49
u/Public_Cancel_7742 3d ago
I've got this feeling in my chest Im not used to feeling in regards to essendon... Is it hope? Positivity?
19
u/Middle-Sprinkles92 3d ago
That's just the pre season feeling of hope. you'll get used to that feeling disappearing the moment round one starts
50
u/Cyronis Wacko for Kako 3d ago
Positive. We will still probably be like 1 and 11 in June or whatever. But the Brad Scott slide has hit the bottom and now hopefully we see the Spike spike. (For what it’s worth I thought Scott did what we needed to do)
49
u/PoolLimp5525 Stop yelling at me Devon! 3d ago
Yeah even if people don't rate his coaching, Scott was the sacrificial lamb and cleaned out a lot of dead weight in the club.
20
u/Billyfudpucker Caddy #30 3d ago
I actually think he did exactly as was intended. But I think he may have believed, like a lot of us, that we'd win a few more games than we did unfortunately.
But it was the clean out that we needed, and now we start the journey upwards.. im happy with the inclusions in all areas of the club.
Maybe, just maybe.. we can become a destination club once again.
I think we need to stick together on this, and give as much positive support as possible. The pain will ease my friends.
4
u/awkturt23 3d ago
Was initially a defender of Scott and still think the best thing he did was commit us to the rebuild. However the lack of game plan was a serious problem. 2026 some games the players looked like they were running around disinterested. Still couldn’t defend, forward entries were bomb it in and hope…no wonder we couldn’t win any games
5
u/Billyfudpucker Caddy #30 3d ago
Absolutely agree with you on that.
Devoid of any game plan, particularly coming out of the backline.
But thats in the past now. I'm confident we'll see a marked improvement across the whole football department.
19
u/Jimbo_Johnny_Johnson 3d ago
Now i’m going to be stupidly hoping that both Geelong and Hawthorn both have all time implosions and finish 17th and 18th next year.
Its never gonna happen but its the time of year for Delusions to be high
12
u/southernson2023 3d ago
Very positive but it will take time. I’m patient.
Hope all the cunts fans who said in August and September that they were cutting their memberships have caught up to their mouths and turned their words to actions. That would be the only thing you’ve missed from the “Out”
4
10
u/HydatinaPhysis 3d ago
From an outsider's perspective you lost two pretty experienced campaigners that dodnt eant to be there but gained a couple hand players that want to be there that could turn out very good. Also upgraded all your picks.
I don't know if this is the cure to essendons ills but it's a good start. I'd be happy with it.
11
u/Vasectomy_Mike 3d ago
I am concerned we have gotten rid of Ridley who is injury prone but yet brought my in Coleman who has played 15 games in three years due to injury? Everyone seems to have big wraps on Coleman, as we did for Ridley, but if can’t get on the park…
21
u/jubbjubbs4 3d ago
Valid concerns but coleman had back to back acls in 24 & 25 and then had a reasonable run at it in 26 and is currently injury free so should get the chance for a full pre-season
8
u/drpolz3k Day-Wicks #44 3d ago
That’s not totally correct mate he just did one ACL in 2024 and managed other injuries in 2025.
2
19
u/thewalruswas Caddy #30 3d ago edited 3d ago
Ridley wanted to leave, Coleman wanted to come. Gives both a fresh start. Something like 13 of those 15 games were this year by Coleman plus he played some games in the twos not being able to get into the lions top side. Overall good for the club imo
12
u/HameyBabey Durham #22 3d ago
I guess the difference is one wanted to leave and one wanted to join us. I am personally stoked on getting Coleman.
12
u/mitchellnash92 Martin #37 3d ago
17 games last year with I think a hammy and some concussion. Previous to that it was largely his ACL. Hardly the recurring soft tissue stuff Rids had/has
13
u/diffaadiffa 3d ago
Lions and Coleman fan here, but this is a lot of what I was saying pre trade that Ridley and Coleman are not the same injury wise. Kiddy had one major one that kept him out 24/25. Him playing 13 AFL games and 4 VFL in 2026 was because he had one hammy and a concussion at untimely points that meant he couldn't make his way back in.
He was a bit rusty last year but still had some good moments. In any other team he probably gets those VFL games as AFL
He will be such a good pick up
2
u/mitchellnash92 Martin #37 3d ago
Yeah exactly, I think it's been a bit overblown. If I remember correctly he was played at half forward a bit which I thought was the wrong role
6
u/diffaadiffa 3d ago
He did get moved around but that was us purely trying to find any way we could to squeeze him into the team. Which again shows how highly we rated him
2
3
u/PretendToe1329 Durham #22 3d ago
+ add in the factors that Ridley didn’t want to be at Essendon and Coleman does and it makes even more sense.
