View Full Version : Baby Bombers to play in NAB Cup.
BomberAce7
21 Jan 2009, 13:01
Bombers will be missing key players in NAB Cup
ESSENDON could be without more than half of its best 22 for the round one NAB Cup match in Darwin.
The Bombers play the Western Bulldogs on February 15, and coach Matthew Knights says his side could be missing up to 12 players.
“Probably in the vicinity of 10 to 12 players will be unavailable for our first NAB Cup game, for a variety or reasons,” Knights said Wednesday.
“(Brent) Prismall and Alwyn Davey represent pretty straight-forward reasons with their knees, Jobe Watson, Patrick Ryder and Courtney Dempsey will not be at that stage – they’re in full training, but just with their shoulders, we need to give them a couple more weeks.
“(Mark) McVeigh’s had an interruption with his toe – he’s now back into full training but it would be very unlikely.
“Jason Winderlich is another one who’s progressing really well – he trained 80 per cent of the session today, our main session, and got through well, which is enormous ground he’s made in two or three months, but again, we won’t be taking him up to Darwin.
“Jason Laycock and David Hille definitely won’t play now, so big Tom Bellchambers will shoulder a lot of the work.
“I haven’t spoken to young Christian Bock yet about the chances of him playing in Darwin, but I guess we’ve got to make a decision and see how he comes along in the next three or four weeks.”
With so many first-pick players unavailable, the door has opened for the newcomers and rookies, and Knights is clearly following his policy of 2008 by giving the kids a go.
“I would expect at least two to thee national draft players, and potentially two rookies (would play).
“Michael Hurley is probably in line for selection, and David Zaharakas – who’s had a bit of a groin complaint – is a good chance (as is) Tyson Slattery, who we took later in the draft.
“Out of the eight or 10 we drafted, maybe half of them – maybe four – might be ready to play.
“It’s whether they’re physically ready to play and their loads are right.”
But Knights insists things are looking better for round one of the home-and-away season.
“At this stage I would have thought only Prismall (will miss). We’re planning for Alwyn to play the last one or two practice matches and I have said if he can complete two games, I’m happy to go with him in round one if his knees feel fine and the medical staff are fine.
“Laycock, to be brutally honest, would have to get moving pretty quickly for him to be in line for round one, because he’s missed most of the pre-season with that foot.”
Ludwig van Bertstare
21 Jan 2009, 13:06
I'm happy about that. It's exciting to watch a team full of youngsters.
The Donners
21 Jan 2009, 13:19
Poor news for Laycock, though contracted for 2 years, a poor season could spell the end for him at Essendon with the emergence of Bellchambers (hopefully! :thumbsu:)... won't quite say Bock as he's nowhere near playing real football (Captain Obvious! :D).
dave_27
21 Jan 2009, 13:30
Disappointing Ryder isnt playing especially with Hille and Laycock both out. Baldy has trained very well the couple of times Ive been down their.
I think Bock may snap in half against Wil Minson.
Phat Toni
21 Jan 2009, 14:19
Poor news for Laycock, though contracted for 2 years, a poor season could spell the end for him at Essendon with the emergence of Bellchambers (hopefully! :thumbsu:)... won't quite say Bock as he's nowhere near playing real football (Captain Obvious! :D).
Yes tough news for the big Lazy. A slow start to the year could see him slip behind DingDongBell. Every time I see Bell he is aggressive and looks like he wants to get the best out of himself, more than you can say about big Lazy, he has talent to burn but no application.
Beerfish
21 Jan 2009, 14:55
I think Bock may snap in half against Wil Minson.
I totally agree.
I think Bock will be killed if we play him (even in the NAB) before he has put on at least 50kg...
Yes tough news for the big Lazy. A slow start to the year could see him slip behind DingDongBell. Every time I see Bell he is aggressive and looks like he wants to get the best out of himself, more than you can say about big Lazy, he has talent to burn but no application.
The big lazy. That is a hilarious play on the "the big easy" as far as nicknames go, if you intended it to be a reference. I'm going to refer to him as that from now on (even if I do hope he steps up in '09, that name is too good to pass up).
