View Full Version : Gameday: Round 1 - Essendon vs Nth Melbourne
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Well it's been a long hot summer and an eternal wait to see the Bombers again but finally the waiting is over.
I'm reasonable confident about the game and our pre season form has been quite good and the formline has stood up, so far.
The Dons will be too quick and have a bit too much firepower for North and will run out winners by 24 + points.
lamaros
23 Mar 2008, 22:38
Should be a good game. I think we have too much up forward and a gameplan that will hold up much better against the style North plays this time around. Pretty confident of a win, even hopeful of a big win.
BomberAce7
23 Mar 2008, 22:42
Well it's been a long hot summer and an eternal wait to see the Bombers again but finally the waiting is over.
I'm reasonable confident about the game and our pre season form has been quite good and the formline has stood up, so far.
The Dons will be too quick and have a bit too much firepower for North and will run out winners by 24 + points.
Agree Merv! Jetta on Wells would be a great match up.
Ludwig van Bertstare
23 Mar 2008, 23:50
Blood Monday is here!
Gus2Gumby
24 Mar 2008, 01:10
Looks great Merv! :thumbsu:
Looking forward to the Bombers finally breaking the drought!
Go Dons!
PUSSIES_07_FLAG
24 Mar 2008, 01:12
Wishing Scotty Thompson good luck and can't wait it should be a great match.
Shane Hird
24 Mar 2008, 01:18
Lets us pray to the footy gods that Knighta knows what he's doing and doesn't f-up our football club.
A new era,a new dawn...lets get on with it.
Wishing Scotty Thompson good luck and can't wait it should be a great match.
Good luck to him for the next 21 weeks. Hope he has a shocker tomorrow!!:)
wazzabp
24 Mar 2008, 08:43
Well its almost time, I've been craving this day for ages.
We must not underestimate the Kangaroos, they went deep into the finals last season, and have a very good reputation for playing well as a unit. They don't seem to have an absolute standout player, but are very consistent across the park.
We do need to play at our absolute best to knock this team over, but I reckon we are capable and will scrape over the line.
Bombers by 10 points.
Bomber57
24 Mar 2008, 08:55
Lets see how Mcphee goes at CHF, he has the build for it.
The Dustbin
24 Mar 2008, 09:15
Bring it on! :D
Lance Uppercut
24 Mar 2008, 09:26
here we go then!
The clarion call for the Essendon army goes out today. We've had the mickey mouse stuff. Now for reality folks.
Essendon fans should be well pumped for today. A much-hated rival - over whom we have had no success since that glorious comeback in the millenium halycon days - is the perfect test for our young, brave squad. Let's smash that hoo-doo good and proper - today is the day to inflict some of our own pain!
Today, as in the pre-season, we run onto the field minus K Sheedy and J Hird. Who would have thought that, with the similtaneous loss of such iconic Essendon legends, that the future could appear so bright?
Matthew Knights has arguably already put his stamp on this great club. If we run out today, and play his game plan with the same vigour, verve and bravery that we showed pre-season, then look out those who doubted. Look out North Melbourne. Look out AFL.
No-one doubts it will be a long, tough season; with the highs and lows that will come with playing a young team - but it's going to be an exciting ride, and it's a journey that starts now, today.
If you're in Melbourne, and you're not going, change your mind. Get down there early, and get a seat.
We're about to show the AFL world once again why we are the biggest and the best. We're about to show that we revel in supporting the greatest club in the land; a club that pays us back in spades with consistent excellence - a match made in heaven!
It's a new era; it's an odyssey that starts today. Go Dons!!!
wazzabp
24 Mar 2008, 09:45
here we go then!
The clarion call for the Essendon army goes out today. We've had the mickey mouse stuff. Now for reality folks.
Essendon fans should be well pumped for today. A much-hated rival - over whom we have had no success since that glorious comeback in the millenium halycon days - is the perfect test for our young, brave squad. Let's smash that hoo-doo good and proper - today is the day to inflict some of our own pain!
