It's official. Bellchambers has officially been placed on the long-term injury list. I have decided to write this article to shed some light on some rookie players and perhaps make a decision easier for you when selecting a 4th ruck or 8th forward rookie in your Supercoach side. This new vacancy will be filled by either:
Fraser Thurlow (RUC/FWD), Pat Ambrose (FWD), Cory Dell'Olio (FWD), Johnny Rayner (MID) or Ariel Steinberg (DEF).
As a Bomber man myself, I personally think it's really a neck and neck race between either Fraser Thurlow; a cheap option as a 3rd/4th ruckman for the 1st quarter of the year, or Pat Ambrose, an even cheaper forward.
The Dons forward line leaves a lot to be desired, there wasn't much reliable fire power for most of last year. Daniher takes the grabs but couldn't finish; Ryder and Bellchambers were part-timers who never really solidified a spot; Hurley is a great athletic player but typically overruns the ball and can't break a defender. Hurley never seemed to look the part as Essendon's next key forward (hence the shift down back and Carlisle up FWD). To rub salt into the wound, The Bombers said goodbye to Crameri and Gumbleton through requested trades, further weakening their forward stocks. This is why there could be an opening and a huge opportunity for Pat Ambrose. Dubbed by some as the "Crameri backup", he may slot straight into the forward line as a medium forward.
Ambrose - 77kg 185cm
Crameri - 97kg 189cm
Alternatively, there's Fraser Thurlow, who would be the ideal replacement for Bellchambers. He fits the bill at 199cm tall and 100kg. It really depends on what the coaches want. Is it greater flexibility in the forward line or the ruck? It's hard to see Daniher or Hooker backing up Ryder but Thompson has said this was a possibility but requires a change in structure. It gives Ryder more of a chance to play forward on a semi-permanent basis. If they go with Ambrose, it makes more sense with flexibility in the forward line, but it's very hard to make a call without being inside Bomber Thompsons head!
NOT Dell'Olio because:
EFC have enough small defenders on their list: J & Z Merrett, Jetta, Kommer, Winderlich. That's 5 already to fill 2 spots in the pocket.
NOT Steinberg because:
See reason above; Fletch, Hurls, Hardingham, Dempsey, Baguley, Dalgleish and Hibberd. Too many quality defenders waiting for a spot in the team ans not all will get one.
NOT Rayner because:
He is an elite runner, so he could be the darkhorse in this race...but the Bombers will want a clean and efficient user of the ball. I don't think his skills are at AFL pace or AFL level just yet.
What do you think? Let us know by visiting the SCHQ forum and vote in our poll!
Are you a BOMBER fan? Click here to enter a free giveaway for a 2013 EFC Heritage jumper!
Follow me on twitter for more.
Fraser Thurlow (RUC/FWD), Pat Ambrose (FWD), Cory Dell'Olio (FWD), Johnny Rayner (MID) or Ariel Steinberg (DEF).
As a Bomber man myself, I personally think it's really a neck and neck race between either Fraser Thurlow; a cheap option as a 3rd/4th ruckman for the 1st quarter of the year, or Pat Ambrose, an even cheaper forward.
The Dons forward line leaves a lot to be desired, there wasn't much reliable fire power for most of last year. Daniher takes the grabs but couldn't finish; Ryder and Bellchambers were part-timers who never really solidified a spot; Hurley is a great athletic player but typically overruns the ball and can't break a defender. Hurley never seemed to look the part as Essendon's next key forward (hence the shift down back and Carlisle up FWD). To rub salt into the wound, The Bombers said goodbye to Crameri and Gumbleton through requested trades, further weakening their forward stocks. This is why there could be an opening and a huge opportunity for Pat Ambrose. Dubbed by some as the "Crameri backup", he may slot straight into the forward line as a medium forward.
Ambrose - 77kg 185cm
Crameri - 97kg 189cm
Alternatively, there's Fraser Thurlow, who would be the ideal replacement for Bellchambers. He fits the bill at 199cm tall and 100kg. It really depends on what the coaches want. Is it greater flexibility in the forward line or the ruck? It's hard to see Daniher or Hooker backing up Ryder but Thompson has said this was a possibility but requires a change in structure. It gives Ryder more of a chance to play forward on a semi-permanent basis. If they go with Ambrose, it makes more sense with flexibility in the forward line, but it's very hard to make a call without being inside Bomber Thompsons head!
NOT Dell'Olio because:
EFC have enough small defenders on their list: J & Z Merrett, Jetta, Kommer, Winderlich. That's 5 already to fill 2 spots in the pocket.
NOT Steinberg because:
See reason above; Fletch, Hurls, Hardingham, Dempsey, Baguley, Dalgleish and Hibberd. Too many quality defenders waiting for a spot in the team ans not all will get one.
NOT Rayner because:
He is an elite runner, so he could be the darkhorse in this race...but the Bombers will want a clean and efficient user of the ball. I don't think his skills are at AFL pace or AFL level just yet.
What do you think? Let us know by visiting the SCHQ forum and vote in our poll!
Are you a BOMBER fan? Click here to enter a free giveaway for a 2013 EFC Heritage jumper!
Follow me on twitter for more.