Review Round 2, 2022 - Essendon vs. Brisbane Lions

[martinson]

Looking at the positives from what I've heard we had a lot of support today. The cries of ''ball'' seemed about square. The loudest roars were against Joe which is fine because it means they're jealous.

The players seemed to embrace being in Melbourne and spent a lot of time around the boundary with the fans post match.

 

[beardancer]

When exactly was that? The closest I can see is 15 points - three straight kicks, not two. I can't say I felt like we were out of control at any point in the last quarter.

So... why exactly? It's not going to change what the team serves up next week.

You can feel free to. I don't mind if you choose to. I don't see the need to pretend that whether we're enthusiastic or moaning affects results in any particular fashion.

Of course, how you and I feel about the teams make up or performance has nothing to do with that performance.....that would be pretty surreal . what I would hope for though is a bit more critical thinking and assessment about our teams performance. just be real. if you don't want to talk about how we play then don't.

 

[BRAB]

Of course, how you and I feel about the teams make up or performance has nothing to do with that performance.....that would be pretty surreal . what I would hope for though is a bit more critical thinking and assessment about our teams performance. just be real. if you don't want to talk about how we play then don't.

Is it worth being really rude to people over a round two match though.

 

[beardancer]

Maybe we're not as good as you thing we need to be.

it's my greatest fear.

 

[dlanod]

if you don't want to talk about how we play then don't.

Except that's not what you've been posting. You've been complaining about people not feeling the same way as you about the game. You haven't even been contributing to discussion about how the game was played.

Here, let me help you: we had a shocking first quarter. Everyone was playing from behind and Essendon was speeding all over the place compared to us and our flat-footed efforts. After that we started working a lot smarter and rather than bombing it and spilling the ball we were a lot more deliberate and controlled. Essendon was winning the contested ball but we nullified that and you can see the results. As a result we didn't lose another quarter.

Now you too can also lay out your thoughts on the actual game rather than missing the point and instead focusing on an apparent excess of backslapping or fanboying on the forum. Of course you shouldn't need my invite for that - you could have lead with it too.

 

[JB42]

I think he's two games into returning to a role he's never played before

...after a knee reco!

 

[martinson]

Is it worth being really rude to people over a round two match though.

If I wanted an argument I'd go to the Power thread and support Hinkley in everything he's trying to do to get the best out of an average list.

 

[twhowler]

Getting 4 goals down will sting us sooner or later. I thought the disappointments thing was not the first 15 minutes - that happens with a team on the rebound. But with the scoreboard okay at that point it was the next 15 minutes. We needed to be able to slow it down but just leaked inside 50s and eventually goals.

Also got lucky with some of their misses, in particular with 5 mins to go.

But also thrilled to be 2-0. Surely we beat north. Free swing at the cats.

Zorko - i found this move baffling. It looked incredible at times today. He is possibly the quickest decision-maker i’ve seen at half back. Left or right foot passes, he just sprinted for 5 metres, and hit the pass. Not a brilliant defender but massive upgrade on Birchall. Qs are 1. How injured is he? 2. What happens when Coleman gets back? 3. Who replaces in mid? Rayner still very low possessions. Seems to be combo or Rayber and Berry replacing so far.

Harris I thought just gave too many metres to Peter. Same as last year. Don’t think that’s an injury. To paraphrase, Harris should always remember, first: leak no goals.

Darcy looked better.

Neale - so glad we kept him! What a jet. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Sharp didn’t find much of it so would have to make way for Robbo. Good depth these days.

 

[martinson]

Except that's not what you've been posting. You've been complaining about people not feeling the same way as you about the game. You haven't even been contributing to discussion about how the game was played.

Here, let me help you: we had a shocking first quarter. Everyone was playing from behind and Essendon was speeding all over the place compared to us and our flat-footed efforts. After that we started working a lot smarter and rather than bombing it and spilling the ball we were a lot more deliberate and controlled. Essendon was winning the contested ball but we nullified that and you can see the results. As a result we didn't lose another quarter.

