This week’s poll question is: Are you happy with Essendon trading pick 39 for Brent Prismall?
Click here to vote in this week’s poll.
Last week we asked if Essendon supporters would recruit Ryan O’Keefe and over 62% said ‘yes’ while 30% didn’t want him at Windy Hill. More than 7% voted ‘maybe’ with factors such a price coming into play.
O’Keefe could still end up a Bomber with the club able to secure him in the up-coming drafts.
Here are some of the comments left by the fans about recruiting O'Keefe:
Phil Cassar from Langwarrin says: Why do we need another small forward? Especially one nearly 30!
Gordon from Melton says: I think Ryan O'Keefe could be a good acquisition to the club. Play him in the forward line and he will help mentor some of young forwards such as Neagle and Gumby coming through. I think we should make a play for Prismall from Geelong also.
Ben Mihail from Bendigo says: I would prefer to see O'Keefe in a Bomber jumper than Cousins as O'Keefe offers more leadership across half-forward and even in the midfield.
Mark from Melbourne says: Ryan O'Keefe is a very good player, but does not fill the void that Essendon has, and the possible trade of Lovett for R’OK in the long run would be a waste, because realistically Essendon is not a premiership contender in the next three-years and Ryan is a middle aged player and is not a long term possibility if the club is not going to win a premiership in the near future. Essendon needs a key defender or a midfielder and needs to use Lovett and all of its draft picks to get someone that fills that role.
Michael Whelan from Ferntree Gully says: Expensive for an old half-forward flanker
Riti from Vic says: I think that we should try to get O'Keefe, but we can't give away our first two round picks. He is a class player but our forward line is pretty good.
Nathan Beever from Sunbury says: It would be nice but at 27 I don't think he is the type of player we should be looking for.
Simon from Horsham says: Bring on some valuable experience within the playing group. I Think Knighter is heading in a very positive direction with the youth policy but you can never go past premiership experience and Essendon doesn't have many left with all the recent retirements, Go O'Keefe or Cousins for sure!!! GO BOMBERS 09...
Trent from Werribee says: I think it would be a coup to pick up O'Keefe, Essendon are cashed up and have plenty of room on the list for the Swan. The last two years we have lost some big names and have picked up so many young players, we are probably going to get about another eight young players again this year (primary and rookie list), so we need some more experienced players to help the young players along. Go for it!
Graeme Scanlon from Singapore says: The question is too important for a simple yes/no answer! A yes or no would depend on the COST, and the tenure of contract! He is an excellent player and a good role model which would be welcome at Essendon but there must be a ""cap"" on the cost and length of contract given his age (28), and the fact that we are building a young team to have a shot at the flag in maybe 3-4 years. Would he still be around and still good enough to be an important part of that group ?. Would surrendering a first round draft pick for a potential 100 game player be wise ?. Also, we need to be careful that we do not cause player discontent with an unreasonably high salary in comparison to players who have given good service in the past and not demanded big money for new contracts.
Barry from Gold Coast says: He is a real good player, the last two seasons we have lost Hird, Peverill, Johnson, Rama, Michael and co and replaced them with talented kids. I`m sure one good player to help the kids out would not go astray, a straight swap for Lovett who apparently wants to go?
Harry from Mitchells Hill says: I thought Essendon had a youth policy? Pev and Rama may just feel cheated if O’Keefe is traded for at 28 yrs. Try Lovett for key position type eg: Mitch Brown WC.
Matt from VIC says: We have a wealth of young talent. The experience of O'Keefe would provide a perfect balance of youth and experience. GO BOMBERS.
Helen from Croydon says: I would say yes if everything worked out for us but it goes against our youth policy a little. I'm sure it will all work out in the end for everyone - go bombers.
Ben W from Rosebud, Vic says: O'Keefe is a class player who would bring experience, skill and leadership to an already impressive up and coming list. The talks of Hawthorn snagging this star is annoying me. We simply should've tried harder in this instance.
Ethan Crowther from Coburg, Victoria says: Nah he’s too old, look what happened with all the old players Sheeds bought a few years back.
John McNiven from Kununurra says: There is a lot to be considered however my view is O’Keefe at 28 is out of the question. A better option would be a 22-24 year old who can give the club long term value.
