Dirty Bird
Pokémon Master
The results say yes
2011 - 11 wins out of 22 0PD
2012 - 11 wins out of 22 +1PD
They improved by exactly 1 point.
2011 - 11 wins out of 22 0PD
2012 - 11 wins out of 22 +1PD
They improved by exactly 1 point.
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Moved Thread Re: Essendon - Did they improve this season?
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Bloodstained Bomber
Cancelled
- Apr 9, 2009
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MB needs more Essendon threads.
I'm subscribing, this should be an absorbing and thought provoking thread.
Lord Nicholson
El Supremo
- May 30, 2011
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1 less draw.
- Apr 8, 2006
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Clearly went backwards. Make or break next year for Hird.
Really poor year after being set up with a soft first 10 weeks. Lost the last 7 and were not competitive in some games. Even worse than the dark days under Knights.
Player Review:
Watson - start with the standout. Fantastic year from the Captain and elevated his game to elite level and no one would be upset to see him win the Brownlow. Clearance work fantastic, pushed forward and became a dangerous forward, great in the air, improved his kicking and no longer poor. He was a warrior all year and ended up looking tired with having to carry the midfield with little support. Another 11th in 2013 if they cannot get quality into the midfield.
Fletcher - when a 37 year is your 2nd best player there is a big problem. He was very good again and held the backline together as much as he could - like the little boy with his thumb in the dam it was only a matter of time before the dam walls burst. The couple of games he missed really exposed Hooker and Carlisle. His kicking out from full back is elite and Essendon have no back up when he is not there. Essendon need him to go on again.
Howlett - Essendon player that showed the most improvement - really good break out year. His attack on the ball is manic and his tackling and hardness really made him stand out. Never stopped trying even when some of his team mates had. One of the few mids that could look Watson in the eye. If he continues to develop will be a good player for Essendon.
Bellchambers - a good young ruckman starting to make an impact. Stated he was the number 1 ruckman at Essendon and was dropped for the Hille/Ryder combo a couple week later. Worked hard in the two's and forced his way back in and was good since. Ryder/Belly will be the round 1 pick in 2013. Cannot see any reason other than injury to play Hille. Bellchambers is strong at the contest and a good tap ruckman. Consistency will see him join the good young ruckman in the comp.
Heppell – pushed into the midfield as necessity as that is a clear weakness. Still was able to find it and had some good games but started to tire towards the end of the year. He has some major gaps in his game that he will need to correct or move back to the back line. He has no right foot – good smart mids force him onto it or get him to kick off the left but off balance. He turns it over far too much and DE% in the last couple of games was only at 50%. A couple in our game were as bad as you will see. He also needs to go every time it is his turn. Once you can forgive – twice and then it is a worry. Still he is a 2nd year player and a good talent. Big expectations after a great debut season and a little disappointing he went backwards. Will get a better understanding after another pre-season and another year of football.
Stanton – is there a bigger Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde in the AFL?? Starts the season on fire and most had him in their AA team. With great form came more attention and he did not handle it at all well. He went from the AA team to missing the team to missing the squad to not being in a team if they made 4 teams. Could not break tags – started demanding the ball in worse positions than the player with the ball, would run around behind players that had won the ball looking for cheap stats. He has been a whipping boy at Essendon and you could see why. From so good to so bad must be frustrating.
Hurley – the next big thing was another disappointing player in 2012. Apart from 2 games where he kicked a couple of bags V Freo and the Dogs he showed little more than glimpses. Understand why Essendon supporters are excited with him but if you think you have the next Carey on your hands go and see what Carey did in 1993 at the same age. Hurley is a great kick – both field and goal kicking but he does not take enough marks as a key forward. Ended up going back and the debate about his best position will continue. He may not reach the heights the Essendon fans had hoped. Still he is a competitor and one you would like at your club.
Player Review:
Watson - start with the standout. Fantastic year from the Captain and elevated his game to elite level and no one would be upset to see him win the Brownlow. Clearance work fantastic, pushed forward and became a dangerous forward, great in the air, improved his kicking and no longer poor. He was a warrior all year and ended up looking tired with having to carry the midfield with little support. Another 11th in 2013 if they cannot get quality into the midfield.
Fletcher - when a 37 year is your 2nd best player there is a big problem. He was very good again and held the backline together as much as he could - like the little boy with his thumb in the dam it was only a matter of time before the dam walls burst. The couple of games he missed really exposed Hooker and Carlisle. His kicking out from full back is elite and Essendon have no back up when he is not there. Essendon need him to go on again.
Howlett - Essendon player that showed the most improvement - really good break out year. His attack on the ball is manic and his tackling and hardness really made him stand out. Never stopped trying even when some of his team mates had. One of the few mids that could look Watson in the eye. If he continues to develop will be a good player for Essendon.
