View Full Version : What excites you about Essendon FC at the moment?
cawshezy
10 May 2009, 22:18
Lovett: Looks to have put his off field trouble behind him and really taken the game on.
Watson: All Australian form, the kid uses his feet now.
Stanton: All Australian form.
Pears: Has done an extremely good job on some of the key forwards in the league so far.
Hocking: Just love this hard nut of the kid.
Dempesy: Love his run off halfback absolute superstar.
Thats what excites me about Essendon FC atm
AndyLesPaul
10 May 2009, 22:29
Um.
Watson and Stanton are doing wonders for us, but there are so many players currently ahead of them for AA right now.
NLM The fact he can be used as a reliable forward option.
Monfries Played one of his best games.
Hurley The fact that a defender of this calibre can be in the twos, whilst one would say around 2 years ago, we were shitting ourselves for defenders.
Lucas 3 goals in his first 20 minutes, finished with 4.
Prismall 12 disposals in 45 minutes.
Winderlich How could i forget Winderlich. He's at career best form, and is one of our most important players currently.
james_omahoney
10 May 2009, 22:58
Um.
Watson and Stanton are doing wonders for us, but there are so many players currently ahead of them for AA right now.
:confused:.........
The most exciting things for mine are:
The abundance of talent/potential on our list. And there's so much dynamism across the group.
Our ability to finish games strongly, due partly to confidence, partly to fitness.
Knights' gameplan and the way he's brought about attitude change and real group synergy = BELIEF.
JimmyHird
10 May 2009, 23:01
Our take it to the opposition and carry the ball game plan. :thumbsu:
bOmBeR_BoY1
10 May 2009, 23:13
Our young boys are having a decent crack each week - it's all you can really ask at this stage, especially with some major talent sitting on the sidelines.
We'll probably be a little inconsistent throughout the year, especially on the road, as we've already seen, but we'll give each game a good go.
AndyLesPaul
10 May 2009, 23:15
:confused:.........
The most exciting things for mine are:
The abundance of talent/potential on our list. And there's so much dynamism across the group.
Our ability to finish games strongly, due partly to confidence, partly to fitness.
Knights' gameplan and the way he's brought about attitude change and real group synergy = BELIEF.
How many positions would be availiable for them? like 5?
Ablett, Bartel, Judd, KCornes, CCornes, Joel Corey.
Thats all i can think of.
james_omahoney
10 May 2009, 23:25
How many positions would be availiable for them? like 5?
Ablett, Bartel, Judd, KCornes, CCornes, Joel Corey.
Thats all i can think of.
That's OK. I don't really want to get into the AA discussion, just see it differently. :thumbsu:
cawshezy
11 May 2009, 01:08
That's OK. I don't really want to get into the AA discussion, just see it differently. :thumbsu:
Watson would be averaging 30 possessions every game so far this year, i wouldn't knock his chances.
Mad Bomber Sean
11 May 2009, 02:04
The refinement and realisation of Knights Game plan version 2
When it works its so overwhelming & elegantly brutal
When talent, hardwork & confidence meet, this team is really going to challange & I think that could be sooner than later. :D:D:D
Our speed. Cant wait till we perfect it.
1. The promise our younger players are showing. I must admit to feeling pretty depressed at the thought of Lloyd Lucas and Fletcher finishing soon. But I've been really impressed with Pears, Hocking, Zaha!, Hurley, Dempsey etc... If we can get Gumby fit and playing we should have a decent spine.
2. The exciting brand of footy we are playing. We have had 3 of the most exciting wins I can remember already this year. What a joy to just watch and soak it up.
3. The fact that we have beaten our major arch enemies in a year they were all touted as being way ahead, and their fans were so cocky about smashing us.
4. Gotta mention that goal by ZAHARAKIS!! Dreams really do come true!
There's far too many factors and players to mention, so I'll single one out.
* The early development of our first-fourth year players, such as Zaharakis, Pears, Hooker, Daniher, Dempsey etc.
I don't think it's a coincidence that Alan Richardson's first year at the club is also possibly the quickest our young players have come on since.... you know when.
Lance Uppercut
11 May 2009, 10:22
one of the most promising lists in the competition; and the most exciting & innovative game-plan.
Matthew Knights deserves high praise indeed
I've been really impressed with Pears, hopefully he can keep on going with it. Stanton has taken the next step, M.Lloyd is still a champ, Winders is playing really well, Ryder is showing what he can do in the ruck/forward.