Today, as in the pre-season, we run onto the field minus K Sheedy and J Hird. Who would have thought that, with the similtaneous loss of such iconic Essendon legends, that the future could appear so bright?
Matthew Knights has arguably already put his stamp on this great club. If we run out today, and play his game plan with the same vigour, verve and bravery that we showed pre-season, then look out those who doubted. Look out North Melbourne. Look out AFL.
No-one doubts it will be a long, tough season; with the highs and lows that will come with playing a young team - but it's going to be an exciting ride, and it's a journey that starts now, today.
If you're in Melbourne, and you're not going, change your mind. Get down there early, and get a seat.
We're about to show the AFL world once again why we are the biggest and the best. We're about to show that we revel in supporting the greatest club in the land; a club that pays us back in spades with consistent excellence - a match made in heaven!
It's a new era; it's an odyssey that starts today. Go Dons!!!
I had goose bumps reading that.:p:D
Beerfish
24 Mar 2008, 09:54
Well said Lance :thumbsu:
Here's to the rise of the new Essendon machine - zero defects.
Give em hell boys.
Hi, can someone please help me. I got an AFL Silver membership this year from dream team, and coz i havent had one before have little clue with how it works. Can I buy guest passes at the door for mates? Where abouts can i sit?
Thanks.
Hi, can someone please help me. I got an AFL Silver membership this year from dream team, and coz i havent had one before have little clue with how it works. Can I buy guest passes at the door for mates? Where abouts can i sit?
Thanks.
No idea - but get there early. A near full house is forecast for today.
And good luck chaps.
geelong16
24 Mar 2008, 12:12
yeh i hope you boys have a win, i really like the bombers side right now, guys like stanton, dyson and ryder i reckon are absolute champs in the making. Anyone know if Monfries might come in as a late change, im surprised hes not in the starting 22 i would surely have him in there if i was coaching, shows how much i know haha
Dissapointing first quarter. Very undisciplined giving away stupid free kicks. Managed to work our way into the match but the Kangaroos are well on top thus far.
Jonesy1987
24 Mar 2008, 14:10
Hope Lucas is all good after copping the knock on his knee. Damn I hate the North backline not that good but they match up brilliantly on us.
bhorjus
24 Mar 2008, 14:23
Well what can I say. The second quarter was the complete oppisite of the first.
Bad news about Lucas. Could be out for up to 3 months.
Jonesy1987
24 Mar 2008, 14:24
Well what can I say. The second quarter was the complete oppisite of the first.
Bad news about Lucas. Could be out for up to 3 months.
Its Lucas he will be back in 4 weeks kicking goals from 60.
Dr Moose
24 Mar 2008, 14:25
What a first half! Has any other club ever been as cursed with first match injuries as us? Hird, Lloyd and now Lucas. No wonder Fletcher's keeping such a low profile this match.
Can't keep up with this umpiring inconsistency. At least there's no clear mandate to slow down the play this season.
Hope we can hold on to this lead. Don't read too much into Scotty's knee until after a proper review tomorrow.
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 14:42
Jobe Watson's disposal is shocking :rolleyes:
McVeigh's number is going to be the back of my jumper very soon :thumbsu:
retroparty
24 Mar 2008, 14:44
Man I wish I was at this game. Sounds so good and intense on the radio.
Jonesy1987
24 Mar 2008, 14:44
Lloyd has been killing it playing futher up the ground maybe Johns will come in next week and play at FF.
Dr Moose
24 Mar 2008, 14:53
That Jetta / Lloyd goal was magic. Really snapped the momentum
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 14:53
Lloyd has been killing it playing futher up the ground maybe Johns will come in next week and play at FF.
Or maybe we could just leave him playing/developing in the backline instead of stuffing him around by moving him around all the time.
Dr Moose
24 Mar 2008, 14:59
Dare I say we've got a midfield again?
Big Blow Hard
24 Mar 2008, 15:02
Lloyd has 5. Doing well for someone that is, according to the cretins out there in BF, too old, past it with dodgy Hammies! :p
Lovett Murray just goaled. On fire Boys!!
