View Full Version : What are our chances against Brisbane?
mongrelpunt
29 Jul 2002, 13:17
That's the big question. After the Bulldogs draw, West Coast fade-out, Geelong shocker and Richmond get out of jail win, what are the chances of us beating the Lions on Saturday night?
Any other time I would be more confident, but it gonna be a tough one. On paper, both sides look fairly even, but on the field it could be a different story.
With the Lions getting back W@nkermanis and Lappin, and after Brown and Bradshaw having the practice match against the Hawks, they look in pretty good form.
We'll get Fletch back, but he won't bring back supreme confidence for the rest of the team.
If we're gonna win the game, where would it be?
My opinion is the defence. Finally we can free up Welly, with Fletch, Jacobs and Bolton on their 3 big talls. Welly then can play his natural rebound game, and use him as a backup.
As long as the Bombers don't try and tag all 4 of their star midfielders (like round 3), it should be a good game.
Pornstar
29 Jul 2002, 14:03
If everything goes right for us and Brisbane play bad footy it is anyone's game. Unfortunately we haven't played well so far this season and Brisbane have only played one shocker so. Fletcher hasn't played for 5 weeks so don't expect him to star. I think Rioli will be a lot more accountable for an opponent this week. 90% confident Brisbane will win. The margin could be anything.
windyhill
29 Jul 2002, 17:23
I`m a natural pessimist, but i reckon we will sneak home this week.
Stealth bomber
29 Jul 2002, 19:03
Absolutely no chance. With recent full time scorelines of 7.12, 8.8, and 8.15, can anyone take an objective look at this and say that this list, in current form, can kick enough goals to be anywhere near Brisbane?
I'm not usually a doom and gloom type of prognosticator, but if we were to pull this off, based on form, I would call it the upset of the season.
Sorry guys, I don't have faith this week.
Vintage 62
29 Jul 2002, 19:59
What are our chances? - our best chance is that they don't turn up!
Our next best chance in my opinion, is to stack the forward line - either with tall palyers or proven goal kickers. Hird, Rioli, Rama, Barnard and Allessio can all kick goals, but they've gotta be up forward - this takes some heat off Lloyd and might also give the Lions SOMETHING to think about.
Originally posted by Vintage 62
Our next best chance in my opinion, is to stack the forward line - either with tall palyers or proven goal kickers.
I actually reckon that if you guys put a few classy small players forward, and send the ball down well to them, this would have the effect of making our backmen play a closer game than they would like to under normal circumstances. I remember Sheedy used to like playing P.Symons in this manner at FF, although he doesn't seem to pull moves like that as much anymore.
It's a shame, for the Bombers' sake, that you don't have a small guy like N.Brown or B.Johnson who can seriously kick a bag in the manner that they do.
Stacking a forward line with talls used to worry us, but with the form of M.Michael and J.Leppitsch (especially in comparison to Essendon's talls), I don't think it would be a particularly successful option.
The Ewok
29 Jul 2002, 20:16
No chance in hell
Pessimistic
29 Jul 2002, 20:20
Look at it this way. The hawks scored more against brisbane than the dons did against richmond. And hawthorn were still soundly beaten
Originally posted by windyhill
I'm a natural pessimist.
Nooooo! Really?
For what it's worth I'm an optimist, and I think we'll get thrashed. Go figure!
If Fletcher plays then I am confident of a win. :D
BomberGal
30 Jul 2002, 17:50
Originally posted by Vintage 62
What are our chances? - our best chance is that they don't turn up!
...for the rest of the season! Just skip this one, come back next year! :D
OK kidding. While I don't think we're gone yet, against Brisbane I'm not so sure. I'm not all that optimistic about it - and here's me saying that, who chose 4 games to go to this season I knew we'd lose but went in the hope of winning...eternally optimistic! - so yeah....don't think we'll win, but being the optimist I am, well...we can do it? :D
go team
30 Jul 2002, 18:50
If Fletcher plays we are a great chance to win. I think our team relies alot on "rebound" from the backline because of our weakness at the ruck clearances. That's why we play alot better with Fletch in the team - it frees up Welly and Jaccobs to play more attacking football.
