Analysis The mental ineptitude against so called "lesser" sides & general mediocrity of EFC (Since 2005)

[Snake Charmer]

I still think it counts for something. You don’t get king hit these days but there is still a physical intimidation factor, hawks were the kings of it. Do agree it isn’t your only issue though.

Those blokes would spend plenty of time suspended now a days between head high bumps and jumper punches lol

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Wonder how much it's got to do with Hep, of coarse none of us really know anything about his leadership or lack there of.. judging the book by the cover I'd reckon Hep would be best mates with everyone in the change room. I remember interviews with Jono Brown and he said the change rooms would go dead quiet when he walked in. He had the respect of the entire team and a lot of the time he didn't hear things about party's/ weekends out for weeks because team mates were worried about how hard he would come down on them. I reckon Hep would just ask them to settle down about.


I love Hep, but he seems like a pretty uninspiring captain and it pains me to say that.

Brown’s time as captain was also an absolutely disastrous period for the Lions on and off field. Not all that was his fault of course but he didn’t inspire them to anything.

I still remember everybody trumpeting Fevola’s arrival and how his party days were over, if he stepped out of line once Brown would destroy him and it’d never happen again. That went well.

There’s really no evidence to say a personality such as Brown is the way to go.

 

[Snake Charmer]

Brown’s time as captain was also an absolutely disastrous period for the Lions on and off field. Not all that was his fault of course but he didn’t inspire them to anything.

I still remember everybody trumpeting Fevola’s arrival and how his party days were over, if he stepped out of line once Brown would destroy him and it’d never happen again. That went well.

There’s really no evidence to say a personality such as Brown is the way to go.

Sorry Bunk, I'm pretty sure I ment Voss. Brainfade I thought Brown was the captain during the flags for some reason. 100% ment Vossy

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Sorry Bunk, I'm pretty sure I ment Voss. Brainfade I thought Brown was the captain during the flags for some reason. 100% ment Vossy

Fair enough. Still think there’s room for different personalities. I would call Cotchin a good captain

 

[yodellinhank]

Wonder how much it's got to do with Hep, of coarse none of us really know anything about his leadership or lack there of.. judging the book by the cover I'd reckon Hep would be best mates with everyone in the change room. I remember interviews with Jono Brown and he said the change rooms would go dead quiet when he walked in. He had the respect of the entire team and a lot of the time he didn't hear things about party's/ weekends out for weeks because team mates were worried about how hard he would come down on them. I reckon Hep would just ask them to settle down about.


I love Hep, but he seems like a pretty uninspiring captain and it pains me to say that.

Hep isn't the problem. There's been problems at Essendon since the days of Mercuri's look back goal. Probably even earlier. But hep isn't the solution either.

I often think of the pretzel incident. It's a pissy little thing but Heppell's reaction bugged me. He looked to take issue with Goddard, but chose not to confront him. If it bothers you, then do something about it. But he seems a type who can only lead by example, not with words. Like when he told Goddard to go away and slotted the goal, or when he reportedly dragged the Gippsland power along in his junior days.

 

[HirdsTheWord]

Hep isn't the problem. There's been problems at Essendon since the days of Mercuri's look back goal. Probably even earlier. But hep isn't the solution either.

I often think of the pretzel incident. It's a pissy little thing but Heppell's reaction bugged me. He looked to take issue with Goddard, but chose not to confront him. If it bothers you, then do something about it. But he seems a type who can only lead by example, not with words. Like when he told Goddard to go away and slotted the goal, or when he reportedly dragged the Gippsland power along in his junior days.

There are 2 types of AFL captain, Both of which heppell isnt.

He inst imptactful enough to carry the game on shear skill and determination, like Hird.

He doesn't motivate the team when they are down to get them over the line, like Watson.

I dont think its all Heppels fault of course but he shore as shit could pull the boys in and give them a spray to build up some emotion, i just don't see it.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Well shit. Very happy with today but my overarching question is where the **** was that last week. It’s all mental and we really need to fix it. Minimal changes to the side and we produce that.

We really, really need to fix this if we’re to do anything.

 

[Snake Charmer]

A weeks a long time in football Bunk. Hope they keep building off that

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Well shit. Very happy with today but my overarching question is where the **** was that last week. It’s all mental and we really need to fix it. Minimal changes to the side and we produce that.

We really, really need to fix this if we’re to do anything.