Jonesy1987
24 Mar 2008, 15:09
Or maybe we could just leave him playing/developing in the backline instead of stuffing him around by moving him around all the time.
Well if Lucas is out for 10 weeks he can have decent chunk in there
Who's been on Wells? Whoever it is has done a great job!
Mal's had a great game!
Big Blow Hard
24 Mar 2008, 15:12
:thumbsu:7.3 to 1.2 in that quarter. Well done Bombers! Keep it going in the final quarter.
Big Blow Hard
24 Mar 2008, 15:22
Geez, I am loving Lovett-Murray as a forward. Paying Dividends today. :thumbsu:
What a fantastic win. Everyone contributed and played there role very well today.
Beerfish
24 Mar 2008, 15:49
Well done boys. Good to be batting 1000 :D
Shame about Scotty though :(
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 15:55
Well if Lucas is out for 10 weeks he can have decent chunk in there
He's showed he plays better down back, so we should just leave him there and let him develop. Hille, McPhee or Gumbleton would be better options up forward instead of him, so why bother wasting his development time as a forward when his best bet at making it is down back where he has played his best footy?
If Johns is going to be played in the seniors, he should be played down back, not up forward.
DonMania#5
24 Mar 2008, 16:18
Fantastic win by the boys, loved every bit of it. :thumbsu:
Everyone did something and worked hard throughout the game.
Lance Uppercut
24 Mar 2008, 16:21
Yeahhhhh!!!!!
matthewlloydwebber
24 Mar 2008, 16:28
gee we're exciting to watch! poor lukey :(
The Toecutter
24 Mar 2008, 16:32
If Johns is going to be played in the seniors, he should be played down back, not up forward.Courtney Johns should never play AFL football in the black and red again. Sheedy is gone so leave the great man in the Bendigo Bombers. We don't need the second coming of Kevin Walsh:D He's 23, shown no improvement whatsoever (except for his haircut). Gumbleton has a future Johnsy doesn't at our club.
Well done guys.
We were pathetic but you guys were great once you got into gear, ran us off our feet.
Lot to look forward to, good luck for 08.
BomberAce7
24 Mar 2008, 16:42
I know its only Knights's 1st Home & Away game but doesnt our style of play look worlds apart when Sheed's was at the helm?
BomberAce7
24 Mar 2008, 16:43
Well done guys.
We were pathetic but you guys were great once you got into gear, ran us off our feet.
Lot to look forward to, good luck for 08.
Cheers!
Well done guys.
We were pathetic but you guys were great once you got into gear, ran us off our feet.
Lot to look forward to, good luck for 08.
Thanks Ryz.
You guys will bounce back hard next week.
Good luck for the rest of this long season
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 16:45
Courtney Johns should never play AFL football in the black and red again. Sheedy is gone so leave the great man in the Bendigo Bombers. We don't need the second coming of Kevin Walsh:D He's 23, shown no improvement whatsoever (except for his haircut). Gumbleton has a future Johnsy doesn't at our club.
Show a bit of faith mate. Sure he's been at the club for a while but he's only had about 2 seasons where he has actually been fit and since he's been fit and playing down back, he's shown quite a bit.
Who's going to replace Mal and Fletch down back besides Ryder? Johns has shown more than most of the other young backman and has shown great improvement since he's been playing down back so should definately be sticking around for another season or two because he's probably the best option to take over Mal's position when he retires.
Excuse me for stating the obvious, but I need to get this off my chest.
Bachar Houli is a very very good footballer.
Gee he played some sort of game today.
Uses it equally as well by hand and foot.
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 16:48
Excuse me for stating the obvious, but I need to get this off my chest.
Bachar Houli is a very very good footballer.
Gee he played some sort of game today.
Uses it equally as well by hand and foot.
Go ahead, keep the complements rolling :D
Super exciting talent and an absolute bargain.
Lance Uppercut
24 Mar 2008, 16:49
Houli is a GUN :D
BomberAce7
24 Mar 2008, 16:49
Excuse me for stating the obvious, but I need to get this off my chest.
Bachar Houli is a very very good footballer.
Gee he played some sort of game today.
