Roast Essendon in no mans land

[Yoda_]

North Melbourne made finals in 2016, but didn't win one. Regardless, most clubs actually celebrate finals wins - it's Essendon that's the outlier by being perennial losers.

nuh man, we celebrate premierships not menially elimination finals like they are the be all and end all

Didn't St.Kilda throw a reunion for making a grand final ?

 

[Engimal v3]

nuh man, we celebrate premierships not menially elimination finals like they are the be all and end all

Didn't St.Kilda throw a reunion for making a grand final ?

You're the one who brought up the Elimination Final, not me - but what a lovely reminder of that time North humiliated Essendon. I'd actually forgotten on account of it being 1 of 3 finals we played that year - but I understand why it'd be memorable for a Bombers fan; you have to appreciate them when you make them.

 

[carnthedons]

You're the one who brought up the Elimination Final, not me - but what a lovely reminder of that time North humiliated Essendon. I'd actually forgotten on account of it being 1 of 3 finals we played that year - but I understand why it'd be memorable for a Bombers fan; you have to appreciate them when you make them.

Pfft. That wasn’t a humiliation. We know how to do EF humiliations, see 2009, 2011, 2017, 2019, 2021

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

Pies and Blues fans talking positively about Essendon, I see through your reverse psychology.

Have to give some credit where it’s due. There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity to do so over my time on BigFooty.

I feel like Essendon are where Carlton were at 2 years ago when we probably should’ve made finals. Recruited some best 22 talent and have a bunch of 20-24 year olds ready to take the next step. I think we obviously had better KPP but Essendon have the rest of the ground almost covered, would love a Martin or Perkins on our list.

Need to continue adding talent to get that next boost. Unsure whether we have done that yet.

 

[HirdyLannister]

Have to give some credit where it’s due. There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity to do so over my time on BigFooty.

I feel like Essendon are where Carlton were at 2 years ago when we probably should’ve made finals. Recruited some best 22 talent and have a bunch of 20-24 year olds ready to take the next step. I think we obviously had better KPP but Essendon have the rest of the ground almost covered, would love a Martin or Perkins on our list.

Need to continue adding talent to get that next boost. Unsure whether we have done that yet.

I'm not buying these compliments.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

I'm not buying these compliments.

It’s time to believe

 

[windyhill]

North Melbourne made finals in 2016, but didn't win one. Regardless, most clubs actually celebrate finals wins - it's Essendon that's the outlier by being perennial losers.

Last flag ?

 

[Engimal v3]

Last flag ?

Hasn't happened yet

 

[windyhill]

You're the one who brought up the Elimination Final, not me - but what a lovely reminder of that time North humiliated Essendon. I'd actually forgotten on account of it being 1 of 3 finals we played that year - but I understand why it'd be memorable for a Bombers fan; you have to appreciate them when you make them.

I wouldn’t say humiliation, it was a good game of football. Humiliation would be 2000 where the final margin was 125, now that’s proper humiliation.

 

[eth-dog]

Have to give some credit where it’s due. There hasn’t been a lot of opportunity to do so over my time on BigFooty.

I feel like Essendon are where Carlton were at 2 years ago when we probably should’ve made finals. Recruited some best 22 talent and have a bunch of 20-24 year olds ready to take the next step. I think we obviously had better KPP but Essendon have the rest of the ground almost covered, would love a Martin or Perkins on our list.

Need to continue adding talent to get that next boost. Unsure whether we have done that yet.

As far as the timeline goes, we're at the 2019 equivalent for you guys (assuming you started your build in 2015, and we did 2020).

I think it's a dumb thread. We've clearly been rebuilding from the end of 2020 onwards when we lost basically half our core players. So this is year 4 of our build. We've hit the draft hard in the first two rounds (Perkins, Cox, Reid, Hobbs, Tsatas, Hayes, Caddy and Lual) and bringing in former first round picks for cents on the dollar (Caldwell, Wright, Setterfield, Duursma and Weidman, who obviously hasn't worked out), Free Agents so we don't have to give up draft picks (Kelly, McKay, Gresham, Goldstein). We're looking like we have a stronger midfield between Durham, Caldwell, Perkins, Merrett and Parish.

Need to bank wins the next month or so if we're to make it.

 

[Kreuuuzeurns]

As far as the timeline goes, we're at the 2019 equivalent for you guys (assuming you started your build in 2015, and we did 2020).

I think it's a dumb thread. We've clearly been rebuilding from the end of 2020 onwards when we lost basically half our core players. So this is year 4 of our build. We've hit the draft hard in the first two rounds (Perkins, Cox, Reid, Hobbs, Tsatas, Hayes, Caddy and Lual) and bringing in former first round picks for cents on the dollar (Caldwell, Wright, Setterfield, Duursma and Weidman, who obviously hasn't worked out), Free Agents so we don't have to give up draft picks (Kelly, McKay, Gresham, Goldstein). We're looking like we have a stronger midfield between Durham, Caldwell, Perkins, Merrett and Parish.

Need to bank wins the next month or so if we're to make it.

I think the thread came around because until Tsatas Essendon were missing the absolute elite end of the draft where the match winners are found. It begins to get a bit hit and miss around pick 6-10 depending on the draft, less than 50% of picks 11-20 will play 100 games.

Of the list I think Perkins and Caddy could really become that damaging match winner. The rest you would hope become very good players if not A graders. Time will tell.

 

[Rod Stroker]

Sitting 5th by beating no one in the 8 and barely getting over the line in most games against those lower ranked teams. We've seen this movie before, I don't mind a re-watch.