I've been a huge fan of Heath Hocking for a while, so i'm very happy to see him being over his injuries.
Jonesy1987
11 May 2009, 11:26
Our Future Defense, will be the best in the competition in less than 5 years.
SirJimi05
11 May 2009, 11:33
How many positions would be availiable for them? like 5?
Ablett, Bartel, Judd, KCornes, CCornes, Joel Corey.
Thats all i can think of.
Dal Santo, Pendlebury, Davis, Boyd....
The list goes on.
james_omahoney
11 May 2009, 11:35
Watson would be averaging 30 possessions every game so far this year, i wouldn't knock his chances.
Nah I rate Watson highly. Not knocking his chances.
Horace Scope
11 May 2009, 12:25
I think we're starting to build some viable depth.
If you think about the quality of guys who weren't out there on Friday, and look at what the boys that were out there did, it's gunna create real competition amongst the group which is fantastic.
mark1881
11 May 2009, 12:33
- OUR DEFENCE
- MINIMAL SOFT TISSUE INJURIES
- WINDERLICH FIT (best user by foot in our team, miles ahead of anyone else)
- DID I MENTION OUR DEFENCE!
Throw Hurley in the forward line!!!
FBDonkey
11 May 2009, 12:39
The fact that we are doing well with so many kids in the team that still need a lot more time developing to reach their full potential.
We are also playing well with a bunch of injuries to key players. Imagine adding a fully fit Prismall, Hurley, Daniher, Gumbleton, McVeigh, Welsh and Hille into the line up that beat the Hawks :D
Grey Smith Bar
11 May 2009, 12:41
one of the most promising lists in the competition; and the most exciting & innovative game-plan.
Matthew Knights deserves high praise indeed
That's my thoughts exactly.
Our list has huge potential, of course time will tell if the kids turn into solid performers, and the current solid performers turn into superstars, but there's no shortage of talent, and I'm extremely happy with the balance of the list.
I also think Knights' coaching is coming along nicely, I think apart from the first few minutes against Hawthorn we were looking well drilled and disciplined, and I also thought the matchups were excellent. I commented to my wife in the first half that we were looking 'well coached' which isn't something I've said for a while, our last glory days were through sheer talent and brute force.
The Donners
11 May 2009, 13:24
Our rapidly improving skills.
The strength through the hips of our midfielders.
The ability to dish off hands even while being tackled.
Our defensive skills.
Most players are contributing as opposed to 5-6 constant players carrying the team.
Our unbelievable depth.
Our coach is a born leader of men.
Our speed accompanyed by our kamikaze football.
How tightly knit our playing group are.
We made the right choice not drafting Cousins or dangling a larger carrot at Judd.
Phat Toni
11 May 2009, 14:26
Um.
Watson and Stanton are doing wonders for us, but there are so many players currently ahead of them for AA right now.
I wouldn't argue that point, but I would think they both deserved a spot in the squad of 40 wouldn't you agree?
Answering the OP what excites me the most about the EFC? The fact we are playing competitive footy(on and off at times) with 5+ guys in the team who at the start of the year would have been ranked outside our top 30 players on the list. So that proves that our 1 to 5 yr players have improved significantly, which is exactly what we would have hoped for:thumbsu:
Enjoy the win but lets not get carried away there are going to be plenty of up's and downs throughout year, we cant continue to play well when we have 11 guys in the team who have played under 50 games and only 3 with over 100 games experience.
wasupwidat
11 May 2009, 15:50
I'm liking our midfield.
Stanton and Watson have improved their disposal.
Zaharakis is holding his own.
Winderlich at full fitness.
Lovett showing what he can do more often.
And still Welsh, Mcveigh and Prismall to add in.
Mossy1978
11 May 2009, 15:56
Your kids, your future and the way your players give 110% and leave nothing on the field.
I'm sending a copy of all your wins for 2009 to Punt Road so they can watch it and 1) gain inspiration; and 2) show that inexperienced sides can play damaging football!
Keep it up Bombers, been a joy to watch in 2009!
We have decent depth for the first time in ages
retroparty
11 May 2009, 16:18
We have midfielders who consistently kick goals. Something we haven't had for quite a while.
And the running game plan is awesome to watch when successful. Hopefully we can become more consistent with it, win heaps of games and make the finals!
toddy104
11 May 2009, 16:20
Can all of you stop getting me so excited. haha
Bring on the sainters :)
AndyLesPaul
11 May 2009, 16:37
I wouldn't argue that point, but I would think they both deserved a spot in the squad of 40 wouldn't you agree?