We're uphill skiers. Newton would be shocked.

 

[Highly Evolved]

We're not pace-setters so today isn't all that surprising.

Play a team that is considered poor? We'll lower our colours. Play a team that is considered good? We'll step it up a notch.

 

[BackOnOurPerch]

We're not pace-setters so today isn't all that surprising.

Play a team that is considered poor? We'll lower our colours. Play a team that is considered good? We'll step it up a notch.

How much is that down to the players vs the coaching team? So bloody frustrating!!

 

[Macca18]

This thread is still very much relevant and only emphasises that the game is mostly played above the shoulders.

A great response against Port. I understand that teams aren't going to play at a consistently supreme level weekly, but even if we had 75-80% of that same intensity against the Dogs... then we may well have won that game too.

it just makes Anzac Day such a big game because we know what Collingwood are going to bring to the table. Us? Geez...

 

[Bunk Moreland]

A weeks a long time in football Bunk. Hope they keep building off that

We’ve been showing for a few years now we don’t have the mental application going into some games. We’ve shown it again this year. The team is a very good one at their best.

 

[Doss]

This thread is still very much relevant and only emphasises that the game is mostly played above the shoulders.

A great response against Port. I understand that teams aren't going to play at a consistently supreme level weekly, but even if we had 75-80% of that same intensity against the Dogs... then we may well have won that game too.

it just makes Anzac Day such a big game because we know what Collingwood are going to bring to the table. Us? Geez...

Do we though?

They've been admittedly decent in the last three weeks and were obviously really good against Adelaide, but were awful in the first round and they're still a pretty mediocre side.

 

[Pevers-Legend]

They like to hunt, not be hunted. They struggle under pressure. This is why they need to be better mentally. To hunt the ball at all times.

 

[Old Stuckup]

Do we though?

They've been admittedly decent in the last three weeks and were obviously really good against Adelaide, but were awful in the first round and they're still a pretty mediocre side.

To be fair at times we aren’t much better.

 

[JT_the_Man]

And here we are.

 

[Summer Nights]

Let's try and have a sensible analysis of some of the reasons our club has been unable to win many of the so called "winnable" games since our last finals victory (2004).

Below is a list of the games (37) where our club has started "favourites" (or equal favourites) against sides of similar ladder position or worse and have lost. There are also many other examples (15+) where we have started favourites (or equal favourites) and have won by unexpectedly (for some) small margins. Some people label this typical "Essington" syndrome, but whatever you call it... it's a serious psychological problem that has gripped the club for over a decade now.

Now of course we have had some very memorable (and unexpected) victories during this period as well against some highly rated opponents (like every other club) but they are well and truly outnumbered by the lacklustre losses... again something that every other club also experiences but not to the scale of Essendon.

Many are criticised (and fair enough) for their lack of positivity prior to fixtures such as today (18th placed Western Bulldogs) but the statistics make for very poor reading as a lover of this club, as many of you are. Many will also point to us fielding many mid to lower table teams during this period (and also the drugs saga)... but the problem has also been prevalent during some of our 'better' years.

So... is it...
- The club cannot handle the pressure of being favourites?
- Underrating our opponents?
- Getting too ahead of ourselves after a good win or decent run of form?
- Overrated list?
- Mediocre midfield throughout this period?
- Poor coaching?
- Poor preparation?
- Egos?
- Other?
- All of the above?

Apart from obvious and natural improvement, how can we as a club improve in this area?

Please see the following list of examples...

2005:
- R2 vs Carlton @ MCG (4 point loss to eventual wooden spooners after leading by 28 points)
- R6 vs Brisbane @ ES (48 point loss at home to then bottom of the ladder, Brisbane)
- R20 vs Hawthorn @ MCG (13 point loss to then 14th placed Hawthorn)

2006:
- R7 vs Carlton @ MCG (33 point loss to eventual wooden spooners)
- R9 vs Port Adelaide @ ES (60 point loss at home to then 15th placed Port Adelaide)
- R16 vs Carlton @ MCG (Draw to eventual wooden spooners after leading by 12 points in the final two minutes)
- R20 vs Hawthorn @ ES (18 point loss to then 14th placed Hawthorn after trailing by 61 points at Half Time)

2007:
- R3 vs Carlton @ MCG (3 point loss to eventual 15th placed team after leading by 48 points at Half Time)
- R19 vs Fremantle @ Subiaco (63 point loss to 13th placed team)
- R21 vs Richmond @ MCG (27 point loss to eventual wooden spooners)

