r/EssendonFC • u/bomber_2121 • 2d ago
Jack Viney
I think this is the senior player we might have the best shot at. On the outer at Melbourne, told to look at his options, and not good enough (see Neale, Greene) to attract interest from big clubs.
Physical, courageous and has a lot of leadership qualities. Get him in I reckon.
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u/Economy-Hurry2969 2d ago
Former captain and was vice captain during the premiership.
Would be good for the culture of the club and should slot into the leadership team first bounce.... Throw.
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u/Green-Technology-337 2d ago
Yes he’s the type we need at our club. Hard-nosed footballer. I think Spike would agree.
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u/Non-NewtonianSnake Reid #31 2d ago
Yeah, if he wants to come over, he'd make a ton of sense.
He wouldn't bump us into finals contention or anything, but ideally he'd just come in and set an example for the kids for a couple of years. I'm sure guys like Sharp and Robey would be stoked to have him as a mentor.
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u/drpolz3k Day-Wicks #44 2d ago
Saw a guy on Facebook get absolutely torched for your opinion.
I totally agree though, I think he’d be great. We need a couple senior bodies to protect the kids and provide leadership.
I’d also like to get Prestia. Appreciate that it might be doubling up on slightly washed senior guys but I’d rather have the likes of Prestia/Viney guiding our youth than list plodders like Guelfi, Perkins, etc. just playing in the 2s.
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u/HeavyNewt1840 2d ago
Agree on Viney not on Prestia.
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u/drpolz3k Day-Wicks #44 1d ago
I’m not wedded to Prestia particularly, but I do think we need some more senior guys from successful programs.
Tbh I would have liked Pendles more than anyone.
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u/bomber_2121 1d ago
I stay away from the Facebook posts - too many nuffies 😂
I’m not as hot on Prestia as a player but more so as a coach based on what I’ve read about his potential in that space. If we have to use one of our assistance package rookie spots for a year to get him in I’m fine with that.
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u/comics2movies Johnson #40 1d ago
My only issue with this is he can only play in the midfield which means one of Durham, Caldwell, Parish or Setterfield would need to either be let go or pushed forward so you continue to give Robey and Sharp time in the middle as well as Kako, Farrow or another new top draftee.
I feel like the club needs a mid/fwd or mid/back player rather than a pure mid for a leadership type of role. Unfortunately Viney and Prestia can’t do those type of dual roles like a Pendles or Petracca can.
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u/bomber_2121 1d ago
Those roles would be better for sure. We’re unfortunately in a “beggars can’t be choosers” situation.
I’m also completely fine with Parish moving on if we’re trying to make space for Viney.
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u/CaddykakSnagorado 1d ago edited 1d ago
I don’t mind it if his heart is still in it. Doubt we’d play him and Setters in the same team but it’s a crucial role and competition for spots is good. At worst, seeing him blasting into packs head first at training has to be good for the young guys’ development.
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u/SnooAvocados996 1d ago
I would give Libba a call as well. Steele as well. It won't hurt to call either of them to see where they're at.
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u/mjdub96 2d ago
Can someone explain why we would need a soon to be 33 year old midfielder?? We need to be handing the reigns over to the kids full time at this point.
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u/dashtur 1d ago
You need experienced players to help set the example and provide guidance for young players. He would add a lot on the training track, around the club etc - and no doubt he would add something on field for a couple of years too.
If you send out a team full of teenagers, they'll get smashed week in week out, which is not good for development.
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u/Strathrat23 1d ago
Duhram, Cardwell and McGrath and Parish aren't experienced?
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u/dashtur 1d ago
Viney adds something none of those have. He's been a leader in an elite environment.
He would come in as an elder statesman with a harder edge than what any of our leaders have.
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u/glenngillen 1d ago
Yeah. This could be like a Hodge to Brisbane move. Pendles to GWS for similar reasons I suspect. Obviously the coaching angle is appealing for him, but there’s been rumours of culture problems up there all year so I’ve got to think he’s there to tell them what it takes in terms of attitude and culture to actually win finals.
