The Herald Sun Footy Podcast: Who should Essendon spend its salary cap war chest on?
The Bombers have plenty of cash to splash this off-season, but where is it most necessary? Jay Clark assesses what the Bombers should do on the latest episode of the Herald Sun Footy Podcast.
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News Corp journalist Jay Clark has pondered when Essendon should spend its “war chest” of money on opposition players.
The Bombers have a reported $2 million worth of cap space while they also key players in Darcy Parish, Mason Redman and Ben Hobbs who are yet to sign.
Clark said in this week’s edition of the Herald Sun’s podcast the timing of when Essendon splurge on key targets such as Gold Coast’s Ben King is crucial.
“You would probably say this trade period, they’re probably not quite ready,” Clark said.
“I don’t see them challenging for a top four spot yet – so do they front pay some of their young players – get (Archie) Perkins locked away, all these guys.
“Sign the priority players and then in 18 months time do you then have a crack at the big fish and that’s Ben King.”
Also on the podcast, senior AFL reporter Jon Ralph shared an insight into a humorous story involving new AFL CEO-elect Andrew Dillon and current chief Gillon McLachlan.
During a lunch in Adelaide for Gather Round last month, McLachlan told a story about Dillon and his involvement in the aftermath of the late American rock singer Meat Loaf’s infamous performance at the 2011 AFL Grand Final.
“After Meat Loaf (performed), which was of course a disgrace … Gill McLachlan made a public statement … ‘He’s shamed the entire world’,” Ralph told the podcast.
“After that, Andrew Dillon actually said, ‘I think you’ve defamed Meat Loaf and he could sue you’.
“As Gill told this story … on stage, he said ‘I’ve been with him for 23 years, it’s the single time that I’ve ever felt Andrew Dillon’s worried’.
“Meat Loaf was the only person that could scare Andrew Dillon. I think it just shows you how well placed we are.”
Chris Cavanagh also joins the podcast as he takes you inside likely No. 1 draft pick Harley Reid’s VFL debut with Carlton last weekend.
How far advanced is the boy from Tongala on the rest of this year’s draft crop?
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Originally published as The Herald Sun Footy Podcast: Who should Essendon spend its salary cap war chest on?
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