Precisely.
His obsession with winning the trade cost the trade.
It is hardly a compelling offer if it is something he wouldn't have accepted from the other side.
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"What's the story with that empty office with the phone that just keeps ringing in it?"
"That's the number we gave Dodoro to reach Sam Power on. For God's sake don't answer it"
No problem at all soothing his ego (a bit.) Now that he's still a bulldog, he's 100% a bulldog and we try to make him happy.
It's a really good solution to a great problem we suddenly have. Where to fit all the quality players we've got? Marcus roaming around the forward line being Marcus and doing what Marcus does best makes us a better team. A few centre bounces each week and then wreaking havoc in the forward line sounds like great fun.
I don't think Dodoro has done too much wrong here. He's actually put a very compelling offer forward that many would say was a slight over offer for Dunkley but it didn't meet our valuation. I'd say the potential impacts to the likes of Naughton and Smith down the track played a huge part of how we valued the contracted Dunkley and why we held firm on what would be required to pry him from us.
At the end of the day I think everyone understands why we took the stance that we did and we shake hands and get on with things next time
I really dont understand the narrative about the offer of a first and second being overs for Dunkley.
Dunkley's 2019 was better than any year Dylan Shiel had AND he still had 2 years left on his contract.
In the vacuum of the trade negotiations I actually agree. Two top 10s for Dunks would have been drastic overs and he's probably shown a rare bit of self-awareness not trading next year's pick. We can't really talk about how happy we are we didn't fold and be critical of Dodo for not folding either at the same time (objectivity rule notwithstanding).
However, from a macro view he promised a player and their fans the world and failed to deliver. Would have to think others will think twice about dealing with him.
Yes Dunkley's worth as a player certainly isn't 2 first rounders. But given the circumstances of being under contract for 2 more years and as a leader of our club, yes that is his worth and that is the only value relevant here.
I'm not being critical at Dodo for not folding. I am however critical of him:
- thinking he can simply throw some money at one of our contracted leaders,
- offer a list spot to that players brother as part of the deal (we think so at this point anyway)
- think we would fold for unders and at the same time drag the player they threw money at through a messy negotiation for a deal he never had the intention of doing anyway.
Although going to the Nat Draft, and particularly without much exposed form to go by in 2020, can be hit and more miss at say picks 7 & 8, which probably would've satisfied the trade for Dunkley.
Whilst 2018 would've netted Bailey Smith and Tarryn Thomas (which Thomas would've then pushed out to Chayce Jones) there's many more that look more like Paul Ahern and Peter Wright.
Essendon have gambled that they will back their talent spotters over a known and very attractive commodity in Dunks.
Personally I think Essendon have erred but only time will tell with what they can pick up with their picks.
When adding their audaciousness of trying to pry him from us with 2 years to run, and to then hang Dunks out there by not backing him in with what was the difference b/w a mid first to a second rounder is why Essendon and Dodoro have the reputation they have.
I actually think it is better for Essendon to get these high draft picks in and grow them. If the pick wisely, it will form the nucleus of a strong base in 3 or 4 years time. Rutten is capable and has the right attitude.
Of course, they are Essendon, have no patience, cannot develop, and have inpatient rabid board and fans. They'll stuff this up for sure.
Their talent spotters haven't done to well in the past. And this year they've had nothing to watch in Victoria. This draft crop is going to be very interesting to track in a few years' time. Of course, by the same token they could fluke 3 of the top 5 simply because noone really knows how to place this years crop.