6 notes from 5 press conferences
At 26, I feel as though I just need to be playing more AFL games.
Keidean Coleman on joining Essendon: "At 26, I feel as though I just need to be playing more AFL games." After a hamstring and a concussion he played VFL at Brisbane. He didn't think the deal would go through. Coach Mark McVeigh won him over asking after his kids and partner.
a higher pick than we were sort of looking to give up.
Essendon landed Coleman late in the trade period. Matt Rosa said the last half-hour was tense but the club was reasonably confident; Coleman was the priority. A bid for a contracted Geelong player stalled on price: "a higher pick than we were sort of looking to give up."
We haven't had an indication off Nick's management that he's looking to leave Sydney.
Nick Blakey: Essendon has discussed the Sydney star internally but hasn't met him, Matt Rosa said: "We haven't had an indication off Nick's management that he's looking to leave Sydney." He called new performance boss John Longmire "a calming influence over the whole club."
Nick Martin, who missed last year, and recruit Brayden Fiorini, injured at the start of the year, are both coming back, Essendon's Matt Rosa said: "We're looking forward to those 2 coming back."
I thought we were able to work through it in a really respectful way with Hawthorn, and hopefully it's a win-win for both clubs.
Essendon traded Zach Merrett to Hawthorn early, though Matt Rosa said Merrett had been open to waiting until year's end to talk with the new coach. "I thought we were able to work through it in a really respectful way with Hawthorn, and hopefully it's a win-win for both clubs."
It's a high value because we feel he's one of our most talented players.
Essendon made real gains with Jordan Ridley's body this year, Matt Rosa says, and staff believe he's "getting to a spot where he's going to play a large chunk of games." Geelong's reported future first? "It's a high value because we feel he's one of our most talented players."