 

[Westlo]

Sitting 5th by beating no one in the 8 and barely getting over the line in most games against those lower ranked teams. We've seen this movie before, I don't mind a re-watch.

This movie is clearly different as we're moved through the hard part of our draw (outside of round 16-18) were the only games we were odds to win were vs hawks and eagles.

Saints, Crows, Dogs were all tipped to finish higher this year than Essendon and our drawn game is against the reigning premiers who spanked us by 70 points in round 24 last year.

Going by bookies Essendon should be 2-6 but we're 5-1-2 and after the gws game which is a true 50/50 we're entering the soft part of our draw. 8 games played and only 2 games were against teams that finished lower than us last season with the 6 who finished above all considered contenders to play finals at the start of this season.

All this with our second best player not even getting on the field this year and our main forward being rubbed out for 4 weeks.

 

[matthew_s]

This movie is clearly different as we're moved through the hard part of our draw (outside of round 16-18) were the only games we were odds to win were vs hawks and eagles.

Saints, Crows, Dogs were all tipped to finish higher this year than Essendon and our drawn game is against the reigning premiers who spanked us by 70 points in round 24 last year.

Going by bookies Essendon should be 2-6 but we're 5-1-2 and after the gws game which is a true 50/50 we're entering the soft part of our draw. 8 games played and only 2 games were against teams that finished lower than us last season with the 6 who finished above all considered contenders to play finals at the start of this season.

All this with our second best player not even getting on the field this year and our main forward being rubbed out for 4 weeks.

congrats on limping past the worst side in AFL history btw.

 

[mike ross]

congrats on limping past the worst side in AFL history btw.

Yeah thanks we'll take the four points. Better luck next time.

 

[Don Won]

congrats on limping past the worst side in AFL history btw.

You guys are definitely up there

 

[Cyclops]

congrats on limping past the worst side in AFL history btw.

Google Fitzroy 1996.

 

[JayJ20]

Sitting 5th by beating no one in the 8 and barely getting over the line in most games against those lower ranked teams. We've seen this movie before, I don't mind a re-watch.

It's not our fault Bulldogs, St Kilda and Adelaide couldn't get their shit together. Drew against the reigning premiers in good form who just beat one of those top 8 teams you're talking about. There's an opportunity this week vs GWS at home so a good test.

 

[NetworkNerd]

Best ranked big 4 club ladder wise. Would have been in the top 4 if Geelong continued their streak against the Dees.

It's not our fault Bulldogs, St Kilda and Adelaide couldn't get their s**t together. Drew against the reigning premiers in good form who just beat one of those top 8 teams you're talking about. There's an opportunity this week vs GWS at home so a good test.

Hopefully you get 45-50K at Marvel to cheer the boys on. GWS just starting to look a little shaky in the past 3 weeks.

 

[Gavin Excell]

This movie is clearly different as we're moved through the hard part of our draw (outside of round 16-18) were the only games we were odds to win were vs hawks and eagles.

Saints, Crows, Dogs were all tipped to finish higher this year than Essendon and our drawn game is against the reigning premiers who spanked us by 70 points in round 24 last year.

Going by bookies Essendon should be 2-6 but we're 5-1-2 and after the gws game which is a true 50/50 we're entering the soft part of our draw. 8 games played and only 2 games were against teams that finished lower than us last season with the 6 who finished above all considered contenders to play finals at the start of this season.

All this with our second best player not even getting on the field this year and our main forward being rubbed out for 4 weeks.

Agree going well and there seems to be a bit more sturdiness to Essendon this year.

Having said that, the June is a only few weeks away, and Essendons recent record over the winter months is appaling.

 

[janty]

Lost by like 6 goals to Sydney and then I started hearing about edging or something.

 

[JayJ20]

Agree going well and there seems to be a bit more sturdiness to Essendon this year.

Having said that, the June is a only few weeks away, and Essendons recent record over the winter months is appaling.

It's not just a particular month, season or stage of the year. The season ends whenever we play Geelong. 2022 season ended round 1. Ended round 18 last year.

So our season is scheduled to end towards the end of June in round 16.

 

[Great8]

Yeah our draw hasn’t been super tough but 4 interstate trips on the first 8 games so only leave Melbourne twice more for the rest of the season. Can only beat who the opposition put out there and I don’t think many Bomber fans had us down for 5 wins in our first 8 plus a share of the spoils on ANZAC Day. Will it continue, who knows but it sure beats losing

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Sitting 5th by beating no one in the 8 and barely getting over the line in most games against those lower ranked teams. We've seen this movie before, I don't mind a re-watch.

lol

 

[jannissary]

i think we are, as a club, still treading water.

it's an odd spot to be in because the foundation is there, and the path to success does exist, but it remains to be seen if we'll be able to actually achieve something going forward. i broadly agree with the sentiment that essendon is ahead of where we were expected to be at this point in the season, but i think that the port adelaide loss was the most telling of where we are at.

it showed 2 things. what we do as a team when our game plan is challenged, and how we fight back into a game. our performance as comparable (albeit less damaging) to our end of season losses to gws and collingwood in 2023. listless and pathetic. however, instead of capitulating, we've arguably improved since then, within reason. we're not leaking goals on the transition as much as we had been doing this season, while overall improving our defensive pressure.

think august is where the crunch time will be for essendon, and will be giving us a better indicator of where we are at as a club.

also think that zac merrett is a smokey for the brownlow, but watch him get rubbed out for something no other player would get weeks for