Preview Round 1: Gold Coast vs Essendon, Carrara, Saturday 26/03/16, 4:35 AEDT

[expires]

I reckon all year there will be this bittersweet feeling if guys like Dea or Grimley really play well - we will feel like we have some kind of moral ownership of them but in reality we are just shopping them for the highest bidder next year, it will hurt.

Can only see that sort of thing being sweet. Wish whoever isn't on our list next year all the best. You would have to expect twists and turns in this area and I'm not actually looking that far ahead yet.

Anyway can't bring myself to tip a win against the Gold Coast. Trying to but. At home they'll kick goals and we won't.

 

[DapperDon]

Found it

Also open training on the Friday


http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/2016-03-09/queensland-supporters-events

 

[efcboy]

I reckon all year there will be this bittersweet feeling if guys like Dea or Grimley really play well - we will feel like we have some kind of moral ownership of them but in reality we are just shopping them for the highest bidder next year, it will hurt.

I'd imagine Essendon and Carlton will be in the best position to secure any of these guys though assuming both finish bottom two given that also means early 2nd,3rd and 4th rounders. And if we are to lose anyone to free agency we will get decent compo picks as well. Additionally the PSD.

Say for example Dea becomes a regular in our best 22 - I can't imagine any club wanting to spend their first rounder on him so it places us in a good position to pick him up in the early 20s or late 30s (factoring in adjustment of draft order for compo picks and placing us 17th above Carlton)

 

[Howard Moon]

I'd imagine Essendon and Carlton will be in the best position to secure any of these guys though assuming both finish bottom two given that also means early 2nd,3rd and 4th rounders. And if we are to lose anyone to free agency we will get decent compo picks as well. Additionally the PSD.

Say for example Dea becomes a regular in our best 22 - I can't imagine any club wanting to spend their first rounder on him so it places us in a good position to pick him up in the early 20s or late 30s (factoring in adjustment of draft order for compo picks and placing us 17th above Carlton)

Thats a fair point, if a Dea were to cement a spot we could PSD him

the walk of shame

 

[Pweter]

Thats a fair point, if a Dea were to cement a spot we could PSD him

the walk of redemption

EFA

 

[Milanista28]

Why aren't we a chance against gold coast? It's not like Hooker, Hurley, Hibberd, Heppell didn't cop absolute beatings last year, We beat Melbourne and Collingwood while we were hopeless, Gold coast aren't that good, Ablett can be the difference but we've beaten better teams from worse positions.

False hope is still hope, Believe away you campaigners.

 

[eth-dog]

Why aren't we a chance against gold coast? It's not like Hooker, Hurley, Hibberd, Heppell didn't cop absolute beatings last year, We beat Melbourne and Collingwood while we were hopeless, Gold coast aren't that good, Ablett can be the difference but we've beaten better teams from worse positions.

False hope is still hope, Believe away you campaigners.

We're missing Hurley, Stanton, Hooker, Carlisle, Heppell, Hocking, Howlett, Melksham and Dempsey from last time at least.

 

[boncer34]

We're missing Hurley, Stanton, Hooker, Carlisle, Heppell, Hocking, Howlett, Melksham and Dempsey from last time at least.

But we have Dea.

 

[Milanista28]

We're missing Hurley, Stanton, Hooker, Carlisle, Heppell, Hocking, Howlett, Melksham and Dempsey from last time at least.

Ah well, We will just have to cope then.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Reminds me of when Alan Richardson took over St.Kilda everyone tipped them to win the spoon but the players gave the middle finger to the doubters and surprised by winning a few games.

That's how I see Essendon this year.

 

[Bombermania]

ive got this theory, you can test a persons IQ by how many times they flick the light switch on and off, or try another room before they realise the power is out.

Along these lines you can probably test an Essendon persons IQ by how long it takes them to realise we are going to be ******* horrible this year...

I must be a simpleton because i think we are a chance v Gold coast... somebody give me a reality check before the team does?

Okay I knew we were stuffed when the suspensions were announced but am trying to be positive and made the decision that I will enjoy this season, particularly as that will piss other clubs supporters off.

If we take into account that last season we were mentally spent, had half the suspended 12 out for most of the season and a crap forward line with no game plan yet won five games, and on paper we have an easier draw than last season so all up thinking 2 to 6 wins isn't being too overly positive.

 

[Howard Moon]

I.know it's been done to death but I wouldn't mind seeing in one thread 'who do you want from this season'

Be I nteresting to see eberybodies differing objectives

 

[Beerfish]

Reminds me of when Alan Richardson took over St.Kilda everyone tipped them to win the spoon but the players gave the middle finger to the doubters and surprised by winning a few games.

That's how I see Essendon this year.

What about now?

 

[Wounded Lion]

Hey Guys,

I'm heading to this game hopefully to see my cousin Sam Grimley play his 4th game of AFL footy.

Just wanted to hear your opinions on whether he is a lock for your best 22. I am very critical on his game, whilst he is athletic and can leap for a good mark, I feel the defensive side of his game (chasing, stalking, tackling) is very poor and needs to improve dramatically.

