Scott plot revealed: Another Essendon Dog raid fails, but Gia ... it was close

[Axe Man]

Scott plot revealed: Another Essendon Dog raid fails, but Gia ... it was close

New Bombers assistant Daniel Giansiracusa involved in plot to steal Anthony Scott



LED BY a Western Bulldogs favourite son, Essendon launched an audacious – and failed – bid to steal rookie Anthony Scott from under the Dogs' nose on Tuesday.

Scott committed to a one-year deal with the Dogs on Wednesday afternoon after impressing in the club's morning practice match against Hawthorn off the back of a two-month training stint.

However, it came just a day after the Bombers attempted to prise the Footscray product out of Whitten Oval.

In a move steered by former Footscray coach, and now Bombers assistant, Daniel Giansiracusa, Scott was put through a medical screening and offered a contract at Tullamarine.

Giansiracusa coached Scott, a 180cm midfielder/forward, when he won the Dogs' best and fairest in 2019 with the pair maintaining a strong relationship.

As part of Tuesday's pitch, it's understood Scott also met with Essendon coach Ben Rutten, football boss Josh Mahoney and list manager Adrian Dodoro.

Instead, Scott committed to the Dogs via the Pre-Season Supplemental Selection Period (SSP) where he will push to win a shock round one debut against Collingwood.

Essendon's attempt to pinch Scott came less than six months after they tried to lure Dogs midfielder Josh Dunkley out of a two-year contract at Whitten Oval.

The Bombers also tried a similar move to nab Geelong ruck prospect Paul Tsapatolis in November last year before they were informed they were too late as the ex-basketballer committed to the Cats.

Scott's signing at the Dogs was made possible by the list vacancy opened up by the surprise retirement of Sam Lloyd December.

He becomes the fourth ex-Footscray player on the Western Bulldogs' AFL list, joining Mitch Hannan, Ryan Gardner and Will Hayes.

Scott's selection in the senior side against the Hawks on Wednesday reduced others such as Ed Richards, Cody Weightman, Taylor Duryea, Ben Cavarra, Jamarra Ugle-Hagan and Josh Schache to the reserves hitout with Box Hill.

The Dogs also have Eastern Ranges product Corey Preston and the son of ex-Dog Steve Macpherson, Ewan, training with their squad and could open up an extra spot by placing Toby McLean (ACL) on the long-term injury list.

Clubs have until March 9 to decide to select a player in the SSP, however a number of clubs are weighing up holding up over spots to the Mid-Season Rookie Draft slated for June.

[Axe Man]

No matter what you think of the Scott signing it's got to be worth it just to screw over the Bombers and Dodoro.

I wonder why he felt his prospects were better with us than at the Bombers who would seemingly be an easier team to break into?

[ratsmac]

No matter what you think of the Scott signing it's got to be worth it just to screw over the Bombers and Dodoro.

I wonder why he felt his prospects were better with us than at the Bombers who would seemingly be an easier team to break into?

Maybe he asked Dunks what he thinks about their integrity

[Yankee Hotel Foxtrot]

We've not been as successful with our rookie list approach in recent times. Let's hope this ends up to be a shrewd decision.

[comrade]

Scott impressed in the practice match? He had 4 kicked on him and was completely schooled by Breust playing in an unfamiliar defensive position. This is pretty bizarre all round but hey, let's add him to the pile of hybrid mid types we have on the list.

[1eyedog]

Scott impressed in the practice match? He had 4 kicked on him and was completely schooled by Breust playing in an unfamiliar defensive position. This is pretty bizarre all round but hey, let's add him to the pile of hybrid mid types we have on the list.

Yeah kinda wish the Essendon pitch didn't fail.

[hujsh]

Yeah kinda wish the Essendon pitch didn't fail.

Wouldn't be the first time we've been saved from ourselves

[soupman]

Yeah kinda wish the Essendon pitch didn't fail.

Agree. Very uninspiring selection, especially with what we saw in his "impressive" display in the praccy game.

Fair effort by him to get onto a list though, points for persistence.

[Happy Days]

Yeah I don’t really see it either. If we wanted a small defender from Footscray why didn’t we pick up Reuben William, who is two years younger and actually has some elite level traits and size?

[Mofra]

Yeah I don’t really see it either. If we wanted a small defender from Footscray why didn’t we pick up Reuben William, who is two years younger and actually has some elite level traits and size?

I think we still see him forward of the ball, Bruest was a learning exercise.

I would have just rather take Winder late in the draft last year (spewing we missed out on Spicer by a few picks).

If we want a quick tackling pressure forward, perhaps we should consider the radical idea of taking a guy who has actually played as a quick tackling pressure forward before and not a kid who is a midfielder trying to reinvent themselves as a forward.

This is no slight on Scott who has busted a gut to get where he is and I hope he is a success.

[bornadog]

Yeah I don’t really see it either. If we wanted a small defender from Footscray why didn’t we pick up Reuben William, who is two years younger and actually has some elite level traits and size?

I was surprised to see Reuben playing, I thought he left to do other things outside footy.

[Bulldog4life]

I was surprised to see Reuben playing, I thought he left to do other things outside footy.

I enjoy watching him play.

[Axe Man]

I was surprised to see Reuben playing, I thought he left to do other things outside footy.

So was I. Last year he initially signed for Redlands in the NEAFL, then when their season was cancelled signed for Port Melbourne. I assume he has returned to Footscray?

[Vred]

Gia going from beloved son of the west to enemy very quickly...

[Axe Man]

Gia going from beloved son of the west to enemy very quickly...

Not at all, just doing his job.