Check our Facebook page every Tuesday night to have your questions answered by someone from the Club. Stay tuned as we will be announcing the schedule in the coming days!
Here's what Bluey had to say.
Q: Describe Aaron Francis as a player and what you think his year will look like? - Tom
A: Well naturally he's a beauty, because he has red hair. He's had an interrupted pre-season, but when he gets fit he'll be quite special. He has a great ability to intercept mark.
Q: Hey Bluey who stood out against Carlton on Sunday and do you think parish is set to have a first year that will be remembered?? - Steven
A: BJ lead from the start, the boys were fairly nervous and uncertain on how they were going to go together for the first time, but the skipper really signalled the intent from the start. Zaharakis, Edwards and Merrett as well as Daniher up front.
Q: Keen to see Jackson Merrett take on the Stanton role but he seems stuck fwd, what's your plans for jax? - Adam
A: Every chance. First in best dressed though. Sam Michael and Shaun McKernan did a really good job on the weekend which was a really good step forward for them. They've rucked well in the pre-season so they both give us options. Having said that, Jamar and Leuenberger are both quality ruckman.
Q: Who would win, Guy Sebastian or Shannon Noll? - Josh
A: With a name like Guy...
Q: Which player has impressed you so far and which player has surprised you? - Jason
A: Walla has really surprised me. Not knowing him before.. He's dropped a minute of his 2km time trial and his last three weeks in match simulation has been super. He's really improved his fitness and to play against Carlton was another step forward. Will Hams as well just because he's had such a hard run with injury over the last couple of years. He's as hard as a cat's head and plays really well for a bloke of his size.
Q: When can we expect kelly and stokes to play there first game? - Jonathan
A: They just want some more running time, but they'll probably be ready for the final NAB Challenge game.
Q: Bluey.... How have you found it down at Essendon, with all that's happened? It must have been a bit full on at times. - Max
A: From the day I arrived the players and staff have been really welcoming. They put the disappointment of the decision behind them while still respecting the 12 as much as they can. They've just gotten stuck into their work and got on with things as best they can. Lead really well by the skipper.
Q: Bluey. Which top up do you think will have the most impact? Can you see any of them landing a permanent gig? - Daniel
A: A lot of their good work will be done off the field and in the training session. We've seen the younger kids already grow immensely from their presence around the club. This is what we expect from them. The development of our younger kids is where you'll see the impact.
Q: Really looking forward to watching Ryan Crowley this year Bluey. Here's a bloke who will do anything to benefit the side. He was a bad bad man at Freo. Thoughts on letting him get up in some grills this year? He plays his best footy that way. - Michael
A: I don't think we have to ask Ryan to do that. I think the good thing about all our new players is their passion to play for the Sash. Even Joffa (Simpkin) flew the flag on the weekend. If you're going to wear our colours, you've got to stand and fly them in the right way.
Q: Gleeson and Dempsey going to be played out of half back this season or more rotating through the midfield ? Great win on the weekend too, team looking good for round 1 - Matt
A: Both have shown some really good form on the wing and half-back. Marty has gone inside as well and done some really good things through the pre-season. Demps just has that speed and composure with the ball in hand and has got himself really fit this pre-season.
Q: The ball movement looked good in the first hitout, speed off half back I liked and field kicking was good. What indicators you looking for from your midfield group over the next 2 NAB Challenge games? Tackling was superb!! Carlton had no space to work in. Jake Long tackled well, our youngest by the end of this year will 20 odd games under their belt and harder edge. Future is looking great! Keep up the great work Bluey!!! - Paul
A: Just creating enough players that can play inside and outside. By the end of the season it will be about having enough depth so that we can be versatile in the midfield and not just rely on 5 players. The best teams have 10 or more players which they can use. That's my charter for the season.
Q: Will the kids on the list be getting preference for positions in front of top up players (provided the rookie can handle senior football)? -Tow
A: If it comes down to form and they're both in good form, we'll probably lean towards playing the kids. If the senior players are in form and are looking like they will give us the best chance of winning the game, they will be chosen. The young players won't just be gifted games.
Q: Why should I renew mine and my sons membership? - Adam
A: Get on board and see the start of something special.
Q: If patty ambrose is in the best 22 where does he fit into the side structurally? - Jake
A: He has spent the pre-season down back with Harvs and his ability to run all day and pick up the third tall forward, allows him to play to his strengths.
Q: Who are our top 6 backmen for the year? The defence looked great on the weekend. - Andrew
A: The backline was really good, pressure from the forwards and midfield up the ground certainly allowed them to be that. There's probably 7 or more players fighting for all those spots which is fantastic. Keeps everyone hungry and on their toes.
Q: What's the ideal scenario with Zach Merrett this year? What role do you think he'll play? - George
A: He's in my midfield group and has been really impressive. HIm and Zaharakis have probably had two of the best pre-seasons. When you're fit and in form, you need to play around the football. Both boys will play both outside and inside mid.
Q: What's the basis of our game plan this year? Run and carry? Defence? - Travis
A: We know we have to improve our offence and defence. It was a good start on the weekend, we kicked 90 and held the opposition to 35. The Premiership model is kicking over 100 points, which is what West Coast and Hawthorn did while holding the opposition below 80. That's the premiership standard.
Q: How much of a confidence booster, was the win on Sunday? - Aaron
A: Regardless of who you play or who plays for the opposition it's about executing the type of footy we want to. Overall we did that. There was still a few errors, but that will get better over the pre-season. Ball in hand was good and we defended very well. It's all about the consistency, so this week will be our biggest test to replicate it.
Q: Langford and Laverde forward or in the middle? - Dean
A: Both boys have shown some real strength inside in the midfield. Langford's decision making and clean hands are exceptional for a second year player. Laverde is a bull when is inside. Both are good overhead when they go forward, so it would be a bit of 50/50
Q: Has the new coaching panel addressed the issue over summer of our long long history of poor delivery into 50? - Shaun
A: It's always the toughest kick of the game, but our quicker forward movement of the ball should help the forwards get into better space to mark it as well as make the kick easier for those who are delivering the ball.
Q: How do you gauge the talent levels of the new draftees against the boys you had at the Gold Coast? - Todd
A: In what I see in Parish, Francis, Morgan and Redman would be the equal of some of the boys from Gold Coast. They all have their strengths.
Q; What did you have for lunch? Andrew
A: Just a ham, tomato and scrambled egg roll.
Q: Who is your favourite team to verse? Sebby
A: They all are.
Q: Goals this season? Jack
A: We'll be trying to find as many kids as we can and as a collective group just start moving forward and play the way that John wants us to play. We saw little bits on the weekend, so hopefully that will grow through the season. Chemistry will be our biggest challenge this year.
Q: Luke G'day Bluey, can you tell me where you expect improvement from Danaher. Last year he kept getting led easily under the ball time after time and it seemed the easier the goal the more he missed it. He seemed slow on Sunday and didn't look to have added too much extra bulk over the pre-season. What improvements are you expecting to see in him.
A; As all young tall forwards, it's about their second and third efforts. His bigger, stronger and older. With Grimley and another tall down there, it gives him a better chance to compete in the contest for longer.