Now you too can also lay out your thoughts on the actual game rather than missing the point and instead focusing on an apparent excess of backslapping or fanboying on the forum. Of course you shouldn't need my invite for that - you could have lead with it too.

I've had decades of feeling miserable about how my footy team played.

I'm stoked that we've won our first two games without playing at where I believe we're capable.

Really enjoying that feeling tonight and looking forward to playing North next week.

The game itself today I don't really care. But happy to discuss it.

 

[Tom14]

Very happy with the win, Zorks was influential but I don’t love him in the back half defensively - will be interesting to see what we do when kiddy is fit as to me he is a stone cold lock.

Centre bounces need some work. I am very pro giving Zac and Cam a run through there far more this year and it will take them time, but we looked miles better once JL actually attended some in the second quarter on. Think it should be a policy of one of Zac/cam in there at one time and then lachie plus jl/bez/clug.

Thought that rucks fought back into it after a poor start.

 

[Tom14]

I've had decades of feeling miserable about how my footy team played.

I'm stoked that we've won our first two games without playing at where I believe we're capable.

Really enjoying that feeling tonight and looking forward to playing North next week.

The game itself today I don't really care. But happy to discuss it.

No point getting mad after wins, the 2005-18 period taught me to savour them properly.

 

[dlanod]

Centre bounces need some work. I am very pro giving Zac and Cam a run through there far more this year and it will take them time, but we looked miles better once JL actually attended some in the second quarter on. Think it should be a policy of one of Zac/cam in there at one time and then lachie plus jl/bez/clug.

I still feel like Cam is a project. Next year will be make or break, but I think we'll try this year to push as many midfield minutes into him as possible - his aerobic capability is at least big enough now to get to contests up and down the field, unlike previous. Now we just need the smarts.

Even if it doesn't all click, he's still an impactive forward.

 

[Tom14]

I still feel like Cam is a project. Next year will be make or break, but I think we'll try this year to push as many midfield minutes into him as possible - his aerobic capability is at least big enough now to get to contests up and down the field, unlike previous. Now we just need the smarts.

Even if it doesn't all click, he's still an impactive forward.

Agree. Feels like him and Zac don’t quite yet have a good handle on positioning - too often they were pushed in tight and when the ball spilled free the bombers had numbers.

It took lachie putting the team on his back to even up the clearance numbers.

 

[beardancer]

Getting 4 goals down will sting us sooner or later. I thought the disappointments thing was not the first 15 minutes - that happens with a team on the rebound. But with the scoreboard okay at that point it was the next 15 minutes. We needed to be able to slow it down but just leaked inside 50s and eventually goals.

Also got lucky with some of their misses, in particular with 5 mins to go.

But also thrilled to be 2-0. Surely we beat north. Free swing at the cats.

Zorko - i found this move baffling. It looked incredible at times today. He is possibly the quickest decision-maker i’ve seen at half back. Left or right foot passes, he just sprinted for 5 metres, and hit the pass. Not a brilliant defender but massive upgrade on Birchall. Qs are 1. How injured is he? 2. What happens when Coleman gets back? 3. Who replaces in mid? Rayner still very low possessions. Seems to be combo or Rayber and Berry replacing so far.

Harris I thought just gave too many metres to Peter. Same as last year. Don’t think that’s an injury. To paraphrase, Harris should always remember, first: leak no goals.

Darcy looked better.

Neale - so glad we kept him! What a jet. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Sharp didn’t find much of it so would have to make way for Robbo. Good depth these days.

That's what I'm talking about.

 

[martinson]

Getting 4 goals down will sting us sooner or later. I thought the disappointments thing was not the first 15 minutes - that happens with a team on the rebound. But with the scoreboard okay at that point it was the next 15 minutes. We needed to be able to slow it down but just leaked inside 50s and eventually goals.

