Tom Papley

And there's enough evidence to suggest that out there in the AFL world right now, which is why I supported the fact that they kept him.

So have you changed your mind?

I haven't changed my mind.

It sounds like you're equivocating.

No, no.

Well, my point about this is that it's 12 months down the track.

And I think that if at the end of this 12-month period, it's given me as an Essendon supporter another 12 months or another six months to look at what we have.

And they still have a way to go in terms of rebuilding their young talent.

They still need experienced players around him.

And if Zach Merritt wasn't there, then I don't think it's necessarily a positive for the development of the players.

But in terms of the building of a list, it may be a positive.

And that's always got to be a consideration.

I'm just trying to make sense.

I'm not being argumentative for the sake.

Yes, you are.

But anyway, keep going.

I'm not being argumentative for the sake of it.

But on the one hand, you're saying he must be kept because it's important to have senior players around for the development of the young talent.

And then on the other hand, you're saying, but I'll tell you what, if they got a bet as a good offer, then that senior player is not all that important for the young talent.

Well, both things can be correct.