Game Day West Coast Eagles v Essendon, Finals Week 1 - 18:10 AWST, Sep 05, 2019

[Engimal v3]

No one in their right mind would think Naitanui did anything wrong. Any counter argument is invalidated by the objective fact that Merrett pulled his hair like a little schoolgirl.

 

[Elton Johns Wig]

Essendon has has the same problem for 4 years.

They were smashed in contested ball (-22) by one of the worst contested ball sides in the comp.

I don't mind Essendon, when they are on, they are great to watch. Playing against weaker sides they look unreal.

But against sides that bring sustained pressure, their system folds badly. Playing slingshot footy under constant pressure rarely ends well. How many times did their disposal lack composure last night? Blazed away because they were under pressure or FELT they were under pressure.

Look at the ins. Saad, Shiel. Runners.

Stringer. IF he got fit he COULD go into the guts more, but.....like Petracca, needs to lose 5kg.

Who are your contested ball winners? Parish? Been ok this season, poor bloke melted last night, needs help.

Merrett, McGrath, Heppell, all nice players, none inside bulls.


Instead of Shiel, chase Cunnington, Wines, these sort of blokes. Heck, taking Anthony Miles last year for a packet of chips would have helped Essendon. They need steel in the guts. The outside id more than covered. But the blend/mix is imbalanced.

If they got two coalface types, one AFL standard, one above AFL standard, they'd jump considerably.

The other thing they need is better fwd pressure. Teams get it out of there too easily.

Anyway, be interesting to see how the list and staff change in the off season.

 

[Farang83150]

Eagles too slow and too tall for tonight. Nic Nat nowhere near fit enough to go straight in to a final.

Eagles won the dance last year and guys like Barrass are telling us they feel directionless. Bombers haven't won a final in 16 years, they will be too hungry for it.

Eagles won't go with the Bombers run and the Dons will play a tight and defensive tackling game all night from the middle. Eagles have better skill if they have space, but the same with Hawthorn they won't be afforded that tonight.

Bombers to surprise the footy world by 40+.

LOL...FOS much?

 

[Ok Boomer]

Essendon have most of the parts they need.

They do need some inside muscle, players who run two ways (Smith) and Daniher back.

Guys like Mckernan and Brown have been admirable this year but really should only be back up options.

 

[adammania9]

The Eagles are a better team this year, They are a top 2 team, all their players back, they could of won by 100 tonight if they wanted to. Neither Geelong or Collingwood will win next week against the eagles.

This isn’t the first time this decade that a side has strolled into the semi finals fresh off a walk in the park elimination final win. If you think Collingwood or Geelong will bring the same intensity Essendon did to their home final you are kidding yourself. Eagles 2012 and Swans 2017 are the obvious precedents and there’s others as well. West Coast’s chances most would like but it’s certainly not a given that they’d get up.

 

[adammania9]

I'm sure Pies fans are praying he's out. Finally Grundy might have some decent competition aye.

Grundy clowned Nic Nat in Perth the last time they went up against each other. Perhaps it’s Nic Nat who has the decent opposition. Bellchambers to Grundy is a substantial step up.

 

[Witch1]

Yeah, he should have just accepted someone PULLING HIS HAIR.

Violent overreactions are what fills our courts, prisons and hospitals.

 

[WestCoast05]

Totally agree. Nothing in it at all. I’d be even surprised if it gets sighted.

Shocked that there’s even a discussion about it really.

Last year NicNat got suspended for a legal tackle because he needs to be mindful when tacking a 'smaller' bloke - this same clown gets to decide his fate again, it's no wonder a few are nervous.

 

[Brer Bear]

Wow. Thuganui

Least he doesn't go around headbutting players unprovoked.

 

[frenchconnection]

Cant remember seeing Pies fans abuse and intimidate a mother and her 9yo son. Sadly it wasn't 1 idiot but a large number of eagles supporters as they tried to leave the ground.

I was at the game and didn't see any of this carrying on when I was leaving the game. If true then obviously "not on" But unfortunately there are DH in most Clubs supporters from time to time, even Collingwood supporters.

 

[Happy Mastenator]

Grundy clowned Nic Nat in Perth the last time they went up against each other. Perhaps it’s Nic Nat who has the decent opposition. Bellchambers to Grundy is a substantial step up.

This is not a reflection of what happened at all. Naitanui did his ankle in the first quarter, he still beat Grundy in the first half before he could barely run/jump in the second half. Then proceeded to miss 8 weeks.

Grundy is awesome but Nic Nat is one of the few rucks that can match his strength and speed at the contest. Will be an interesting match up regardless.

 

[QuietB]

Wow. Thuganui

That is brutal by Nic Nat. WTF was Merrett thinking - idiot

 

[WN123]

No one in their right mind would think Naitanui did anything wrong. Any counter argument is invalidated by the objective fact that Merrett pulled his hair like a little schoolgirl.

