Review Round 2, 2022 - Essendon vs. Brisbane Lions

[FeastOrFamine]

It's good now that we're getting the "poor" football out of our system early. It wasn't until rounds 6 or 7 last year that we really started to get a roll-on.

 

[Big Sauce 21]

Not sure what you saw, but the stat sheet reads 2 kicks, 2 tackles and 4 handballs for the match. And going off the graphic, well below his usual game rating.

Could have been playing a role, but certainly wouldn't have him near our Top 5 players on the ground.

I don't see the fuss with him, quite overrated in this forum. Probably shut down Brayden Hamm last night.

 

[Tom14]

2 further thoughts after watching the replay.

1. Great to see that we were able to reassert control on the pace of the game. First quarter was way too fast and previously we’ve been sucked into playing a track meet at marvel. Going the boring route and chipping it around whilst still moving the ball forward was a big part of restricting the bombers.

2. I thought berry had a decent game viewing at ground level but it improved on second viewing. Went to Merrett who only had 10 touches on the second half and most of those were highly pressurised by Jarrod. Bez is never going to be a sensational kick but his best games are either when he can impact the scoreboard or do a decent defensive job, if not a hard tag. He did a great job on Andy Brayshaw last year as well. Nice to see Fages recognise his role right off the top of the presser as I think bez has become a bit of a whipping boy. I’d like to see him have a clear assignment each week and hopefully the offensive side of the game will come to him.

 

[martinson]

2 further thoughts after watching the replay.

1. Great to see that we were able to reassert control on the pace of the game. First quarter was way too fast and previously we’ve been sucked into playing a track meet at marvel. Going the boring route and chipping it around whilst still moving the ball forward was a big part of restricting the bombers.

2. I thought berry had a decent game viewing at ground level but it improved on second viewing. Went to Merrett who only had 10 touches on the second half and most of those were highly pressurised by Jarrod. Bez is never going to be a sensational kick but his best games are either when he can impact the scoreboard or do a decent defensive job, if not a hard tag. He did a great job on Andy Brayshaw last year as well. Nice to see Fages recognise his role right off the top of the presser as I think bez has become a bit of a whipping boy. I’d like to see him have a clear assignment each week and hopefully the offensive side of the game will come to him.

I think Berry and Rayner have carried high expectations and as such , and I mean this in a kind way ,have been overrated.

I don't expect either to be dazzling matchwinners on anything I've seen but can become good solid players who will improve over time once they have their bodies right and aren't expected to perform miracles but simply play a role really well. Once they get confidence through that who knows what their ceiling is but in the meantime let's keep our expectations in check.

 

[rusty08]

just on another topic. I had a bit of a thought yesterday on how we're missing the ball movement that Birchall gave us. We're having so much trouble moving the ball out of the back line at the moment. We're stuck in the formula of Rich to someone, chip back to Rich then long kick to a pack on the wing. When Birch was playing we could keep the ball more into the corridor. I'm a bit concerned that watching Rich yesterday that this could be his last year. It's a sad thought, our team without Rich!! And how would we move the ball without Rich being the first and third links in our possession chain.

I reckon Kiddy might in time add something to this

 

[Warwick]

We’ve made some draft howlers but it must kill Essendon supporters when McGrath and McCluggage share the same field..

 

[Happy_Neale]

Career Best for Lachie.

Jaxon Prior outperformed Aaron Francis despite not setting foot on the field. Amazing.

 

[twhowler]

I reckon Kiddy might in time add something to this

Kiddy looked excellent while also being an increasingly good defender.

Birchall was a pretty poor defender, and his kicking had dropped way off. Missed targets and rarely went corridor kicks. Had become very slow just in decision making too. Everything slowed down when we went through him.

Zorko was the opposite yesterday and i have gone from saying no way to the hb move to thinking it could be inspired. Just not sure who he replaces.

 

[Flossie32]

Jaxon Prior outperformed Aaron Francis despite not setting foot on the field. Amazing.

Also interesting Harris Andrews best performer of defenders.
It still feels like we’re playing in 3rd gear.

 

[Kevvo]

I really like Berry in an accountable role. It makes the most of his strengths and doesn’t cost us so much while his disposal is scratchy. It mitigates what is otherwise (IMO) an imbalanced midfield that don’t track back at speed.

I would be tempted to use him like that as ordinary practice rather than waiting to see if a mid cuts us up in Q1.

 

[Nunez]

I really like Berry in an accountable role. It makes the most of his strengths and doesn’t cost us so much while his disposal is scratchy. It mitigates what is otherwise (IMO) an imbalanced midfield that don’t track back at speed.

I would be tempted to use him like that as ordinary practice rather than waiting to see if a mid cuts us up in Q1.

I agree. What I found was particularly interesting is Berry and Merrett actually broke even on two clearances a piece and managed to mitigate much of his effectiveness going forward. Merrett still had 5 odd more touches in their head to head matchup, but had zero influence.

If Berry can be the midfielder that keeps the opposition's best mid accountable (not in a hard tag, but head to head) then it will give guys like Neale and JL their best chance to get the clearance. He finished the game with a whopping 30 pressure acts which was the best of any player on the ground (Neale and JL were next best).

 

[POBT]

As much as Parish gets the footy, Merrett is the one you want to shut down. He's their one midfielder who creates by foot, finding angles that put defensive structures under pressure. A lot of Essendon's dangerous ball movement is because of him.

When Berry went to him, they immediately slowed down. Obviously, other factors were at play but Berry was a big part of changing the tone around the ball. I think, like a few others in the team at the moment, the more footy Bez plays, the better he will be.