Uses it equally as well by hand and foot.
I dont know why Sheeds only played him the once last year. I reckon he has made the wing his position.
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 16:52
I dont know why Sheeds only played him the once last year. I reckon he has made the wing his position.
Because there were beter players ahead of him such as Campo, Bolton, Heffernan ad Peverill :rolleyes:
Quite glad he's gone, good to see Knighta actually playing the talented youngsters.
lemon chicken
24 Mar 2008, 16:59
I reckon he has made the wing his position.
I reckon he's better than a wingman, so composed. Got a lot of class about him.
Lloyd has been killing it playing futher up the ground maybe Johns will come in next week and play at FF.
If Neagle is fit, bring him in, if not replace him with another small (Lovett/Winderlich) and use NLM, McPhee as the other tall forwards, worked very well today.
I think Johns has shown enough times he does not have what is required to play key position forward in the AFL. He is cover for Fletcher/Michael now.
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 17:10
If Neagle is fit, bring him in, if not replace him with another small (Lovett/Winderlich) and use NLM, McPhee as the other tall forwards, worked very well today.
I think Johns has shown enough times he does not have what is required to play key position forward in the AFL. He is cover for Fletcher/Michael now.
Exactly. Good to see someone on here knows what they're talking :thumbsu:
I reckon he's better than a wingman, so composed. Got a lot of class about him.
He'll be the Sam Mitchell type mould, but better, and quicker.
He is just an absolute ball magnet.
Mark it down, he will win the Rising Star award.
lamaros
24 Mar 2008, 17:15
Houli played pretty average last year, Sheeds was right to drop him. Played ok today. I know everyone wants to go overboard because he's a new guy to the team, but he can play better. Depmsey too, had a good game in the end, but still needs to improve his awareness, held the ball for too long a few times and turned it over.
Great game. Good to be at the dome against North and WIN! for once! Lloyd was excellent, so was Jobe McVeigh and NLM.
auswatto
24 Mar 2008, 17:30
Was a great first game performance. Its a long year but always good to start off with a win, especially after Kangas jumped out of the gates well. The kids deserve their chances. Houli, Dempsey, Jetta and Lonergan all showed some really good signs. Houli's 2nd half was very good, but he will get alot better. Dempsey made a few mistakes but also did plenty of good stuff. Reads the play well and runs off the half back strongly. I think a player not mentioned who played very well for us was Ramanauskas. Very solid overhead and when the balls on the ground. Played like before he first got diagnosed. Great game Rama. Welcome back.
lamaros
24 Mar 2008, 17:36
Yeah, was very impressed by Rama today. :thumbsu:
bomba4eva
24 Mar 2008, 18:04
Rama refuses to miss targets. Has composure which is lacking in many of our players. Love the bloke. Personally I thought the atmosphere was terrible today but perhaps that was because I was sitting down the North end:o We play exciting footy which is brilliant to watch. Commend Knights on his first game and hopefully there are plenty more wins to come. Dempsey played well today and Houli was good. Didnt see much of Lonergan tbh. Lucas going down is terrible, but at least one of Neagle/Gumbleton will now get their chance over the next couple of weeks. Btw does anybody know how Gumbleton is coming along? He has had a solid 5-6 weeks off so I assume his hamstring is 100%. McVeigh was a ball magnet and has really asserted himself over the past year or so and is developing into a brilliant footballer. Lloyd is pure class. Talk of him being underdone but he well and truly dismissed those rumours today. Flecther I thought was relatively quiet. I was at the game but didnt see Nash often. Anyone see how he went?
All in all a promising game. We can expect many more exciting moments this season from the young and pacy Bombers:)
DemonErrol1964 - dees
24 Mar 2008, 18:08
Because there were beter players ahead of him such as Campo, Bolton, Heffernan ad Peverill :rolleyes:
Quite glad he's gone, good to see Knighta actually playing the talented youngsters.
Heffernan !!! :eek:
Show a bit of faith mate. Sure he's been at the club for a while but he's only had about 2 seasons where he has actually been fit and since he's been fit and playing down back, he's shown quite a bit.
