Party of the 12th part ..... who a needs a that?

Good news, congrats to Wiggo.

Well deserved imo, and we need players who are physically developed and can do a job. You can't bring 5-6 18 year olds into a team without a core of senior players and I think the wiggler has now established himself as one of these. Teaguey is a bit unfortunate, but I don't think he should have the B&F continuely thrust in his face - if anyone can say he legitmately deserved it over Matty Lappin and it wasn't just a publicity stunt engineered by the club, then I'll go heave.

Awesome news people, we can now begin to rebuild .. next time we should sign players during the season instead of signing them at the end where they tell us they want out

Great news and great to see the Wiggler given 2 years and not one. If you were looking for a recipe for giving a guy like Wiggins confidence then a 2 year deal at this stage of his career is the way to do it.

Wiggins was fantastic in a number of matches this year (had 20-25 touches on 5 occasions) and never gives less than 100%. He showed on at least a couple of occassions that when things fall into place and he's given an appropriate job he's valuable. I like the idea of him on a forward flank pushing up to the wing or having a spell in the centre every now and then. We need a serious rotation and Wiggo can certainly play a role as the 10th or 11th midfielder.

He'll never be the most talented player on the list but for every other characteristic you look for in a player (guts, determination, application, selflessness etc) there aren't many at any club in the same class.

I think it's easy to forget he's only just turned 24. The best of Wiggo should be between 24-28. Silly to cut him now.

2007: Year of the Wiggo!

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“When a clown moves into a palace, he doesn't become a king. The palace turns into a circus.”
Turkish Proverb

Well done to JR for signing on for 2 years. Let's hope that in two years time when he's a little bit older, he'll feel more comfortable living in Melbourne. It's important to remember that these fellas are just teenagers. Looking forward to seeing you running around in the Navy Blue more often next year JR.

Also congrats to Blackers (I think we've got a little gem there) and also to Wiggo.... if only Houlihan had his endeavour.

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There's so much I could say...

Very good news.Wiggins was either going to get the arse or 2 years.

But he must stop turning it over or he will struggle to get a game.Tovers killed us more than anything in 2006.

Rapped for Russell.I think in a good side he will be good and needs more confidence.Ratten will be a huge plus for the likes of Russell.

Actually Russell does remind me a little of a taller version of the Keogh meister.

Maybe, I should clarify... imagine if Wiggo had Houla's skills, and if Houla had Wiggo's toughness.... or if we could combine the two of them and named him Houligins.

(disclaimer.... I remember someone else making that joke before but I thought I'd use it again )

Great stuff.... now for the delistings.

Livo and Sporn might not be so thrilled with the re-signing of Thornton and Russell, as it seemingly closes the door on two 'fringe' players who may have had gotten a second (or third) chance on the list if they had moved on. That can only be a good thing.

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Patrick Smith - Just another reason to HATE Essendon*!

They aren't without hope if we sign a dud like Wiggins for another 2 years.

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"We used to sit around and talk about how bad the game plan was." Anthony Koutoufides

Its the "Sanity" clause

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Ecclesiastes 1:4, "One generation passes away, and another generation comes: but The Blues abide forever."

Great news!

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"Dont count the games, make the games count"

You can't fool me....everyone knows there aint no Sanity Clause.

I wonder if this might set a precedent for future trade periods? IIRC, this is the first time a club has refused to entertain players' wishes to be traded (although at least the Russell one was 'explored').

Maybe clubs in the future will be bouyed by Carlton's stand, and do likewise in the future. We may have just changed the nature of the trade period.

If this does happen, the AFLPA will be up in arms, and will want the rules changed.

BTW...Pagan on 3AW now...

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Mens sana in corpore sano.

Bring back the laurel wreath logo!!!

Great news,

I think Russell has the attributes to be a quality wingman and would have been very disappointed to lose him.

Blackers was always going to stay as he bleeds navy blue.

Wiggins has improved a lot this year, has a great attitude and deserves a 2 year contract.

This has made my day!

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There is no footy god

Agreed....Wiggo much better this year....as Allan Jeans said a long time ago...."you still need honest toiling soldiers in a side"

That's a bit hard on Wiggins,he would make the 22 of the 38 players most of the times,you can't delist every average player.The guy can't be to bad,especially as he played AFL in his first year unlike others picked earlier then him and it's not like his 26 or 27.Its not a 3 year deal,just 2,their will be 5 other players probably more worried of being gone next year if they delist 5 or 6 this year.

Wiggo provides that smaller lead up player that we need to create a bit of variation in our forward line. He is able to turn around quickly and pump the ball in long unlike Fisher and Waite.

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"You are being watched. The government has a secret system. A machine that spies on you every hour of every day. I know because I built it." - Finch

Disagree on that last bit,Maybe he'll struggle for a game this year,the club wouldn't gave him 2 years,if they don't think he can hold a spot in the 22 for most of the year.

Just wait till you hear Sporn getting a 1 year deal, as i think out of the players close to the axe, he could survive, as he can play well at times.