9
u/PuzzleheadedBend8180 Martin #37 3d ago
While we certainly haven’t made out like bandits, it’s just good sensible and structured trading, with current and future draft hands improved. And most importantly, the strategy fits where our list is at (not sure how often you could say this in the past 20 years). Zero complaints
8
u/Fleggy82 Caddy #30 3d ago
I am happy with our trade period - two players who wanted to come to us from very successful clubs - if nothing else, they may help lift the training standards
Where I am most pleased is our off-field signings. Spike, Horse, Pratt and the bloke from SA makes me feel like we finally have a direction - time will tell but I am seeing positive signs
8
u/nalsnals Up The Planes 3d ago
Coach appointed. Hird disappeared. Merrett and Riley gone. Hopefully the only news stories about Essendon next year are actually about football.
(RIP Ben McKay - he is going get a lot of press scrutiny next year)
6
u/AGuerillaGorilla 3d ago
McKay's gonna have a career best yr.
There were murmurings in the media about him being moved on or retiring before the trade period, but once McVeigh & Rosa got to work that shutdown completely.
Think team defence & a singular role, as well as other key backs being available, will allow him to play to his skillset.
Will also be allowed to find form with pressure off in the VFL if we bring in Sellers alongside Hayes & Ried, too.
side note; I'm also keen on Deacon Kalpakis from our VFL, he may have potential to play a similar attacking 3rd tall role to Ridley - handy alongside Coleman.
1
u/nalsnals Up The Planes 3d ago
I really hope you right are right. He's going to have a lot of external heat on him otherwise
7
u/Uncle_Climax 3d ago
Despite losing 2 guns I think you guys did pretty well. All the coaching appointments been great too
5
3
u/mitchellnash92 Martin #37 3d ago
Pretty comfortable where things are at.
About to hit draft 4/5 and following next year's draft, there's hopefully a core there ready to develop and push up the ladder. Some older bodies for experience and to protect the kids, our 18-24 age group is very exciting.
4
u/Krerzer1 Optimism since 2004 3d ago
I’m pretty happy. Had a year to get over Merrett, Ridley’s always injured and we’ve got a great draft hand.
Bowes will be handy, and Coleman’s gonna be one of our best players (hopefully he stays fit). Add the off-field acquisitions and I’m very optimistic about our future.
4
3
u/South_Front_4589 3d ago
It's an improvement. But I've got to admit it looks underwhelming. A lot of pick upgrades, but a lot of this is going to depend on Coleman getting back to playing good footy.
3
u/akito_shigaraki 3d ago
Solid trade period and we still have a good draft hand moving forward.
The best part may be the staff that joined though.
3
u/Necessary-Warthog157 3d ago
Do we get another pick when we bid on Cochrane? I was hearing end of first round but maybe don’t know until the draft?
2
u/GrudaAplam Shane Heard #9 3d ago
I wasn't expecting much but I think we exceeded my expectations. A couple of handy pick ups and a good draft hand, I think we did all right.
2
u/Superb-Detective9611 2d ago
I think you did the best you could. Great suite of picks and Bowes and Coleman are handy. The future looks pretty good - 2027 will probably see a couple more wins and still a few heavy defeats but should have enough salary cap space to go hard at atleast 2 experienced players next year.
1
u/Witty_Wallaby_9567 3d ago
Huge positive.
Our off field signings are our best ins.
Ive been saying for years our development has been our biggest issue. Kids just dont reach their full potential at the hangar for some reason.
Im really keen to see how our younger players develop under spike and horse. We got some good ones too.
1
u/cutespatoots 3d ago
You can’t even count that Ridley played 10 games as he got injured in over half of them.
1
u/Pwrswitchd Roberts #21 3d ago
Very confident at this point.
I think Rosa and his team have done fantastic so far. Draft night should be interesting.
2
1
1
u/FeistyPhilosopher494 2d ago
I'm feeling the wave of positivity is going to crash into cold hard reality when we're 0-3.
1
u/bjo187 2d ago
Overall I was a bit disappointed.
I wanted more from the Merrett deal -we folded too quickly, was happy with the Ridley deal, thought we paid overs for Coleman who is a VFL player now and been injured for 3 years and I'm overall concerned with a lot of the spuds Rosa was considering (thank god most decided not to come).
I was also disappointed we didn't improve this year's draft hand as much as I was hoping by getting rid of 2 of our best 5 players, in the last uncompromised draft before Tassie.
1
1
u/UsualSuspect03 3d ago
We needed some key position experience in our front-line and back-line. That hasnt been addressed. If those people happened to have leadership experience, then doubly good.
Hapyy with Kiddy and Jack, but we are still way too small (height, strength wise).
73
u/Used-Fondant3150 3d ago
Missed an in: Horse