Lloyd and Fletcher back for West Coast clash

[Burzum]

Essendon Captain, Matthew Lloyd, will get some much needed game time into his legs this Friday night when he plays his first game of the year against West Coast at Subiaco Oval.

Lloyd has been rested for the past four weeks after feeling hamstring soreness and did not play in the intra-club match or past three NAB Cup games.

Assistant coach, Scott Camporeale, said it is important for Lloyd to have the chance to play a game this Friday after missing all the pre-season games.

"He will get to have a hit-out or two before the season starts which is very important because it will give him some touch rather than just training," he said.

"I would have thought it has been frustrating for him after getting through the pre-season training and then getting soreness before the first intra-club game.

"While it would have been nice to see him playing earlier, we were always looking towards Round One and didn't want to take any risks with him during the pre-season.

"We would like him to have a decent run this Friday night but we will just monitor him during the game and see how he goes."

In another boast to the Bombers' squad, 2007 All-Australian backman, Dustin Fletcher, will also play after recovering from knee soreness.

"Matthew Knights has said he wants to play basically the best team possible on Friday night and focus on game styles and match fitness ahead of Round One," Camporeale said.

"There is less than three weeks until our first game against North Melbourne and we want to make sure the players all are ready to implement, in a game, what we have been practicing so hard in pre-season.

"Getting two of our key players back at this time of year is a big plus because we really wanted to make sure they have a few games under their belt before the season proper begins."

The full Essendon squad will be announced tomorrow.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5610

 

[Pevers-Legend]

so will this will be a good look into what the composition of the team will look like in round 1.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I'm a bit busy at work to research, so can anyone quickly tell me:

a) when is the game on
b) is it televised on, say, fox or some ABC2 channel (doubtful), or
c) will SEN cover it, as I thought I heard them covering a NAB challenge match on the weekend?

kthxbye

 

[Kevin Walsh Mo]

Squad just named:

Backs: Slattery Fletcher Nash
Half-backs: Lovett-Murray Ryder Dempsey
Centres: Monfries Dyson McVeigh
Half-forwards: Jetta Lucas Houli
Forwards: Johns Lloyd Davey
Rucks: Hille Stanton Watson
Bench: Peverill Ramanauskas Bellchambers Laycock Pears Lonergan Johnson

 

[Merv]

I'm a bit busy at work to research, so can anyone quickly tell me:

a) when is the game on
b) is it televised on, say, fox or some ABC2 channel (doubtful), or
c) will SEN cover it, as I thought I heard them covering a NAB challenge match on the weekend?

kthxbye

Friday 6.40pm

Not televised nor broadcast to the best of my knowledge.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Friday 6.40pm

Not televised nor broadcast to the best of my knowledge.

thanks Merv

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Any WA bomber supporters going to the game?

 

[Merv]

Dustin Fletcher will be a welcomed addition to the Bombers' backline.

Ricky Dyson will add pace to the Essendon midfield.​

Bombers prepare for season preview

Wednesday, 5 March 2008
The lightening-paced leg speed of Essendon’s new-look midfield will have an opportunity to really show the damage they can inflict when they take to the wide expanses of Subiaco oval this Friday night.

Having been knocked out of the NAB Cup last week, Essendon are set to take on West Coast on their home turf and face the extra test of the long flight to Perth. However, judging from the Bombers’ past three performances, it is clear they are not shy of a challenge and will receive a major confidence boost if they can secure victory on this occasion.

Essendon’s contingency of youth has been a talking point throughout the NAB Cup, proving exciting times are ahead for the Bombers. They have taken it upon themselves to stand up in the absence of some of the team’s key senior players but, with an almost full strength side set to play this week, there will be added pressure as players vie for Round 1 selection.

Matthew Lloyd and Dustin Fletcher are two key additions to the Bombers’ line-up this week for their first appearance in the pre-season competition. Lloyd was in exceptional condition this pre-season before a minor setback due to a hamstring complaint and Friday night's test could prove a good gauge to see how he compares with the competition.

