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Essendon - Supporter Support

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Hi Nomores

Yes - maybe I'm a bit harsh on them (bitter about the footy picking loss) But I'm not a convert just yet. I watched the game last Friday night and as good as WB were after the break, Saints were woeful (and Ross Lyon had a poor game as coach). I agree with Patrick Smith from The Australian - the Saints forward line is way too top heavy and doesn't compliment each other. Reiwoldt needs to play Centre Half Back. He would be fantastic.

As for Bombers last week. I take your point about the backline ...but I'll add that it was the style of game being played. Like Kevin Sheedy, I really don't care what other teams score against us - provided we score more. I thought it was a lucky break for the Bombers when Carlton excluded O'Hailpin. He's played very well against us previously. Lloydy is due for a bag of goals soon and has had some days out against the Doggies.

On paper - Bomber forward line should be too strong for Doggies backline. Bomber backline should be too strong for the Doggies forwards......BUT WB have got much more experienced and in form midfield. Bombers need to win a lot more centrebreaks and apply a heap of pressure to AKA and co.

Hawkers are going crazy!! The look very accomplished this year. You must be over the moon.

Duckman
 
Yes very happy atm.

I agree about the Saints. The Saints aren't as good as everyone thinks. I think that when they are under pressure they cough up too many mistakes. How often did the Bulldogs players stand up in tackles and get the ball away to open up play, yet the Saints couldn't do this they just turned it over, this will hurt them all year and especially in the finals.

As for Reiwoldt, I don't think he is a forward pure and simple. While he can take a grab and will cause the opposition to play a good defender on him he doesn't cause alot of score board pain for opposition very often. His kicking just lets him down, plus he gets alot of the ball out on the half forward line where his kicking into the forward line just doesn't have enough penetration.

He should be playing in the ruck I reckon, he would be devastating around the ground. Barring that CHB would also be better than the forward line.
 
nomore4s said:
Yes very happy atm.
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I bet!

The dawks are holding up my dream teams at the moment!

Cyril's on a breakout!

Gee they are great to watch though. The most exciting team I've seen in a long long time.

The bombers will be there in 3-4 years if they can get some games into the young guys while the oldies are still there. Jetta and some of the others look really good.
 
Big winners this weekend for me was Melbourne even though they lost. I think the Melbourne coach (name escapes me) said the word "competitive" over 20 times in one press interview leading up to the match and they played quite competitively. As much as it's great to see Geelong winning the flag after so many years - I would like to see them lose sometime.

That Morton guy they picked in the draft was a good pick methinks. I went to school with Cotchin, year below me and he never seemed that good when he played for school. Kreuzer did well too.

As for bombers, I don't seem to see what they see in Laycock. He is so out of place with the new style of game the bombers are playing - fast paced. He is slow and lanky and doesn't seem to have any special marking ability up front. Anyone think he is good?
 

Hi Trishan

The Bombers have only had one successful ruckman since Simon Madden left in the 1980's - that being John Barnes. He was the missing link in the 2000 premiership. He was beautiful to watch. Hille shows glimpses, and as for Laycock....... yes I agree. What is he going to be - a marking forward that can ruck, a ruckman that can go forward, a ruckman that can't ruck, a forward that can't mark? Who knows what he will end up as. I'm hoping that KNights will give him this season to sort himself out. He's a big unit.

A good ruckman is hard to find. Deep down Collingwood must be disappointed in Fraser as a No 1 draft pick. He is a little like Laycock - doesn't look like a pure ruckman but yet never really shines in the forward line as you would hope.

Duckman
 
The boys tried hard. Losing Lloydy midweek didn't help. They have now won 2 from 26 without LLoyd.

Young teams will lose games like that. It takes poise and experience to finish off close matches. But considering their start and that they were 10 points in front leading into the last quarter - I was pleased with that. They give every impression that they will beat some good teams when they sort themselves out.

The disappointing thing was MORE SOFT TISSUE injuries. That makes about 7 players down over the past 4 games with calf/hamstring problems.

I have to now pray for some upsets so that I don't lose the footy tipping by a perfect round by going for the Bombers.

Duckman
 
Duckman#72 said:
The disappointing thing was MORE SOFT TISSUE injuries. That makes about 7 players down over the past 4 games with calf/hamstring problems.

Duckman
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I think it's the nature of the modern game. So much twisting and turning, yada yada....

In the past, VFL was kick and mark in the mud! Now, it's fast netball!

And, because of this, these guys are finely tuned athletes, not beer drinking smokers, having steak and eggs as a a pre game meal like when I started. LOL

Probably the highest % injury sport on the planet!!
 
Still learning, lots of positives.

The midfield is progressing very well. They will be a force with a few more games under the belt. Lovatt in particualr has stepped up this year. When we get Jetta and Mc Veigh back it will look very nice.

Houli has slotted in very well in the back half.

One of our big problems last night was the forward line. Lloyd is hopelessly out of form and/or is having trouble adjusting to the delivery from the new "run and gun" midfield.

I defended Laycock a couple of weks ago but now I must eat my words. He was dreadful last night. Even the commentators were saying that he didn't even look like he was trying. Give some "hungry" young kid a go. He kicked one goal last night as a result of.......get this...........roving in the goal square!!! A long ball came flying into the goal square and our 6foot 11inch marking option is crumbing the pack!!! The clock is ticking Jason!!!

Duckman
 

Hey Duckman,

The bombers put up a good fight in patches. Just missing a few class players - Lucas, McVeigh etc.

The game may have passed Lloyd by, when you get seriously touched up by Max Hudghton you know you're struggling. I personally just think Lloyd is not hard enough at the ball atm, and he falls over every time he goes near it.:

I actually think the area where Essendon can get a huge improvement is thier defence. The only team averaging more points a game scored against them is Melb. You are always going to struggle to win alot of games when you are having an average of 120 points a game kicked against you.
 

