Bombers !!!!! Where are they heading?

[South of the Yarra]

The Bombers season now appears to be heading for another year of not playing finals. This is now 4 years in a row where the Bombers have finished in the bottom bracket of the ladder. Over the past three years they finished 12th, 15th and 13th and appear to be in line to finish around 12th again. Where are they heading? Are they in for more years of pain or will they finally rise to finals again in 2009. My opinion is that the Bombers are on the rise and will threaten for the 8 next year. Despite the possible low finish I don't think Bombers fans should be disappointed with their year. They have performed better than most expected (me included) and I think there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Bombers. You thoughts on where the Bombers are heading in 2009.

 

[Danny Archer]

The Bombers season now appears to be heading for another year of not playing finals. This is now 4 years in a row where the Bombers have finished in the bottom bracket of the ladder. Over the past three years they finished 12th, 15th and 13th and appear to be in line to finish around 12th again. Where are they heading? Are they in for more years of pain or will they finally rise to finals again in 2009. My opinion is that the Bombers are on the rise and will threaten for the 8 next year. Despite the possible low finish I don't think Bombers fans should be disappointed with their year. They have performed better than most expected (me included) and I think there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Bombers. You thoughts on where the Bombers are heading in 2009.

Disagree. Lost to our seconds with their season on the line.

Each KP is filled by an old fella bar CHB, where they have a very good player in Ryder.

If Gumby cant get fit I think they'll really struggle to have an impact next year and in the years coming.

 

[Tyler Durden007]

Where are they headed?

Well I believe that this Sept they're off to Las Vegas for their end of season trip... and I hear they got a package deal - 50% off - by booking early for the 2009 Sept cruise of the Caribbean... not bad!

 

[WOTTAMACHINE]

Theyre going alright, they jusy happened to play one of their interstate bogie sides yesterday. The eagles have beaten the bombers 11 out of 13 times at Subiaco in their history, that was the reason why I picked the eagles this week in my tips. If you look at St Kilda they have a poor record over there as well, they have won 3 from 12 against the eagles at Subi..

IMO, the bombers future looks brighter than Collingwoods, they have picked up some real exciting talent over the last few years, they will slowly climb that ladder in the next 2 years and deliver some huge knockout blows to the better sides.

 

[High Ryder]

Disagree. Lost to our seconds with their season on the line.

Each KP is filled by an old fella bar CHB, where they have a very good player in Ryder.

If Gumby cant get fit I think they'll really struggle to have an impact next year and in the years coming.

You do realise we have as many out as your lot dont you? yet wwe've been able to win multiple games without the injured players.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Disagree. Lost to our seconds with their season on the line.

Each KP is filled by an old fella bar CHB, where they have a very good player in Ryder.

If Gumby cant get fit I think they'll really struggle to have an impact next year and in the years coming.

And we had our best 22 out there champ?

Think again buddy, that was easily one of our weakest sides this year, while i agree we had everything on the line, we never had a chance for the finals anyway.

I agree with your Gumby comment that is spot on but applies to all clubs i think as well. I agree with the OP, there is something to look forward to with the return of half our side next season but there is a classic saying but its true;

Time will tell.

 

[HighettBomber]

Barring a similer run of injuries we will play finals next year! We have had an atrocious run this year and did not have the depth to cover it, depth will still be an issue next year, but it is utter garbage about us relying on the older players.

 

[robertg22]

Disagree. Lost to our seconds with their season on the line.

Each KP is filled by an old fella bar CHB, where they have a very good player in Ryder.

If Gumby cant get fit I think they'll really struggle to have an impact next year and in the years coming.

I agree with some of this - to an extent. Yes Ryder's a good player - but Neagle could be good (is a good shot for goal, doesn't seem to get a great deal of it), Gumbleton could be anything, including nothing. Their brigade of small blokes is pretty good though, so if Lloyd & co keep propping the team up while the next generation develops they could be a decent side next season, possibly finishing as high as 6th I reckon.

 

[Animosity1989]

The bombers are headed no ware. They have done themselves no favors by winning recently. They'll miss out on priority picks again and will be in the same position next year.

The best part about all of this is that it's the same old guys getting the job done for the bombers. Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher and more recently Damien Pevrill. 'Oh what a champion Lloyd is!" pffft, in 2 years time his performances will actually be the downfall.

It's fantastic to watch

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Have won a few extra games than people expected, but still nowhere near finals footy, so they will end up in no-mans land - well out of the finals and not close to a top five draft pick.

