Who is our second most important player?

[ManWithNoName]

I think we're all in agreement that David Hille is our MVP. So who's #2? I've listed a few I can think of here, feel free to bring up other names

Mark McVeigh: Whilst not fast, Spike adds a toughness we sorely lack without him. Add in his experience and leadership and the team seems more willing to take on the man when McVeigh's on the field with him. Anyone who doubts his influence on the players only has to watch his speech after Rd 22 last year.

Jobe Watson: Probably our best in and under midfielder. Whilst not renowned for the flashy stuff his impact can't be underrated. Maligned for his kicking, he has improved that out of sight this year, overcoming his main deficiency. Without Watson we can struggle to clear the ball from congested areas and contests, giving the opposition a major boost.

Dustin Fletcher: Still our best tall defender, he can take the key forward target whilst rebounding and setting up attacking runs. Without Fletch pumping the ball out of the backline we struggle to get the ball up forward in time to beat the flood which can make finding a clear forward target a lot harder.

Matthew Lloyd: The skipper and probably still our best marking forward. With his new role up the field as a linkman his importance in the area of kicking goals isn't what it once was, but when he's on he can tear an opposition to pieces. With Lucas clearly struggling, if Lloyd went down we might struggle to find a marking target up forward.

Alwyn Davey: Our defensive pressure is embodied in Alwyn. Opposition players always have a look to see where he is when they get the ball, because his closing speed is out of sight. The other bonus is that when he gets the ball he can move it forward faster than almost all of our other players and can kick it beautifully even when moving at speed.

There my options, anyone else? Have at it.

[Jono B]

Welsh should probably be in this poll.

[loopy_cam]

I went with Fletch due to the fact that he is the only experienced player in the backline. I think he's very importtant just so we have an experienced head down there who the young-uns can look to.

After that I reckon Lloydy.

[warney7]

Fletcher wins by a neck to McVeigh

[jayem]

Inspector Gadget himself. He's definitely the general of defence doing good kick-ins and more to keep us going even though the youngsters like Pears and Daniher performed well against Freo. Fletcher's just got all the experience and he doesn't seem to be losing his skill performance by age. :thumbsu:

[Ludwig van Bertstare]

Jobe Watson.

[The Great Barry Besanko]

Fletcher - we can't win without him. Just great judgement and his kicking is crucial

[bombre-boy]

McVeigh,just in front of FLetch...McVeigh adds a balance to the team of skill and endeavour...i think we are a much better team when he is playing.

[Jonesy1987]

I'm beginning to think we should be including Lovett in these polls.

[BringBackCransberg]

J. Watson.

1. He is part of the reason Hille is so good. Did you see Sandilands today? He was dominating the hitouts but the guys at his feet were nowhere. You can't be a ruckman in contention for AA selection in that sort of situation. Hille and Watson bring out the best in each other.

2. One reason we're dangerous is because of our speed. That was obvious today (or yesterday....man, I drink way too much). But that speed can only be capitalised on when guys like Jobe get it out to the speed from the packs. Jobe (and his protege Hocking) link Hille, sometimes via outside mids like Stanton, to the speed that can fast-track delivery to our potent foward line. Lose him and we don't only lose that movement forward, but the other team gets the ball, and our inexperienced (though promising) defence is suddenly under a lot of pressure.

3. He is the definition of consistency, and seemingly not injury prone (in the body he has now, which he'll keep for years). That's a rare combination at modern era Essendon, and sorely needed (especially in the midfield, which'll need to be a solid, well drilled unit that understands itself through and through, for any premiership tilt).

So J. Watson for me.

[Enki]

Watson.

[bipolarbeaR]

Watson.... daylight etc. I am so happy that through all these injuries he has stayed well, also I believe that Stanton gets SO little credit, I think he is up there in the top 4 for importance to the club.

Hille - So important to the Bombers, Provides accurate kicking, a great tapdown, he is a big game player, great under pressure, knows where the sticks are, can load up from 55-60, composed, good footy brain, moves well for his size and weight, great positioning in the ruck and around the ground.

Watson - One of the best clearance players in the league, without Watson the Dons wouldn't get half of the clearences a game that we do, always handballs to the right option, he gets the ball to Lovett, Dempsey and other guys that take the game head on, he has a cool head and is amazingly consistant.

I think Stanton and McPhee are underrated, Have you ever noticed that when McPhee is on so are we? Stanton never stops and is always trying his hardest.

[Bomberlicious]

Another vote for Jobe.

His hands are what sets him apart, especially with the run we can generate from the middle (Lovett, Winders, Davey, Zaka etc.). His ability to shark a tap was never more evident than yesterday, and his foot skills are unfairly criticised.

I also think McPhee is a real positive for us, can't really understand the view that he could be traded/delisted at the end of the year.

Big love for Fletch though, he is still one of the best defenders going around.