Review Round 14: Essendon Bombers vs The Bye - Thoughts on the season so far

[silk]

Round 14 sees us versing the bye - No, I don’t mean we’re facing North Melbourne again; more that the boys are getting a well-deserved break.

I thought this would be a good excuse to have a thread to talk about the season so far.

We are amazingly enough well entrenched in the 8th and heading towards a somewhat unexpected finals berth and even more surprisingly a top 4 finish.

Anyways, grab this template and give us your own thoughts

Best Win:
Crichton top 3 so Far:
Most Improved Player:
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end:
Biggest surprise of the season:
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Favourite moment of the season so far:

---

Best Win: I was hoping this would be the Carlton game, but alas it's still the Giants game.

Crichton top 3 so far: Merrett, Martin, Langford

Most Improved Player: Durham for mine

Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 4th or 5th, despite the loss to Carlton.. Which I just can’t believe but that’s what the predictor tells me.

Biggest surprise of the season: Apart from being Top 4 at the bye, it’s how valuable Ben McKay

32

Ben Mckay

Age

27

Ht

202cm

Wt

104kg

Pos.

Def

Career

Season

Last 5

D

7.5

2star

K

3.7

1star

HB

3.8

3star

M

2.7

3star

T

1.7

4star

MG

77.2

1star

D

7.5

2star

K

4.5

2star

HB

3.0

2star

M

2.5

3star

T

1.5

2star

MG

88.5

2star

D

7.0

2star

K

3.4

2star

HB

3.6

3star

M

2.4

3star

T

2.0

4star

MG

67.8

1star

has been. I was a sceptic, I’ll admit.

Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Harry Jones will kick a bag of 5 before the season's end.

Favourite moment of the season so far: Going sappy here, but Guelfi in the game vs GWS and his goal celebrations, and just all the great work the boys did for the sick kids.



Whose cutting onions?

 

[Lore]

bump

 

[HirdsTheWord]

we are doing far better than most expected including what we all thought I'd imagine.

but the last 5 weeks have been dead set ordinary. Especially the fwd 50. Some real alarm bells ringing that i hope is sorted with a week off.

Best Win: Dogs. Great to beat the bogey team.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, Martin
Most Improved Player: Durham
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 6th to 10th -will either not make finals or lose first elimination.
Biggest surprise of the season: Defence. Massively improved.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Favourite moment of the season so far: Don't have one. Have seen enough to know nothing bold will happen.

 

[DERO]

If someone asked me at the start of the season if I would take 8 wins and a draw going into the bye I would have accepted without hesitation.

The bye has come at a good time. Some tired, sore players need a rest I suspect.

 

[jdstorm]

Will do the survey later.

At the start of the season couldn’t tell if they were going to be a top side or bottom side. Didn’t think there was much in between in terms of outcomes.

Love the effort they play with now. We’re a good contested side when healthy.

Unfortunately awful transition side. If they can fix that by the end of the season there’s a possibility they are playing in the final week of the season

 

[eth-dog]

Best Win: Giants easy
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Caldwell, Durham
Most Improved Player: Durham
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: Win a final
Biggest surprise of the season: Archie Roberts in the VFL.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Wright kicks 25 in the last 10
Favourite moment of the season so far: First quarter ANZAC Day

 

[Petrify]

Best Win: Dogs. They bullied us hard for so many years, it felt good to control the game.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, McKay.
Most Improved Player: Durham
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 5th-8th
Biggest surprise of the season: How good we've been. Never, ever would've predicted we would be in this spot coming into the bye.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: El-Hawli to cement his spot in our AFL side.
Favourite moment of the season so far: Can't go past the Guelfi nails.

 

[supportyourteam]

Best win. Almost Anzac Day.
Crichton. Merrett, Durham and Caldwell.
Most improved Durham
Will finish top 4. Due to get on a roll.
Biggest surprise. No banner at Sydney.
Bold prediction. Bolder than finish in the top 4? Will win the premiership.
Favourite moment. Last minute against StKilda. Make that the Stringer Anzac day goal. (Was gutlessly watching the countdown AFL app on the phone and not the game in the last minute against Stkilda. After Sydney the previous week and the fixture ahead, really wanted to see a win.)
Also the three biggest wins are also the three games of accurate kicking. 2.6 and 3.5 third quarter scorecard the last two weeks. Got to put it between the big sticks.
Been to every game so far and look like completing the card. Having a good time in my old age.

 

[Grey Smith Bar]

versing

Versus. It's not a verb.