They still rely too much on their older players - Lloyd Lucas and Fletcher - and are carrying a lot of dead wood on their list (Johns Johnson and Lee in particular) as well as some young players with off field "issues" (Lovett in particular). They still lack quality in the mid aged bracket although Hille and McVeigh are the standouts there and have had a great season.

Cant see much improvement next year, although their younger bracket is encouraging. Much will be expected of their 18-22 year olds to play above their age bracket for the next 2-3 seasons until they re-establish their depth. History shows thats a big ask.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

The Bombers season now appears to be heading for another year of not playing finals. This is now 4 years in a row where the Bombers have finished in the bottom bracket of the ladder. Over the past three years they finished 12th, 15th and 13th and appear to be in line to finish around 12th again. Where are they heading? Are they in for more years of pain or will they finally rise to finals again in 2009. My opinion is that the Bombers are on the rise and will threaten for the 8 next year. Despite the possible low finish I don't think Bombers fans should be disappointed with their year. They have performed better than most expected (me included) and I think there is light at the end of the tunnel for the Bombers. You thoughts on where the Bombers are heading in 2009.

I thought this would be a typical Pie troll and inevitably it will turn into a Collingwood vs Essendon list comparison but I think as a whole we are quite happy and surprised at some of our performances.

Anything less than top 8 next year and it will be a major disappointment. In fact with a good injury run I cannot see why we can't push for the top 4.

We've had 4 years down the bottom. We've picked up some good kids. We are getting games into them and by next year a lot of them will be ready to take another step forward.

 

[bomberstomake8]

The bombers are headed no ware. They have done themselves no favors by winning recently. They'll miss out on priority picks again and will be in the same position next year.

The best part about all of this is that it's the same old guys getting the job done for the bombers. Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher and more recently Damien Pevrill. 'Oh what a champion Lloyd is!" pffft, in 2 years time his performances will actually be the downfall.

It's fantastic to watch

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

 

[dave_27]

Have won a few extra games than people expected, but still nowhere near finals footy, so they will end up in no-mans land - well out of the finals and not close to a top five draft pick.
.

We've got Pick 5 right now as it stands.

Same as last year. Pick 2 in 2006, Pick 7 in 2005.

 

[Daytripper]

Cant see much improvement next year, although their younger bracket is encouraging. Much will be expected of their 18-22 year olds to play above their age bracket for the next 2-3 seasons until they re-establish their depth. History shows thats a big ask.

Bloody hell - we've been playing the last 12 weeks with about 25-26 players on the available list.

If thats not establishing depth then I don't know what is.

This thread will be funny when its bumped next year.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Have won a few extra games than people expected, but still nowhere near finals footy, so they will end up in no-mans land - well out of the finals and not close to a top five draft pick.

We are fifth last currently and will probably get a top 5 draft pick.

They still rely too much on their older players - Lloyd Lucas and Fletcher - and are carrying a lot of dead wood on their list (Johns Johnson and Lee in particular) as well as some young players with off field "issues" (Lovett in particular). They still lack quality in the mid aged bracket although Hille and McVeigh are the standouts there and have had a great season.

Lucas has missed half the season and has hobbled around the rest. Business as usual for Fletch and Lloyd

Hille, McVeigh, Watson, Welsh, Stanton, Lovett, McPhee are our middle bracket who have been responsible for our majority of wins.

Ryder, Lonergan, Davey, Jetta, Houli, Reimers, Winderlich, Dempsey will be pushing into that bracket from next year on.

Cant see much improvement next year, although their younger bracket is encouraging. Much will be expected of their 18-22 year olds to play above their age bracket for the next 2-3 seasons until they re-establish their depth. History shows thats a big ask.

Our younger bracket has been given plenty of chances this year and pound for pound has been probably one of the best in the league.

 

[fishalenko]

look at hird pick 53 was it?? you dont have to have low key draft picks to be any good look at col sylvia number 3 not as good as everyone made him out to be. dale thomas went top 3 not as good as everyone makes him out to be, if you recycle someone like jason johnson and damien pevrill you might get something out of it who knows wait till 2009.

as for next year will have some great young players look at hawthorn and th bulldogs no good for some time and this year there playin top 4 possibly in a grand final... finishing where we did could be good for the younger blokes experience.

 

[bomberstomake8]

Have won a few extra games than people expected, but still nowhere near finals footy, so they will end up in no-mans land - well out of the finals and not close to a top five draft pick.

