Is Essendon's list still the worst in the AFL?

[GordonGecko]

What I'm saying is Priddis can't do much if kicks that are intended for him are going OOTF, or his disposals to teammates eventually go on to be turned over as well. He isn't perfect, but to say Priddis (or Hocking for that matter, who has his faults as well, don't get me wrong) are list cloggers is criminal.

Lock me up then.

They are list cloggers and part of the reason both sides have been in the doldrums. If he's a leading midfielder, Priddis or Hocking then there is a complete lack of class in your engine room.

If you took the time to read my thoughts on Priddis, and it's cute you feel the need to justify his ineptitude, Im not denying that he can find the ball, he can. But players like Priddis slow the play down.

By hand, by foot and by his own lack of pace.

If Hocking/Howlett and Stanton are classified as starting midfield rotations then there's not much hope of a succesful season.

Not every midfielder needs to bolt out of packs ala Ablett/Judd/Swan and kick goals on the run to be important to their side.

Absolutely agree. Never said they had to be.

Scott West was never one of those players, neither was Ratten, neither is Daniel Cross. What these players do bring, is the ability to keep the play going.

Hocking at best, IMO, is a back pocket specialist.

Not good enough to play through the middle and impact games consistently.

He's not a great ball winner and his game is mainly centred on his left boot.

Just a battler.

 

[Knight Ryders]

Essendon fans are getting a tad carried away at their prospects based on preseason form. They still have the 2nd poorest midfield in the AFL & nothing has really changed in that regard.

You may be right, but being infinitely better coached with structures in place can see our midfield be at least more competitive than it has in the past. We have a group of hard nuts in the centre square at the moment which will at least make it very hard to earn possessions against us.

 

[GordonGecko]

You may be right, but being infinitely better coached with structures in place can see our midfield be at least more competitive than it has in the past. We have a group of hard nuts in the centre square at the moment which will at least make it very hard to earn possessions against us.

Rather win matches.

 

[BomberWatson]

Lock me up then.

They are list cloggers and part of the reason both sides have been in the doldrums. If he's a leading midfielder, Priddis or Hocking then there is a complete lack of class in your engine room.

If you took the time to read my thoughts on Priddis, and it's cute you feel the need to justify his ineptitude, Im not denying that he can find the ball, he can. But players like Priddis slow the play down.

By hand, by foot and by his own lack of pace.

If Hocking/Howlett and Stanton are classified as starting midfield rotations then there's not much hope of a succesful season.



Absolutely agree. Never said they had to be.

Scott West was never one of those players, neither was Ratten, neither is Daniel Cross. What these players do bring, is the ability to keep the play going.

Hocking at best, IMO, is a back pocket specialist.

Not good enough to play through the middle and impact games consistently.

He's not a great ball winner and his game is mainly centred on his left boot.

Just a battler.

In regards to the bolded players, how do you know they won't develop into key parts of a successful midfield for us? Stanton IMO is overrated by some, and is not the answer to our success, but the other two (Howlett especially, Hocking has had more time to prove himself) could become anything. Key word being COULD, they may be busts as well. There's also Heppell and Melksham that could be promising for us. Chuck Jetta in there on occasion too, see what happens. I think at the end of the day, you're mainly right in regards to Hocking being a 'battler', but I still take exception to the 'list clogger' tag, but I won't lock you up for it

 

[HyperAgressiveDonk]

Essendon seems to have more players than any other side who are "due" for breakout seasons. Hurley, Hocking, Gumbleton, Zaharakis, Ryder, Hooker, Pears, Bellchambers, Jetta and there are probably a few more I have left out. They only need a few of these guys to take the next step this year to become competitive and finish mid table. I think that will happen.

People seriously undersell this side sometimes. I know they are not world beaters yet, but they have some players who will improve a lot this season.

They should be at least the equal of Melbourne this year and going forward as well.

 

[JD11]

Hocking at best, IMO, is a back pocket specialist.

.

Lol this just shows how little Essendon you watch. Remember Lecras last year? Well, that was Hocking's man for the majority of the night. Playing in a back pocket.

 

[Johnny619]

Hocking at best, IMO, is a back pocket specialist.

Not good enough to play through the middle and impact games consistently.

He's not a great ball winner and his game is mainly centred on his left boot.

Just a battler.

wow!...

