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Merv

Merv

<b>Resident Mongrel</b>
10k Posts
Jun 24, 2006
11,563
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The start of a new era
AFL Club
Essendon
FOOTY is officially back with the Crows trouncing the Magpies in the NAB Cup opener on Saturday in Dubai.
The United Arab Emirates match, together with four clubs spreading the AFL gospel in South Africa, means the league's global focus has been very much in evidence lately, but the rest of the fixtures in the league's pre-season competition are somewhat closer to home.
Over the course of the week afl.com.au will continue its review of how your club is shaping up for their opening NAB Cup match this weekend. Today, there's insight for fans of the Bombers and Dockers.

ESSENDON
NAB Cup round one match
Brisbane v Essendon, Gold Coast Stadium, Carrara, Saturday, February 16, 8.40pm (AEST, 7.40pm Brisbane time) (Network Ten)


Toyota AFL Premiership season round one match
Kangaroos v Essendon, Telstra Dome, Monday, March 24, 2.10pm (AEST) (Channel Seven)


AFL Telstra Community Camp
Gold Coast /Northern Rivers, Monday, February 4 – Thursday February 7. The Bombers took part in clinics and meet-the-people exercises throughout the region, with parasailing and surfing lessons also on the agenda.


Medical room
Darcy Daniher and John Williams are the only two players on the club’s injury list after each underwent shoulder reconstructions in the off-season. Both are expected to be available for round one of the home-and-away season.


Pre-season bolter
Coach Matthew Knights says he has been impressed with the work ethic of Leroy Jetta and Dean Dick over summer but recently singled out Ricky Dyson for special praise.
“Ricky’s definitely changed the way he attacks training from an aggressive point of view and the willingness to push at training when he’s fatigued,” Knights said. “He’s changed his behaviour.”


Veteran watch
Knights is expecting big things from former Lion Mal Michael this season.
“Mal joined us a bit later last year and now he’s had a whole pre-season with us and is training with a lot more verve and a lot more energy and there’s a spring about him, so I’m expecting Mal to have a strong year.
"I think he’ll play better than he did last year, no doubt about that.”


Position battle
The Bombers have the key forward posts locked down thanks to classy veterans Matthew Lloyd and Scott Lucas, but it will be interesting to see who fills in the space around them at the other end of the experience scale.
Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta excited the fans last season and will be jockeying for spots in the forward line along with fellow up-and-comers Kyle Reimers, Jay Neagle and Scott Gumbleton.


Club's word on the NAB Cup
Knights will be keen to evaluate as many of his young players as possible in a match environment as the club embarks on the post-Sheedy era, but skipper Lloyd also maintains his side is keen to advance to the next stage of the NAB Cup.
“Matthew [Knights] has named a squad and there’ll be plenty of opportunities for younger players with some experienced players in there also,” Lloyd said.
“We’re going into the game wanting to get the win and stay in Melbourne the week after.”
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http://www.afl.com.au/Season2007/News/NewsArticle/tabid/208/Default.aspx?newsId=55129
 

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Does anyone know if Scott Gumbleton is going to play this week? I know he has had an interupted pre-season but I just cant wait for him to step out in his #3 this year.
 
Schmick said:
That's what it says in the article.
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Only briefly skimmed through the article.
Pawtucket Patriot said:
Saturday, 8:30pm on Channel 10.
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Cheers. That is good news. I look forward to seeing the boys play. Personally I will be keeping an eye out for Dempsey, Houli and Reimers in particular. I see them as our next crop of midfielders. Dempsey has the capacity to be a gun. Great to hear he has done a full pre season and that hopefully his hamstring problems are well and truly behind him.
 

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Pelkanet said:
Interesting to see Knights giving a tip as Dyson the one to watch I've never seen to much potential in him...
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Really? I always thought that was the only thing we ever saw of him, potential.

He's showed potential but has never been able to be consistant with it. Only managing to have 1 good game every 15 and floating in and out of games all the time.
 
bomba4eva said:
Only briefly skimmed through the article.

Cheers. That is good news. I look forward to seeing the boys play. Personally I will be keeping an eye out for Dempsey, Houli and Reimers in particular. I see them as our next crop of midfielders. Dempsey has the capacity to be a gun. Great to hear he has done a full pre season and that hopefully his hamstring problems are well and truly behind him.
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Dempsey will be played off HB. He did this in the intra game on Saturday and played the role to perfection. I expect that he will play in this position in 2008

Pawtucket Patriot said:
Assuming Lloyd does not play (which he will not) and the the fact that Johns played at ff in the intraclub match suggestes he will play there in NAB Cup.
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Yes, Johns is a certainty for FF this week. He played well on Saturday at FF, dominating in the first half.

Merv Neagle said:
I doubt it but it's only a guess based on his ongoing Hammy problems
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Don't ask me why Merv but i have a feeling Gumby will play this week.
 
Schmick said:
He's showed potential but has never been able to be consistant with it. Only managing to have 1 good game every 15 and floating in and out of games all the time.
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Yes I worded that wrong he has shown some potential. with not bad kicking skills and some pace at times, i but i cant really seeing him doing much in the future if he only has had 1 good game out of 15. Is this just because he hasn't had the TOG or because he is useless.
 
Tyler16 said:
Johns f/forward?
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I suspect that this will be the case, although i'd rather see Johns playing CHF.
My only problem with Johns is that he can dominate for a burst of 15 minutes where he'll be in every contest, kick a few goals and then he won't be sighted for the rest of the game.
He's too inconsistent for my liking.

I heard that if we lose we play at MC Labour Park (Princes Park) at about 4.30pm, but that's just what i heard.
 

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