Review Doggies take the foot off the gas but still belt the Druggies 103 - 71

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

It’s beautiful watching Jake Stringer

25

Jake Stringer

Age

30

Ht

192cm

Wt

92kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

12.9

3star

K

8.5

3star

HB

4.4

3star

M

3.3

3star

T

2.5

4star

G

1.8

5star

D

8.5

2star

K

7.0

3star

HB

1.5

1star

M

2.8

3star

T

3.8

4star

G

2.5

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.8

2star

HB

2.4

3star

M

2.6

3star

T

1.4

4star

G

1.4

5star

sprint 20 metres and then stand there out of breath for 5 minutes.

 

[BarryMorgan]

It’s beautiful watching Jake Stringer sprint 20 metres and then stand there out of breath for 5 minutes.

But he is so ATHLETIC and EXPLOSIVE according to the Ch7 commentary team.

 

[Snarls Barkley]

I think you have to be pretty happy with that performance. Ineffective at times but got some strong performances from the bigger names. Thought Dunkley was unbelievable, Dale and Daniel controlled the game off half back. Naughton had an almost game, seemed to make a lot of contests but a rare game that he didn’t have sticky fingers so didn’t cash in. Ridley played an excellent game on him to be fair, one of their few good performers. Naughton still had four goal assists though.

The opposition was poor but our defensive pressure was good also. Don’t think they’ll be winning too many games this season if that is their standard.

 

[Anja_Nees]

It’s beautiful watching Jake Stringer sprint 20 metres and then stand there out of breath for 5 minutes.

The second I saw him in the pregame it seemed pretty obvious he’s put all the weight he lost last year back on.

Will always like him for his efforts in 15-16 but he’s reverted to the mean.

 

[weltschmerz]

The second I saw him in the pregame it seemed pretty obvious he’s put all the weight he lost last year back on.

Will always like him for his efforts in 15-16 but he’s reverted to the mean.

Stringer and Macrae were consecutive picks in the same draft. Their trajectories are so interesting to compare because Macrae has done everything and Stringer is still running on potential.

 

[doggies ftw]

Also anyone who thinks McComb will change with time obviously haven’t watched him at VFL level - he’s a butcherer at that level, that’s just what he brings - it’s not changing not at AFL level especially.

It’s not even just the kicking, he can’t hit a simple target by hand and is a fraction off the pace which makes him sloppy when trying to link up - the amount of chains that broke down due to him either not taking the ball cleanly or just straight up coughing it up yesterday was huge. He genuinely made our team worse by being on the field yesterday and that’s even with a 20 disposal/2 goal game.

Does he have some good attributes? Yes, and look at a team whose crying out for someone who can win a hardball like Essendon then sure maybe he could bring something, but how on earth is he bringing anything that this side needs right now?

 

[DognBones]

There's something to work with with McComb. He ran to the right spots, read the plah and actually looks decent cliches and congested stuff - hard at the ball, bounces off tackles, seemed to have a quickly processing mind when under presssure. Errors can come with a lack of composure - especially from a bloke who has never had the game played at that speed out when he has to make decisions. Age aside, there's not many players that can win the ball 20 times in their second game. He didn't loom fundamentally out of place unlike say Butler earlier this year.

Agree. The difference in the speed of the game between VFL and AFL is vast. This can require a lot of adjustment for a player who has spent his whole career at the lower level. No doubt his disposal yesterday was very poor on several occasions and I'm not convinced he's a long term proposition by any means, but if he can feel more comfortable at the level we may see improvement in his disposal. There was enough good in other elements of his game yesterday to keep his place in the team for now. At the very least it's good to know we have a player who can come into the side, work hard in the contest, give us 20+ disposals and kick a goal or two if and when the need arises.

 

[VitalDread]

Another great Gardner game

 

[DognBones]

With the imminent return of Keath and the resultant reshuffling of the back 6 we may see Williams struggle to hold his place. Not only does he look tentative in contests but he seems to have lost a yard and a half in pace. Others have suggested a move to the wing to replace either Roarke Smith

37

Roarke Smith

Age

28

Ht

184cm

Wt

82kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

11.7

3star

K

5.6

2star

HB

6.1

4star

M

2.4

3star

T

1.7

4star

CL

0.4

2star

No current season stats available

D

12.0

3star

K

5.8

3star

HB

6.2

4star

M

3.0

3star

T

1.6

4star

CL

0.2

2star

or Scott (on return) but unless we see some improvement in both leg speed and ball-handling that option may not eventuate.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

A truly game-breaking difference here.

