What to do, with Stew?

[The bulldog tragician]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the suspended players were paid during their time out? If so, this means we paid Stewie for two years of virtually no games. Really disappointing as I highly rate what he brought to us at his best.

[bulldogtragic]

Just out of curiosity, does anyone know if the suspended players were paid during their time out? If so, this means we paid Stewie for two years of virtually no games. Really disappointing as I highly rate what he brought to us at his best.

In his suspension year Essendon had to pay all or the majority of his salary. So we were able to salary cap bank or otherwise use that amount.

[ledge]

Yep Essendon had to pay all the suspended players wages at other clubs I believe.

[Sedat]

Assuming we let both Stringer and Crameri go, what is our plan of attack - how do we suspect we'll kick winning scores?

Our forward line is a shambles as it is and trading away 2 of our better natural forwards could make for comical viewing next year.

Different type but Crozier would be a decent replacement up forward for Crameri if we go down that path - I'm sure some of the Ross Lyon maniacal defensive pressure has rubbed off on him. Roughly exchanging Crameri for Crozier and Campbell for Stefan Martin automatically makes our list better IMO.

[Twodogs]

Agreed - certainly some grave concerns around Dickson.

We have no natural crumbers on our list besides Stringer, so if we want to implement a Richmond-esque forward line we're essentially going to have to trade and draft in a new forward half!

Will be interesting to see what we do. The only 'locks' for a forward half role would be Boyd, Dale (likely to play quite a bit on the wing though) and maybe Dahl if he plays there. It doesn't make for great reading.

I think Picken and Hunter will have to play there.

Cloke said last week he is going to play on. He might provide some value up forward providing no one breaks his ribs from behind in another courageous act.

[bulldogtragic]

Sorry Stew. We need 6 spots.

Out: Bob, Boyd, Hamilton, Stringer, Honey and an uncontracted player to be 6th (as Campbell didn't find a new home)

[G-Mo77]

Yeah his future was stamped with that last trade. Gone

[Doc26]

Sorry Stew. We need 6 spots.

Out: Bob, Boyd, Hamilton, Stringer, Honey and an uncontracted player to be 6th (as Campbell didn't find a new home)

Good point.

Mathematically not possible to retain him unless by an off chance he's still there in a rookie draft (unlikely).

[bulldogtragic]

Yeah his future was stamped with that last trade. Gone

And for nothing now. A very expensive two good seasons.

[ledge]

He will come cheap if we decide to keep him, good get for the wage I believe he could still be a very good player.

[bulldogtragic]

He will come cheap if we decide to keep him, good get for the wage I believe he could still be a very good player.

We need to delist him, it’s not a choice. 6 will come in, we have 5 out and only Stew the only contracted.

[kruder]

Sorry Stew. We need 6 spots.

Out: Bob, Boyd, Hamilton, Stringer, Honey and an uncontracted player to be 6th (as Campbell didn't find a new home)

Could we get Cloke to retire?

[kruder]

Could we get Cloke to retire?

I'm really keen for Stew to play on

[G-Mo77]

Could we get Cloke to retire?

I think we can delist him if we want. Obviously would have to pay his salary if we did that.

Crameri is gone, not upset about it either.

[bulldogtragic]

If Stew nominated for the ND, we could use pick 82. He won't last to 82 I'd guess.
If Stew nominated for the RD, we could use pick 9. That's touch and go, but I wouldn't think he'd last as a rookie proposition.
If Stew went to the AFEL and asked for special dispensation because of the WADA stuff, maybe they do something to help him and us?....