Could Essendon be big improvers

[Bluebear]

How is making the finals for a young team a bad thing? We miss out on draft picks? Who friggin cares. Our young players would be getting finals experince and a winning mentality. Who cares if you get 5 straight #1 picks, if they don't know how to win or ever learn how to cope in finals atmosphere they'll never win a flag.

Yep, finals experience is great, was more looking at it from a list management point of view.
Hirds shoes are big ones to fill. As soon as he came back last year the whole team changed around him. As Hird is only one player does this lack of performance speak more to Sheedy's ability to get his team to perform?

 

[DaSawx]

Yep, finals experience is great, was more looking at it from a list management point of view.
Hirds shoes are big ones to fill. As soon as he came back last year the whole team changed around him. As Hird is only one player does this lack of performance speak more to Sheedy's ability to get his team to perform?

Take out Hird and there's still talent on the list, the younger players need to learn how to win, with and without him. You can't expect them to do this without a good bunch of senior players guiding them through.

Sure the older players end up retiring, we still have time to draft their replacements and keep imrpoving our young squad.

IMO, winning as many games as possible is what is needed for this young team, if older players are there to help them through it before they retire then so be it, they will be better for it when they do call it a day.

 

[Blues_Man]

Think Fev bashing someone or being bashed by someone at a pub is more of a worry than Lloyd's hamstrings.

Think Carlton's ruck depth after Ackland is more of a worry than ours after Hille (Laycock, Ryder or even Bradley are better than McLaren).

Think Hird is just a likely to play 10+ games as Dancing Queen Kouta.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. People who barrack for Carlton should shut the **** up.

I hope for your sake that you are 15

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

Cant see any immediate improvement in that list. Theres a huge hole in their mid-aged players - the club is being held up by experienced veterans on their last legs at one end, and talented but inexperienced players at the other end. In the middle age group the only players worth their salt are Hille and McPhee.

 

[The Kipster]

Gees Kipster, can I win with you mate?

You've made your feelings about Eagles supporters quite clear on another thread based partly on their one eyed nature, then I give a fair assessment of what I think of Essendon's chances and I'm a fool?

BK I was not having a go....it was just a "BK you fool" a bit like Mr T..... meaning this can open up a can of worms for your rivalry with the Dons thats all...

It was a fair assessment.

 

[anth22]

I think its halirious how optimistic, hopeful, forgetful and forgiving these essendon supporters are of their current list and coach. Bulldogs, Hawks, Tigers and Blues have all started their rebuilding campaigns well in advance of the Bombers and have made a lot more drastic changes over the past 5 years yet all these Essendon supporters think they have a better chance of making finals than any of these teams.

If Essendon improves it won't be sustainable, just a lucky year like Carlton in '04 when we won all our close ones and had a fairly injury free year.

Swans, Eagles, Crows, Dockers and Saints maybe also Demons are the current Powerhouses.

The next set will be Bulldogs, Tigers, Hawks and Blues possibly Cats if they get their act together.

Bombers and Magpies

 

[7zark7]

I believe Essendon recuited poorly this year.

LOL I was waiting to see either yours or Shanbois reaction to the draft...is this the best you could do?? Drafted poorly...you must have been gutted when you heard the names Gumby, Jetta, Hislop and Houli read out for Essendon. Don't worry you will be a good team next year so maybe focus on that.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I think its halirious how optimistic, hopeful, forgetful and forgiving these essendon supporters are of their current list and coach. Bulldogs, Hawks, Tigers and Blues have all started their rebuilding campaigns well in advance of the Bombers and have made a lot more drastic changes over the past 5 years yet all these Essendon supporters think they have a better chance of making finals than any of these teams.

If Essendon improves it won't be sustainable, just a lucky year like Carlton in '04 when we won all our close ones and had a fairly injury free year.

Swans, Eagles, Crows, Dockers and Saints maybe also Demons are the current Powerhouses.

The next set will be Bulldogs, Tigers, Hawks and Blues possibly Cats if they get their act together.