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Essendon seems to have more players than any other side who are "due" for breakout seasons. Hurley, Hocking, Gumbleton, Zaharakis, Ryder, Hooker, Pears, Bellchambers, Jetta and there are probably a few more I have left out. They only need a few of these guys to take the next step this year to become competitive and finish mid table. I think that will happen.

People seriously undersell this side sometimes. I know they are not world beaters yet, but they have some players who will improve a lot this season.

They should be at least the equal of Melbourne this year and going forward as well.

I've always figured you as uncommonly smart for a Hawks supporter mate

 

[TownleyTime]

You may be right, but being infinitely better coached with structures in place can see our midfield be at least more competitive than it has in the past. We have a group of hard nuts in the centre square at the moment which will at least make it very hard to earn possessions against us.

No doubt the coaching staff will bring an initial difference but the jury is still well & truly out. You've had a good preseason but that's normally the first thing you see, an increased fitness base leading to a good start. With Malthouse, we won our first five games in 00' but then crashed.

There is no elite talent in your midfield & until that changes, you won't be climbing far up the ladder.

 

[Scodog10]

There is no elite talent in your midfield & until that changes, you won't be climbing far up the ladder.

Nah mate that's just plain wrong! Watson probably ain't in the top 10 players in the league but when it comes to in and under work he is the best, along with Sam Mitchell and Lenny Hayes, in the league. So in other words he is an elite inside midfielder. There main concern is that he just doesn't have enough support.

 

[jonoman89]

They still have a lot of crabs on their list. Hird has done effectively no list turn over at all, and blind freddie know he has to

Alwyn Davey
Ricky Dyson
Sam Lonergan
Andrew Welsh
Nathan Lovett Murray
Mark McVeigh
Kyle Reimers
Mark Williams

How the hell are these blokes still on their list? (i realise Williams has only played one season, but i think there's no chance he'll play good footy this year)

If Essendon fail to make the 8 this year, and i highly suspect they will, i don't understand how any coach in the league would want the above players on their list. They add nothing more than their younger players.

 

[Rack Watts]

I've always figured you as uncommonly smart for a Hawks supporter mate

Haha! harshly put.
One of those posters I actually stalk for decent input instead of one eyed bullshit.

 

[bombermick]

Davey is a crucial part of our side and isn't close to been a list-clogger. Lonergan stays 'til another inside mid pushes him out. McVeigh is one of our best kicks and deserves to stay 'til he hangs up the boots, while Willo desperately needs to lift his game to continue playing at the highest level. I wouldn't argue that Dyson, NLM etc will likely be delisted at the end of the season.

 

[Rack Watts]

They still have a lot of crabs on their list. Hird has done effectively no list turn over at all, and blind freddie know he has to

Alwyn Davey
Ricky Dyson
Sam Lonergan
Andrew Welsh
Nathan Lovett Murray
Mark McVeigh
Kyle Reimers
Mark Williams

How the hell are these blokes still on their list? (i realise Williams has only played one season, but i think there's no chance he'll paly good footy this year)

I think he is relying on having a good year and to look like is going to be a good coach in order to bring over some big fish.

Reimers, Davey and McVeigh aren't cloggers, the rest are.
I really like Lonergan too he's so hard at it.

 

[jonoman89]

Davey is a crucial part of our side and isn't close to been a list-clogger. Lonergan stays 'til another inside mid pushes him out. McVeigh is one of our best kicks and deserves to stay 'til he hangs up the boots, while Willo desperately needs to lift his game to continue playing at the highest level. I wouldn't argue that Dyson, NLM etc will likely be delisted at the end of the season.

Davey is a complete and utter crab. Lonergan adds virtually nothing, and McVeigh is one of the longest standing jokes opposition supporters make about your team. He's played what, 5 good games at the start of 2008?

Get rid of them and pick up some kids or mature age rookies.

 

[bombermick]

Davey is a complete and utter crab. Lonergan adds virtually nothing, and McVeigh is one of the longest standing jokes opposition supporters make about your team. He's played what, 5 good games at the start of 2008?

Get rid of them and pick up some kids or mature age rookies.

Who's a better crumber and adds better forward pressure? Jetta's getting there but Davey is comfortably our best small forward and is crucial when fit, particulary when we're trying to implement a press. McVeigh and Lonergan stay 'til they're forced out by other recruits.

 

[jonoman89]

Who's a better crumber and adds better forward pressure?