Poor news for Laycock, though contracted for 2 years, a poor season could spell the end for him at Essendon with the emergence of Bellchambers (hopefully! :thumbsu:)... won't quite say Bock as he's nowhere near playing real football (Captain Obvious! :D).
Liking that: "emergence of Bellchambers" we will obviously need a 2nd ruck throughout the nab cup but i agree with D.I.G (below). Springbock is not ready.
I totally agree.
I think Bock will be killed if we play him (even in the NAB) before he has put on at least 50kg...
I think Bock may snap in half against Wil Minson.
The only person I would happy to see him ruck against would possibly be Warnock at this stage... wait his still a twig yeah?
Smyth94
21 Jan 2009, 16:09
The only person I would happy to see him ruck against would possibly be Warnock at this stage... wait his still a twig yeah?
Ayce Cordy
Could be the battle of the praying mantis
Ayce Cordy
Could be the battle of the praying mantis
Lol
Is he likely to get game time in the NAB cup? if he does Bock could play one game. And leave the field straight after the ruck contest.
bomba4eva
21 Jan 2009, 18:20
Knights should be charged with manslaughter if he picks Bock to play.
Even with the large number of players set to miss there are many players of interest to watch out for. The last 3 first round picks for starters....
Bring on the NAB Cup. Many people rubbish the cup but the facts are that you play on better grounds and get more national coverage by playing on television. The crowds are larger and the incentive to win a cup could make for more intense matches and hence better match practice.
The Donners
21 Jan 2009, 19:20
Knights should be charged with manslaughter if he picks Bock to play.
I laughed out aloud, well done! :thumbsu::D:thumbsu:
B-Bomber
21 Jan 2009, 19:27
The opposition ruckman will never see Bock coming, if he stands sideways :p
The opposition ruckman will never see Bock coming, if he stands sideways :p
Going on a bit of a tangent with the Bock thing.
He could do a petrie and stand behind the goal post... he could use the post as protection :o
Anyway abck to the ruck topic.
With Bellchambers as our number 1 ruck in the nab cup
Hille not playing, Laycock not playing, Ryder not playing:confused:
Who will be our 2nd ruck during the pre season?
The Dustbin
21 Jan 2009, 20:32
Who will be our 2nd ruck during the pre season?
Bock :thumbsu:
I wouldn't stress over the team for the first NAB cup game.
It is obviously being used as a development tool for the younger players.
After all, Knights claimed that WATSON was one of the 4 star performers during pre season but yet he is missing the first game.
And Knights claims that Zaharakis may play but he has spents lots of time in the modified group.
Smyth94
22 Jan 2009, 05:50
Going on a bit of a tangent with the Bock thing.
He could do a petrie and stand behind the goal post... he could use the post as protection :o
Anyway abck to the ruck topic.
With Bellchambers as our number 1 ruck in the nab cup
Hille not playing, Laycock not playing, Ryder not playing:confused:
Who will be our 2nd ruck during the pre season?
Assuming Bock isn't selected, Gumby could very well spend time in the ruck
Beerfish
22 Jan 2009, 06:06
Assuming Bock isn't selected, Gumby could very well spend time in the ruck
Great.. fractured shin anyone?
Smyth94
22 Jan 2009, 09:11
Great.. fractured shin anyone?
Cmon...have some faith :thumbsu:
Bomberlicious
22 Jan 2009, 10:12
Who will be our 2nd ruck during the pre season?
This got me thinking as well. With no Ryder, Hille & Laycock, who is it?
Gumby - 197cm - but please leave him in cotton wool
Hooker - 196cm - bit of a roughy
Fletch - 198, but I doubt he'll play much NAB, & you've got to look after the older guys
Probably going to have to use a 190+cm as an around the ground-type ruckman.
Will make for interesting viewing though.
Beerfish
22 Jan 2009, 10:27
Cmon...have some faith :thumbsu:
Twas a moment of weakness. :)
ghostdog
22 Jan 2009, 10:47
I wouldn't stress over the team for the first NAB cup game.