So anyone who doesn’t support your opinion is not in their right mind.
Perhaps anyone who twisted hair pulling to schoolgirl behaviour has misogynist issues.
Or perhaps anyone who is not blind can see that Merrett got a handful of hair as he tried to grab the back of Nicnats jumper

 

[rmcq]

Essendon have most of the parts they need.

They do need some inside muscle, players who run two ways (Smith) and Daniher back.

Guys like Mckernan and Brown have been admirable this year but really should only be back up options.

Yeah, they also need a semblance of a game plan. Because if they had one, it wasn't evident last night. And if they do have one, either it's too complex for AFL footballers to understand, or they don't believe in it so ignore it anyway.

All points to serious culture problems within the club. Is that the coach's responsibility? I think he should go.

Also, good on Nic Nat dealing with that pathetic pulling hair act by carefully throwing him into a fence deliberately avoiding any injury.

 

[Engimal v3]

So anyone who doesn’t support your opinion is not in their right mind.
Perhaps anyone who twisted hair pulling to schoolgirl behaviour has misogynist issues.
Or perhaps anyone who is not blind can see that Merrett got a handful of hair as he tried to grab the back of Nicnats jumper

Nah, I reckon Merrett is a bit of a schoolgirl. I really value your input though.

 

[Outback Footy]

The trouble with Essendon as I see it is the bottom 6 or even more are just too weak. Not enough quality. I do not mind the look of Ambrose but really for the players on the park Essendon overachieved making he eight I think.

There are a number of teams with average lists so you can win a number of games without being strong

Essendon have been a bit unlucky. When they had good picks they did not go bad in getting McGrath, Parish and so forth but these players are not franchise players like a Bontempelli or J Cameron or Lloyd or James Hird.

Essendon lack a few real quality gun players and having Daniher out does not help

They play risk averse go slow football way too much. Pies similar atm. Compare to dogs, eagles, tiges, lions who all roll the dice. Mind you the traffic cones made what the eagles did last night look great, not sure against a real team.....

 

[Carl Tone]

Merrett did a silly thing and Naitanui overreacted. He’s lucky as Merrett wasn’t injured so will both just get fines. The supporter needs a ban.
The game went according to expectations.

Naitanui overreacted? Yeah nah.

 

[Back One Out]

Merrett deliberately pulled Naitanui's hair and Nicnat shoved him in anger. Fair enough. Wasn't as bad as it looked anyway. Merrett played the victim, hoping to win a cheap free kick. Look at the knob. He limply allowed himself to be pushed over. No resistance. Look at his raised arms. That's the telltale sign.

Bottom line: Squib Merrett made an arse of himself and got his just desserts.


Laughable that some people are getting on Naitanui's case about this. NFI.
Suspensions for pushing someone over after they pulled his hair. Pshhhhh
P1ss off... Go watch figure skating or rhythmic gymnastics, you clowns.

 

[rmcq]

They play risk averse go slow football way too much. Pies similar atm. Compare to dogs, eagles, tiges, lions who all roll the dice. Mind you the traffic cones made what the eagles did last night look great, not sure against a real team.....

No those other teams don't "roll the dice". They have specific strategies in place to ensure that "rolling the dice" is not a high risk strategy. For example, West Coast's disposal is of high quality, so they can pinpoint their kicks. Richmond ensure they have enough numbers with the ball so a turnover is not damaging, Lions have excellent intercepting backs that can halt a turnover.

 

[Franko Armani]

I put the loss down to “the players whiting their hair”

 

[romeohwho]

Naitanui overreacted? Yeah nah.

View attachment 741186

Oh no -the horror -the little guy pulled the big guy’s hair! Which incident had a greater chance of someone being hurt? Tug of the hair? Push forcefully into a fence? Both of them were silly. Move on.

 

[Ok Boomer]

Yeah, they also need a semblance of a game plan. Because if they had one, it wasn't evident last night. And if they do have one, either it's too complex for AFL footballers to understand, or they don't believe in it so ignore it anyway.

They rely way too much on their half backs and wingers. Saad and McGrath were great but two players aren't going to get the job done.

Those weapons would be even better if they have a better game plan as you suggest, and more muscle around the ball to ensure it doesn't just fall on them.

 

[Sector 7G]

Wow. Thuganui

Love that Merrett threw his head back before the real force of the push came. Was looking for a free and flopped but there was more power than he expected and hit the astroturf/fence hard.

Lesson here is don't be a hair pulling, diving, soft chip scab and your team might stand a chance.

 

[Nuwanda]

The bombers have overrated key backs in Hurley and Hooker.

They have a soft midfield led by their captain who may well be the least damaging player in the AFL when he has the ball in his hands.

The bombers have built a very average list playing a game style which falls down at the important moments.

 

[Farang83150]

The bloke is just a crap match day coach going no where with him

What a stupid comment, anyone with half a brain can clearly see it's your players that a the dumb ones, they cant execute a game plan to save their lives, just really dumb.