Happy days, the Bombers season from hell has ended so I can now return back to Australia!
Jobe, is that you?
Essendon will come back stronger, but I reckon their ceiling is lower than you think. Weren't exactly a powerhouse before the bans, the year out of the game could really hurt the players, and the opposition will be more focused (I'm thinking of that GWS game where the Giants were doing warm-up drills for 3 quarters before realising they could get humiliated and subsequently running away with it in the last). I'm thinking around 12th-14th spot for next year, though off-season moves could change the outlook.
As for Carlton, I'm really hoping they can sort out the midfield and small forward positions this summer because it was a five-man team for most of the season. Funny how we came 14th but the fans are up in arms because Simpson, Docherty, Cripps and Gibbs missed out on AA selection, which may sound like crazy delusional one-eyed supporter crap, but when you look at the BOG voting it's been those 4 every single week. No other team has so few players doing so much. At least 3 quick mids with good foot skills are needed before the club is any chance of climbing out of the bottom 5. Promising signs for the future from the likes of Silvagni (whose younger brother will arrive in '18), Weitering and C Curnow.
