Preview The Official 2010 Fixture Discussion Thread

[AJ_2000]

I look at the draw and I can see us going win then loss almost each 2 weeks. Very similar to our draw this season where we don't play many "easy" teams in a row.

Our only real run of soft games is rounds 15-17 with matches against Melbourne, Weagles (here) and North however we will probably drop one of those anyway!

 

[Call Me Cake]

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/fixture.asp

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/fixture.asp

The more I look at the fixture, the more I love it. I don't see how it's a draw from hell?

I think this fixture is a sleeping giant IMO. The AFL followers think it may break us cos we play Geelong twice, or St Kilda, but the 3 interestate trips (which are spread out very well throughout the fixture mind you) is JUST WHAT WE NEED! - It's not the teams that we were up against but the numerous trips interstate that has no doubt had a bearing on our fitness during last season!

With these minimal interstate trips, maybe our young players will finally go a long way before tiring out near the end of the year?

After Round 14, there is no trip. That's better than playing Melbourne and Richmond twice baby!

More like a draw from heaven. Bookmark it. Can't wait.

 

[DapperDon]

I don't know if i'm crazy, but I kinda like our draw. We have to start beating teams that count to move forward so i'm happy we play them a few times. Only 3 trips, and Geelong 1st round (we could catch them off guard).

This will be a great season and learning curve for the young lads. I'm excited.

 

[Slattery_20]

Once in Radelaide and once in Perth + minimal Sunday snooze games +lots under lights = fantastic draw.
have a look at when we actually won last year - big crowds, @ home. More of that please!

 

[ManWithNoName]

What the hell are you people whingnig for? Would you really rather play Port, Richmond and the Roos twice? Or Collingwood, Bulldogs and Hawthorn? We're MUCH more likely to win the latter IMO.

I don't think any side with only 3 interstate trips can ever bitch about the fixture.

 

[boncer34]

That thursday game with Richmond is apparently a Saturday night game. Was very frustrated to see that originally.

 

[Daytripper]

Its a horrific draw and those who can't see it must live in some sort of Utopia or something.

I don't give a flying about big crowds or getting big game experience.

All I want is for my team to win games, make top 4 and give the season a crack.

Seriously, I sometimes wonder if supporters care more about 'getting games into kids' than they do about 'winning games'.

I'm sick of excuses and playing kids and all that crap that is usually associated with a losing culture.

Do people want to win a flag or not ?

 

[ManWithNoName]

Its a horrific draw and those who can't see it must live in some sort of Utopia or something.

I don't give a flying about big crowds or getting big game experience.

All I want is for my team to win games, make top 4 and give the season a crack.

Seriously, I sometimes wonder if supporters care more about 'getting games into kids' than they do about 'winning games'.

I'm sick of excuses and playing kids and all that crap that is usually associated with a losing culture.

Do people want to win a flag or not ?

Have you seen our last few games against Fremantle? Or Richmond? Or North Melbourne?

 

[GordonBlue]

Are you guys crazy?

you guys have the following

Play TWICE against Geelong, Saints, Collingwood, Carlton, Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Hawthorn

Only ONCE against Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle, Kangaroos, Port, Sydney


and Adelaide once but it's at AAMI...

you can have your 3 interstate trips... but imo that is little justice for your draw... playing cats twice or saints twice or dogs twice is worse than playing port twice... once being aami...

I believe you guys are in the better half of the teams... but your draw has basically eliminated you from the finals... if I were you... i would be pissed off bad... i have never seen a harder draw before

 

[DapperDon]

Its a horrific draw and those who can't see it must live in some sort of Utopia or something.

I don't give a flying about big crowds or getting big game experience.

All I want is for my team to win games, make top 4 and give the season a crack.

Seriously, I sometimes wonder if supporters care more about 'getting games into kids' than they do about 'winning games'.

I'm sick of excuses and playing kids and all that crap that is usually associated with a losing culture.

Do people want to win a flag or not ?

To win a flag you need to beat Geelong, not friggen Melbourne. Time to stop being so worried about "the good teams" and finally become a good team. Aint going anywhere playing Fremantle 4 times a year and we would be thumped come finals.

Do you want to win a flag, or play Melbourne twice a year so you can say "Oh Yippee another meaningless victory"?

 

[strategy]

In all honesty we will NOT be pushing to win the Grand Final within 2 years.
In the meantime our players are gaining experience against the top sides and that will help us in the future.
There is nothing worse than having to play weak sides as it doesnt indicate how we are going as a team or individually.
Play the better sides to make us better, nothing wrong with that .

 

[Daytripper]

To win a flag you need to beat Geelong, not friggen Melbourne. Time to stop being so worried about "the good teams" and finally become a good team. Aint going anywhere playing Fremantle 4 times a year and we would be thumped come finals.

Do you want to win a flag, or play Melbourne twice a year so you can say "Oh Yippee another meaningless victory"?

I want us to win enough games so we can make the top 4 and give the flag a crack. Playing Melbourne twice gets us towards that goal. Playing Geelong twice does not.

I can't believe some of our supporters.

They would rather put up a good contest against the top teams and play kids than finish top 4.

Am I reading this right ?

 

[Childish Gambino]

Time to bounce:
147 days

Bring it on boys!!!

 

[GordonBlue]

To win a flag you need to beat Geelong, not friggen Melbourne. Time to stop being so worried about "the good teams" and finally become a good team. Aint going anywhere playing Fremantle 4 times a year and we would be thumped come finals.

Do you want to win a flag, or play Melbourne twice a year so you can say "Oh Yippee another meaningless victory"?

