Bombers !!!!! Where are they heading?

[Blues_Man]

How many players do you need in that age group to be a good side?



Oh please.

Ryder plays FB/CHB.
Lloyd has been playing across half forward and when Neagle was fit he was first choice FF and played good footy.

Michael has been out of our side and Lucas has given us next to nothing in our winning streak.

We couldn't replace Hird either, but so far we're only two games short of our results from last year, with a new coach and a new game plan.

I hate to break the news to you ..but you haven't replaced Hird ..far from it .
It's okay to plonk a jumper on a young bloke and say ..he's our replacement for Hird or Lloyd or Fletcher ..but the reality is a lot different.

Like i said ..at the present time you do not have the replacement for these players that you have relied on for so long.

 

[Longy413]

More than Essendon have.

Bzzzt...Wrong answer.

Hawthorn have 11 players in their best side between 23 and 27.

Next year, with our best side, we'll have 14.

 

[Daytripper]

I hate to break the news to you ..but you haven't replaced Hird ..far from it .
It's okay to plonk a jumper on a young bloke and say ..he's our replacement for Hird or Lloyd or Fletcher ..but the reality is a lot different.

Like i said ..at the present time you do not have the replacement for these players that you have relied on for so long.

Carlton have never replaced Silvagni either.

Does the same argument apply ?
If not, why not ?

 

[Longy413]

I hate to break the news to you ..but you haven't replaced Hird ..far from it .
It's okay to plonk a jumper on a young bloke and say ..he's our replacement for Hird or Lloyd or Fletcher ..but the reality is a lot different.

I knew you'd miss the point.

Where did I say we replaced Hird?
I said "we couldn't replace Hird"

Did you see that? I actually said that...

It's not a matter of replacing Hird, it's a matter of moving on.
We don't have to replace Fletcher, we develop Ryder and as he grows we introduce Pears and Daniher and the likes to play a role and as a collective effort you develop a team capable of performing a role.

You don't replace Lloyd, you introduce Neagle and Gumbleton and again let them develop.

Just like we didn't replace Hird, but we introduced Reimers, Longergan and Houli and we found a new role for Monfries and as a collective effort we're in the same position as last year, yet with a list that has greater room for development.

Sorry, next time I won't hope you understand and will paint the picture for you.

 

[Paddywhackers]

Of course they aren't.

Hmmm - Ryder, Neagle, Gumbleton versus Dawes, Anthony and Reid.

You forgot the likes of young kpp in Cloke, Brown and Rusling. Anthony has been shwoing alot more than Neagle. He kicks more goals! I'd have Cloke miles ahead of Gumbleton. I would have Reid is equal. And Dawes could easily be better. I'd have Brown ahead of Ryder as he has played one less season.

Basically, COllingwood's youth is better!

 

[Jesse Custer]

I hate to break the news to you ..but you haven't replaced Hird ..far from it .
It's okay to plonk a jumper on a young bloke and say ..he's our replacement for Hird or Lloyd or Fletcher ..but the reality is a lot different.

Like i said ..at the present time you do not have the replacement for these players that you have relied on for so long.

You can't replace Hird, can anyone replace a player like that?

We are building an even side with no genuine superstars in the middle. But thats a good thing, the middle is young and exciting with serious talent and they will gel into a tough, quick, skillful side.

 

[Blues_Man]

I knew you'd miss the point.

Where did I say we replaced Hird?
I said "we couldn't replace Hird"

Did you see that? I actually said that...

It's not a matter of replacing Hird, it's a matter of moving on.
We don't have to replace Fletcher, we develop Ryder and as he grows we introduce Pears and Daniher and the likes to play a role and as a collective effort you develop a team capable of performing a role.

You don't replace Lloyd, you introduce Neagle and Gumbleton and again let them develop.

Just like we didn't replace Hird, but we introduced Reimers, Longergan and Houli and we found a new role for Monfries and as a collective effort we're in the same position as last year, yet with a list that has greater room for development.

Sorry, next time I won't hope you understand and will paint the picture for you.

Well good luck with replacing Lloyd Lucas Fl;etcher and Miachael ..because when they go you will go backwards as a collective ..hope you understand without the need for getting crayons out .

 

[mustard]

Ill call it, we'll be the big mover next season. we smashed collingwood and north, two fimalists of this year. weve come into some form this year. we are dangerous

 

[Jono B]

This paragraph makes me question how much you know about Football and even the Essendon Football Club.

