How much of an impact do you think the number 1 picks Artemis and Dreaver/Butler will be for the future?

Does this mean you guys make finals in two years??

Seriously, I know we have a new recruiter in charge but I have legit trauma seeing us blow top end draft picks, you just know with our luck whoever we take at 1 will either be injury prone or pick 2-3-4 will be the superstar. I feel really nervous we will stuff up again, and im also really worrieabout carlton and hawthorn doing well next year Hawks are in the box seat you'd think to make it all the way and carlton with Fagan now and they're form? Meanwhile we will be struggling at the bottom stuffing up our pick again? im really anxious, paranoid and think about this daily.

Just a genuine question. Could see Langford, Martin and Caldwell there but not sure about the others.

Not just a pre season but another new era at the EFC. So I hope they were involved.

What’s everyone’s hottest take for the season ahead?
Mine: Caddy kicks 70+ goals and is in AA contention

Just read that Michael Hurley was promoted to full time forwards coach. Thats why we didnt announce another assistant. very concerned about this. Firstly, its another in house appointment instead of going external. Secondly, what on earth would Hurley know about forwards? He played there for like 3 seasons before making his name as a premier backman.

Why did we not sign anyone? Weren't we meant to go after banfield or Zac Williams?

Most of the discussion around Essendon's draft strategy has centred on whether we should select Drever or Butler. I've been thinking about this for a while, and regardless of which player you prefer, wouldn't we benefit from a live pick swap to trade up the first round and secure the other as well?

For this to work, one of the two players would need to slide a little, i.e. past Richmond. Realistically, we could offer Pick 17, the compensation pick from a bid on Doggie, and potentially another second-rounder (or some other combination of two future first-round picks from 2027 and 2028).

This would secure us two of the best players available in the draft while also addressing two immediate needs on our list. We would then have Bewick coming in next year, who is expected to be a top draft pick.

See below first round picks in recent years:

2023: Pick 10

2024: Pick 13

2025: Picks 9, 10, 13

2026: Pick 2*, Pick 4-6*

2027: Pick 1-4*

The clear argument against this strategy is that, given we are currently rebuilding, we need to bring as much talent through the door as possible, and perhaps having greater draft volume is preferable to trading up for one higher rated player.

However, given the quality of our recent drafting (Caddy, Kako, Robey, Sharp and Farrow), I don't necessarily think we need another five quality players to become competitive. Bringing in three of the best players available over the next two drafts could ultimately be a better outcome.

Still weird to think Goddard played for us and he was crazy passionate about us or winning atleast but the pretzels done nothing wrong.

Footy Stuff YT Channel has just released their annual season highlights compilation of these two players. Since in all likelihood one of them will be a bomber before the end of the month - sharing them here.

Keep in mind this is a highlights package of the best of their performances. The channel also does game compilations which include every touch / influence they had on the game, good and bad - which is a better way to see a rounded view of their performances.

All credit to the channel which does great work and allows us every day people the ability to participate in the draft conversation.

Arki Butler - https://youtu.be/Z-5R7roQMPA

Ethan Drever - https://youtu.be/YyHuDd9GmPA

Is anyone else abit disappointed we didnt go after chris fagen? He is exactly the type of senior assistant spike needs to help him. Horse is more in the background as GM of footy while fagens role is director of coaching which is more hands on and imo, what we desperately needed. Im still not sold on our assistant coaches. We only replaced 2 positions and let's be honest, none of them were inspiring.

Redman will run in for sure but does mean he won’t get decked himself. Draper would’ve sorted it out and I think Vigo a big chance too but there isn’t many that would stand out to run in if you’ve been done off the ball.

I think we do need some rough players, preferably senior players because Caddy, Farrow, Martin, Robey, Sharp and incoming picks will be targeted.

I feel like I'm not alone in saying the draft is basically our GF lol.

Let's forget the Butler V Drever for #1, guys are we going to trade up to get another 1st round pick?

If so, whats something you could see happening and who would/should we pick up??

Just read this and it’s got me convinced about Drever for pick 1 - fast, big bodied midfielder with defensive mindset, leadership and quick learning skills.

Edit: yes his kicking can be improved but commentators point out the comparison to Tsatas is unfair; his kicking is still much better than Tsatas’ was at this stage. Drever clearly has leadership capability and a proven desire to keep getting better. We also now have a coaching panel with much more development expertise - basically a former senior coach, a current senior coach and a senior coach in waiting with Pratt. Can’t help but feel some of the fan base has pick 1 anxiety after the Dodoro era. But whether we pick Drever or Butler, seems like we’ll be in a great position for the future. I’d rather get excited and get behind the club either way. Go Dons!