I also feel with more ball entering the FWD 50 he will thrive as that deep forward, it has been tough for him in the last two games against very strong opposition, the chances have been limited but he seems to take them when they come.

I hope he isn't used in the ruck much so he can get consistency forward of the ball being that main target. He can leap over contests altogether instead of crashing packs, one of his huge advantages.

I also hope you guys wipe the floor with the Suns, the rivalry is getting stronger up here.

Cheers

 

[Beerfish]

I would definitely have him in my fantasy teams. No question.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

What about now?

?

 

[Beerfish]

?

Just wondering if you still felt the same way.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

Reminds me of when Alan Richardson took over St.Kilda everyone tipped them to win the spoon but the players gave the middle finger to the doubters and surprised by winning a few games...

...then winning the spoon.

 

[Bombermania]

Hey Guys,

I'm heading to this game hopefully to see my cousin Sam Grimley play his 4th game of AFL footy.

Just wanted to hear your opinions on whether he is a lock for your best 22. I am very critical on his game, whilst he is athletic and can leap for a good mark, I feel the defensive side of his game (chasing, stalking, tackling) is very poor and needs to improve dramatically.
Cheers

Grimley has been solid and looks like he will be in the side, I have noticed his poor defensive skills but from the Hawks fans, that was his big problem at the Hawks, I don't think it will be as big a issue at Essendon as he is there more as a tall, strong marking forward that can ruck, he looks like a 20-30 goal per season player, if he can do that then I suspect the club would be pleased.

 

[TheFrenchCut]

Hey Guys,

I'm heading to this game hopefully to see my cousin Sam Grimley play his 4th game of AFL footy.

Just wanted to hear your opinions on whether he is a lock for your best 22. I am very critical on his game, whilst he is athletic and can leap for a good mark, I feel the defensive side of his game (chasing, stalking, tackling) is very poor and needs to improve dramatically.

I also feel with more ball entering the FWD 50 he will thrive as that deep forward, it has been tough for him in the last two games against very strong opposition, the chances have been limited but he seems to take them when they come.

I hope he isn't used in the ruck much so he can get consistency forward of the ball being that main target. He can leap over contests altogether instead of crashing packs, one of his huge advantages.

I also hope you guys wipe the floor with the Suns, the rivalry is getting stronger up here.

Cheers

I would wager that he's a lock for the Gold Coast, and then quite likely for the next few games. It seems like we're going in with Daniher at CHF, Mckernan as the Forward/ruck, & Grimley as the deepest tall forward as you say. It's certainly worth giving a chance, but his form and the fluency of having three tall guys in the forward line will affect how long he stays.

I might also add that while he's clearly a very capable mark, my main criticism of him from the three pre-season games (the only game I saw in person was the Carlton game where I noticed this too) is that he's got a habit of asking for the ball out the back rather than leading up at the ball-carrier. There's been a few times when he's been running back to the goalsquare when he's the main option and the ball-carrier is at least 60+ metres away from him.

Hope he fixes that up and does well this year though!

 

[Wounded Lion]

I would wager that he's a lock for the Gold Coast, and then quite likely for the next few games. It seems like we're going in with Daniher at CHF, Mckernan as the Forward/ruck, & Grimley as the deepest tall forward as you say. It's certainly worth giving a chance, but his form and the fluency of having three tall guys in the forward line will affect how long he stays.

I might also add that while he's clearly a very capable mark, my main criticism of him from the three pre-season games (the only game I saw in person was the Carlton game where I noticed this too) is that he's got a habit of asking for the ball out the back rather than leading up at the ball-carrier. There's been a few times when he's been running back to the goalsquare when he's the main option and the ball-carrier is at least 60+ metres away from him.

Hope he fixes that up and does well this year though!

Great point you raise, I think that is his confidence in his run and jump ability, he may be under instruction to leave lead ups to Daniher, McKernan & the higher forwards.

Not to mention, the current inexperience throughout your midfield may make him apprehensive to leading up expectant of a pin point pass but if he has the space in front of him, he should be taking advantage.

 

[Bombermania]

he's got a habit of asking for the ball out the back rather than leading up at the ball-carrier. There's been a few times when he's been running back to the goalsquare when he's the main option and the ball-carrier is at least 60+ metres away from him.

Hope he fixes that up and does well this year though!

From the Box Hill games, I have seen him score that way on many occasions, it could be a problem but if Joey is dominating around the 50 meter arch and McKernan is also somewhere forward it might work out okay, in the Geelong game there was at least one occasion in the first quarter where if he had lead to the ball rather than trying to lead back cost him a marking opportunity, the disappointing part was it meant the wonderful effort from the mid-fielder went unrewarded.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

...then winning the spoon.

I thought they avoided the spoon.

 

[Mr Mojo Risin]

I thought they avoided the spoon.

Richardson's first year was 2014 where St Kilda finished last, securing McCartin with the #1 draft pick.

 

[MiguelM]

Couldn't watch the round table, felt like I was looking thru the eyes of a dwarf on speed

Can they keep the camera still? Do we have to take shots from below looking up their noses?

ROFL can't watch it now without pissing myself laughing. Where is snow White?