POBT
Brownlow Medallist
When: Friday 27 February 2008 - 7.40pm Mexico time
Where: Telstra Dome
TV Coverage:
Channel 7:
Live: NT 6pm TAS 7:30pm
Delay: VIC,SA,WA,NSW(7HD),ACT(PrimeHD),QLD(7HD) 8:30pm NSW,ACT,QLD 1am(Sat)
Fox Sports 1: Replay Time TBA
Fox Sports Plus: Live QLD 6:30pm NSW,ACT 7:30pm
(Thanks CousinJed for TV coverage info)
In round 1 of the NAB Cup, both sides had close wins against preliminary finalists from 2008 and would be pretty happy with their efforts.
This is a battle of 10th v 12th from last year's premiership but both sides would have higher aspirations than that with finals an achievable goal. I've made the point that I think Brisbane must make the finals to be seen to have progressed whilst I believe Essendon to be still in a more developmental mode. Bombers supporters have disputed this but I would contend that it is a great place to be as a club. In terms of a 5-8 year picture, I would argue that Essendon is possibly the best placed club in the comp - there's real depth on their list with recent top draftees like Ryder, Gumbleton and Myers still to hit their straps. Essendon have is exciting youngsters across every line plus a healthy dose of young and not so young veterans.
Michael Voss would have been satisfied with the endeavour and the competitiveness of his side last week under some duress with the total absence of a ruckman or a goal kicker of note. Pleasingly, the young brigade from the last 4 years of drafts really stepped up. Not so pleasingly, there wasn't a really strong contribution from the "middle tier", although Brennan was a noticeable exception. This week Voss will be looking for more from the likes of Adcock, Sherman, Selwood etc.
Ones to Watch
Tom Collier - If there was one outstanding and yet slightly unexpected performance from Brisbane's first NAB Cup match, it was the game this Taswegian played. The potential was there and his pre-season training looked to be top notch but it was still pleasing to see him put it together. Playing off half back, Tommy C took the opposition on with a straight line running, linking performance that has probably lifted him into the first choice back 6. I'd like to see him match up on a tall opponent this week to see if he is capable of playing as a 3rd tall.
Bradd Dalziell - If there was ever any concern that Dalziell's career start was a flash in the pan, the first NAB Cup game dispelled that. It is a sign of his standards that 25+ possies barely rates a mention these days. The fact is that this guy is racking up the sort of statistics that are normally reserved for the elite midfielders of the competition. A slight improvement in the hurt factor of his disposals and he'll be the complete mid.
Lachlan Henderson - Was the only tall defender of note against a depleted St Kilda forward line but was rarely beaten on the night. With Vossy's pursuit of a genuine sized centre half back, Hendo has the opportunity to secure a spot for the season proper. I have him as "one to watch" because Essendon has the likes of Lucas, Lloyd, Gumbleton and Neagle all available to play - if Hendo is going to make a name as a defender, this is a good place to start.
Scott Gumbleton - The excitement following Essendon's game against the Bulldogs was palpable, and quite rightly so. It would be fair to say that Essendon supporters have had an anxious wait for Gumbleton to hit the senior ranks and he showed a fair bit in the first round of the pre-season comp. He looks to be a geniune centre half forward in an era when that position is increasingly occupied by 188cm midfielders. Tall forwards take time and a good season this year from Gumby will mean that he is on track with his development.
Courtney Dempsey - Another one who has made the Bombers wait a little while but this guy is made for modern footy. Quick and elusive, I've seen that he has played as a half back flanker but would suggest that he's capable of playing all over the ground.
Paddy Ryder Still very young but holds down a tall defensive position with aplomb. The exciting thing about him is that we are yet to see the outstanding attacking abilities he has. Could very well redefine centre half back, move back into the ruck as a mobile tall or even supplement that already strong Dons forward line. My prediction is that Ryder will really start to be noticed by the general AFL community this year.
Where: Telstra Dome
TV Coverage:
Channel 7:
Live: NT 6pm TAS 7:30pm
Delay: VIC,SA,WA,NSW(7HD),ACT(PrimeHD),QLD(7HD) 8:30pm NSW,ACT,QLD 1am(Sat)
Fox Sports 1: Replay Time TBA
Fox Sports Plus: Live QLD 6:30pm NSW,ACT 7:30pm
(Thanks CousinJed for TV coverage info)
In round 1 of the NAB Cup, both sides had close wins against preliminary finalists from 2008 and would be pretty happy with their efforts.
This is a battle of 10th v 12th from last year's premiership but both sides would have higher aspirations than that with finals an achievable goal. I've made the point that I think Brisbane must make the finals to be seen to have progressed whilst I believe Essendon to be still in a more developmental mode. Bombers supporters have disputed this but I would contend that it is a great place to be as a club. In terms of a 5-8 year picture, I would argue that Essendon is possibly the best placed club in the comp - there's real depth on their list with recent top draftees like Ryder, Gumbleton and Myers still to hit their straps. Essendon have is exciting youngsters across every line plus a healthy dose of young and not so young veterans.
Michael Voss would have been satisfied with the endeavour and the competitiveness of his side last week under some duress with the total absence of a ruckman or a goal kicker of note. Pleasingly, the young brigade from the last 4 years of drafts really stepped up. Not so pleasingly, there wasn't a really strong contribution from the "middle tier", although Brennan was a noticeable exception. This week Voss will be looking for more from the likes of Adcock, Sherman, Selwood etc.
Ones to Watch
Tom Collier - If there was one outstanding and yet slightly unexpected performance from Brisbane's first NAB Cup match, it was the game this Taswegian played. The potential was there and his pre-season training looked to be top notch but it was still pleasing to see him put it together. Playing off half back, Tommy C took the opposition on with a straight line running, linking performance that has probably lifted him into the first choice back 6. I'd like to see him match up on a tall opponent this week to see if he is capable of playing as a 3rd tall.
Bradd Dalziell - If there was ever any concern that Dalziell's career start was a flash in the pan, the first NAB Cup game dispelled that. It is a sign of his standards that 25+ possies barely rates a mention these days. The fact is that this guy is racking up the sort of statistics that are normally reserved for the elite midfielders of the competition. A slight improvement in the hurt factor of his disposals and he'll be the complete mid.
Lachlan Henderson - Was the only tall defender of note against a depleted St Kilda forward line but was rarely beaten on the night. With Vossy's pursuit of a genuine sized centre half back, Hendo has the opportunity to secure a spot for the season proper. I have him as "one to watch" because Essendon has the likes of Lucas, Lloyd, Gumbleton and Neagle all available to play - if Hendo is going to make a name as a defender, this is a good place to start.
Scott Gumbleton - The excitement following Essendon's game against the Bulldogs was palpable, and quite rightly so. It would be fair to say that Essendon supporters have had an anxious wait for Gumbleton to hit the senior ranks and he showed a fair bit in the first round of the pre-season comp. He looks to be a geniune centre half forward in an era when that position is increasingly occupied by 188cm midfielders. Tall forwards take time and a good season this year from Gumby will mean that he is on track with his development.
Courtney Dempsey - Another one who has made the Bombers wait a little while but this guy is made for modern footy. Quick and elusive, I've seen that he has played as a half back flanker but would suggest that he's capable of playing all over the ground.
Paddy Ryder Still very young but holds down a tall defensive position with aplomb. The exciting thing about him is that we are yet to see the outstanding attacking abilities he has. Could very well redefine centre half back, move back into the ruck as a mobile tall or even supplement that already strong Dons forward line. My prediction is that Ryder will really start to be noticed by the general AFL community this year.