2008:
- R19 vs West Coast @ Subiaco (10 point loss to 15th placed team)

2009:
- R4 vs North Melbourne @ ES (12 point loss to then 12th placed team)
- R17 vs Richmond @ MCG (5 point loss to then 15th placed team)
- R18 vs West Coast @ Subiaco (27 point loss to then 14th placed team)
- R21 vs Fremantle @ Subiaco (54 point loss to then 15th placed team)

2010:
- R4 vs West Coast @ Subiaco (23 point loss to then 14th placed team and eventual wooden spooners)
- R14 vs Adelaide @ AAMI (84 point loss to then 14th placed team)
- R15 vs Melbourne @ MCG (19 point loss to then 14th placed team)
- R16 vs West Coast @ ES (32 point loss to then 16th placed team and eventual wooden spooners)
- R21 vs Brisbane @ ES (27 point loss to then 14th placed team)

2011:
- R11 vs Melbourne @ MCG (33 point loss to eventual 13th placed Melbourne, a team that had been thrashed in their previous three games)

2012:
- R10 vs Melbourne @ MCG (6 point loss to then 17th placed Melbourne who were winless with a percentage of 51.8%, we started the game in 2nd position)
- R22 vs Richmond @ MCG (45 point loss to eventual 12th placed Richmond)

2013:
- R8 vs Brisbane @ ES (8 point loss to then 15th placed Brisbane)
- R20 vs West Coast @ ES (53 point loss to eventual 13th placed West Coast)

2014:
- R5 vs St Kilda @ ES (16 point loss to eventual wooden spooners St Kilda)
- R13 vs Melbourne @ MCG (1 point loss to eventual 17th placed Melbourne after leading by 24 points in the second half)
- R23 vs Carlton @ MCG (Draw against 13th placed Carlton)

2015:
- R10 vs Geelong @ ES (Goalless at Half Time against 12th placed Geelong, who kicked the first 10 goals of the game in an eventual 69 point loss)
- R14 vs St Kilda @ ES (110 point loss against 13th placed St Kilda)
- R21 vs Gold Coast @ MS (2 point loss to 16th placed Gold Coast)

2016:
- Irrelevant due to player bans and finishing 18th

2017:
- R3 vs Carlton @ MCG (15 point loss to winless 16th placed Carlton)
- R7 vs Fremantle @ Subiaco (37 point loss to 11th placed Fremantle after leading by 19 points in the second half)
- R14 vs Sydney @ SCG (1 point loss to then 12th placed Sydney after leading by 19 points with 4 minutes to go)
- R15 vs Brisbane @ ES (8 point loss to then 18th placed & eventual wooden spooner Brisbane after leading by 20 points in the final quarter)

2018:
- R2 vs Fremantle @ Subiaco (16 point loss to then 17th placed side)
- R3 vs Western Bulldogs @ ES (21 point loss to then winless 18th placed side with a percentage of 47.6%)

Look forward to reading your responses.

It’s the club culture, built up over the past decade, by playing players who give far less than 100% and continue being picked.

Welsh, McVeigh, Hille, Laycock, Lovett, Lovett-Murray, Prismall, Ryder, Dempsey, Myers, Melksham, Zaharakis, Heppell, Colyer.

All these guys had their strengths but were never or have never been held accountable for poor defensive running.

At Essendon, it’s ok to leave it up to someone else.

This breeds a bad culture and flows through the rest of the team, resulting in performances such as today’s.

I keep watching out of dumb hope, but I know logically that nothing will change until we stop losing games at the selection table.

 

[JayJ20]

Collingwood aren't a lesser side though so this doesn't really count.

 

[JT_the_Man]

Collingwood aren't a lesser side though so this doesn't really count.

This is no better than the Freo loss imo.

 

[JayJ20]

This is no better than the Freo loss imo.

Don't get me wrong, today was way worse than the Freo loss. At least we looked okay in patches against Fremantle. Today was terrible for most of the game. Up there with the Bulldogs loss

 

[Mootsy]

At Essendon, it’s ok to leave it up to someone else.

To be honest it's something that the coaches should have fixed ages ago. It's not that hard to get the point across and to repeat training until it works.

 

[eth-dog]

It’s the club culture, built up over the past decade, by playing players who give far less than 100% and continue being picked.

