The first match for the Gold Coast Suns in 2021 was a very promising start to the season for the club and its players. Unfortunately, Essendon were not able to keep their foot down and were eventually knocked out of the top four. This leaves them with some big decisions to make in the off season as they look to bring new players into the club. The first decision that will need to be made is whether or not the club wants to retain players such as Matt Sampson, Craig Bird and Alex Burfoot.
Of course, it is hard to imagine retaining any players who have underperformed this season. Matt Sampson and Craig Bird are two examples of this, though the list is much longer. The likelihood of Essendon retaining these players is unlikely, though, as they are both long term options. The other big question is whether or not they will pick up any future draftees from their competitions, such as James Hird, Michael Hurley or even Joe Daniher.
It would seem a natural move for Essendon to look to the draft to find a replacement for Matt Sampson. They already have plenty of quality players, though, including several high picks. The big question is whether or not they pick the player wisely and whether or not they are good enough to become an immediate star. Even if Essendon get a player with a long term contract (something very difficult to do in this system), they may not be happy with the selection in year two.
If there is a top player that the club looks at, they may want to wait and see if the player develops more in the off season. There are always quality players available, and the chances of developing a superstar is better than trying to select one today. The club does not want to spend another year watching players that could go elsewhere. Instead, they want to develop players to give them an edge next year.
If you believe that the players Essendon selects are worth developing, then you should look at their recent history and at the players who came before them. If there is a pattern, that tells you a lot. For instance, if you think James Pickens has been consistent in producing good players for the club, you should look at players like Matt Carruthers, Cale Hooker, Peter Parkinson, Luke Lowery, and Joe Greenwood. All of these players have long term contracts, which means they will stay at Essendon even if they perform poorly in the future.
If you are more conservative and want to take a chance on an up and coming player, you should pick up some players who are still relatively young. This is because the best players often develop slowly over time. You don't want to rush a young player into making an impact because it can be detrimental in the long run. If you are able to find one or two that can develop into All-Stars, your gamble could pay off handsomely.
Finally, make sure that you are picky about the players that you decide to take. If there is no clear cut favorite, then you should rely on the system that handicaps the games. In this case, you will want to go with the consensus. If there are several other opinions that you can't get a hold of, at least you know that at least one of the players will perform well. This way you will have a better idea about how to draft.
Whether you are a newcomer to the GP Essendon universe or are a long time Essendon fan, there are ways to make your way into the stadium. You just need to know what to do first. The more you learn about the game and the more you play and watch, the more chances you have of having a great time at the GPs.
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