Who's going to replace Mal and Fletch down back besides Ryder? Johns has shown more than most of the other young backman and has shown great improvement since he's been playing down back so should definately be sticking around for another season or two because he's probably the best option to take over Mal's position when he retires.
there's a young bloke called tayte pears who looks the next darren glass in the making. gun defender mark my words.
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 18:28
there's a young bloke called tayte pears who looks the next darren glass in the making. gun defender mark my words.
Looks like a great talent, but he's 17 and KP's take a while to develop so it's unlikely that he would be able to step into Mal's position in 1-2 years time and do well as a 18/19yo.
Johns is our best bet to fill the void down at FB when Mal retires, whilst Pears in a few years time will probably be worked into the team as a 3rd tall like Ryder did whilst Johns is holding down FB.
You need 3 talls in the backline, and Ryder, Johns and Pears are our best and most likely options. Can't imagine Lee, Hooker, Daniher, Chartress or Dick getting a gig ahead of these 3 in the future that's for sure.
Slattery_20
24 Mar 2008, 18:46
Shmick - Ryder did (step in at a young age), Fletch I'm sure you know won a flag as a schoolboy. From memory Glass played a few games in his teens as well
It's not ridiculous - if Pears is good enough & what I've seen suggest he may well be - he'll play games. If anything, the modern (more aerobic compared to strength & biff) game suits the youngster more than in previous years
Schmick
24 Mar 2008, 19:40
Shmick - Ryder did (step in at a young age), Fletch I'm sure you know won a flag as a schoolboy. From memory Glass played a few games in his teens as well
It's not ridiculous - if Pears is good enough & what I've seen suggest he may well be - he'll play games. If anything, the modern (more aerobic compared to strength & biff) game suits the youngster more than in previous years
You can't really rely on him stepping in and taking the #1 forward at the age of 18/19 and hold down full back though can you.
Ryder didn't play on the #1 forward did he, he played as a 3rd tall with Fletch and Mal guiding him which is what Pears should be doing in the coming years instead of chucking the kid in the deep end like we did with Keps.
danzan22
24 Mar 2008, 21:09
Momen of the match for me was Flecher leading out from FF and kicking a goal from around 55, god i wish fletcher would go foward more often :D
Bombermania
24 Mar 2008, 21:11
Well done guys.
We were pathetic but you guys were great once you got into gear, ran us off our feet.
Lot to look forward to, good luck for 08.
While I'm delighted with Essendon's win, there were two North players that impressed me numbers 11 and Lindsay both look lively and Thompson looked good in the first term, the lost of Corey Jones hurt North.
Over all I'm very happy with the win!
BigBazza
24 Mar 2008, 22:07
Just back from the game, i have to say it felt awesome winning against them for the first time in 7 years.
Dempsey takes a contested mark on the half backline when out of position, gets it off to Houli who dashes through the middle and kicks a it long, very long, Laycock is spoiled but Jetta plucks it out of the pack and whips it out to Lovett-Murray who goals...
My favourite play of the day!
Shane Hird
24 Mar 2008, 22:57
Momen of the match for me was Flecher leading out from FF and kicking a goal from around 55, god i wish fletcher would go foward more often :D
Good to here from you danzan.Long time no hear...
Fletcher's goal was a fitting end to a great match by the EFC. Never before have so many 'experts' tipped against us in a rd1 match and after a nightmare first half,our young boys in Houli,Dempsey,Nash,Jetta,Davey and Lonergan showed what this club is going to be about in the years to come.
To see Dempsey battle it out with a champion like Shannon Grant and get on top of him in the end..well,it gives you hope that this new breed of Bombers are on the right track.
Rama was sensational today. That fist of his coming over packs is a sight to see. He's almost right back to where he left off before that pesky cancer scare interupted his brilliant career. He is an EFC champion..even if he finished playing tomorrow.
Hille played well. About time too. Watson showed again how important he is to this side with his supreme handpassing out of the packs..workhorse.