Bellchambers - a good young ruckman starting to make an impact. Stated he was the number 1 ruckman at Essendon and was dropped for the Hille/Ryder combo a couple week later. Worked hard in the two's and forced his way back in and was good since. Ryder/Belly will be the round 1 pick in 2013. Cannot see any reason other than injury to play Hille. Bellchambers is strong at the contest and a good tap ruckman. Consistency will see him join the good young ruckman in the comp.
Heppell – pushed into the midfield as necessity as that is a clear weakness. Still was able to find it and had some good games but started to tire towards the end of the year. He has some major gaps in his game that he will need to correct or move back to the back line. He has no right foot – good smart mids force him onto it or get him to kick off the left but off balance. He turns it over far too much and DE% in the last couple of games was only at 50%. A couple in our game were as bad as you will see. He also needs to go every time it is his turn. Once you can forgive – twice and then it is a worry. Still he is a 2nd year player and a good talent. Big expectations after a great debut season and a little disappointing he went backwards. Will get a better understanding after another pre-season and another year of football.
Stanton – is there a bigger Dr Jeckle and Mr Hyde in the AFL?? Starts the season on fire and most had him in their AA team. With great form came more attention and he did not handle it at all well. He went from the AA team to missing the team to missing the squad to not being in a team if they made 4 teams. Could not break tags – started demanding the ball in worse positions than the player with the ball, would run around behind players that had won the ball looking for cheap stats. He has been a whipping boy at Essendon and you could see why. From so good to so bad must be frustrating.
Hurley – the next big thing was another disappointing player in 2012. Apart from 2 games where he kicked a couple of bags V Freo and the Dogs he showed little more than glimpses. Understand why Essendon supporters are excited with him but if you think you have the next Carey on your hands go and see what Carey did in 1993 at the same age. Hurley is a great kick – both field and goal kicking but he does not take enough marks as a key forward. Ended up going back and the debate about his best position will continue. He may not reach the heights the Essendon fans had hoped. Still he is a competitor and one you would like at your club.
Dempsey – good return from a knee reco so hard to knock him. As Essendon slid so did his confidence and started turning it over and getting caught more than he did early in the season. Still would be one of the few I would give a pass mark too. When Essendon are going well his run and carry is damaging.
Melksham – really poor year – amazed he kept getting a game with the poor performances week after week. Turns it over – not very strong in contests – picks out the wrong option. He looks confused on the field. Not sure what Hird is thinking with him – maybe forcing games into him will improve him? A real worry for a 1st round draft pick. He must have pics of Gale and Hird.
Crameri – always looks damaging but another that battled his way through the year. Looked like his was playing a lot of games with injury so tough to be too harsh on him. If he gets his body right he should be looking at 50+ goals, strong in the air, quick and very good below his feet – a really hard match up for most clubs. Is a talent and important going forward.
Hardingham – went backwards in 2012. He looked lost and was scored on a fair bit – looks like he lost his confidence which affected him flying for his marks – which made him a dangerous backman in 2011. Teams put work into him and he will need to respond in 2013.
Jetta – another that could have zero impact on games. Does too many dumb things on the field, gives away stupid free kicks and 50 metre penalties. Got pinged for diving and went missing after that. He struggled to get help from the umps and rightly so – he tries to make them look silly then he reaps what he sows. Has the skills to play in the midfield – not sure what his tank is like but he did not spend much time there.
Hooker – started the year ok but his 2nd half of the year was poor. He looks like he has lost a yard of pace and his kicking is woeful – opposition teams like him free as they want the ball in his hands. He is not bad in the contest but poor when the ball in on the ground. He was on the trade table last year and big chance to be on there again. Not sure he has much currency. Was destroyed by an out of form Cloke last night. Without Fletcher as the third man up he is vulnerable.
Carlisle – started well and had a reasonable year for his age. Good mark and strong for his age. Also struggled when Fletcher missed. Will be a key backman for a lot of years and a good replacement for Fletcher. His potential is really good and should be one to follow. Bombers will be happy with his development.
Monfries – defensive forward lacked confidence all year and another that should be worried about his spot at the club. Not a great year and would need to find more strings to his bow if he is going to have an impact.
Hocking – went backwards in a big way – the once reliable lock down tagger he was opened up too often and struggled to find it himself. Really at the crossroads and would want to improve as I am not sure what he offers the team. Lucky the midfield is poor.
Too many players went backwards or stagnated. The midfield is a huge problem and god help Essendon if something happens to Watson. Injuries hurt but all that did was expose the lack of depth. I did tip them to finish 11th and unless they can do something spectacular in the trade period will be there about again.