I don't think you are a premiership team yet... and I doubt many of you feel the same... so it's a progress and development year... if you can somehow make the finals with that draw... it would work wonder for your development... but if you don't than it would be seen as a set back... when realistically it's not... it's purely draw related...

the way it is right now... essendon has set the even score card...whilst every other team are playing on a handicap... and for a team that is progressing... it is unfair imo

 

[windyhill]

I know we own them lately but judd missing round 3 is handy. Too many friday games, i detest friday football.

 

[DapperDon]

I want us to win enough games so we can make the top 4 and give the flag a crack. Playing Melbourne twice gets us towards that goal. Playing Geelong twice does not.

I can't believe some of our supporters.

They would rather put up a good contest against the top teams and play kids than finish top 4.

Am I reading this right ?

Why do you figure we can't beat Geelong during the season, but somehow beat them to win a flag?

Seriously man, I understand you want easy games, but we are not going to win a flag that way.

 

[rhysman]

DayTripper, why dont we just give up now then? F*ck me, the draws too hard!. Talk about a glass half empty attitude. Realistically, we aren't going to be winning the GF next year but even if we were we would have to beat teams like geelong, st kilda and bulldogs to do it. And we always play Collingwood and Carlton twice. We actually beat St Kilda, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Carlton this year and got close to the Bulldogs. The Cats cleaned us up but they do that to everyone. Based on our interstate record 3 roadtrips is a fantastic result. If we travelled 5 or 6 times you could mark down the extra 2 or 3 trips as losses based on previous form on the road so playing those games against top teams in melbourne is bigger ask than that. I think the draw is OK and our young team will gain big time by playing more big matches in melbourne

 

[Daytripper]

Why do you figure we can't beat Geelong during the season, but somehow beat them to win a flag?

Seriously man, I understand you want easy games, but we are not going to win a flag that way.

You don't win a flag during the season.
You do set yourself up for a tilt at the flag though.

In order to do that you generally have to finish top 4. Beating Geelong once during the year and finishing 8th or 9th is just a waste.

Beating Melbourne and Richmond twice and finishing top 4 gives us a chance though.

 

[Slattery_20]

Are you guys crazy?

you guys have the following

Play TWICE against Geelong, Saints, Collingwood, Carlton, Western Bulldogs, West Coast and Hawthorn

Only ONCE against Melbourne, Richmond, Fremantle, Kangaroos, Port, Sydney


and Adelaide once but it's at AAMI...

you can have your 3 interstate trips... but imo that is little justice for your draw... playing cats twice or saints twice or dogs twice is worse than playing port twice... once being aami...

I believe you guys are in the better half of the teams... but your draw has basically eliminated you from the finals... if I were you... i would be pissed off bad... i have never seen a harder draw before

St K, you blokes, Pies, WCE (here) and Hawks are all very winnable.

Richmond, Port (away), North, and anything @ Subi are losses.

 

[Daytripper]

. and our young team will gain big time by playing more big matches in melbourne

If I see this sort of crap mentioned again I will spew up.

Leave those sort of excuses for the Melbournes and Richmonds of this world please.

 

[DapperDon]

I don't think you are a premiership team yet... and I doubt many of you feel the same... so it's a progress and development year... if you can somehow make the finals with that draw... it would work wonder for your development... but if you don't than it would be seen as a set back... when realistically it's not... it's purely draw related...

the way it is right now... essendon has set the even score card...whilst every other team are playing on a handicap... and for a team that is progressing... it is unfair imo

100% we are not a premiership team yet, which is why I can handle this draw. I want to beat good teams, i'm sick of being worried every time I look at what round it is and say "shit we will lose this match", it's time we took a step forward and become that team others are worried about playing and we can only get that by beating the best.

Take North for example, they had some easy draws made finals and then got thumped twice over 100 points. I don't want that happening at Essendon, if we make finals I want to know we can compete with the best not just make up numbers.

 

[DapperDon]

If I see this sort of crap mentioned again I will spew up.

Leave those sort of excuses for the Melbournes and Richmonds of this world please.

And If I see people wanting an easy ride i'll go on a rampage,

YOU DON'T WIN A PREMIERSHIP PLAYING MELBOURNE! Getting an easy ride to top 4 will destroy us.

 

[rhysman]

Your logic is backward daytripper. So get an easy draw with games against richmond, melbourne, etc and qualify for top 4 and then come up against the legitimately strong teams who in all likelihood will flog you. You've gotta beat the best to be the best mate. There's no getting around that. Need I remind you, we lost so called easy games against Richmond, Fremantle, North Melbourne and West Coast this year but we won so called tougher games against St Kilda, Hawthorn, Collingwood and Carlton. Thank God you have nothing to do with motivating the playing group down there.

 

[Daytripper]

YOU DON'T WIN A PREMIERSHIP PLAYING MELBOURNE! Getting an easy ride to top 4 will destroy us.

Bullshit.

 

[Knight Ryders]

You don't win a flag during the season.
You do set yourself up for a tilt at the flag though.

In order to do that you generally have to finish top 4. Beating Geelong once during the year and finishing 8th or 9th is just a waste.

Beating Melbourne and Richmond twice and finishing top 4 gives us a chance though.

I see your reasoning, but when was the last time a team won a premiership or played of for a premiership that didn't really deserve it. If we prove to be a top 4 team next year, it will be on the back beating teams we will have to beat in September.

Everyone expects the status quo to continue from the year before, but we don't really know what is going to happen next year. We may continue to improve at a rate not expected of us (such as Hawks 07/08) and other teams like Bulldogs, Cats, Saints, Crows and Pies may slip for unknown reasons (injuries, AFL going past older players, suspensions, youngsters not coming on etc). The Cats have been up for a long time and there has to now be some doubt on their depth and Adelaide have 5 players over 30 who are all in their top 10 players (Burton questionable). Who would have predicted that Hawthorn would have finished 9th this year?