I was nearly ill at halftime at the thought of Scott Lucas out for half a season. But to see how those players responded to the pressure that was put on them by North in the first half, to see how they attacked the ball and tackled the North players with such aggression...we have a lot to look forward to.
To think that Lovett,Winderlich and Welchy wern't playing gives me great confidence that we can cover injuries a bit this year..if need be.
Selection problems in rd 2..thats a good problem to have.
I can't believe I'm saying this but C.Johns can now come back to the side if need be and play around CHB or CHF. Or better yet, Lloydy could be our new CHF with either Johns,laycock,Hille or Neagle at FF.
Houli just looks like he's ready to play the next 200 games in a row,barring injury. I've never seen a young player so at ease on the footy field.
Dyson was disappointing...again.
What a win!! Nobody but us Essendon supporters know how good it was to get that win under our belts. A new era,a new dawn (all that crap)....and how sweet it was:thumbsu:
Good to here from you danzan.Long time no hear...
Fletcher's goal was a fitting end to a great match by the EFC. Never before have so many 'experts' tipped against us in a rd1 match and after a nightmare first half,our young boys in Houli,Dempsey,Nash,Jetta,Davey and Lonergan showed what this club is going to be about in the years to come.
To see Dempsey battle it out with a champion like Shannon Grant and get on top of him in the end..well,it gives you hope that this new breed of Bombers are on the right track.
Rama was sensational today. That fist of his coming over packs is a sight to see. He's almost right back to where he left off before that pesky cancer scare interupted his brilliant career. He is an EFC champion..even if he finished playing tomorrow.
Hille played well. About time too. Watson showed again how important he is to this side with his supreme handpassing out of the packs..workhorse.
I was nearly ill at halftime at the thought of Scott Lucas out for half a season. But to see how those players responded to the pressure that was put on them by North in the first half, to see how they attacked the ball and tackled the North players with such aggression...we have a lot to look forward to.
To think that Lovett,Winderlich and Welchy wern't playing gives me great confidence that we can cover injuries a bit this year..if need be.
Selection problems in rd 2..thats a good problem to have.
I can't believe I'm saying this but C.Johns can now come back to the side if need be and play around CHB or CHF. Or better yet, Lloydy could be our new CHF with either Johns,laycock,Hille or Neagle at FF.
Houli just looks like he's ready to play the next 200 games in a row,barring injury. I've never seen a young player so at ease on the footy field.
Dyson was disappointing...again.
What a win!! Nobody but us Essendon supporters know how good it was to get that win under our belts. A new era,a new dawn (all that crap)....and how sweet it was:thumbsu:
Please don't spoil a good post with such rubbish.
That spud couldn't get a kick in a street fight and there have been very few Essendon players that have been lucky enough to pull on our cherished jumper with less ability.
danzan22
24 Mar 2008, 23:12
Please don't spoil a good post with such rubbish.
That spud couldn't get a kick in a street fight and there have been very few Essendon players that have been lucky enough to pull on our cherished jumper with less ability.
Would have to agree with merve here, you should of said someting like "Now Neagle can come in and show off some of that form we saw in the pre season".
P.s Good to see someone actually noticed i was gone :p
Am thrilled for the boys as it was a good and determined team effort from the boys, but as a few teams have found before. this is a 22 week season with finals (if we play) aswell. so its a long way to go. lets see when lucas gets back around rd 13 - 14 where we are at.
Bombermania
24 Mar 2008, 23:34
Dempsey takes a contested mark on the half backline when out of position, gets it off to Houli who dashes through the middle and kicks a it long, very long, Laycock is spoiled but Jetta plucks it out of the pack and whips it out to Lovett-Murray who goals...
My favourite play of the day!
That was mine too, equal with Davey stripping the North player then from the pockett kicking a great goal
Jonesy1987
24 Mar 2008, 23:38
That was mine too, equal with Davey stripping the North player then from the pockett kicking a great goal
That was great but my favorite was Jetta tackling Pratt in the pocket, gathers runs along the boundary handballs in to Lloyd, snap GOAL!
Shane Hird
24 Mar 2008, 23:41
Would have to agree with merve here, you should of said someting like "Now Neagle can come in and show off some of that form we saw in the pre season".