Answering the OP what excites me the most about the EFC? The fact we are playing competitive footy(on and off at times) with 5+ guys in the team who at the start of the year would have been ranked outside our top 30 players on the list. So that proves that our 1 to 5 yr players have improved significantly, which is exactly what we would have hoped for:thumbsu:
Enjoy the win but lets not get carried away there are going to be plenty of up's and downs throughout year, we cant continue to play well when we have 11 guys in the team who have played under 50 games and only 3 with over 100 games experience.
Squad of 40? hmm.
But dont forget last year.
Hille didnt get picked.
they'll surely find more non-Essendon players :P
1. Love watching Stanton/Watson - love those boys!
2. Everytime Davey get's the ball I literally jump outta my chair! (No lie I actually jump)
3. Knights gameplan has worked and it's looking beautiful.
4. The younger kids coming through are developing quite nicely - bring on 2010!
Go Bombers!
cooper6
11 May 2009, 22:30
We made the right choice not drafting Cousins or dangling a larger carrot at Judd.
i disagree, we should have worked harder for judd (although i hear he was always going to carlton). if we got him it would have cost us who? gumby and myers? while either could end up players, id be suprised if both became stars. n id be amazed if either get anywhere near judd. if we got judd we'd probably be looking at 5th to 8th (contenders 2010) this year, rather than 6th to 10th (contenders 2011). thoughts?
cooper6
11 May 2009, 22:38
excited about:
- seeing dyson, nash, l-murray, jetta, houlia having to work for a games.
- the return of so many players. eg. reimers, prismall, hurley, welsh etc
- being higher on the ladder than carlton and coll
- seeing carlton not live up to expectations. hahaha
- viewing the likes of courtney dempsey, paddy ryder, winderlich, lovett, davey
- actually gaining strong belief in the side post lloyd, lucas, fletcher.
Ludwig van Bertstare
12 May 2009, 00:37
Lovett
Winderlich
Dempsey
Pears
Daniher
Hurley
Neagle
Ryder
Zaharakis
cawshezy
12 May 2009, 00:54
Lovett
Winderlich
Dempsey
Pears
Daniher
Hurley
Neagle
Ryder
Zaharakis
Amazed to find out that Lovett is 26 years old thought he was way younger.
Lance Uppercut
12 May 2009, 15:00
thoughts?
strongly disagree
SirJimi05
12 May 2009, 17:42
i disagree, we should have worked harder for judd (although i hear he was always going to carlton). if we got him it would have cost us who? gumby and myers? while either could end up players, id be suprised if both became stars. n id be amazed if either get anywhere near judd. if we got judd we'd probably be looking at 5th to 8th (contenders 2010) this year, rather than 6th to 10th (contenders 2011). thoughts?
Would have cost more than that. And you are just saying this with hindsight anyway.
cooper6
12 May 2009, 21:16
you are just saying this with hindsight anyway.
yes this is true. however i was responding to the comment which said 'we made the right choice on not getting judd'. while i didnt want to go after judd at the time because i thought it would cost too much, hindsight has allowed me to see it might have been worth having a greater crack at getting him.
essendon
12 May 2009, 23:44
Ryder - is so exciting its frightening to watch and only 21 or whatever, can only get better and will be our superstar
Lovett - a goal on the run at 200km/h has to get u excited it brings tears to my eyes
Winderlich - bursting away from packs just shows how important he is and his disposal and running into space is great to watch
Pears - will be our gorilla defender we have been praying for
Hooker - the smokey !!
Hurley - one game played and delivered - enough said - future star
Zaka - potentially can be our most damaging midfielder in the future
Davey - getting better needs to find the goals
Neagle/Gumby - pray they get fitter it will be scary for opposition defenders to match them at their peaks in a couple of years
Hocking/Lonergan - both as tough as nails, will be very important players who will give us grunt in the middle
Watson/Stanton - future leaders
Monfries - maturing
Dempensay - Unlimited potential - best is yet to come
Lloyd/McPhee - inspired by youngsters around them
NLM - handy utility and adds toughness
Reimers/Prismall/Welsh/Hille/Fletcher/McVeigh/Gumbleton - return from injuries
Sorry not to mention Slattery, Myers, Houli, Daniher, Jetta, Dyson, Nash, Atkinson, Skipworth, Williams, Laycock, Bellchambers, T Slattery and Still - added depth
And of course Lucas to return to form
Did I miss anyone?