Just for the record:

Lonergan >>>>>>> Houli / Reimers / Dempsey / Myers

At this stage anyway, how you can say those four are 'looking likely' and not mention Lonergan in that category defies belief...

Lonergan's performances have been very good this season. But I think that Houli, Reimers, Dempsey and Myers will be better players in the long run.
When comparing them you have to compare how old they are as this has a big effect on the performances of young players.
Lonergan (21 years, 7 months) is a more physically mature than:
Dempsey ( 20 years, 11 months)
Houli ( 20 years, 2 months)
Reimers ( 19 years, 7 months)
Myers ( 19 years, 1 month)

IMO Houli has out performed Lonergan this year anyway.

In saying that though Lonergan will be a very good player for us if he can improve his tank.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Well good luck with replacing Lloyd Lucas Fl;etcher and Miachael ..because when they go you will go backwards as a collective ..hope you understand without the need for getting crayons out .

So you think carlton hasn't got a problem when it loses Fev, Judd and Stevens to eventual retirement?

Michael was gone anyway so don't know why you include him for, and whilst Fletcher is important his role is no where near as important as it used to be. As for the other 2, they have a few more seasons left.

Your side has never had the opportunity to play without Fev, and that will bite you sevely on the arse in the time to come.

As stated previously, no club can simply replace its champions, but you play players that were selected for that purpose and you develop them. The players behind the scenes are more than capable of doing the job.

Stick to your club dude, because your knowledge on ours is embaressing you.

 

[Longy413]

You forgot the likes of young kpp in Cloke, Brown and Rusling. Anthony has been shwoing alot more than Neagle. He kicks more goals!

How come you don't rate Neagle as a better player than Rusling then?

He kicks more goals.

Well good luck with replacing Lloyd Lucas Fl;etcher and Miachael ..because when they go you will go backwards as a collective ..hope you understand without the need for getting crayons out .

Hird has gone, we won games.
Michael got dropped, we started winning games.
Lucas hasn't got a kick in the last few weeks and we're winning games (see Collingwood match for a great example).

Fact is, only Lloyd and Lucas are making an impact and every single side in the competition, with the exception of Carlton has players that will need replacing in the next 2-4 years.

We're in no different position to any other club at any other stage of their history in terms of needing to find new players. Don't pretend we're the only ones.

 

[rainman06]

Well good luck with replacing Lloyd Lucas Fl;etcher and Miachael ..because when they go you will go backwards as a collective ..hope you understand without the need for getting crayons out .

How slow are you?
Longy just pointed out quite clearly that great players do not get ''replaced'' with ready made 18 year old clones of themselves it just doesnt happen. You might bring in young players, trade for players, develop existing players in new roles or even change your structure.

By your senseless logic, every time a good player gets old and retires the team goes backwards the following season. Think about it

 

[Jesse Custer]

Fact is, only Lloyd and Lucas are making an impact and every single side in the competition, with the exception of Carlton has players that will need replacing in the next 2-4 years.

We're in no different position to any other club at any other stage of their history in terms of needing to find new players. Don't pretend we're the only ones.

The thing is, Carlton are not safe either.

If were talking about our age issues now, which are a couple of players, then everybody will be talking about carltons list ageing in 2 years time. It never ends.

Its a topic that will be around forever and hits clubs at different stages.

 

[made from beer]

. . . .inevitably it will turn into a Collingwood vs Essendon list comparison . . ..

we have a winner!

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

On a side note to the Collingwood vs Essendon list debate the quality of a side can usually be gauged by how many good players you can nab with your lower picks.

I think we've hit a jackpot over the past few years with Davey, Houli, Reimers, Lonergan and Neagle(F/S) who are all part of our best 22 now.

 

[Jesse Custer]

At 24 Swan has basically peaked I have doubts that he can reach the elite level of players such as Bartel, Hodge and Cooney.

Pendles is A grade I gave you that.

Thomas has a long way to go, the fact that he still hasn't got the tank to consistantly pick up 20+ disposals after 3 injury free seasons suggests that he won't be elite.

Clarke will be very good but I am not sure he will make it to elite.

Didak is an elite forward but is nowhere near as effective as a midfielder.

If Shaw turns himself into a midfielder he will probably be high quality to elite.

I find it amusing that the players (Welsh, Watson) that clearly out played your "stars" in our last meeting are laughed at.

He won't be there so he should not even be considered.

Its funny how no one rates us.

Imo its a good thing, it will make the eventual turn around much more sweeter.