P.s Good to see someone actually noticed i was gone :p
Where have you been btw?
Merv. After seeing Johns play against WC the other week in the backline and seeing how more confident he looked with less pressure on himself...all I'm saying is I'm prepared to give him another go.
If Bolton can have 30 lives,Johns deserves to have at least 15..:p:
I'm not so sure NLM will continue his outstanding rd 1 form for the duration of the season..but you never know.
We better start looking at who is gunna replace Scotty as our no1 target to go for at CHF.
Nobby.
We don't need to find a replacement as we already had them on the field today.
Laycock/Hille Lloyd Davey
NLM McPhee Jetta
Neagle when he is ready, not too mention others that could rotate through the HFF.
If you are waiting for johns to produce, i hope you are not holding your breath as that spud is an dud beyond explanation.
danzan22
24 Mar 2008, 23:55
Where have you been btw?
.
Around, just got over bigfooty while in the off-season, so much garbage being posted everywhere and just couldn't be bothered coming on :p
Shane Hird
25 Mar 2008, 00:03
Nobby.
We don't need to find a replacement as we already had them on the field today.
Laycock/Hille Lloyd Davey
NLM McPhee Jetta
Neagle when he is ready, not too mention others that could rotate through the HFF.
If you are waiting for johns to produce, i hope you are not holding your breath as that spud is an dud beyond explanation.
I tend agree with him being a spud.....there's no way to get around it.
But he might turn out a good spud...but probably not.:o
Shane Hird
25 Mar 2008, 00:16
Just watching the delayed version of footy classified here and heard Knights take questions from the panel. Good to see smiles on the usual serious Knighta face.
Coaches Assoc votes from Knights and Deano for the game were...
McVeigh
Lloyd
Watson
Rama
Houli:thumbsu:
donsman4eva
25 Mar 2008, 13:53
Good game and a good result. Just one thing that irked me. Twice, once in the shot after Thompson KO'd Jones, and then again when Thompson took the shot after the half time siren, Fletcher was on the mark. Surely someone else should have stood the mark to allow Fletcher to get back in defense and help out.
Good game and a good result. Just one thing that irked me. Twice, once in the shot after Thompson KO'd Jones, and then again when Thompson took the shot after the half time siren, Fletcher was on the mark. Surely someone else should have stood the mark to allow Fletcher to get back in defense and help out.
Glass half-full or half-empty as to whether he was on the mark or on the line.
Especially with the kick after the half-tiime siren, the fact that NT had to kick OVER Fletcher's bloody long arms would be the main reason he came up short, meaning DF didn't need to be on the line.
Shorter man on the mark and at that range Thompson would've had everyone stretching for a punch.
Smart move by Fletcher I thought (which I said to the Bombers supporters in front of me who were debatiing the very same thing) since I was surprised that it wasn't common knowledge amongst other supporters that (in my opinion) Thompson tends to get close to the man on the mark regularly. (Never mind the fact that it's been over a year since we've seen him and I thought he'd be out of this habit!)
Just my two cents.....
What a game. And I know I am little late on the scene but there was need to clear up the triumphal mess.
Could not have set my working week off in a worse way but no recriminations turning up when I finally did could take the smile off my face. Helps to work for yourself.
Watched with some footy heads in southern Thailand however only one of which was a kangaroo. A very loud, bomber bashing kangaroo, so the 5000 baht was still too cheap but the result more made up for the finances. The first quarter was a worry and like Nobby said, felt ill at the thought of losing him so early in the season. It may free Lloyd up in a perverse way.
I have to say the bombers hangin' in there on the scoreboard still gave me great hope for the result. Was absolutely pissed off with the umpiring but we all know that. It was chronic.
The exhilaration of the game and the fantastic way the players took it up was nothing short of Elle McPherson wearing a Santa suit coming down my chimney. All the preseason detractors knew very little of the feeling that many typists on these boards have transmitted.
The only downer is the determination for Sheedy. Categorically, this was about the board's and Knight's license and player self belief coupled with latent talent that would not have been nearly so resounding with KS.
