Q. With losing Danny Jacobs and Sean Wellman in the space of two years and Dustin Fletcher getting on a bit, will Essendon make it a priority in the draft or trade to pick up some quality defenders or will we look at some forwards and play Scott Lucas as a permanent backman? (Anthony Travers)
A. Great question. Obviously if there is quality defender out there available we would look definitely show an interest in them and look at drafting them. At the end of the day we will take the best available talent out there and if it happens to be a forward or a mid-fielder or a backman, we will go after the best available and re-structure your team according to that.
We could do with another key forward and we could do with another key back. Providing on what we draft or pick up in the trade, we will re-shape our team.
At this stage Scott Lucas will play where he is most needed, depending on team balance. Scott has shown how he is important for us when he plays forward because he does create some goals. He is also very important for us down back because he can physically match it with the best centre half forwards in the competition.
With the retirement of Sean Wellman it opens up opportunities for younger players such as Sam Hunt, Ted Richards, Kepler Bradley and Aaron Henneman to come into the side and become a permanent member of the back six.
Q. We appear to have struggled this year with the centre half back position. A couple of years ago it looked like Aaron Henneman was going to fill the spot, but he appears to struggle to stay fit and seems to have lost some flexibility. What are our options in the immediate future? (John King)
A. Aaron has been very unlucky with freakish injuries. I feel that if he gets his body right over the next six months he could quite easily hold down centre half back. In 2001 he was our permanent centre half back and did a fantastic job there until he injured himself in Round 20.
Aaron is set for a big pre-season and lets hope with a touch of luck he stays injury-free in the future.
Q. Everyone wants to know why Sam Hunt hasn’t been given more opportunities. Do you think with the retirement of Sean Wellman that Sam’s opportunity will come in the next season? (Amy Kerr)
A. I think with the retirement of Sean Wellman, there is an opportunity for Sam to break into the senior side. He was our most consistent player in the VFL for the second half of the season and was unlucky to miss out on senior selection. He had a very consistent year, which is a good way to enhance his development.
With spots up for grabs in the seniors, hopefully Sam can have a big pre-season and get himself in contention early in the year and stamp his place in the side.
Q. Will Courtney Johns be fit and ready to go next season or is his football life cut short? (Ryan Kendell)
A. Originally Courtney’s diagnosis didn’t look too flash. But after having further discussions with the surgeon and with the rehabilitation program he has been following it has been all positive.
Courtney has been training in the gym and also in the pool and is building up his fitness. At this stage it looks like he will be available to play early next year and hopefully he can get back to playing some good footy – only time will tell.
His dedication and motivation to his rehabilitation program just shows what a quality person he is. It shows the strength of his character and his ‘never say die’ attitude. Out of a negative you can always find a positive and facing this adversity makes Courtney stronger. It is a ruthless industry that we work in, but if you keep doing all the hard work, the rewards will come your way.
