Preview Round 21, 2018: Essendon v St.Kilda - Etihad Stadium, Friday 10th August, 7:50PM AEST *Ross' 100th*

[Moral Decay]

Thank God I'll be at work, I can't stomach watching Essendon at any time, but we'll still lose.
Watching the loss to the doggies, for the first time I thought Richo had lost the players.

It all starts at selection, if we go small and slow again we'll get absolutely mashed.


Outs: Battle (inj.), Hickey (inj.), Armitage, Dunstan, Newnes (all pointless), maybe Brown.
Ins: Marshall, Pierce, Goddard, Connellan, Paton and maybe Austen.

 

[tomjoad]

Tbh, last year around this time against this very team we got thrashed after putting up so much promise and hope. Can the tides turn?

No...just no.

 

[Sainter_487]

In - Pierce, Marshall, Paton, Rice, Austin

Out - Hickey (inj), Battle (inj), Brown, Armo, Dunstan (too slow as a midfield with him in it)

B Geary Austin McKenzie
HB Rice Carlisle Webster
C Acres Steele Sinclair
HF Paton Membrey Billings
F Gresham Marshall Lonie

R Pierce Steven Ross

Int Coffield Clark Newnes Freeman


Bring in Austin to give us some more movement out of the backline. A half back line of Rice Carlisle and Webster provides us good foot skills and smart footballers; hopefully Webster gets the running role that has, for some reason, been given to Geary recently.


Acres to the wing to recapture some of his early form.


I thought Lonie provided something early in the game against the Dogs, so he can stay deep to crumb off Marshall. Paton on to the HFF as he has shown good pace and the ability to play wing.


Coffield / Clark / Gresham / Acres / Freeman to be in the midfield rotation, with Steven / Ross / Steele all capable of resting forward.


Don’t put Ross behind the ball again – lets explore his ability to kick goals and hope that he can build it into his repertoire for next year. Another goal kicking mid after Steven (and Gresham) would add another dimension to our “one pace” midfield. Also, don’t put Clark there; play him as a mid or a forward. We have enough HBFs already.

 

[Lightsxo]

So unfortunately this a game I go to every year with friends and family. Hotels are booked everything paid for - so excited!!!!

In - Pierce, Marshall, Paton, Rice, Minchington

Out - Hickey (inj), Battle (inj), Newnes, Armo, Coffield (managed - looked like a young player who has spent all his petrol tickets),

B Geary Brown Rice
HB McKenzie Carlisle Webster
C Freeman Steele Sinclair
HF Lonie Membrey Billings
F Gresham Marshall Minchington

R Pierce Steven Ross

Int Dunstan Acres Clark Paton

Oh boy, things are really that bad for us

 

[#gosaintas]

Oh boy, things are really that bad for us

Minch can at least run and hit a target. So much better than Dunstan.

 

[bennymc7]

Freeman, Sinclair and Newnes were our wingers on Saturday night and had 43 disposals between them...

That is absolutely disgusting..

I'd put Sinclair to HB, give Freeman another go rotating with Acres.. and play JB a full 4qtr game there spelling with Clark forward

I actually reckon if JB played 4qtrs on a wing he'd have 30 easily

 

[boydie]

In - Pierce, Marshall, Paton, Rice, Austin

Out - Hickey (inj), Battle (inj), Brown, Armo, Dunstan (too slow as a midfield with him in it)

B Geary Austin McKenzie
HB Rice Carlisle Webster
C Acres Steele Sinclair
HF Paton Membrey Billings
F Gresham Marshall Lonie

R Pierce Steven Ross

Int Coffield Clark Newnes Freeman


Bring in Austin to give us some more movement out of the backline. A half back line of Rice Carlisle and Webster provides us good foot skills and smart footballers; hopefully Webster gets the running role that has, for some reason, been given to Geary recently.


Acres to the wing to recapture some of his early form.


I thought Lonie provided something early in the game against the Dogs, so he can stay deep to crumb off Marshall. Paton on to the HFF as he has shown good pace and the ability to play wing.


Coffield / Clark / Gresham / Acres / Freeman to be in the midfield rotation, with Steven / Ross / Steele all capable of resting forward.


