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The biggest positive is that we are now our own masters,

This also then brings issues with being able to field a team that will win more than they lose and when they do lose they don't get flogged like the teams in the late 80's and at times in the 90's.

We have a lot of young players who can step up and be perhaps A graders but mainly B graders with a few pluses thrown in!

We have a couple of players who can fill the ruck requirements as long as they don't do the dumb stuff, we have more than enough bigger mids and small ones who can do the job required but may not have the same level of class as a Horsley or Bolton but perhaps numbers can win out!

There are some very good backline players and I would back them to hold their own with the mids doing the defensive stuff further up the field.

The negatives are the same stuff above cos we just don't know.

Positives are that we have a coach with the club's best interests at heart.Being able to play players on merit and not because they are a afl listed or rookie player.

Negatives are that we have to fill 12 -14 eagles spots.Some will be easy to replace like .Rotham and mutimer .Even with the alignment we had some huge problems.We lacked a decent KPF to kick goals.Also we need decent small forward.Hopefully the two midfielders we have recruited along with Ameduri and Dobson getting games will improve the midfield.We do lack depth and experience and unless the club has done some strategic recruiting over the break we could struggle especially if we cop a few injuries. As already stated we don't know how things will pan out.It l will be a testing year for barnard.Fortunately he isn't a novice coach and will put his stamp on the side.

I think EP should be ok for 2019, hopefully mid range, sneaking into the top 5, and playing finals. The boys you mentioned Ameduri and Dobson, should continue to improve with more game time and not being restricted by the WCE, Amma is coming off a few injuries and Dobson was arguably the best mid including Weagles listed players over the last part of the season, and shouldn’t have been dropped a week out from the finals.

Rohan Kerr a handy in for EP too..

terror wrote: Rohan Kerr a handy in for EP too..

Agreed, experience and a bit class

SD351 wrote: Dobson was arguably the best mid including Weagles listed players over the last part of the season, and shouldn’t have been dropped a week out from the finals.

Given his fine form, I was absolutely mystified as to why Mitch Dobson was dropped late in the season, SD351.
Somebody closer to the inner sanctum might know the rationale, though more likely the Eagles would've insisted on some of their fringe players getting a run in the "two" before the AFL finals, with Dobbo "collateral damage".

Yeh Archie, I think it was the Peel game, Ah Chee may have come in

I do agree Grump, Kerr will be a very handy in

there are always positives when you are able to give your own kids an opportunity.

Archie Duda Goal Machine wrote:

SD351 wrote: Dobson was arguably the best mid including Weagles listed players over the last part of the season, and shouldn’t have been dropped a week out from the finals.

Given his fine form, I was absolutely mystified as to why Mitch Dobson was dropped late in the season, SD351.
Somebody closer to the inner sanctum might know the rationale, though more likely the Eagles would've insisted on some of their fringe players getting a run in the "two" before the AFL finals, with Dobbo "collateral damage".

Just another one of the straws that Turner and Howson got cranky over, but as he commented he got to play finals football. A fit and switched on Dobbo will be awesome!