If Fletcher doesn't play I still think we can pull it off. It would be VERY difficult, but certainly possible. The second and third quaters v the Eagles and the last quarter (hey we won one!) v the Tigers weren't pretty, but i still thought the boys played some good gutsy football. If they can patch togethor four quarters we'll be tough to beat.
Either way i think (and hope) it will be a good game of free flowing football.
Hoping against hope for a Bomber victory....
I am driving from Sydney to watch the game..long story, don't ask why I'm not flying...and would really love a Bomber win.
Unfortunately I think that the following things need to happen.
1. The Essendon midfield needs to get the better of the Fab four.
And yes I am hoping to win first prize in Lotto this week, too.
2. Rovers need to provide more of a contest in the forward line when the ball hits the deck (If I see Lappin standing 3 feet to the front and right of Matthew Lloyd waiting to be delivered the ball by spoiling players for a run out of the back pocket, again...I will not be responsible for my actions) McVeigh, Harvey and friends...this means YOU!!
3. Fish needs to play.
4. Fletch needs to play a blinder (hard to do first week back)
The chances of all of these things happening at once are somewhat remote, I grant you, but I live in hope.
The more I think about it, the more confidant I am getting. I am getting that "feeling."
We have the best defence in the AFL, so really, our problem has been our scoring power. If we can get that togetehr, we will win. 15 goals should be enough for us, given our fantastic defence.
Hope you are right Dan.
Otherwise it will be a long night.
BTW, I understand that Lappin isn't playing...so my violent urges may be suppressed for the moment.
If Fletcher plays & the guys actually play as a team, then we should beat them, a lot of if's but I live in hope.
Should be a good match. Fletcher will improve the backline even further than what it's been, even though it's rated number 1 points wise it will improve:)
Hopefully our midfield can stand up and even take on the Brisbane midfield.
Two chances:
slim, and f*ck all......lucky to get within 6 goals,
I'm going into this one with my eyes open, and expect to get belted. So i'm gunna have a bloody good drink and laugh. IF...and it's a very, very, big if....we happen to cause a boilover i'll drink a little harder and laugh a little harder. Can't really see it happening though.
where's wally?
mongrelpunt
2 Aug 2002, 14:57
I'm in enemy territory (please help me), and all the news services haven't gone on about this game as much as they did back in round 3.
Given Brisbane's travelling record this year - just beating the Bulldogs in round 4, Losing to Collingwood, West Coast (who hasn't :D) & Adelaide on the road, and beating Richmond and Hawthorn when both teams were struggling, and on the second leg of a two week away stint, this could be the best chance to knock them off.
We are not playing the best footy in the world, but the review of the game on essendonfc.com.au said that this is a game that Essendon aren't expected to win, which means they can go into the game with a nothing-to-lose attitude, while a Lions loss would see them almost miss out on a home prelim final (if it happened).
Its either gonna be the best game for the season, or a bigger shellacking than round 3.
LionsForever
2 Aug 2002, 18:57
Well all I can say is.. we'll kick some ass with Aker back the team will be even more stronger and prepared.
16 GO THE BRISBANE LIONS YOU'LL HEAR A MIGHTY ROAR ALRIGHT! ;)
nah Aker's not gonna play tonight - he's over in manchester for the commonwealth games. He tried to quit the Lions to play rugby for australia, but they didn't want him. Desperate to find another sport to cross over to, he looked for the team that needed him most - the commonwealth games table tennis squad. He's got a killer serve that Aker does.
Stegelator
3 Aug 2002, 12:48
My heart says one thing my mind says another. I think we have the talent to win, And i think we should stop trying to stop there plan and start working one of our own.
The team just need to go back to basics.
GO BOMBERS!!!