The Cauldron like atmosphere was magnificent .........
Its going to be an exciting few years ahead.....
Get ready for the ride boys ...
cawshezy
12 May 2009, 23:52
The excitement
stay true
13 May 2009, 00:55
Everything at the club excites me tbh. Enjoying the ride so far.
Players taking their games to new levels, shows they have put in the hard work. The confidence being instilled in them by coaches and their own performances to take the game on is extremely exciting to watch.
:thumbsu::thumbsu:
Ben the Gooner
16 May 2009, 13:18
The word theming.
exited about the wonder boy!!
also the future in general
Longy413
16 May 2009, 15:22
Leroy Jetta.
bacon buster
16 May 2009, 15:32
i want to be excited by jetta, i just want him to show a bit more, a bit more consistently.
I agree with all these points but one thing I'd like to add is the level of enthusiasm from the fans. I seriously haven't seen the crowd this excited in ages and it could only be good for our players. Even when we've had our close wins over the last few years they've just been wins, now they seem to be hope that the team has a good future and the team is responding well to the excitement.
Jonesy1987
19 May 2009, 01:07
I agree with all these points but one thing I'd like to add is the level of enthusiasm from the fans. I seriously haven't seen the crowd this excited in ages and it could only be good for our players. Even when we've had our close wins over the last few years they've just been wins, now they seem to be hope that the team has a good future and the team is responding well to the excitement.
Agree, was thinking that while watching St.Kilda game, they haven't feed off the crowd like this since 00-01, Lovett and Zaka absolutely adore it.
JoondalupJ
19 May 2009, 01:39
I don't get exited about you Bombers, but I do get impressed. I think you are better than everyone seemed to think for this year. We kicked bad a week ago but I don't think we would have got you anyway even if we'd kicked 8goals 1point ( the other way around).
The way your team kept at StKilda was really good your leg speed will worry everyone.
No messing around with you guys next time though.
Slattery_20
19 May 2009, 11:26
Just about everything.
Darealrath
19 May 2009, 13:43
Knights.
The emerging young defence.
Andrew Lovett.
The best depth we've had since we last made a Grand Final (I think even better actually to be honest - though overall ability is less due to the age of the list).
loyhird
20 May 2009, 21:28
the thing that excites me about Essendon FC atm is that we have some big name players that are making their return from injury which is giving coaches headaches coz there is so much to choose from.
bipolarbeaR
20 May 2009, 22:23
The fact that for the first time in years we can focus on JUST midfielders the draft before another team enters the AFL stealing all the draft picks, also the assurance that we will be fine through those tough times.
Reimers and Welsh coming back!
TimeReaper
21 May 2009, 15:55
After beating some sides that have been huge favorates on the odds and the way we closed down the Saints, gets me excited in thinking that we are only going to get better and push well into the 8 next year.
We have chosen well I believe with our picks in getting key position players (Gumby aside because unproven).
I hope that we can get some quality midfielders this draft.
I do worry about what seems to be a very high rate of injuries. I ask myself why, is it due to our high speed game plan or our fitness regime? I don't know but we better start looking into it.
To finish off, I am excited about Lloyd, I honestly think that he is just a fantastic forward who can read the field and plays so well.
cocobonobo
21 May 2009, 16:27
hmmm what excites me about Essondon FC at the moment?
when i go to a bombers match and the woman next to me "accidently" touches my knee,
that excites me.
lol naa honestly though,
EVERYTHING
its so exciting,
our brand of football,
our kids,
watching them develop into good players.
the whole kaboodle really.
Love our back line kids. Hurley & Pears are shinning lights. Slattery's improvement this year. The fact that our pace has increased this year with minimal impact from Davey and Jetta.
Hocking is coming on strongly, Lloyd is still playing like a champ.
There is a lot to love.
Ben the Gooner
23 May 2009, 13:23
The fact that none of my mates think we're any good, despite the fact that I am continuously telling them we have a premiership list.
When I get proven right, it'll be so ****ing sweet.
Unless she's a looker, I don't see why she's still your partner...
Ben the Gooner
23 May 2009, 13:58
When you've got ****ing North fans telling you that your team is shit, you know it's gonna be sweet.
When you've got ****ing North fans telling you that your team is shit, you know it's gonna be sweet.At least they're not Richmond; that would be all-too sweet.