Don’t put Ross behind the ball again – lets explore his ability to kick goals and hope that he can build it into his repertoire for next year. Another goal kicking mid after Steven (and Gresham) would add another dimension to our “one pace” midfield. Also, don’t put Clark there; play him as a mid or a forward. We have enough HBFs already.

Like the changes, but aint gunna happen unless the most unlikely thing happens ever and Richo is sacked this week.

Marshall AND big Lewy should come in, but more likely only marshall will come in and Membrey will be asked to play the only key forward I reckon.

Highly likely Brown will be dropped as he is one of Richos favs, even though long term we are bettera off with Austin or Goddard getting some time in his role.

 

[boydie]

Freeman, Sinclair and Newnes were our wingers on Saturday night and had 43 disposals between them...

That is absolutely disgusting..

I'd put Sinclair to HB, give Freeman another go rotating with Acres.. and play JB a full 4qtr game there spelling with Clark forward

I actually reckon if JB played 4qtrs on a wing he'd have 30 easily

Actually really like those ideas mate, we could use a decent user like Sinclair at half back maybs, but does he have the defensive game for it? Does he tackle enough?? I don't want another defensive spud like Sav who doesn't even beat his man week after week and still gets a game for his long bombs to no one in particular that are usually turnovers and lead to opposition goals....

 

[cooperrules]

Richo mentioned in his press conference that Battle went to hospital but looked to be okay. We shouldn't risk him.

Marshall will need to be our only forward while Pierce rucks.

The actually pleasing

 

[joop]

Minch can at least run and hit a target. So much better than Dunstan.

Minch ‘so much better than Dunstan’?
Surely you’re having a laugh.

 

[Joffaboy]

If the players chosen have any pride in their profession they will make a good account of themselves.
They were embarrassed and humiliated by an underwhelming and injury ravaged Footscray after leading by 5 goals.

Don't expect them to win against Essendon, but if they have any self respect and any respect for their supporters, the few of us left, they will play with determination passion, and vigour.

Not letting Richardson off. He needs to use his brain and change up positions, if the Bombers get a run on, implement players behind the ball and posess it.

We want to see something. We we have passionate supporters here saying 'who cares' the alarm bells should be ringing from President to water boy.
This club is in crisis. First step back is this weekend

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[pebblesofsand]

Oh boy, things are really that bad for us

Well I wanted to put Long instead but I don't think he's fit enough. Minchington may not get it often but at least he can kick the ball.

 

[Saintbloke]

Our effort(or lack of)against the Dogs was really one of the worst defensive team games for a long time. Our defensive structures across all lines were totally missing. That's a coaching fix..I can accept players getting beaten in a contest, but when there are multiple no-contests, then there are serious structural problems, and it's not all the player's fault. We are a poorly drilled, poorly disciplined team, and it wont get any better under Richo- he has to go.

 

[TheEnsign]

This could be a massacre. Although realistically their season is cooked, mathematically the Bombers could still do it if they thrash us, then eke out wins against Tiges and North, with Geelong slipping on a banana peel on the way. Plus they will be looking to make a statement after the Hawthorn game.

If Battle is managed (he should be, it's pretty standard now) then we don't have even half a forward line.

Bombers by ~80.

 

[boydie]

Forgot to add prediction, think this will be a BIG loss, cant see us getting within 10 goals of the dons.
Actually cant see us getting within 10 goals of any of our last 3 opponents.

 

[Pbft]

Our effort(or lack of)against the Dogs was really one of the worst defensive team games for a long time. Our defensive structures across all lines were totally missing. That's a coaching fix..I can accept players getting beaten in a contest, but when there are multiple no-contests, then there are serious structural problems, and it's not all the player's fault. We are a poorly drilled, poorly disciplined team, and it wont get any better under Richo- he has to go.

This.

I have been watching us for over 40 years and can count the time s I have left early on one hand. This was added to on Saturday night when I left at the 20 min mark of the third after Bontempelli scored in open space goal side from stoppage. I could no longer take any more.

Further to this, I can recall only missing a handful of games in Melbourne over the same period. Like many others, I suffered through the pain of the early 80's through the 90' and 00's. I can not recall a time where I have felt less interested in my team than now.

