taken out of the draft, so picks 19 and 31 remain picks 19 and 31 in a draft that is widely agreed to be shallow. Yes, we picked James up at 79, and there have been other nuggets buried deep and out of sight, but they are very rare and you need as much luck to find them as you do to pick the lotto numbers

- alec shiffman (posted 18/10/2011 5:28:48 PM)

Ralph Ralph go support someone else, closet Carlton.

- Todd Walsh (posted 18/10/2011 5:38:41 PM)

In the draft the Bombers should look at Benjamin Drummond from the Calder Cannons/West Coburg. He's quick and he can kick both feet.

- Graeme phillips (posted 18/10/2011 6:38:23 PM)

1/ Mary,you have said the same thing about these "missing/removed" posts before,and it was brought to your attention that they were still there,under a different forum that you were searching under... It must be hard to keep track of things,but that is the price some pay by not setting up a profile,for whatever reason.. That is what we are all entitled to decide,when setting up our accounts.. I know one who has not done so because of a trouble making mindset...

- Noel Shields (posted 18/10/2011 7:01:57 PM)

2/ Thankfully,that excuses many genuine folk,who contribute to these forums,for all the right reasons.. That is what this Club deserves,genuine Supporters and Members,whether they agree with every decision by the EFC or not..

- Noel Shields (posted 18/10/2011 7:03:17 PM)

3/ It is a shame the membership records are not complete any longer,to give true recognition to long standing membership like yours.. There is hope if you still have in your possession all your season tickies,as I am fortunate to still have.. one day,they will know about them... Go You Mighty Bombers in the coming drafts/list tinkering/pre season/first sod of earth removal at Tulla/Donations Fund/continuing Good Health for all Bomber staff,players,members & supporters,and families of all and sundry... :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 18/10/2011 7:04:44 PM)

I think, looking back, many of us may have been too rash. We will be in a very good position to get Caddy in preseason next year. Hurley will not leave. He loves the club and is best mates with Zaka. Considering we have some decent picks I'm sure our recruiting team have their finger on the pulse. Over the past couple of years, we have invested heavily in the recruiting department and this can be seen by the quality we picked up between picks 20-30 and later (rookies even). And don't forget Mr Heppell of course. We are becoming a more and more attractive to opposition players because of our coaching set up and our future facilities. Go Bombers!

- James Mantella (posted 18/10/2011 7:20:16 PM)

Diane i did not name stanton you did nice call on your behalf.

- ted big (posted 18/10/2011 8:17:37 PM)

I get the feeling the bombers are going to back the truck up on GC next year and I can't wait, feel the power of a real club. GC was never going to trade, asking for Hurley!!! please don't be unrealistic. However i'm a little concerned why Hooker was up for trade, im starting to think his hamstring problems are a bigger problem than first thought. Please make sure Hurley sign, starting to get sick of the new club compo's. If we get caddy and Toy next year, would be nice but highly unlikely.

- Gerard Smith (posted 18/10/2011 9:29:07 PM)

OK...Now lets do what this club needs..GET Midfielders with our first 2 picks! We dont need any Talls..Zero! We must delist at least 2 more senior guys so we have 3 picks in National Draft and at least 1 PSD pick....Crameri takes one spot...thank u and goodbye Davey/Dyson...AND E.I. Can we Please update website,no more Samsung! And when is the 2012 Membership come out?

- Matthew Munro (posted 18/10/2011 9:56:32 PM)

we don.t need the Draft we all Ready got the

- MARK JONES (posted 18/10/2011 10:55:44 PM)

No, don't go Kris, this forum needs more rational people, not less.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 18/10/2011 11:00:35 PM)

why is it so hard to print on our EFC memberships the number of years u have been a member? consecutive years doesnt do justice for those who are longterm members and missed out a year due to e.g. lack of funds, or whatever reason. good work at the trade table btw.

- Davor Stanic (posted 18/10/2011 11:58:28 PM)

Always a mistake to compare turnovers rates from outside players to those midfielders who are either hard at it inside players or those who do both.