They still rely too much on their older players - Lloyd Lucas and Fletcher - and are carrying a lot of dead wood on their list (Johns Johnson and Lee in particular) as well as some young players with off field "issues" (Lovett in particular). They still lack quality in the mid aged bracket although Hille and McVeigh are the standouts there and have had a great season.

Cant see much improvement next year, although their younger bracket is encouraging. Much will be expected of their 18-22 year olds to play above their age bracket for the next 2-3 seasons until they re-establish their depth. History shows thats a big ask.

we will get rid of all our deadwood this year, we got rid of a lot of it last year htis year, lee, johns, JJ probably pev etc will all be gone..
i dont think a collingwood supporter should talk about off feild issues..
lovett has been suspended twice this year for missing 2 training sessions (one he rocked up 20 minutes late too and was given a 2 match suspension) hardly a criminal mastermind.

i dont see how we have relied to much on lloyd lucas and fletcher,
like was touted as being finished about 6 weeks ago.. lucas has had 0 impact all season when he actually played he was beaten, and fletcher by his own accord hasnt had a good season.. he has been beaten quite a few times. i fail to see how we rely too much on our older players

our middle age bracket i agree we a a bit low but they have stepped up this year. mcveigh, hille, welsh to name a few, mcphee has been pretty good as has NLM.

the funny thing is that this year people go on about the fact that we have had some real promising kids playing for us which suprised them.. OUR MOST PROMISING KIDS HAVENT BEEN ABLE TO GET ONTO THE PARK.. if we get our most promising kids out there then our youth will really show through. im talking about gumbelton, dempsey, hislop, myers, etc... the kids that have proven quality so far this year are remiers (pick 42) lonergan (cant remember but was around the 40s), neagle (around 30), atkinson (rookie) etc.. there all our low picks which no1 rated before this season, the kids people rate are the low draft picks that will start playing significant game time next year.. that and the experience our ayounger players who have cemented there spot have will be where our improvement will come from.. not to meantion a few players like lucas, mcveigh etc returning from injuries

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

i dont see how we have relied to much on lloyd lucas and fletcher,
like was touted as being finished about 6 weeks ago.. lucas has had 0 impact all season when he actually played he was beaten, and fletcher by his own accord hasnt had a good season.. he has been beaten quite a few times. i fail to see how we rely too much on our older players

You rely on them because in their absence or declining form you are only 11th on the ladder. The next generation arent ready yet.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Our younger bracket has been given plenty of chances this year and pound for pound has been probably one of the best in the league.

Yep, but its a big ask to back up next year and the year after.

 

[Daytripper]

You rely on them because in their absence or declining form you are only 11th on the ladder. The next generation arent ready yet.

Of course they aren't.

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

 

[Mervyn Beasley]

I reckon somewhere b/w 7th and 12th next year. With something b/w 12 and 8 wins.
12 wins and 7th would be exceptional given recent years.
8 wins and 12th would be very dissappointing.
10/11 wins is probably realistic.

Whatever the case I'm tipping it will be the 4th slab in a row off my bomber bro in law for finishing below the Hawks. Was his idea to start this bet too LOL.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Of course they aren't.

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

This isnt about Collingwood. Dont railroad the thread.

 

[Lemon Lime]

Think the major difference this year has been the evolution of the middle-age player bracket..

If anything the reliance on the older brigade has lessened, with the improvement of hille, welsh, watson, monfries and lovett

Time will tell with the youngsters, but there is enough promise to show a little bit of excitement.

With correct list trimming and a couple more years the bombers should be thereabouts

 

[Daytripper]

This isnt about Collingwood. Dont railroad the thread.

Fair enough (I think the word you are looking for is 'derail' though).

However when you say they have no depth can you explain who has been filling in for McVeigh, Davey, Winderlich, Dempsey, Houli, Gumbleton and Myers the last few 8 weeks ?

If they had no depth you would have thought they would be getting smashed. Yet they have been winning.

Its a bit confusing, isn't it ?

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Fair enough (I think the word you are looking for is 'derail' though).

However when you say they have no depth can you explain who has been filling in for McVeigh, Davey, Winderlich, Dempsey, Houli, Gumbleton and Myers the last few 8 weeks ?

If they had no depth you would have thought they would be getting smashed. Yet they have been winning.

Its a bit confusing, isn't it ?

You are placed 11th on the ladder. Dont cherry-pick a month out of the season where you had a bit of a purple patch playing teams mainly outside the eight.

Yes you have some exciting youth but as I stated above its hard for first and second year players to back up in their follow-up years without enough senior players to lead them.

I cant see much improvement for the Bombers just yet.