 

[shoe]

I can tell you where they're not going.
They're not going to play finals, courtesy of the WCE

Hey, when your team's having a shit season, it feels pretty good to keep your old rivals out of the action too

 

[Jesse Custer]

I can tell you where they're not going.
They're not going to play finals, courtesy of the WCE

Hey, when your team's having a shit season, it feels pretty good to keep your old rivals out of the action too

Sorry to take that feeling away from you but we were never going to make it anyway.

 

[BLue_Bloys]

I think they will finish about 9-10th next year, and should make top 8 in 2010.

Some good young players coming through.

 

[Animosity1989]

HAHAHAH!! are the lack of intelligence by some people make me laugh, have you watched an essendon game this year?

lloyd was touted as finished up until about 7 weeks ago... he has been good since but not outstanding..
lucas hasnt had an impact all year, played 4 games in which he was beaten in nearly every one. fletcher by his own accounts doesnt rate his performance this year, he has been beaten quite a few times by quality forwards. and peverill ahaha, one good game and now epople are thinking he is carrying us aha he has played liek 5 games all season...

please keep posting its so funny

Despite being terrible all year Essendon managed to string together a few wins recently. Albeit not great opposition but still, wins are wins whichever way you look at it. You guys have certainly distanced yourselves from being a potential wooden spooner as was looking likely at one point.

Please don't try and tell me that Lloyd hasn't gotten you over the line recently. Fletcher hasn't been great but still very serviceable. Lucas not great either but having him in the side distracts defenders. Forgive me if i'm wrong (and i'm not) but who starred when you got over the line against the current bottom side in Melbourne? Matthew Lloyd and Damien Pevrill. Hmm yes it is not a rarity to see the old timers star in an Essendon win.

By no means have these guys been stars overall this year, infact far from which explains you guys being at 12th and for most of the year 15th. So you've misinterpreted me in that regard.

Whilst it's good to see that these older guys can still turn it up on occasions, it's not a great sign when your younger guys won't step up and start to take charge instead. You can pull out the odd occasion when a youngster stood up and that's all well and good but i'm talking about genuine improvement.

 

[Daytripper]

Whilst it's good to see that these older guys can still turn it up on occasions, it's not a great sign when your younger guys won't step up and start to take charge instead.

I don't get that. Its like saying its not a good sign that Franklin kicked 8 goals because nobody else kicked a bag either.

If Lloyd has taken 10 marks up until 3/4 time is Knights supposed to take him off the ground and say "Thats enough mate. Time to let the younger ones take charge now."

Besides which Lonergan, Stanton, Monfries, Ryder, Reimers have all consistently been in our best players for probably the last two months now.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Cant see why Bombers fans keep getting hung up on the "past two months".

In the past eight weeks they have played teams placed 16th, 15th (twice), 13th, 11th (and lost), 10th, 9th and 7th. So of the bottom sides Port is the only team they have not faced in the past two months. Its been an ideal draw for youngsters to go out and get a kick against weak opposition, some of whom are patently tanking.

So they have only beaten one "good team" - Collingwood - and its arguable about how good our team is. Next three weeks they face three top eight teams.

Their overall performance is that they are placed 13th and most unlikely to go any higher. They have a far worse percentage than some of their peers on the ladder. Most pundits had them bottom four a the start of the year - as it turns out they are bottom five. So they placed not much higher than predicted.

 

[Daytripper]

Cant see why Bombers fans keep getting hung up on the "past two months".

In the past eight weeks they have played teams placed 16th, 15th (twice), 13th, 11th (and lost), 10th, 9th and 7th. So of the bottom sides Port is the only team they have not faced in the past two months. Its been an ideal draw for youngsters to go out and get a kick against weak opposition, some of whom are patently tanking.

So they have only beaten one "good team" - Collingwood - and its arguable about how good our team is. Next three weeks they face three top eight teams.

Their overall performance is that they are placed 13th. Most pundits had them bottom four a the start of the year - as it turns out they are bottom five. So they placed not much higher than predicted.

Somehow I don't think if we win two out of our next three you will be back on here apologising and saying that you were wrong.

Lucas and maybe Mcveigh and Reimers due back this week too FYI.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Timmy, are you always so negative?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Somehow I don't think if we win two out of our next three you will be back on here apologising and saying that you were wrong.

Lucas and maybe Mcveigh and Reimers due back this week too FYI.

I'm not wrong that you really havent beaten anybody apart from us in the past two months, and offsetting that win was a loss to Richmond.