View attachment 1389783

Yes but when you deduct all the ones we shouldn't have got, and added in the ones Essendon should have got, the result would have been completely different. Wouldn't it?

 

[weltschmerz]

Also anyone who thinks McComb will change with time obviously haven’t watched him at VFL level - he’s a butcherer at that level, that’s just what he brings - it’s not changing not at AFL level especially.

It’s not even just the kicking, he can’t hit a simple target by hand and is a fraction off the pace which makes him sloppy when trying to link up - the amount of chains that broke down due to him either not taking the ball cleanly or just straight up coughing it up yesterday was huge. He genuinely made our team worse by being on the field yesterday and that’s even with a 20 disposal/2 goal game.

Does he have some good attributes? Yes, and look at a team whose crying out for someone who can win a hardball like Essendon then sure maybe he could bring something, but how on earth is he bringing anything that this side needs right now?

47% efficiency over two games.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

That helps offer some insurance in case one of Dale or Daniel ends up going elsewhere.

The ones that leave tend to be those who aren't getting a chance and haven't for a while. I'm thinking West falls into that category. Stalwarts of the club don't just up and leave for a bit more money, it's regular game time they want more than anything.

 

[W W Biscuit]

The second I saw him in the pregame it seemed pretty obvious he’s put all the weight he lost last year back on.

Will always like him for his efforts in 15-16 but he’s reverted to the mean.

Yes, I certainly can't bring myself to join the chorus of boos when Jake plays us. I said to my Essendon supporting friend at the game, we've had 42 premiership players in our history, and Jake is one of them. He is up on my wall at home (not the pool room, but a version of it).

Whatever else Jake might have done, I hope for his continued maturation and wish him well. I wouldn't even mind if he did a Brett Montgomery and came back to the kennel near the end of his career - wiser, and more responsible than his younger, impetuous self.

 

[Munnez]

View attachment 1389078

Aged well that article

 

[Iamspock]

A truly game-breaking difference here.

View attachment 1389783

And I think 3-4 of their resulted in goals. I know one of ours did.

 

[Happy Daze]

What is up with Jack Macrae? Not playing onball as much recent weeks?

 

[The Slitherin' Snake]

It’s beautiful watching Jake Stringer sprint 20 metres and then stand there out of breath for 5 minutes.

He looked so unfit yesterday. Hardly got out of a jog all day and when he did he was short of breath as you say. He should be dropped on that effort

 

[Testekill]

What is up with Jack Macrae? Not playing onball as much recent weeks?

Looks like he's moved more to the wing while Hunter is out.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

We miss Hunter. Hope he’s sorting himself out, not just for our sake of course.

 

[Borshk]

I watched this game and thought Dunkley played a lot more forward than usual.

Do you think this will continue to be his role for the team?

 

[Lindsay_Gilbee]

We really need Mccomb out of the team… I don’t see how you can have him in over West.

 

[Munnez]

Glad to see the Ed Richards love on here. He played a fantastic game today. Having a pretty, pretty, pretty good season so far.

View attachment 1389547

Looks like the bloke from Catch 22 in that shot

 

[Munnez]

Sat behind this bombres supporter who in the first half was happy to pile onto his own players but then plot twist in the second half as we turned the screws decided it was the umpires who were gifting us enough frees to get a substantial lead.

Kudos to you my friend

Bomber supporter behind me piled into the Essendon players for the entire game after 1/4 time......lol

 

[Munnez]

But he is so ATHLETIC and EXPLOSIVE according to the Ch7 commentary team.

Can only do it once though

 

[Golden_6]

I watched this game and thought Dunkley played a lot more forward than usual.

Do you think this will continue to be his role for the team?

It’s a shuffling act to fit 6 genuine star onballers into 3. It seemed like Bont’s return to more midfield time came at Dunks expense but he still managed to have a huge impact on the game.

Without knowing exactly, I feel like those two were almost directly swapping at full forward with each other. They started a lot of centre bounces in the square.