Bombers and Magpies

Reasoning behind your thoughts? Oh, you have none? Just your uneducated opinion. Rightio then.

 

[7zark7]

Bombers and Magpies

yeah mate cos the Blues will finish top 4. They are dynamic

 

[The Kipster]

LOL I was waiting to see either yours or Shanbois reaction to the draft...is this the best you could do?? Drafted poorly...you must have been gutted when you heard the names Gumby, Jetta, Hislop and Houli read out for Essendon. Don't worry you will be a good team next year so maybe focus on that.

Don't know much about the others but Jetta is a front runner, you would want to hope he lives up to expectations thats for sure...

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Don't know much about the others but Jetta is a front runner, you would want to hope he lives up to expectations thats for sure...

what, the top 10 expectations when he actually went later?

 

[The Kipster]

He was mooted all over the place, I am saying from the LIVE games I have seen....you better hope he doesn't end up another Harry Miller thats all....over and out...

 

[Butch16210]

I, like many Essendon supporters, watched our 2006 season fall away, there were times when I wanted to simply walk away from the ground and never return. It was painful, frustrating and sometimes heartbreaking.

However there were times, in amongst all the turnovers and missed oppurtunities, little ten minute periods, where everything clicked. We looked fantastic.

We lost many games by under a goal. Surely no one could argue that Matthew Lloyds boot would turn at least half of these losses into wins. I cannot believe that people on these forums have such a lack of respect for a key forward, a man who is capable of kicking over 100 goals in a season. He will make a huge difference to the teams mental standing on the field. Our midfielders would be far more confident kicking into the forward fifty if they were kicking to their captain and multiple coleman medalist.

Some of the younger players are going to continue to rise, some are going to fall away, but overall Essendon can only improve. Premiers? No. Top Four? Probably Not. Finalists? I personally believe we have more than enough talent to do so.

Oh well we'll find out in a few months won't we?

 

[dave_27]

Your responses are laughable to say the least.Youve got the slowest midfield in the afl

Says you who comapared Brent Stantons pace who was one of the fastest players at the 2003 Draft Camp to that of Mark Mcgoughs.

Oh dear

 

[The Kipster]

^^ Very level headed reply there Butcher.....there should be no doubt about improvement, to what level is the thing.....look from where I sit I wish for the Hawks, Bombers, Blues and Rooboys to all get back up there and renew the greatest rivalries seen in this competition.....this interstate dominance was a joke for a while but really now I am over it....

 

[dave_27]

Blues have all started their rebuilding campaigns well in advance of the Bombers and have made a lot more drastic changes over the past 5 years yet all these Essendon supporters think they have a better chance of making finals than any of these teams.

What the same team topping up with lemons from other clubs to lead their ruck divsion?

 

[GO DONS]

look im not one to be bias but i do feel that they could be a smokey for the 8 if not just out. The first 3 games we looked alright until the injury thats 15-20% of our goals gone plus injuries didnt help and with mal there it will only help THIS year verdict, 8-12th

 

[Bluebear]

Think Fev bashing someone or being bashed by someone at a pub is more of a worry than Lloyd's hamstrings.

Think Carlton's ruck depth after Ackland is more of a worry than ours after Hille (Laycock, Ryder or even Bradley are better than McLaren).

Think Hird is just a likely to play 10+ games as Dancing Queen Kouta.

People in glass houses shouldn't throw stones. People who barrack for Carlton should shut the **** up.

Wow, a little touchy there don't ya think Jex. Throwing stones........thought I was offerring an opinion on an open board. So before you tell be to ******** off again, check to see if you on your home turf or not.

Absolutely right about our depth in the ruck......but if only this was a thread about how well I thought the blues would do, then you would have made a really good point.........sadly, all you have got there is Hille, and a second year player in Ryder ? may or may not turn out.....Laycock and Bradley who again MAY develope into good support rucks, but haven;t looked the goods so far.

Since Kouta re-did his knee in 2001 (played only 3 games) he has had two full seasons (22 games) and averaged 19 games a year.
Hird has averaged 15 games in the same period with 17 being his best effort. CHECK YOUR FACTS. And yes Kouta is probably a better dancer than Jimmy.