Hi Nomores

Yeah - Lloydy is a problem. Like all true forwards - Gary Ablett, Tony Lockett, Sav Rocca, when they are on song - great. When they are not......... they are just a liability being out there. You can't throw them in the backline or the midfield to get them in the game. Lloyd isn't fit (if he is then the Bombers have a real problem). Might be time to get him rested and give Courtney Johns or Jay Neagle a go.

As for the backline. I agree to a point. I think the big problem is the lack of accountability by the midfielders under the new style of play. If you look at last nights game - the Saints had a stack of goalscorers. No one person kicked a bag. Under the new style of play, the transition from the backline through the centre is fast, exciting and deadly. Unfortunately the double edge to the sword is that a turnover can result in the same for the opposition. If you give a team with players like Del Santo, Ball, Harvey and Hayes easy access from the midfield into attack it doesn't matter if you have the 6 best defenders in the league - you will struggle.

To an extent it should be expected considering the young age of the new bombers. It is much easier to come into AFL and play "attacking" than it is to "play defence". Playmakers like Houli, Jetta, Davey, Riemers, Ryder, Pares, Dempsey and to a lesser extent Winderlich and Dyson just need to learn to adapt to "accountability" at AFL level. That just takes time. You ca't teach that midweek unfortunately.

I still believe that a backline containing Michael, Fletcher, Ryder, Lovatt-Murray and (Slattery, Houli) has the ability to contain most forward lines "on paper". It is whether the Bomber midfield can put enough pressure on the delivery.

Hope the Hawks get up tonight for you. I haven't seen much of Buddy this year - looking forward to watching him.

Duckman
 

Hi Duckman,

I wasn't really talking about your backline as such, more about the defensive pressure all over the ground. Geelong are very good at it, therefore making the backlines job alot easier. All I was really alluding to is when they improve in this area they will become a very difficult team to beat.

I actually agree with you in regards to the backline, very capable.

Hawks going ok at half time, 8 pts up. Go the Hawks
 

Sorry Nomores - we are on the same wavelength. I should have read that into your post.

Nice win to the Hawks. Buddy certainly is an excitement machine. When the ball moves into a clear and uncluttered forward line so quickly you bet he'll end up with it 80% of the time and the other 20% will spill for potential team mates.

Some other interesting games - Kangas too good when it counted for the Maggies. What are your thoughts for ANZAC Day. Bombers or Maggies? And the big question........... will James Hird play?

Duckman
 

No worries Duckman.

Buddy is a freak, no doubt about that, and what about Bradshaws effort to try and match him, great game.

Some very interesting games, both Port and the tigers trying their best to lose in the last quarters, gotta feel sorry for tigers fans.

As for the ANZAC Day match, I've got no idea really. 2 weeks ago I would have said Collingwood but after seeing them in the last couple of games I think the Bombers are a big chance to win. Coolingwood seem to be struggling to close out matches, maybe they're not rotating enough:.

I just hope you blokes run the legs off them as we play Collingwood the week after.
 
Damn, wish I was there today! We're a chance, but with all those injuries, geesh!!!! Have a good day Bomber supporters!
 
kennas said:
Damn, wish I was there today! We're a chance, but with all those injuries, geesh!!!! Have a good day Bomber supporters!
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Hi Kennas

Now we've lost Davey for the season apparently!!

Yes it would be great to be there. Hi Mum,Dad, SIS and BIL (4 rows back behind the goals this year.

All signs lead to a whipping by the Pies, so it might just be a close one.

The Bombers certainly need to take heart from being the underdog because they'll need it.

C'mon Lloydy, C'mon boys ....if you played with just half the ability and passion of Hirdy you'll be in with a chance.

Duckman
 
Nth. Melb. man myself, but go Bombers! Hopefully we knocked the stuffing out of them for you last week. This would be a nice scenario for today:

" Bombers 5 points down, 10 secs to go. Ball in middle. Umpire bounce goes sideways towards Bomber's goal. Watson to Loyld. Goal!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

Result: Essendon win. Collingwood whinge (again).

Should be a good game. Like to see Thomas and Didak turn it on (in a losing side). Real shame about Alywn 'the roadrunner' Davey' - love watching him and hope injury not too serious..

Thanks Diggers.

Rest in peace.
 
dont worry lads, we're to quick for 'em, we'll run 'em off there legs.
it'll be close enough but the end result is not in doubt
saw the CARLTON game a couple of weeks ago, under the pump half way through the 3rd quarter, then the boys just took off........ boy they can run, made 'em look a wee bit silly LOL.............. same thing will happen today!

GO BOMBERS

cheers PC
 
I like the confidence lads!!!

Rocca out. As much as he's one of the most over-rated forwards in the game with the most unreliable kick - he had a knack of turning it on against us. Might be good news.

Go Dons.
 


Geesh, that was an ordinary effort. Or, are Collingwood that good?

Disappointing.

At least Lloyd got more than one kick. Good to see Jobe getting the ball, and how good is Stanton? He's going to be the next Captain you'd think?
 
kennas said:
Geesh, that was an ordinary effort. Or, are Collingwood that good?

Disappointing.

At least Lloyd got more than one kick. Good to see Jobe getting the ball, and how good is Stanton? He's going to be the next Captain you'd think?
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Yes very dissapointing. I guess our injury list is catching up to us. Alwyn out for the season they say - not good at all. But as the commentators said during the game, the Bombers under Knights is a work in progress. Give us a few years and we'll be up there.

And yes Stanton is a legend. Our best player by a long way. How good was Fletcher in the 1st quarter???
 
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