Also got lucky with some of their misses, in particular with 5 mins to go.

But also thrilled to be 2-0. Surely we beat north. Free swing at the cats.

Zorko - i found this move baffling. It looked incredible at times today. He is possibly the quickest decision-maker i’ve seen at half back. Left or right foot passes, he just sprinted for 5 metres, and hit the pass. Not a brilliant defender but massive upgrade on Birchall. Qs are 1. How injured is he? 2. What happens when Coleman gets back? 3. Who replaces in mid? Rayner still very low possessions. Seems to be combo or Rayber and Berry replacing so far.

Harris I thought just gave too many metres to Peter. Same as last year. Don’t think that’s an injury. To paraphrase, Harris should always remember, first: leak no goals.

Darcy looked better.

Neale - so glad we kept him! What a jet. Cleanliness is next to godliness.

Sharp didn’t find much of it so would have to make way for Robbo. Good depth these days.

I think where we've been creamed over the last 3 years is when our M/F has been spanked and I have this little niggle that we're one class midfielder short. Tbh I haven't got any real confidence in Rayner or Cockatoo in that role except in short spurts. But it's early days . Maybe they'll get fitter and better. I really like Bailey when he takes the centre clearance spot but you're sort of robbing yourself a bit because he can be so damaging roaming around half forward.

One of the reasons I like Zorko off half back is that he reads the play so well .

 

[JB42]

Harris is a worry. If we are being honest, he is an average 1 on 1 defender. Slow to react, not great closing speed, etc... He is a great reader of the play, ball flight and a great mark. When he is played deep on the opposition's best forward, we expose his weaknesses and take away his strengths. Adams, Gardiner and even Payne are all better 1 on 1 defenders in my opinion. I think it should be the goal to ensure that Harris takes a lesser defender with licence to zone off and mark everything. Be that presence that drops back in front of the leading forwards. When he plays this role, he is the best in the game.

Looking at Lachie Neale

9

Lachie Neale

Age

31

Ht

178cm

Wt

84kg

Pos.

Mid

Career

Season

Last 5

D

27.0

5star

K

11.5

4star

HB

15.5

5star

M

4.0

4star

T

3.7

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

28.3

5star

K

13.9

5star

HB

14.4

5star

M

4.6

4star

T

4.0

5star

CL

5.9

5star

D

12.0

3star

K

4.6

2star

HB

7.4

5star

M

2.0

3star

T

1.0

3star

CL

0.4

3star

at the game tonight, I have never seen him cover the ground as well as he did tonight.

Harry Sharp was important with his selfless running tonight. He is a freak the amount of ground he covers. I think he will play an important 'Isaac Smith

7

Isaac Smith

Age

36

Ht

188cm

Wt

83kg

Pos.

M/F

Career

Season

Last 5

D

21.3

5star

K

13.0

5star

HB

8.4

5star

M

5.5

5star

T

2.9

4star

CL

1.7

4star

D

19.4

4star

K

11.1

4star

HB

8.3

4star

M

3.8

4star

T

2.5

3star

CL

1.3

4star

D

19.2

5star

K

10.6

4star

HB

8.6

5star

M

7.6

5star

T

2.0

4star

CL

0.6

3star

' type role in the future.

 

[TaylorMade]

Horrible game to watch, but a good win either way. We had some toothless terror Essendon fan behind us making gestures at Daniher the whole night. Tried to start a fight towards the end of the night as well.. fairly certain it was wolfman..

 

[dlanod]

Harris is a worry. If we are being honest, he is an average 1 on 1 defender. Slow to react, not great closing speed, etc... He is a great reader of the play, ball flight and a great mark. When he is played deep on the opposition's best forward, we expose his weaknesses and take away his strengths. Adams, Gardiner and even Payne are all better 1 on 1 defenders in my opinion. I think it should be the goal to ensure that Harris takes a lesser defender with licence to zone off and mark everything. Be that presence that drops back in front of the leading forwards. When he plays this role, he is the best in the game.