 

[Nunez]

Was just having a quick look at centre bounce attendances and noticed Cockatoo did not attend a single one (compared to four the week before). Seemed like we wanted to give more time to Rayner at centre bounces. While I get it, I hope we try and get Cocky there a few times a game as I think he could be a legitimate point of difference there.

 

[mattsmob]

Was just having a quick look at centre bounce attendances and noticed Cockatoo did not attend a single one (compared to four the week before). Seemed like we wanted to give more time to Rayner at centre bounces. While I get it, I hope we try and get Cocky there a few times a game as I think he could be a legitimate point of difference there.

I agree he can be really damaging in there both offensively and defensively, although it felt like Rayner barely went in there after half time as well. I think the difference was we went back to Neale and Lyons in there with Berry tagging so those were our main 3 with Bailey and Hugh chopping out. I think the more we get on to the more time Rayner and Cocky will get in there.

 

[Zhesty]

I feel ultimately that our season will come down to whether our midfield will be able to compete with Melbourne's for long enough. I don't believe our midfield unit is there yet but hopefully we'll see growth there as the year goes on.

Watching the game, it always felt like we had that extra gear. It actually took me back and made reflect on how far this group has come. I remember it wasn't that long ago we were Essendon from last night and I'd be watching the other team and thinking geez it must be great to have such a talented well coached team to barrack for.

I've come to the realisation that even if this group doesn't ever get us to a flag, I'll be disappointed sure, but I'll be so appreciative of the ride they've taken us on either way.

 

[Squizz89]

That first quarter was a real worry obviously and we were lucky we weren’t further behind. After that though, once we got back even I was never really concerned about losing the game.

Pros:
-Lachie obviously;

• Joe has started the year really well although would be nice if he could get a free kick when they are legitimately there;
• Forward line in general looks bloody scary when we get enough of the ball forward. Would rate it as the most dangerous in the comp now;
• Not minding Fort’s contribution so far.

Cons:

• Definitely Harris. Said in the game day thread he hasn’t been the same since his injury late 2020 and stand by that. Admittedly the midfield didn’t help him but he was competing with Peter Wright at the end of the day not peak Browny;
• Adams’ disposal by foot is a real worry but he’s a bloody good intercept mark. Just needs to be told if no really simple option than to just go long;
• Cam has started pretty slowly which was to be expected but hopefully he continues to build as the year goes on.

To start the year 2-0 and really haven’t played to well at all is a positive. Hopefully we can take care of North at home than sets us up to have a free hit at the Cats down in Geelong before the big one on Easter Thursday.

 

[POBT]

Was just having a quick look at centre bounce attendances and noticed Cockatoo did not attend a single one (compared to four the week before). Seemed like we wanted to give more time to Rayner at centre bounces. While I get it, I hope we try and get Cocky there a few times a game as I think he could be a legitimate point of difference there.

Maybe someone at the game could tell but Nakia looked like he was struggling with his running at times.

 

[beardancer]

I reckon Kiddy might in time add something to this

There ya go, I'd completely forgotten about Kiddy!!!! He has the ability to defend as well as use his creative kicking.

 

[chopperduck]

We struggle when we don't win the contested ball. Our entire game builds off that. We put front on pressure defensively to force high loopy kicks so our defenders can intercept mark. If teams smash us from the middle, or get some pace on the ball movement through the middle where they have time to hit up good leads our defense falls a bit. We rely on winning contested ball and dominating field position, locking it in our front half.

Offensively, we rely on being set up which comes off our defensive set up. Long kick to a contest, players arriving to win the ball if it spoils and away we go. When we aren't winning the field position and contested ball, we don't get our players to these contests. Our defense ends up under extra pressure and with less time these rushed kicks out are often not good.

When we win contested ball, and by extend ground ball, the other parts of our game just start falling into place. We really struggled with that in the first quarter, but evened it up after that and were fine.

 

[chopperduck]

People also worry about not being in absolute top form from round 1 far too much. Also worry too much about what results of other games means to ours. Bombers were much improved this week, and Port were much worse this week. A beating B by X amount doesn't impact on the margins from other games. Form of teams early season is patchy as hell. I'm very happy to see intensity and hunger in the first couple of games. We WILL hit better form, and look much better later in the season.

Fitness is the other factor. Finals teams play longer, have delayed preseasons and often as a squad, are not at peak fitness round 1. Many, many teams start the season flying and just drop off. We need to focus on being in our best form and top fitness come finals. For now, the job is to compete and get the W. Doesnt matter how smooth or fancy it looks.

 

[jonnobackpocket]

There ya go, I'd completely forgotten about Kiddy!!!! He has the ability to defend as well as use his creative kicking.

No slagging off Daniher this week? Figured out you were wrong finally?

 

[Nunez]

No slagging off Daniher this week? Figured out you were wrong finally?

Don't poke the bear (dancer)...

 

[beardancer]

No slagging off Daniher this week? Figured out you were wrong finally?

Compare our power forward to every other power forward in the league. I'd count only 4 that are worse than our guy, and a couple of those are just making their way. The rest I'd do a swap in a heartbeat.

Do the exercise it's pretty illuminating.

 

[mattsmob]

Don't poke the bear (dancer)...

Starting to think he's mainly a VFL fan and just wants Joe dominating in the twos. He'd kick 100 playing down there and we'd be VFL premiers.

 

[WhiteLionFeva]

2 early wins in the bag. The rest its just noise.