 

[ydc55]

Best win: gws- took a lot out of us and them I reckon
Crichton: Durham merrett McKay
Most improved: durham
Will finish 6th. I am really hopeful we get a home elimination final and win it to break the drought. My fear is we get Brisbane in the first week of finals who would be tough for us to beat.
Biggest surprise: consistency of effort. The lack of scrutiny of Darcy parish

3

Darcy Parish

Age

27

Ht

180cm

Wt

81kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

20.4

5star

K

9.2

4star

HB

11.2

5star

M

3.2

3star

T

3.3

5star

CL

3.2

5star

D

16.6

4star

K

7.4

3star

HB

9.1

5star

M

1.4

2star

T

2.0

3star

CL

3.1

4star

D

22.2

5star

K

7.6

3star

HB

14.6

5star

M

3.2

4star

T

4.4

5star

CL

3.6

5star

’s deal. He seems redundant to the way we play one year in. Do we have the courage to pull an Adam treloar

1

Adam Treloar

Age

31

Ht

185cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

28.2

5star

K

12.9

5star

HB

15.3

5star

M

3.6

4star

T

4.9

5star

CL

4.6

5star

D

30.3

5star

K

16.3

5star

HB

14.0

5star

M

2.0

2star

T

3.3

4star

CL

5.8

5star

D

18.0

5star

K

11.2

4star

HB

6.8

5star

M

4.2

4star

T

2.6

4star

CL

1.6

4star

style trade?
Bold prediction second half of the year: Pater wright receives similar treatment from our fans as Paul salmon did in 1995.
Favourite moment of the season: the emergence of Durham and Caldwell. Finally two hard two way midfielders. All 4 Daniher at the g on Sunday night. Neale performance in 1981 at princess park is still a favourite football memory from my childhood.

 

[jmoo wan]

If someone asked me at the start of the season if I would take 8 wins and a draw going into the bye I would have accepted without hesitation.

not me! I would've negotiated a bit. Probably offered 11 wins as my first counter offer, knowing that if they started with 8 wins and a draw they'd be comfortable giving a little more. Maybe they would have bumped it up to 9 wins, maybe 9 wins and 2 draws? Who knows, but I would have stuck firm, and got us at least 9, and probably 10 wins. So maybe next time send them my way, I'll sort them out

 

[Squeaky]

Best Win: GWS - Footscray not far behind. Anzac day good too.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, McKay
Most Improved Player: The Duz. by a mile - more strength to him! He is a workhorse! We need more of him.
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: Hopefully bottom of the 8
Biggest surprise of the season: Goldy playing so many games - serviceable in most (uncompetitive in a couple) Jones turnaround in the early - mid part of the year from his axing was also a huge (most welcome) surprise.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Usually the only bold thing that happens isn't good for us - usually a bold fold! Be nice if someone else can pop up consistently - Jones, Caddy please please please.
Favourite moment of the season so far: The GWS win and the vids following - a rare, proud Essendon moment.

 

[doug85]

We’re getting a few players back in the next fortnight. If we have a decent run with injury from this point, I can see us finishing top 4 at the end of the home and away season.

Dees and pies are banged up. Cats have been in ordinary form. Our draw is much worse on paper.

Just have to keep the injuries to a minimum.

 

[TheUnicorn]

Best Win: GWS

Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, McGrath (Could easily swap McGrath for Caldwell, McKay, Langford)

Most Improved Player: Durham (Ridley will have a massive second half of the season)

Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: Top 4.

Biggest surprise of the season: I'm not really sure. I was one of the few that actually thought we were going to be in the top 8 this year. I Guess Durham in the guts, he has done far better than I expected!

Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Essendon win a final!

Favourite moment of the season so far: Guelf and his nails.

 

[Runk]

I very famously stated I was less than enthused by the look of our list and this season at the start of the year and it's always nice to be pleasantly surprised.

The excellent early form of players like Harry Jones and impact of the new players Duursma, Gresham and Co really made a difference.

Best Win: Undoubtedly the GWS win.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Martin & Goldstein
Most Improved Player: Sam Durham/Jye Caldwell

6

Jye Caldwell

Age

24

Ht

183cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

13.3

3star

K

6.8

3star

HB

6.5

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.7

5star

CL

1.8

4star

D

14.3

3star

K

7.0

3star

HB

7.3

4star

M

3.3

3star

T

3.3

4star

CL

1.8

4star

D

13.6

4star

K

7.0

3star

HB

6.6

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

3.8

5star

CL

1.6

4star

Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 4th just
Biggest surprise of the season: That we've been second on the ladder
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: We will beat Sydney, Geelong and Brisbane Lions
Favourite moment of the season so far: The Saints game. The old Essendon would've rolled over but to fight back and win....it showed a maturity I'm not used to seeing. It bodes well for the future.