- Wayne Purcell (posted 19/10/2011 12:20:40 AM)

Ralph,I dont care if they trade or not.I want them to win games.To trade does not mean you will win games and visa versa. I also dont care if fev was the best behaved at a pub.I dont want him because of the way he acts on a football field.Yes he can kick goals,but only every second week.He is not the same player he was.I hated it when he had hands on hips,rather than chase.No we dont need that.Some fans seem more fickled that tiger fans.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 19/10/2011 2:13:44 AM)

Just get two best players we can with picks #19 and #31. Keep a couple of picks for the PSD.... if MCaffer and others nominate we could snare them. Mcaffer as a small forward would let Angus develop more in midfield. I'd be inviting delisted Docker Hinkley and Eagle Houlihan (both North Ballarat boys) who are super quick to training to see if they could add to the midfield as their opportunities were limited.

- Brent May (posted 19/10/2011 2:57:04 AM)

Josh. All Jimmy talks about is improvement. At developing our list, becoming a professional unit. All Fev is about is himself, always an amateur. A team that needs him, thinks they may have a genuine shot next year, like Voss thought, and they were set back 5 years min. Dodoro and his scouts are looking at talent with smart heads all season, I have faith. We need a midfielder, not a circus clown.

- Brad Scarr (posted 19/10/2011 6:20:22 AM)

Both Josh's are from the Bomber heartland, and both will be out of contract next year. So we lose one and might pick up two ? Hmmmmm. Is it too early to start tanking ?

- alec shiffman (posted 19/10/2011 10:09:42 AM)

I do not accept mediocrity.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 19/10/2011 10:23:03 AM)

TEI I think you should be less inclined in printing people's personal attacks on one another. Leave them for posting in Facebook not on our respectful forum. IMO of course but old EI was more tight fisted.

- daniel stubbs (posted 19/10/2011 10:41:39 AM)

I think the reason we couldn't get Caddy is because of all the compensation draft picks which have forced our 1st selection back to 19 when in a normal year finishing 8th would have given us the top 10 pick we needed to get Caddy. I'm sure he will still want to come next year when he's out of contract and GC will be more eager to trade or risk losing him for nothing.

- Glenn Key (posted 19/10/2011 11:17:01 AM)

wow, there must be a hell of a lot of dehydrated bomber fans right now, judging by the ludicrous amount of tears being shed in here. drink some water, people. rest up over summer. come back next year when heppell, browne, ross etc have some muscle and strength. then judge our recruiters.

- Jason Hannigan (posted 19/10/2011 11:26:29 AM)

Josh Byrne great post/reply mate cracked me up !!! lol. Poor ole Baynie i think the reality of all them "BROKEN NOSES" are finally taking there toll??? And don't worry about a reply from Scarr Bras mate you would forget more about "FOOTY" than "BRAS" knows !!! As you can see its not hard to work out "WHO" wears the "RCG PERMENTALLY" lol.Cheers Ray.

- Ray Brough (posted 19/10/2011 11:43:03 AM)

Interesting image, there, Josh Byrne. Radiation contamination is the worry now, though, champ, but thanks for the thought. And speaking of thoughts, as for a "firm grip on reality", here are examples of your's to date from this site: we don't need mids; Stanton/Monfries/ Davey/pick for Goddard; get Fev ("hasn't really done anything wrong in my book"); get Lovett; Hille/NLM/Dyson/Henry for Scully (that 'Tom' not 'Dana')+pick; Pears/Myers/pick for Steven Hill; Hille/Stanton/pick for Cooney; Monfries/Henry/Davey for Daniel Motlop (delisted by wooden spooners)... Need I go on? I'll stick with my reality and you can stick to yours.

- Kris Bayne (posted 19/10/2011 12:00:01 PM)

This is the reason why Dodoro needs to go. He has done very little since being at the club. Should have traded Hille or Dyson for Caddy. Or maybe even both. That way we would have taken a quality player and given them nothing!

- Wayne Higgins (posted 19/10/2011 1:34:22 PM)

ok everyone seems to forget about guys like hocking rookie m johnson rookie , jason johnson, caracella, heffern,denham, long were they all top 19 picks? i study the draft and hayden croizer will at essendon and maybe bradley hill

- Jeddy Telescourt (posted 19/10/2011 4:27:41 PM)

Diane, I want to win premierships. I will say it again we are always soft at the TRADE table when we have an opportunity to significantly improve our list. This cannot be denied.