I'm almost sad to say, that this week will be another miss. If anyone would like my AFL membership number to use to get a ticket, send me a PM.

Sometimes it's easy to take going to the game for granted when you live in Melb however I will no longer accept such a poor team and administration taking my support for granted. I have tried to remain objective about the coaching team however it is now resolved in my mind - they need to go.

 

[#gosaintas]

Minch ‘so much better than Dunstan’?
Surely you’re having a laugh.

I reckon Minch is a better fwd pocket than Dunstan, given that's where Cho plays him.
He couldn't be worse as a mid.

 

[saint_]

Pierce to come in, dominate and kick 2 goals with 24 hitouts to advantage. Amidoingitright?

 

[dct66]

I wish I didn't have to go, but it's a Saints game so what can you do!

 

[SaintByTrade]

I actually think Mav needs to come back in, got killed by Johannisen off half back without any forward able to shut him down. McKenna Saad McGrath this week off half back will do the same unless we bring in Weller to shut one down.


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[#gosaintas]

I actually think Mav needs to come back in, got killed by Johannisen off half back without any forward able to shut him down. McKenna Saad McGrath this week off half back will do the same unless we bring in Weller to shut one down.


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Richo's fault. Spud Geary should have been sent to him.

 

[Brains Trust66]

I think our biggest problem against the Dogs was the team that was selected. Once Coffield was struggling at half back and Clark couldn’t cover for him it meant that Armo had to play in defence . Armo actually did a fairly good job back there for awhile although he should have been penalised every marking contest he went for because he just jumped into his opponent as hard as he could . Still he got away with it so good on him. But by 3/4 time he was buggered .
Then of course Carlisle went into the ruck when Hickey got injured and that was when the dogs piled on the goals .
Against Essendon we need another key defender instead of Brown because he offers nothing rebounding wise. Either Goddard or Austin , probably Goddard because Austin hasn’t played since his injury.
Paton has to come in now to add some sorely needed pace around the ground. I would start him on the wing with Freeman on the other side.
I thought Freezer showed a lot in his first game , the speed in which he can handball is lightning , some of his teammates could learn off him.
Pierce and Marshall both have to play as they will probably be up against Bellchambers who both Longer and Hickey have really struggled with in the past .

So my side is -

Ins - Goddard , Pierce , Marshall , Paton , Rice

Outs - Hickey and Battle inj, Brown , Armo , Sinclair

Fb - Geary , Goddard , Rice
HB - Dmac , Carlisle, Webster
C - Freezer ,Billings , Paton
HF - Ross , Membrey , Clark
FF - Lonie , Marshall , Gresham
R - Pierce , Steele , Steven
I/C - Acres , Coffield, Newnes , Dunstan

If Billings is struggling in the centre early then swap with either Dunstan or Acres.


Go Saints

 

[boydie]

I actually think Mav needs to come back in, got killed by Johannisen off half back without any forward able to shut him down. McKenna Saad McGrath this week off half back will do the same unless we bring in Weller to shut one down.


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Has Mav done that job well recently? GWS game I would suggest he should have been trying to keep whitfield in check, but he was left to do as he pleased and Mav did sweet FA.
I think we need to tell Lonie that if he wants to be a fwd for us, he needs to shut down one of McKenna, Saad or McGrath before he tries his flashy stuff himself this week. Not sure which he gets or who gets the other two tbh cuz JJ just had his way with us on Sat nite without as much as a whimper from Richo for someone to play on him for a millisecond.
I think could be a game to tell Hunter to take one of them, as a negating fwd and see how he goes.
Newnes could lay a tackle on a tackle bag standing still atm during a game, so doubtful he is the man for the job

 

[JG22]

Cue the melts if Freeman gets dropped lol

 

[Indie Rock]

The current wheel of emotions:

Monday to Friday: Actually couldn’t give a **** who wins either way. **** you St Kilda.

Saturday start of the game: “We’ve started okay here, we’re a chance if we keep this going and start kicking straight”

Saturday rest of the game: Pure Anger

Sunday: ECO again for sure.