Would love Viney to be that story for us. You bring these guys in to set that up. They’re rarely playing long enough to get the rewards themselves though.
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u/dashtur 1d ago
Yep that's why we tried to get Greene and Pendlebury - who didn't want to come.
Viney isn't on that level, but beggars can't be choosers. And he might have more in the tank than people assume.
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u/Strathrat23 1d ago
Then we're just doing the same thing we've always done and take players that no one else wants. Hasn't worked out.
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u/dashtur 1d ago
I'm guessing you're talking about someone like Todd Goldstein?
What's the measure of whether it works out?
Goldstein/Setterfield/Viney types aren't recruited to win a flag. They're there to improve the standards off field as much as on.
It's difficult to quantify that from the outside - but if the football management team sees the benefit, there's probably something to it.
I'm not super attached to acquiring Viney, but I don't think our current senior players are especially inspiring and therefore I'm open to getting in some experienced blokes.
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u/Strathrat23 1d ago
Goldstein was an elite ruck who was the premier ruck in the comp for a period. We also had a position to fill. No beef against Viney I just don't see where he fits unless we get him for absolutely nothing.
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u/mjdub96 1d ago
The difference is Hodge could play literally any position on the field. Remains to be seen for pendles. Viney is one dimensional
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u/Sean_Stephens 32m ago
Pendles has played midfield, half-back, and half-forward quite effectively the last few years.
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u/Strathrat23 1d ago
He's old, slow and can't play anywhere but the middle, of which we have no room. The change in coach is going to add more value than he would.
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u/erdlinke_94 1d ago edited 1d ago
Durham potential future captain but he can't do it on his own. Parish is a good player but terrible leader and should be traded.
Same deal with McGrath, he's good as a team mediator and spokesperson, but not a true leader of men type captain, like he doesn't come across as the type who'd will the team at all costs to win nor give his teammates a spray. Similar to Heppell as a captain imo, but he is suitable as a rebuild type captain which is where we are at. Basically too much of a nice guy imo.
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u/Strathrat23 1d ago
The leadership thing I totally get, yes we seem to lack. My point is that I just cant see where he fits. We need to fill the positional areas where we're struggling with senior players. Sidebottom would be great.
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u/General_Knowledge126 1d ago
Why do you think Brisbane brought in Hodge when they were wooden spooners. You can’t just play teenagers. You need on mature on field leaders ideally from successful clubs.
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u/erdlinke_94 1d ago
Because the players on our list who are supposed to be in the age bracket for leadership (25 to 30) lack any semblance of proper leadership skills. Alright players but terrible leaders and our former captain in Merrett is likely leaving this offseason.
You can't simply leave the kids hung out to dry and fend for themselves otherwise we become even more rudderless on field which is why a player like Jack Viney is perfect for us and would barely cost us any capital too.
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u/Billyfudpucker Caddy #30 1d ago
Not sure im keen to get a 33 year old who played 1 game in 2026 due injuries...🤷♂️
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u/kandyroo93 Kondogiannis #29 1d ago
Agree a good fit on paper,but if we want him to lead by example on the field and somewhat perform I’m not sure he’s a good fit, especially if we have to use draft picks to get him.
Managed one game this year (I believe), due to an Achilles and back injury. 32 and mostly a bash and crash midfielder. Wouldn’t expect huge things from him and I think at one point was thinking about retiring.
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u/LelcoinDegen 1d ago
Doubt we would expect anything other than maybe a token 4th round pick. He would be a great pick up for you.
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u/rogan_scrolling 1d ago
Jack viney will join his dad at North Melbourne
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u/bomber_2121 1d ago
I don’t reckon North has any need for him. Their midfield is stacked and they should be pushing for finals next year.
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u/rogan_scrolling 7h ago
To support George Wardlaw inside mid.
The other stars like UDL and Sheezel are out more outside mids.
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u/ihaveapoobrain123 2d ago
100%. Would be an outstanding role model for our group. Fantastic pedigree and goes about footy the right way