Watching him tonight it really feels like he needs one role and stick with it. He got caught in two minds a number of times because he felt like he both needed to mark Wright but also hedging his bets towards a second player moving into his area, letting Wright get away.

 

[morsie]

Not sure if he makes my votes but shoutout to Joe, worked hard today and could've had a huge game if he wasn't impeded in every contest he went near. How badly he was manhandled all game was just about as bad as I've seen.

Also felt the defenders were pushing him in the back and under the ball a few times.

 

[scoman]

If I wanted an argument I'd go to the Power thread and support Hinkley in everything he's trying to do to get the best out of an average list.

Pretty dark over there tonight I would think.

 

[bato]

Ah Chee was pretty damn good. He's improved a lot.

edit: 2 votes? whaaaaaaaat!?

 

[Dalions]

I have this little niggle that we're one class midfielder short.

 

[martinson]

Watching him tonight it really feels like he needs one role and stick with it. He got caught in two minds a number of times because he felt like he both needed to mark Wright but also hedging his bets towards a second player moving into his area, letting Wright get away.

Why does he always look so unhappy or looking around at everyone else when the opposition takes a mark ?

He's obviously hugely respected within the club but his body language on the ground is a bit depressing a lot of the time.

I don't think it's my imagination.

I absolutely agree he's often confused about what he's meant to be doing and now that we have Adams we need to define his role more clearly so he's not bothering about what everyone else needs to be doing to help him do everything. Which seems to be what he thinks the way he responds to errors/mismatches.

 

[Lion_LegacyXL]

3 years ago Essendon would have kicked on after quarter time and won by 50+ points. The last 2 seasons they probably would have ran over the top of us in the 2nd half. It was essentially a 44 point turnaround after QT.

Would have been potentially even more if not for the bullshit officiating, Joe could have kicked at least 7 if the holding the man rule wasn't ignored. Huge improvements compared to last weeks game as well.

Just need to fix our 1st quarters and our clearances from center bounces and we'd be a teir above the 17 other teams in the league this year.

 

[DERRINALPHIL]

I still feel like Cam is a project. Next year will be make or break, but I think we'll try this year to push as many midfield minutes into him as possible - his aerobic capability is at least big enough now to get to contests up and down the field, unlike previous. Now we just need the smarts.

Even if it doesn't all click, he's still an impactive forward.

Cam has always been a project and maybe, always be one. He lacks elect pace and elite quickness of hand. I am worried he may turn out to be an elite junior player. The margin today flattered somewhat and some on this thread have been somewhat disappointed at our performance. They channel Dylan12 who always thought anything less than a flag was failure.

I sat in the cheer squad so missed much which happened but here is my random takes.

The worse performance of anyone on the field was the boundary umpires and their thrown ins. I spoke to Stef Martin a few years ago about this(he agreed that it was a commonly accepted problem) but it was terrible today.

The first quarter showed what winning contested ball (contested marks) forward of the centre does for a team. Two metre Peter dominated, while the comedy routine that Dan and the rest of our forwards provided, left me grinding my new three surface posterior composite resin restoration (26 for anyone interested). While we have scored heavily over the last few years we have patches where none of the forwards can square a contest, let alone win one.

I do not think we can win a flag without dominate forwards.

Essendon run forward quick... hang on who cares. Let's talk Lions.

Berry is only going to be an average player rather than the elite I had hopes for. Much like Raynor. Adams was an inspired pick up as long as he stays fit. Isn't Joe a wonderful player, so magnificently flawed, much like Warnie.

Answerth ( I saw his first game) is going to be a player. He can win the ball in dispute.

That Essendon ruckman Draper is a gem but I like Forte. He contests well and is developing a good partnership with the Big O. Anyone for Fullerton?

Neale played well but so did the Essendon on ballers so I thought we only broke even there,

Getting late so off to bed for me. Go Lions