Never mind that one.
Impressions what impressed me was firstly Rama, initially putting in great efforts. He has not got the prettiest head nor biggest body but he continues to offer real class in his play. This could be very handy for the younger players with talent but developing that poise. Nash, who I have heard a lot about and read the faith here but was truly educated on Monday. His ball use is invaluable. Lonergan. Hard at the ball and his side stepped turn through the centre after receiving a potential cruncher was inspiring. The north player shold have rugby him down but it would have been ugly. He might not have had as much of the ball as Jobe or Spike but surely did enough to hold his spot. I could not challenge his effort.
Jetta and Davey were the talented ball handlers and we have seen the replays. Dempsey was good and with a tad more confidence will use the ample time he creates better. Nonetheless had a great game.
Stanton obviously was quite but perhaps spent for the side to take Rawlings out of the equation. Not sure really but fell there is nothing to worry about though and will be interesting against Geelong.
It is always harder watching on TV to really know what the rucks are doing off the ball. I felt I saw Laycock still a bit lazy on the second efforts on two instances but nitpicking a little because his forward prowess was very evident. But Hille showed his where his real talent has been, because he played a great game and I loved his off the ball crack at the tackle on Lloyd. I feel we definitely need Laycock and Hille to continue without calling on Ryder for ruck duties. I have a feeling we might pay latter in the year asking for so much from Laycock and Hille to continue that intensity and rotation level.
I am not going to say any thing about Houli, Mcveight nor Watson, it has been said although I was voting for Rama BOG up to half time if not three quarter. JJ was the interesting player though and while certainly not bad seemed shaded by some of the pace that we may have now. Might have to consider this by product for Pev and JJ if we still need that speed and experienced mix.
North were not so much lousy but just disappointing. Fletchers finger in the back of NT cannot really be held responsible for CJ getting pinged so badly, he was running with eyes on the ball and an unfortunately accident. Mcintosh Hale, were poor and Petrie was his indefatigable self showed potential only to disappoint with the kicking or next effort. Both sides slowed noticeably in the last but North were totally knackered. Geelong has certainly learnt a lot from this outing and I will be watching far more nervously come Sunday.
Re CJ, I am happy for him to get his crack. Opportunities are there for him down back if NLM can keep this new found versality and forward zest, or up forward until Neagle, who could be very good for us, when NEagle gets himself right. But if CJ is going down the gurgler I hope he gets another opportunity. It may be that need the lassitude on the bench to cover it. No I am not confident, but Lee, is less of an option I feel, and see no reason to play tall up forward if the smaller crumbers support the centre run and can rest with one of the bigger frames up forward as well.
So much for my penny
Pevers-Legend
27 Mar 2008, 10:22
Glass half-full or half-empty as to whether he was on the mark or on the line.
Especially with the kick after the half-tiime siren, the fact that NT had to kick OVER Fletcher's bloody long arms would be the main reason he came up short, meaning DF didn't need to be on the line.
Shorter man on the mark and at that range Thompson would've had everyone stretching for a punch.
Smart move by Fletcher I thought (which I said to the Bombers supporters in front of me who were debatiing the very same thing) since I was surprised that it wasn't common knowledge amongst other supporters that (in my opinion) Thompson tends to get close to the man on the mark regularly. (Never mind the fact that it's been over a year since we've seen him and I thought he'd be out of this habit!)
Just my two cents.....
I agree - it is a common tactitc when a player is on their range to put a ruckman on the mark to make them have to kick just that bit further, or risk kicking it too high and coming up short. Fletch is the size of a ruck, so it was a good move.
donsman4eva
27 Mar 2008, 12:02
I agree - it is a common tactitc when a player is on their range to put a ruckman on the mark to make them have to kick just that bit further, or risk kicking it too high and coming up short. Fletch is the size of a ruck, so it was a good move.
I agree with that theory for the kick after the siren, but not on the one after Jones was KO'd. Thompson was not going to make the distance on that kick, and there was plenty of time to get someone else on the mark, so why not have fletcher back to spoil or take a mark?