- Ralph Ralph (posted 20/10/2011 12:25:04 PM)

Hang in there Kris, you are a required player and won't be traded or delisted

- Mark McLachlan (posted 20/10/2011 1:36:47 PM)

With respect to Jobe, Zaka & Stants (every 2nd game), if anybody thinks our current crop of midfielders is up to standard, please have a look at our smashings by Carlton & Collingwood. The excitement of Hirdy & co taking over will have settled in 2012, lets hope we don't drop off as it's going to take a long time to get back up again if this current crop fails. In Hird we trust, HOPE.

- Brett Juka (posted 20/10/2011 2:33:52 PM)

Ralph,I like your enthusiasm, but you are making too much of a big deal about the trading, where you have to give something good to get something good. If we gave Hurley or Heppell to the Suns so that they gave us Caddy, how would that improve our list? Once you could give a few fringe players to another club, and they would give you a very highly rated young player or a very early draft pick, that doesn't happen now. Clubs usually only improve their lists by getting players in the national, rookie, and pre-season drafts.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 20/10/2011 2:50:51 PM)

Wayne, did it ever occur to u that GC didnt want Hille or Dyson for Caddy? I believe Dodoro is doing an excellent job...Hurley, Zaharakis, Heppell, Hibberd, Crameri, Howlett, Hardingham, Belchambers, Hocking, Pears, Myers...pretty good additions to our club don't you think?...pretty good for the CV i would reckon...Keep up the great work Dodo!

- Davor Stanic (posted 20/10/2011 5:33:23 PM)

Typically football related comment again Raybie. What I do know about football is not from anything I've learnt from what you ever post - which is nothing ever relevant to football - back to facebook for you - lol?

- Brad Scarr (posted 20/10/2011 6:35:20 PM)

Kris, these were only examples. While they may have been extreme, the underlying tone of my point remains. The whole point of trade week is to improve, not to spectate and unless you are aggressive you miss out. I'd happily give up 2, 3 even 4 average players to get a gun. IMO Watson, Hurley, Zaharakis, Heppell and Colyer are the only untouchables we have, everyone else is trade bait. And on FEV. If anyone can get the best out of him, it would be Sir James and Bomber.

- Josh Byrne (posted 20/10/2011 6:55:14 PM)

And Jeddy, Heffernan went at pick 2 in 96, and honestly, he wasn't very good. And let's not forget Prior, Symons, McAlister, Bolton and Bradley. All top 10 picks that we wasted. Yes, gems have been found late in the draft, but now they go 1st or 2nd round. Not many gems slip through the cracks these days.

- Josh Byrne (posted 20/10/2011 7:14:42 PM)

And on a side note...I couldn't care less that we didn't get Caddy, probably will next year for nothing. I'm disappointed we didn't go for Goddard. Surely a deal could've been done that was fair for both clubs. He would be happy to be traded off that sinking ship. And to the morons saying he's done, he's 26!

- Josh Byrne (posted 20/10/2011 8:37:37 PM)

We won't get Caddy next year for nothing, it will be a bidding war, also with Joe Daniher, it could even cost us our 1st selection if other clubs want him as I think we still have to equal an oppositions bid for our "father son" selection.

- Mark McLachlan (posted 21/10/2011 10:53:01 AM)

Its all good and well to say we should have got this player,but unless you have something they want we cannot trade.Wayne,GC did not want anyone except Hurley.Ralph,Balme said this mornning on SEN.They rarely doing anything in trade week as they would rather teach the young group they have than take players other teams dont want.Dont forget we have Thompson,who did he coach for.Mmmmm,pretty sure it was Geelong.Who has won 3 flags in 5 years.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 21/10/2011 11:45:14 AM)

Sorry we couldn't land Caddy, but, they were unrealistic if we can believe what we have read. Lets face it we were never going to give them Hurley in the trade, what planet are they on!!! Maybe if the opportunity arises later, a little more realism would be good.

- Marilyn Smith (posted 21/10/2011 12:01:10 PM)

Josh,purely your opinion of course on Heffo.. But 170 games over a 10 year span (and only cut from the list because of salary probs here) and 50 odd goals says to me he had plenty of talent,and played his role well in whatever the Coaches requested of him.. A serious knee injury did not help his career either.. fairy land stuff about any deal getting Goddard here.. who do we give up?? Many of us have faith in what Hirdy,Bomber and Dods are mapping out for the Club,and the way they are going about things …"Castles In The Air" stuff re Fev,easier to refloat the Titanic than put his career back into gear... Go Bombers 2012 :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 23/10/2011 10:13:23 PM)