 

[outersanctum]

Best Win: Wasn't a win but best game was the ANZAC day draw for me. Played in front, played from behind and stuck with it on the biggest stage. Pressure factor off the charts in long periods.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, Martin
Most Improved Player: Tough but Durham is the stand out for me. Mid season draft to top 5.. good stuff.
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: Regular season - 7th and first round finals exit.
Biggest surprise of the season: We didn't put any time into recruiting a small forward... and surprisingly.. we haven't got a small forward. Actual biggest surprise is that we are not in the bottom 4.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: We run out of legs and look like missing the finals until FC chokes and loses their last four games to somehow finish below us.
Favourite moment of the season so far: Ridley coming back and dominating Dreamtime.

 

[MiguelM]

Wish there was just 1 bye week for all teams and VFL/local footy have the limelight.

 

[Seb78]

Best Win: Western Bulldogs
Crichton top 3 so Far: Zach Merrett, Nick Martin, Sam Durham,
Most Improved Player: Sam Durham
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 6th
Biggest surprise of the season: The immediate impact the off season recruits have had. McKay Duursma Gresham. In particular what McKay has done for our back 6
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Stringer to have a day out in our first finals win. 17 disposals 5 goals.
Favourite moment of the season so far: Duzz and Caldwell's performance against the Dogs

 

[bommer16]

Best Win: GWS, Bulldogs. The draw against Collingwood was unexpected and we got 2 pts against a very tenacious and well drilled side who happen to be last years premiers.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Zach Merrett, Sam Durham, Kyle Langford

4

Kyle Langford

Age

28

Ht

192cm

Wt

88kg

Pos.

Fwd

Career

Season

Last 5

D

15.7

4star

K

8.3

3star

HB

7.3

5star

M

3.9

4star

T

3.3

5star

G

0.7

4star

D

17.4

4star

K

9.0

4star

HB

8.4

4star

M

4.4

4star

T

1.6

3star

G

0.7

4star

D

8.2

2star

K

3.2

2star

HB

5.0

4star

M

2.0

3star

T

2.6

4star

G

0.6

3star

Most Improved Player: Sam Durham
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 5th-7th
Biggest surprise of the season: The massive improvement in defence and midfield. A big turnaround from what it has been previously.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Exceed my expectations and finish top 4.
Favourite moment of the season so far: Guelfi’s 3 goals against GWS. The team’s performance against WB.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Best Win: Doggies. Just looked untouchable that night.
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Durham, Caldwell.
Most Improved Player: Guelfi
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 7th
Biggest surprise of the season: Goldstein turning back the clock.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Win against Sydney at Marvel
Favourite moment of the season so far: Just Durham going about his business every week. He's everything I've ever wanted our players to be.

 

[boncer34]

not me! I would've negotiated a bit. Probably offered 11 wins as my first counter offer, knowing that if they started with 8 wins and a draw they'd be comfortable giving a little more. Maybe they would have bumped it up to 9 wins, maybe 9 wins and 2 draws? Who knows, but I would have stuck firm, and got us at least 9, and probably 10 wins. So maybe next time send them my way, I'll sort them out

So what you're saying is DERO folded and that's why we lost the last 2 games?

 

[Lance Uppercut]

The Bye by 9 points after we kick 6.16 and suffer a season ending injury to a critical player

 

[Blind Turn]

Above expectations yet we could’ve done better.

 

[justlookingaround]

Best Win: Probably the Doggies game for mine. Our system standing up against a bogey side made me believe
Crichton top 3 so Far: Merrett, Langford, Martin
Most Improved Player: Caldwell or Duz
Where do you think we’ll finish at season end: 7th
Biggest surprise of the season: Jones cementing his spot in the side, Menzie playing half back, Heppell looking like he could go on for another couple years. Whole team playing an honest style of footy.
Bold prediction for the 2nd half of the season: Eventually a team won't show up against us and we'll get a comfortable win.
Favourite moment of the season so far: Martin's 4th quarter goal against the Crows.

 

[Blind Turn]

Best win: GWS because there was an expectation that we needed to make a statement against a contending side to prove our credentials and what better way to do that than to beat a side that humiliated us 6 months previous.
Crichton: Merrett Martin Durham
Most improved: Caldwell. He has gone from being a fringe midfielder with sporadic impact to a player who impacts throughout the game with his defensive diligence.
Finish: 5th. We need to beat the interstate teams at home and I think we can pinch a few others with players returning. The Swans game at home will be defining. Beat them and we are a sniff for top 4. Brisbane game in the final round will be intriguing if Brissy are coming late.
Biggest Surprise: Being 2nd on the ladder so deep into the season without a doubt.
Bold prediction: We will beat the Swans.
Favourite moment: Ridley's return if that counts as a moment. More specifically, him winning the medal for Dreamtime. Such a key to our prospects hereon-in.