Q. The trade period must have been difficult?
It was a tough call, but in the end as we have seen - it has gone from what is Essendon doing, to Essendon being responsible. It has changed in the last two weeks. Peter Jackson will not allow us to go down that path at all - we have been there 10 years ago. People think Sheeds, Harvey and I just walk into the club and just throw players out. It is exactly the opposite. No one has found the right way of doing it. Players are on overseas trips, you can't find them and deals can be done - it is a very difficult situation and no one has got it right. Who would have thought two years down the track, Woewodin would get traded?
Q. You have four young ruckmen, what will Steve Alessio's role be with them?
A. It will be very important. He will be a role model for them on and off the field. He is a good trainer, so he will set a good example.
Q. What role will be play in the team?
A. He is very fit and has overcome the achilles injury he had last year, so he will play a major role up forward and in the ruck.
Q. Will David Hille or Steve Alessio be the number one ruckman?
A. I don't think it comes down to number one. It comes down to week to week. Both of them can play down forward. We are keen to develop David Hille as a key forward. It is not locking ourselves into one ruckmen. We have flexibility in the ruck department. Laycock may even play senior footy next season - he is a good young player.
Q. Was there serious consideration to drafting Ricky Mott?
A. Of course there was - there was serious consideration to drafting everyone. In the end, we went for the fitter player and Steve (Alessio) presented himself in good physical condition. It has been perceived that we are down on morale because of what has happened, so the big fella (Alessio) comes back and everyone is pretty happy. I would be lying to you if I said that wasn't a consideration, but he needs to get a kick of the footy - that is the number one priority.
Q. What are your thoughts on clubs passing on draft selections?
A. Here we are with this wonderful development system throughout Australia, and 40 kids don't get a club. It can't go on where clubs are passing on draft selections. Whether the AFL look at developing a system where if you draft three kids at the end of the draft we will give you salary cap relief. It is mainly salary cap - some of it is tactical for the next draft. Surely our responsibility as a footy club is to provide talented young kids to have a kick of the footy. That really is the bottom line and that is not happening at the moment.