It is obviously being used as a development tool for the younger players.
After all, Knights claimed that WATSON was one of the 4 star performers during pre season but yet he is missing the first game.
And Knights claims that Zaharakis may play but he has spents lots of time in the modified group.
I wouldn't stress over the NAB Cup. If we have some success there, so be it, but I'd prefer to see us at full strength for Round 1. That said it'd be good to see the youngsters getting around, and Skipworth too for that matter.
King Patty
22 Jan 2009, 10:48
This got me thinking as well. With no Ryder, Hille & Laycock, who is it?
Gumby - 197cm - but please leave him in cotton wool
Hooker - 196cm - bit of a roughy
Fletch - 198, but I doubt he'll play much NAB, & you've got to look after the older guys
Probably going to have to use a 190+cm as an around the ground-type ruckman.
Will make for interesting viewing though.
Christain Bock 205cm......he may be the second ruck, provided he avoids the sting rays at st kilda beach.
Bomberlicious
22 Jan 2009, 10:53
Christain Bock 205cm......he may be the second ruck, provided he avoids the sting rays at st kilda beach.
Yeah, I was overlooking Bock purely on the fact he'll get killed, body-wise.
It wouldn't be fair on him to play him yet.
Could do a 'Zac Dawson" to him...
KustyTheClown
22 Jan 2009, 12:22
My bet of essendon win the nab cup is looking pretty average now. LOL
This got me thinking as well. With no Ryder, Hille & Laycock, who is it?
Gumby - 197cm - but please leave him in cotton wool
Hooker - 196cm - bit of a roughy
Fletch - 198, but I doubt he'll play much NAB, & you've got to look after the older guys
Probably going to have to use a 190+cm as an around the ground-type ruckman.
Will make for interesting viewing though.
Hmm I doubt it will be fletch.
How far away are laycock and ryder?
But i think it will just be whoever is near the throw in. Bellchambers will compete in all the main ruck work and the taller players around the ground can give it a shot.
B-Bomber
22 Jan 2009, 18:32
Hooker might get a shot as an undersized ruckman but I'm not sure on his endurance. Perhaps McPhee would be told to run amok and try to make the opposition ruckman accountable to him.
Gumby is the real next option, however with his injury history there is no need for him to do a knee also haha.
As for "keplering" Bock's confidence -- I don't think it would as I'm sure the coaching staff would explain to him that they don't expect miracles from him.
On the topic of NAB Cup can anyone tell me if our first game against Bulldogs will be on Foxtel or Free to Air TV? Thanks in advance
Ludwig van Bertstare
22 Jan 2009, 19:11
On the topic of NAB Cup can anyone tell me if our first game against Bulldogs will be on Foxtel or Free to Air TV? Thanks in advance
Foxtel.
http://www.afl.com.au/Portals/0/afl_docs/fixture09/2009_NAB_Cup_Fixturev2.pdf
Anyway quickly again on the Bock thing just noticed a pic of him in an article
http://mm.afl.com.au/Portals/0/images/AFL/AFL%20A-E/Bock_246a.jpg
Christian Bock is a chance to line up for the Bombers in the NAB Cup
Full article Link (http://www.bombersfc.com.au/tabid/6477/Default.aspx?newsid=71396)
Springbock:eek: still very skinny
Would love to see Christian Bock play, i'm a big fan of his brother so hopefully he'll be as good.
Beerfish
23 Jan 2009, 11:49
I'm thinking some kind of sumo suit...
Bomberlicious
23 Jan 2009, 12:52
Maybe even a giant plastic bubble...
Beerfish
23 Jan 2009, 13:16
May be hard to get a tap away..
Ziltoid
23 Jan 2009, 13:23
Wrap a few layers of bubble wrap around his body perhaps?
B-Bomber
23 Jan 2009, 13:58
We'd end up with fried chicken remember we are playing in the NT!
Beerfish
23 Jan 2009, 14:00
Cripes. That's a good point.
I'm at a loss then.