Melksham – really poor year – amazed he kept getting a game with the poor performances week after week. Turns it over – not very strong in contests – picks out the wrong option. He looks confused on the field. Not sure what Hird is thinking with him – maybe forcing games into him will improve him? A real worry for a 1st round draft pick. He must have pics of Gale and Hird.
Crameri – always looks damaging but another that battled his way through the year. Looked like his was playing a lot of games with injury so tough to be too harsh on him. If he gets his body right he should be looking at 50+ goals, strong in the air, quick and very good below his feet – a really hard match up for most clubs. Is a talent and important going forward.
Hardingham – went backwards in 2012. He looked lost and was scored on a fair bit – looks like he lost his confidence which affected him flying for his marks – which made him a dangerous backman in 2011. Teams put work into him and he will need to respond in 2013.
Jetta – another that could have zero impact on games. Does too many dumb things on the field, gives away stupid free kicks and 50 metre penalties. Got pinged for diving and went missing after that. He struggled to get help from the umps and rightly so – he tries to make them look silly then he reaps what he sows. Has the skills to play in the midfield – not sure what his tank is like but he did not spend much time there.
Hooker – started the year ok but his 2nd half of the year was poor. He looks like he has lost a yard of pace and his kicking is woeful – opposition teams like him free as they want the ball in his hands. He is not bad in the contest but poor when the ball in on the ground. He was on the trade table last year and big chance to be on there again. Not sure he has much currency. Was destroyed by an out of form Cloke last night. Without Fletcher as the third man up he is vulnerable.
Carlisle – started well and had a reasonable year for his age. Good mark and strong for his age. Also struggled when Fletcher missed. Will be a key backman for a lot of years and a good replacement for Fletcher. His potential is really good and should be one to follow. Bombers will be happy with his development.
Monfries – defensive forward lacked confidence all year and another that should be worried about his spot at the club. Not a great year and would need to find more strings to his bow if he is going to have an impact.
Hocking – went backwards in a big way – the once reliable lock down tagger he was opened up too often and struggled to find it himself. Really at the crossroads and would want to improve as I am not sure what he offers the team. Lucky the midfield is poor.
Too many players went backwards or stagnated. The midfield is a huge problem and god help Essendon if something happens to Watson. Injuries hurt but all that did was expose the lack of depth. I did tip them to finish 11th and unless they can do something spectacular in the trade period will be there about again.
Necromancer Beth
Turn On The Bright Lights
It really makes me sad all this Essendon bashing.
mellowyellow
𝑅𝐹𝒞
Just another troll out from under his bridge The off season will be hell
Doss
Ass
- Aug 1, 2011
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So mods- you closed one thread which was being used for trolling of Essendon (and Richmond's one, too).
Challenge is now on you to control this one better. My bet is that it won't happen.
Challenge is now on you to control this one better. My bet is that it won't happen.
boncer34
Formerly "Dos23"
Do you need me to hold your hand to get you through these tough times?
Necromancer Beth
Turn On The Bright Lights
Dirty Bird
Pokémon Master
- Thread starter
- #14
Showing Essendon improved is trolling?
mellowyellow
𝑅𝐹𝒞
You wanna be a mod don't you?
I'm tired of trollin on the main board. Im just over it. Alrighty!
a player by player analysis of our club by Mufassa Outstanding!
Outstanding!
Necromancer Beth
Turn On The Bright Lights
I don't troll. I 100% believe everything I post. That's how I roll.
mellowyellow
𝑅𝐹𝒞
You cant help yourself, can you!
Astro Bomber
Club Legend
- Mar 27, 2011
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It was lol worthy thougha player by player analysis of our club by Mufassa
Necromancer Beth
Turn On The Bright Lights
I'm playing poker, bored shitless. I need some form of social interaction. Having a laugh with the hardline, uptight denizens of BigFooty, is better than communicating with the addicted, lowlife, degenerate, euro trash card players I'm taking money from. Cut me some slack.
RooPower89
Debutant
- Aug 26, 2012
- 70
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2013 will be telling if they have a better run with injuries.
I do think their list is overrated by some though.
I do think their list is overrated by some though.
a player by player analysis of our club by Mufassa
Don't worry - besides the finals bound Roos I watch Essendon the most. Would be hard to question many of the reviews.
There is no question that they have pretty much given up on the mb and have allowed it to become a free for all. Quite a few people have been complaining about this which probably had something to do with the other threads being closed.
Let's see if they start consistently shutting troll threads and carding all the blatant trolls. I very much doubt it.
Great to see you can still have a laugh. Must be tough watching your team go from 8-1 and finish 11th. Greatest fall in football history.
Yes most we're reasonable with the exception of Heppell. There is no way in the world he went backwards this year unless you look at it in a completely simplistic manner.
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