I think that your comment regarding Fev is a sad attempt to throw mud, so here's my sad attempt...............lets just hope that when Fletcher attempts to trip his next victim (its not if, but when) that neither player breaks their leg. If one has to lets hope its Fletcher..........Karma catches up.

 

[HBF]

They will have Mal Michael in the team for 2 years, and Lloyd will be back, but Essendon (or maybe Sheedy) seem to be happy with picking up the 28-30 year olds from other clubs. I just think that this will be to the detrement of the younger kids who may not develop as well as they could.

Their depth isn't great, and a couple of injuries to a couple of key players will almost certainly result in a bottom 4 finish in '07.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

They will have Mal Michael in the team for 2 years, and Lloyd will be back, but Essendon (or maybe Sheedy) seem to be happy with picking up the 28-30 year olds from other clubs. I just think that this will be to the detrement of the younger kids who may not develop as well as they could.

Let me get this straight. You think that a team featuring 18 18-20 year olds would be successful?

You think that experience is a non-essential part of success?

How on Earth can experienced players stunt the development of kids?

 

[gussy6isagun]

FB: M.Johnson Michael Fletcher
HB: Lovett-Murray Lucas Welsh
C: McVeigh Campo McPhee
HF: Stanton Johns Monfries
F: Lovett Lloyd Hird
R: Hille J.Johnson Watson

Rest of the list- Bolten, Bradley, Cole, Davey, Dempsey, Dyson, Gumbleton, Heffernan, Hilsop, Houli, Jetta, Laycock, Lee, Lonergan, Nash, Neagle, Peverill, Ramanauskus, Reimers, Ryder, Slattery, Winderlich

Not a bad list at all.

I agree but i think some of this yeears Draftees will be in our best 22.

 

[La Vache]

The addition of Michael and Lloyd might get them an extra 4-5 wins.

Expecting the addition of their draftee's to have any significant impact on the wins column is silly.

So eight wins, 9 or 10 at a stretch.

 

[OB1]

I think its halirious how optimistic, hopeful, forgetful and forgiving these essendon supporters are of their current list and coach. Bulldogs, Hawks, Tigers and Blues have all started their rebuilding campaigns well in advance of the Bombers and have made a lot more drastic changes over the past 5 years yet all these Essendon supporters think they have a better chance of making finals than any of these teams.
QUOTE]

Ah would that possibly be because those teams have been crap for a lot longer????? Just a thought to ponder. Do you think WC & Sydney should forget about next year & concentrate on a full re-build for 2010? Well thats exactly what your saying Essendon should have done.

By my calculations we've got 7 players left from our 2000 flag side. Do you think we should have just delisted Lloyd, Lucas, Hird, Fletcher & the Johnsons in 2002 & picked up 17-18 year olds - is that your recipe for success is it? Gee how stupid of the club to give each season the best go we can. All this time they should have simply tanked like the example clubs you've used. Failure breeds success doesn't it?

 

[BK Eaglesfan]

BK I was not having a go....it was just a "BK you fool" a bit like Mr T..... meaning this can open up a can of worms for your rivalry with the Dons thats all...

It was a fair assessment.

No worries mate......no offence taken

Still can't believe I had nice things to say about that mob actually. Tip them to perhaps slide into the bottom half of the 8 at year's end. Whether they have a rash of retirements after that who knows, but I think this old list things is a fallacy.

Strangely Bulldogs supporters have been amongst the most vocal about Essendon's list age, and what a mistake to recruit Michael when they should be rebuilding.

I'd be more concerned with Rohan Smith having retired, and the team's best players still being West, Grant, Johnson, Darcy. Pull out the 06 Brownlow favourite, the leading goalkicker and their best KPP, all of whom are no spring chickens and for all the highly rated youngsters I think the Dogs are in trouble.

 

[Rocky Rambo]

Collingwood 2006 = Bombers 2007

They certainly wont finish higher than 5th though.

Jeez, its not Rocket Science knowing they'll imrpove