Fletcher will be welcomed by the Essendon backline with his experience likely to be a key ingredient to the young mix of Jay Nash, Courtenay Dempsey and Patrick Ryder. Nash has been in impressive form in the veteran’s absence with his accuracy by hand and foot a real positive, but having one of the competition’s best full-backs on side will only further aid his game.

Click here to purchase your 2008 Essendon membership.

The Bombers’ tackling pressure is likely to be a focal point of this week’s match after Matthew Knights highlighted it as a key area left wanting in last week’s clash with St Kilda. He has called on his midfield to lift in this area and wants to ensure the defensive pressure is on song across the ground.

Mark McVeigh, who was bitterly disappointed in last week's three point loss, is sure to lead by example in this regard but he will need the support of his less experienced teammates in order to make any inroads into shutting down a star-studded West Coast midfield.

Ricky Dyson will be keen to pick-up where he left off in the NAB Cup when he returns to the side this week and Angus Monfries will want to put last week’s performance behind him as he is given another opportunity to test himself in the Essendon midfield.

These two players are among a number of future stars looking to cement themselves as regulars in the centre in 2008 and, with only a handful of positions available, the selection pressure is only going to add to the Bombers’ influence on the field this season.


Essendon’s squad is:
Backs: Slattery Fletcher Nash
Half-backs: Lovett-Murray Ryder Dempsey
Centres: Monfries Dyson McVeigh
Half-forwards: Jetta Lucas Houli
Forwards: Johns Lloyd Davey
Rucks: Hille Stanton Watson
Bench: Peverill Ramanauskas Bellchambers Laycock Pears Lonergan Johnson

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=5611

 

[boms]

Friday 6.40pm

Not televised nor broadcast to the best of my knowledge.

isnt it 8.40 melbourne time?

 

[DonMania#5]

How much are on the bench for Nab Challenge matches? I think 6.

 

[The_Young_Gun]

I reaken they wont play Fletch yet..... Too valuable.... And wouldn't mind seeing how they do without Mal either.

 

[DonMania#5]

They have to play Fletch, this is the last practice match. Needs atleast one game going into the real stuff.

 

[matthewlloydwebber]

Squad just named:

Backs: Slattery Fletcher Nash
Half-backs: Lovett-Murray Ryder Dempsey
Centres: Monfries Dyson McVeigh
Half-forwards: Jetta Lucas Houli
Forwards: Johns Lloyd Davey
Rucks: Hille Stanton Watson
Bench: Peverill Ramanauskas Bellchambers Laycock Pears Lonergan Johnson

interestingly (or not), our fwd line there is comprised entirely of left footers.

 

[Tyler16]

when will winderlich get a run? will he make round one or is he going o need some match practice

 

[Windas_Magic]

Where's Welsh and Mal? Thought Knights was playing full strenghth

 

[lamaros]

Assuming McPhee is good for round 1, who will he replace? And Welsh and Mal? And Lovett comes in for?

Looks like we could have some decent competition for places this year.

 

[Longy413]

when will winderlich get a run? will he make round one or is he going o need some match practice

He'll play in the VFL match next week.

Assuming McPhee is good for round 1, who will he replace? And Welsh and Mal? And Lovett comes in for?

Looks like we could have some decent competition for places this year.

Johns, Monfries, Pev, Lonergan, JJ...

But you're right, there is some competition.

 

[FandangoDingo]

Where's Welsh and Mal? Thought Knights was playing full strenghth

It was Hislop... drinking full strength!

 

[FandangoDingo]

Johns, Monfries, Pev, Lonergan, JJ...

. Monfries not is the best 22 for Round 1, ya reckon?? Big call!

I think Slattery would be wanting to put in a good one this weekend.

 

[Spartan]

Looks like myers won't start in round 1.

 

[Shane Hird]

Its a rare wet and windy day here in Perth today. Its gunna be humid,wet and heavy....good conditions to test the ground skills of the younger brigade.

I'll be going