Probably every other forward pocket option there was in the 2010 draft. The bloke is nearing 27 years old and has flashed in and out of the game even at the best of times.

If McVeigh and Lonergan get given games ahead of Heppell, Hibberd and co. i will throw up. There is no future in these guys. It would be fine if they were depth players, but i dare say McVeigh, Welsh and NLM would be on some fair coin.

Please get some more decent players. I for one am getting sick of your spuds turning it on against us and then turning to shit the week after!

 

[Wernumberone]

Davey is a complete and utter crab.

You are completely clueless.

[YOUTUBE]cMcOHqTVO-4[/YOUTUBE]

[YOUTUBE]e4dRUSDVH2w[/YOUTUBE]

Damn fast crab...

Just 2 examples of many of his attacking side and his defensive run downs are most likely the best in the league.

 

[jonoman89]

Two highlight reels. Great. Betts is a far, far better player than Davey and even he isn't that good. Our 19 yo Jeff Garlett who weighs less than a pocket dictionary has already over taken Davey.

Lol. I love it how every Essendon player is apparently awesome because they are 'fast'. Youve been fast for 5 years and it's gotten you nowhere.

Just 2 examples of many of his attacking side and his defensive run downs are most likely the best in the league.

Jesus Christ....

 

[Wernumberone]

Two highlight reels. Great. Betts is a far, far better player than Davey and even he isn't that good. Our 19 yo Jeff Garlett who weighs less than a pocket dictionary has already over taken Davey.

Lol. I love it how every Essendon player is apparently awesome because they are 'fast'. Youve been fast for 5 years and it's gotten you nowhere.



Jesus Christ....

Don't be a complete and utter knob all your life mate.

You said he was an utter crab, i showed you two examples of many that prove is far from a crab.

His pace is his main attribute and that's why he's close to the best at running down and putting on defensive pressure in the league.

He's no gun but he's no crab.

 

[jonoman89]

Don't be a complete and utter knob all your life mate.

You said he was a crab, i showed you two of many that prove is far from a crab.

His pace is his main attribute and that's why he's close to the best at running down and putting on defensive pressure in the league.

He's no gun but he's no crab.

"Crab" is not a reference to a player's pace. It's his entire game. Every player has a highlight reel, its not conclusive evidence of anything.

Can you see him playing in a flag?

 

[bombermick]

Carlton have good small forwards, but there's a lot of clubs who would love a Davey. The way footy's going players like him are crucial. He is inconsistent, I'll grant you that. But to call him a crab is insane.

 

[yodellinhank]

"Crab" is not a refence to a player's pace. It's his entire game. Every playe'r has a highlight reel, its not conclusive evidence of anything.

Can you see him playing in a flag?

I would've thought the term "crab" referred to a player who moves sideways and/or moves the ball sideways as opposed to moving the ball forward. Otherwise it doesn't seem to make much sense to attribute a players' playing ability to the ability of a creature such as a crab? I don't see the correlation between being a crab and playing in a flag?

 

[Knight Ryders]

They still have a lot of crabs on their list. Hird has done effectively no list turn over at all, and blind freddie know he has to

Alwyn Davey
Ricky Dyson
Sam Lonergan
Andrew Welsh
Nathan Lovett Murray
Mark McVeigh
Kyle Reimers
Mark Williams

How the hell are these blokes still on their list? (i realise Williams has only played one season, but i think there's no chance he'll play good footy this year)

If Essendon fail to make the 8 this year, and i highly suspect they will, i don't understand how any coach in the league would want the above players on their list. They add nothing more than their younger players.

Every club has crabs on their list, Carlton have plenty too. It also wasn't too long ago everyone thought Jordan Russell was a crab - you probably did too since you're a hyper-critical person.

This wasn't the year to "cull".

 

[jonoman89]

Every club has crabs on their list, Carlton have plenty too. It also wasn't too long ago everyone thought Jordan Russell was a crab - you probably did too since you're a hyper-critical person.

JR had 0 confidence left after the Pagan years. He was treated like shit by a coach who had no idea what to do with him. But he has completely turned it around. There is every chance that some of your players i have listed could make a similar turn around, that i will not dispute. But i wouldn't count on it.

McVeigh, NLM, Welsh, Davey and all those older blokes though need to go. Short term pain for long-term gain.

Serious question: who do you identify as list cloggers on our list?

This wasn't the year to "cull".

Why not?