Where do banned players fit into Essendon’s line-up for 2017?
FOURTEEN banned players can return to their clubs today. What is the state of play for each and what do they mean for Essendon — and the Bulldogs and Port — for 2017? BOMBERS’ BEST 22
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FOURTEEN banned players can return to their clubs today — but what does that mean for their teams?
Barring a shock verdict from a Swiss court that could free Stewart Crameri to play a final for the Western Bulldogs, the players can only use their club’s training facilities until their bans end in November.
SCROLL DOWN TO SEE A POSSIBLE ESSENDON LINE-UP FOR ROUND 1 NEXT YEAR
They will then join teammates for a full pre-season, but it won’t be as simple as picking up where they left off 12 months ago.
The players are all a year older, for a start — Jobe Watson will be 32 before next season starts — and during their bans other players have taken opportunities in the absence of their banned teammates.
And no one really knows what the impact of being away from elite facilities for a year will be.
Here’s a quick recap of the state of play for each of the returning players, and how they fit into their team’s plans for 2017.
ESSENDON
Dyson Heppell
Says he never thought of leaving and is tipped to captain the Bombers next year.
The 24-year-old is entering his prime and will lead the Dons’ midfield division.
Cale Hooker
Was named in the All-Australian side in 2014 and won the Bombers’ best-and-fairest in 2015 — in other words, a pretty handy player.
He signed a five-year contract in April.
The key defender, who will be 27 in October, can also go forward and kick goals — with Michael Hartley emerging as a qualify full-back this year, he might start next season at full-forward.
🔴⚫ï¸ðŸ‘ŠðŸ¼ #EFC17
— Cale Hooker (@Hooksy26) April 27, 2016
Michael Hurley
A massive relief when Hurley signed a long-term deal last month.
The 26-year-old key defender signed a five-year deal worth up to $4 million, rejecting interest from a series of clubs including the Western Bulldogs, St Kilda and Collingwood.
He spent time overseas during his suspension, running with the bulls and growing a Zach Galifianakis-style beard.
Has been tried up forward but settled in defence in 2015, winning his first All-Australian guernsey. A defender to build a team around.
Brent Stanton
The 30-year-old took his time before agreeing to a one-year contract last month.
“Being a one club player with Essendon is something that is really important to me,” he said.
“Witnessing the spirit and performance from the boys this season, and also our loyal members and supporters, gives me great confidence in the direction of the football club.”
Won’t be a walk-up start in the best 22 any more, with the likes of Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett set to spend more time in the midfield.
Heath Hocking
The first of the Essendon 12 to re-sign, putting pen to paper on April 1.
The 28-year-old will add a big body to the midfield and can do a stopping job on the opposition’s best onballer.
David Myers
Agreed to a new contract in May, keeping him at Essendon until the end of 2019.
Myers, taken at pick six in the 2007 draft, has played 85 games in eight injury-plagued seasons and was touted as a potential trade target.
A lovely long kick who adds more midfield depth.
Tom Bellchambers
The ruckman had multiple chances to leave Essendon in recent years but signed on in June.
The 26-year-old was already signed until the end of next year but extended his deal to the end of 2018.
He will now compete with Matthew Leuenberger for the No. 1 ruck role, presenting an interesting headache for coach John Worsfold.
The Bellchambers-Ryder combination never quite worked and neither did Leuey-Stef Martin, with both thriving with sole ruck duties. Who will get the gig?
Travis Coyler
The speedster signed a three-year contract extension before Anzac Day, tying him to the Bombers until the end of 2019.
Colyer, 25, was in brilliant early-season form last year as a line-breaking midfielder until suffering problems with the navicular bone in his foot.
“We’re in a position where we have such an exciting list, I can see the improvement in the young players and that success isn’t too far off,” he said.
Ben Howlett
Several clubs showed interest in the goalkicking midfielder. But the 27-year-old signed a one-year contract extension last month with a trigger for 2018.
“In the end it was my strong bond with my teammates that made the decision easy,” Howlett said in a club statement.
Was a regular sub last year so will enjoy the fact the green vest has been consigned to history.
Tayte Pears
Tall defender won’t return to AFL and is pursuing a career as a firefighter. He had struggled to break into the best 22 prior to the drug ban, playing just two games in 2015.
Michael Hibberd
Free to return but doesn’t have a club to come back to after requesting a trade.
Likely to end up at Melbourne to reunite with Simon Goodwin, a former assistant coach at Essendon.
Jobe Watson
The great unknown. Yet to announce his plans for next year but the Bombers are hopeful he will play on, although he’s likely to hand over the captaincy (and probably his Brownlow).
Deserves a chance to go out on a higher note than when he pulled the pin on his 2015 season, saying he had lost his love for the game.
Will be 32 before Round 1 next year and won’t be the Bombers’ best player any more, but still provides invaluable experience.
His ban expires on November 21 due to international rules commitments last year.
POSSIBLE ESSENDON LINE-UP FOR ROUND 1, 2017
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
HB: Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley, Brendon Goddard
C: David Zaharakis, Zach Merrett, Orazio Fantasia
HF: (No. 1 draft pick), Joe Daniher, Kyle Langford
F: Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker, Jobe Watson
Foll: Matthew Leuenberger, Dyson Heppell, Darcy Parish
I/C (from): Jayden Laverde, Marty Gleeson, David Myers, Tom Bellchambers, Brent Stanton, Matt Dea
AT OTHER CLUBS
Stewart Crameri (Western Bulldogs)
Will join training at Whitten Oval later this week for the first time in 12 months, although he can’t play this season unless a Swiss court delivers a remarkably timed verdict that clears all the banned players.
Will be a huge addition to a club that has at times lacked firepower up forward this season.
How will he work with Travis Cloke?
Jake Carlisle (St Kilda)
Joined the Saints in last year’s trade period on a four-year contract, in a swap for pick five (Aaron Francis). The Saints also received pick 14 in the deal (which became pick 18 — Jade Gresham).
Has had his off-field issues but if he can keep his focus in the right place Carlisle is exactly what St Kilda needs — a tall defender who can play on big opposition forwards and take intercept marks — at exactly the right time.
His ban wasn’t a huge hit to the Saints, who jumped to the brink of the top eight and are ready to make their move next year with Carlisle at centre half-back.
Jake Melksham (Melbourne)
Yet to don a Melbourne jumper after being traded at the end of last season.
New Demons coach Simon Goodwin said on Wednesday that Melksham — who was swapped for a second-round draft pick — would have a medical assessment in the next few days.
The top-10 draft pick has yet to live up to that billing but Goodwin says he is “a big addition to the club”.
“We can’t wait to get Jake back,” Goodwin said. “He made a big impression for the time he was here.”
Paddy Ryder (Port Adelaide)
Was supposed to be the missing piece of the Port flag puzzle when he joined the Power at the end of 2014.
Never found his mojo in his first year at Alberton but will likely step into the first ruck position on his return, with Matthew Lobbe a major disappointment this season.
He’s definitely keen, arriving at the club just minutes after his ban was lifted at midnight.
IM BACK pic.twitter.com/MHUJGnpHHr
— Paddy Ryder (@PRyder4) September 13, 2016
Angus Monfries (Port Adelaide)
The goalsneak will be another virtual recruit for Port next year, but his place in the team isn’t entirely clear.
Monfries, who will be 30 in January, booted 39 goals in his first year at Port, but managed just 44 in his past two combined.
Originally published as Where do banned players fit into Essendon’s line-up for 2017?
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