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on paper would be a very handy in for EF if he does come down to Moss St......thought EF would be in a better bargaining situation than most with Menagola and Hancock still on EF footy list, yet both seeking some better coin down at Subi.......apparently both are signed and sealed yet don't appear on Subi's list, yet Lockyer from WP does?....

Hampson would easily be a focal point up front for EF playing as tall half forward alternating stints through the midfield.....seems to kick 2 - 3 goals most games.....still only 24......not too sure EF has the coin to go over the odds though, but Anthony coming back easily covers Hancocks loss, whilst Hampson would cover Peakes retirement......replacing Dodd will be a tricky one though, think Young may drift back to cover his loss......with Howson, Perham, Cripps and perhaps Hampson experience playing up front could be crucial for EF......will be reliant on Howlett staying fit this year and the likes of Jupp and Dorotich stepping up and taking more responsibility

would love to see young ruck Jack Fletcher get some league time, talented player similar to Rory Lobb with a basketball background, his stats got better by the years end in the reserves, one to keep an eye hopefully.

.... one more time ....("to the tune of smokey's Livin' next door to Alice")....

coz for 17 years livin' next door to nuthin' .... 17 years & then we choke with 7.26 in the semi .... dunno when the next ones a comin' .... 17 years just waitin' for a chance but I gotta get used to a chokin' .... oh I don't why we farked even with all these Peel spuds but I just don't wanna know ... coz for 17 years we got nuthin' ....

sweet jesus....a singer and a songwriter now Southerner?......your talents are wasted on us EF folk sadly........The Voice perhaps?

Agree Freeze re Hampson. If recruited he will more (and a bit more) cover Peakey's loss.

With all due respect to Hancock, He wouldn't carry Anthony's bag to the ground. My sources are telling me Anthony is training the house down!!!

IMO Howson has to step up as we're crying for that quality tall forward. It's just a pity he's had an interrupted pre season. Perham & Lester-Smith can also improve, especially the latter.

Fletcher come through the colts system and I was really impressed with his 1st year rucking at senior level last season. I would like to see him, Youngy & Bristow do a 3 way change from a forward pocket/interchange.

You may find JMac will play forward a fair bit this season. Add the resting ruckman, Howson/Perham, Lester-Smith, Hampson and another small forward like Boyle, we don't look too bad.

Down back we will definitely miss Doddy. I think Jupp will take a huge step after his 1st full season of league footy. Add to the experience of Stephen, Howlett, Schofield & Brock we should still be pretty solid. Add Doro who should improve on his taste of league footy from last season and an injury free Bayliss we don't look too bad. My roughy to make his debut down back this season is young Miles Franklin. Very reliable and creative player who I think will be a 100+ player for us.

As for our midfield we surely would have to be one of the best. Rory, McGough, Anthony, Dalziell, Henson, Eardley & possibly Kerr would be a handful. Probably a bit slow but very hard, ball winning players with a heap of experience.

With all respect I thought your midfield was slow last year BUT the ball use, experience, cool heads and team running made EF a tough side to beat home or away.

Mid looks like a tougher assignment this year with good pick-ups.

totally agree Turtle, that's why Simpson heading north is a blow TBH....his outside speed would of been handy that's for sure.....hopefully youngsters in Bennett, Parish and Snadden may get some games.....all 3 will play state u/18's and all 3 have some toe and youthful exuberance which did SD well last year....alas Anderson and Blakely

Freezin wrote: totally agree Turtle, that's why Simpson heading north is a blow TBH....his outside speed would of been handy that's for sure.....hopefully youngsters in Bennett, Parish and Snadden may get some games.....all 3 will play state u/18's and all 3 have some toe and youthful exuberance which did SD well last year....alas Anderson and Blakely

Simple footy question for you Freeze, where are the goals coming from this year for your mob without the Silver Fox gliding (too slippery and consistent at WAFL level to lazily refer to Peake as a downhill skier) in to 3 or 4 per game in 2015???

Lester-Smith kicked 45 goals in 2013 and Peake kicked fark all that year.....last year the roles were reversed......so I guess EF are hoping for Lester-Smith to step up again, Perham is always good for 25 - 30 goals a year.....ex Freo rookie Howson, if fit, at 195cm has the potential to kick a few, as could ex u/18 state boy Jack Cripps (197cm)....though EF ,under Malaxos coaching, seem to share the goal kicking these days with anywhere between 6 - 10 guys kicking a goal or two here and there per match.

Would love to have a Saunders/Boland/Cary type target up front but EF haven't had one since Tregenza.....Hampson would be handy if EF snares him, I reckon he would be good for 30 - 40 goals, especially with the midfield EF has......but it's all ifs and buts I guess DW.....time will tell, but so far from Malaxos pre season reports the players are already doing some extra goal kicking practice.....and why not after their last performance...7.26!!

With natural improvement my gut feel is that goal kicking might be the only thing that might hold your mob back from going all the way this year. Not the 7.26 debacle, thats simply a horrible day out but more so finding the 'cheap' 3-4 goals per game that are the difference in putting opposition teams away and keeping them at arms length. Will be looking for the same thing at SD too don't you worry

Dirty Weekender wrote: With natural improvement my gut feel is that goal kicking might be the only thing that might hold your mob back from going all the way this year. Not the 7.26 debacle, thats simply a horrible day out but more so finding the 'cheap' 3-4 goals per game that are the difference in putting opposition teams away and keeping them at arms length. Will be looking for the same thing at SD too don't you worry

For me personally DW, that has been my biggest worry for a while now. We just don't bury teams consistently and you can never say we've won till the final siren goes.