Welsh, McVeigh, Hille, Laycock, Lovett, Lovett-Murray, Prismall, Ryder, Dempsey, Myers, Melksham, Zaharakis, Heppell, Colyer.

All these guys had their strengths but were never or have never been held accountable for poor defensive running.

At Essendon, it’s ok to leave it up to someone else.

This breeds a bad culture and flows through the rest of the team, resulting in performances today.

I keep watching out of dumb hope, but I know logically that nothing will change until we stop losing games at the selection table.

I hope you're taking the piss with those blokes. Have never doubted their intent at going at 100%.

 

[nipst@r]

It may have been covered but the reality, unfortunately post drugs saga and the clean out, is that we are still a terribly run club, well football department.


From recruiting players who don't fill any specific needs, (no knock on saad, stringer, smith) as they have performed as advertised its just they do nothing to address any weaknesses. Signed a x factor half forward when we had 3 players kick around 40+ and tippa in the fwd line, fwd/ mid runner when we have no genuine clearance players and saad when we have mckenna, McGrath who are already ideally suited to the role.


Resigning Worsfold for 2 additional years at a time when his coaching and recruiting has been at its worst and whilst his family situation and commitment was questionable? was a baffling move. (worsfold may be the coach of the future? but the timing and 2 years instead of 1 or 1+1* just one of those little examples of how the club is still not being run all that well)


We were shocking in the coaches’ box and on the field today. Worsfold not swinging hooker, Hurley or anyone fwd when we went almost 2 quarters without a goal is simply poor coaching. he just didn’t make any moves till the game was over, maybe the injuries rattled him. Not swapping the match up on cox, letting baguley get dragged to the goal square by whoever was his opponent cost 4 goals. The players are letting everyone down, but so are the coaches.


Many of these continual problems can be solved by coaching, tinkering, improved player performance. Baguley has been done for a year, Jackson merret was always done, a acl injury wasn’t going to make him better. Josh green, mitch brown, jackson merret, baguley, luenberger have given good effort and service, but they are not young and dont fill any need, how they are on still on the list baffles me. As a club we always keep these players on the list for a year or two too long.

Overall, we have a talented fwd line but our entries inside 50 are atrocious. Repeat offenders daniher, zaka, parish are shocking kicks going forward. They should not be amongst our highest players for i50. Yet they are contuniously on the end of the chain, these 3 guys every week are butchering the ball. Needs to be addressed. Their roles need to change, teach them to run different lines, give off the handball etc., fwds to run towards the ball carrier. And our system needs to work harder to get the footy in the hands of players with proven ability at hitting i50 targets, good vision. McGrath, Goddard, merret instead their roles seem to be to set up form the backline. Not much help when most of the opposition scores are from rebound turnovers when we are going forward.


My vent for the day.
We have talented players but unfortunately a lopsided list.
We have good resources and facilities, but the club still makes terrible decisions. Just a really dumb football club for the past ten years.

 

[Howard Moon]

things never change, history just repeats..

feel it deep down, you can feel it in your guts - you look at the fixture and you know pretty much exactly what's going to happen in our games! it makes tipping so easy. We lose when we shouldn't, we win when we shouldn't.

Pretty much everyone in here said watch this - we lose to the bulldogs, then beat port.

shock horror - its like we had a crystal ball!

We can pretty much map out the future games from here...

Melbourne - Dees expected to win, we cruise past them, things looking up! W
Hawthorn - crunch us, things looking down. L
Carlton - smash Carlton early then they come over the top of us playing like millionaires - things look dire. L
Geelong - burn Geelong on the outside for a famous victory W
Giants away - shock win v the giants away, its finally clicking! W
Tigers - Tigers with their yearly dreamtime win. L
Lions away - lions beat us away - fans tear shreds off inept team L
Eagles away - wce poleaxe us away, lecras kicks 15 L
North - north hit us hard, we lose - sack the world, we are done.. L
Collingwood - beat Collingwood in a listless game W
Suns away - clearly a loss after being ahead for most of the game L
Fremantle - they grind us to an inch of our lives.. but might just shade this one W
Sydney - beat syd at home W
Hawthorn - 2 wins in a row!, in form and looking to squeak into the 8!...loss to the old enemy L
STK - easy win, as always v stk. W
Richmond- loss - finals chance extinguished.
Port away - clearly we beat them when it doesn't matter... W

!0 wins, middle of the road - again.