caboose
17 Feb 2008, 11:24
Article from AAP this morning ..
Nervous Knights encouraged by win
GOLD COAST, Qld, Feb 17 AAP - Pre-game nerves should not be a problem for a hardened veteran of 279 AFL matches.
But ex-Richmond skipper Matthew Knights reckoned he was packing his slacks before his debut as Essendon coach.
No wonder - for the last 27 years Kevin Sheedy had reigned supreme at Windy Hill, garnering four premierships, seven grand finals and a daunting legacy. However, Knights said he was feeling for his young players before their NAB Cup pre-season opener against the Brisbane Lions at Gold Coast Stadium last night.
"I was nervous before the game for the young players like Sam Lonergan, Danny Chartres and Courtenay Dempsey who train for months and months and sometimes don't get a shot at the big stage, to play in front of a crowd and on TV," he said.
"I was more nervous for them."
He needn't have stressed. The baby Bombers, missing 11 first choice players, sunk the Lions by 27 points in greasy conditions in front of more than 10,000 - oddly pro-Essendon - fans.
Knights was on a hiding to nothing trying to fill the beloved Sheedy's boots last night but came away with plenty to smile about.
"Coming to the game tonight we wanted to walk away and be convinced we had another six or eight players that could really vie for selection so when we sit down to pick our team for round one against the Kangaroos we have 30 to 35 players to pick from," he said.
"We have a achieved that to a degree - there were a number of young players that played quite well and they will need to keep working over the next month to prove their worth.
"The starting midfield was very young and it was good to see Angus Monfries play against Luke Power and Heath Hocking, Sam Lonergan and Ricky Dyson all showed bits and pieces of good play.
"I wouldn't say all of them were the complete package (last night) but there were some good signs."
Big man David Hille kicked three goals and Courtenay Dempsey looked at home playing across half back.
But former Lions fullback Mal Michael also earned praise in his first game in Queensland since controversially coming out of retirement and heading to Essendon. Despite Brisbane's top draft pick Lachlan Henderson kicking three goals on Michael, Knights issued an ominous warning to the burly defender's rivals this season.
"Mal joined us late last year and ... you are playing catch up when you miss two months of pre-season, that is the reality," he said.
"This year he hasn't missed a session and he is jumping out of his skin. He wanted to play (last night), I gave him the option.
"I have asked him to be a real leader of this club and to start mentoring our young defenders."
Everything didn't go to plan for Knights last night - Scott Gumbleton suffered a hamstring strain in the first quarter, an injury still being assessed.
"As a coach I really feel for Scott, he is a wonderful young man that just can't get a run at it," he said.
"We think he is a prodigious talent and (last night) was really unfortunate."
Nervous Knights encouraged by win
GOLD COAST, Qld, Feb 17 AAP - Pre-game nerves should not be a problem for a hardened veteran of 279 AFL matches.
But ex-Richmond skipper Matthew Knights reckoned he was packing his slacks before his debut as Essendon coach.
No wonder - for the last 27 years Kevin Sheedy had reigned supreme at Windy Hill, garnering four premierships, seven grand finals and a daunting legacy. However, Knights said he was feeling for his young players before their NAB Cup pre-season opener against the Brisbane Lions at Gold Coast Stadium last night.
"I was nervous before the game for the young players like Sam Lonergan, Danny Chartres and Courtenay Dempsey who train for months and months and sometimes don't get a shot at the big stage, to play in front of a crowd and on TV," he said.
"I was more nervous for them."
He needn't have stressed. The baby Bombers, missing 11 first choice players, sunk the Lions by 27 points in greasy conditions in front of more than 10,000 - oddly pro-Essendon - fans.
Knights was on a hiding to nothing trying to fill the beloved Sheedy's boots last night but came away with plenty to smile about.
"Coming to the game tonight we wanted to walk away and be convinced we had another six or eight players that could really vie for selection so when we sit down to pick our team for round one against the Kangaroos we have 30 to 35 players to pick from," he said.
"We have a achieved that to a degree - there were a number of young players that played quite well and they will need to keep working over the next month to prove their worth.
"The starting midfield was very young and it was good to see Angus Monfries play against Luke Power and Heath Hocking, Sam Lonergan and Ricky Dyson all showed bits and pieces of good play.
"I wouldn't say all of them were the complete package (last night) but there were some good signs."
Big man David Hille kicked three goals and Courtenay Dempsey looked at home playing across half back.
But former Lions fullback Mal Michael also earned praise in his first game in Queensland since controversially coming out of retirement and heading to Essendon. Despite Brisbane's top draft pick Lachlan Henderson kicking three goals on Michael, Knights issued an ominous warning to the burly defender's rivals this season.
"Mal joined us late last year and ... you are playing catch up when you miss two months of pre-season, that is the reality," he said.
"This year he hasn't missed a session and he is jumping out of his skin. He wanted to play (last night), I gave him the option.
"I have asked him to be a real leader of this club and to start mentoring our young defenders."
Everything didn't go to plan for Knights last night - Scott Gumbleton suffered a hamstring strain in the first quarter, an injury still being assessed.
"As a coach I really feel for Scott, he is a wonderful young man that just can't get a run at it," he said.
"We think he is a prodigious talent and (last night) was really unfortunate."