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- 14 November 2005
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Stanton and Watson were serviceable. Dempsey, Hooker, and Pears were good in the main. But players like Davey, Winderlich and Dyson need to lift. They were disappointing.
However our final capitulation was pathetic. Signs of mental and physical fragility.
But our biggest concern is ....surprise, surprise our forward line.![]()
This is what I wrote with regard to last weeks game and I may as well post it for this week as well. The Bombers should be very disappointed in their performance yesterday. Knights and co must be concerned.
What happened yesterday? Was it a misfire by one of the most exciting, inexperienced and up and coming sides? Or was it a true reflection of the Bombers current list? To be fair it was probably a touch of both, BUT with a heavier weighting to the latter.
New players like Howlett and Gumbleton showed some encouraging signs and had a good go. However experienced players like Winderlich and Dyson were very poor.
Based on that performance we need to make some changes next week. Slattery out, Lovett-Murray back in. Davey out, he continually drops the ball and is currently light years away from being an AFL footballer. After watching his brother play on Saturday, the difference is stark. Essendon want him to be another Aaron Davey, Rioli, Lovett, Leon Davis but he's just not the guy. Bring Reimers back in and tell the bugger to play defence or stay in the magoos.
Hille and Ryder need to lift around the ground. The were always going to do it tough against Sandilands but how can two mobile ruckman not make an impact in general play against a 7foot ruckman that didn't have a break!!
As much as I have been complaining about our forward line, and in particular Mr Shuffles, Essendon has made its bed it has to lie in it. They've put all their eggs into Gumby and Neagle. They need to play them - even if they constantly frustrate supporters. If Neagle is fit (a subjective term), he needs to have game time. If they were going to drop him - play a true forward in his spot. At least try and have some structure. Williams - I'm not sure about. To be fair to Williams, as a leading forward, Essendon would be one of the worst teams to play on regarding quality ball delivery.
I'm really enjoying Pears, Hooker and Dempsey develop. They were good. Gumbleton showed some really good signs and just didn't have any support in the forward line. Hocking also tried hard all day.
Stanton was flat, Watson was flat, McVeigh out of sorts. Prismall tried. Was Welsh even out there? No impact from any of them. The bitter pill to swallow was how Freo's disposals were clean, and the decision making sharp. By contrast our disposal was very poor and decision making dreadful. And by our most experienced players as well (hand up Hille, Stanton, Fletcher and Prismall).
All in all - a very disappointing loss. For every step forward it seems we are making 3 backwards.
Before I say too mcuh more I want to see some more results this year - so I can see the "real Essendon"
Duckman