Season 2010.....

[kelvin_sheedy]

1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs up there. Could be the best combo next year.

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

6. Hooker and Pears with another pre season and allowing Fletch be the 3rd or even 4th string defender.

7. Jetta to demand a spot in the 22 and form a lethal partnership with Davey.

8. McVeigh to take the captaincy and be a gun in any position.

9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.

.... feel free to add your own.

[the diddy]

Lets hope it all pans out that way..and Lloyd to kick his 1000th goal would be nice..Hurley to nail down full back would be good..Prismall to have full season
would be great..also McVeigh and Welsh..keep our fingers crossed.

[stay true]

1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs up there. Could be the best combo next year.

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

6. Hooker and Pears with another pre season and allowing Fletch be the 3rd or even 4th string defender.

7. Jetta to demand a spot in the 22 and form a lethal partnership with Davey.

8. McVeigh to take the captaincy and be a gun in any position.

9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.

.... feel free to add your own.
Just about sums it up for me.:thumbsu:

[dave_27]

Gumbleton & Hurley

Not a bad couple of recruits (with pre seasons under their belt hopefully) to have next year, only pick 2 and pick 5 from the '06 and '08 drafts.

How many other teams are ware housing that quality of talent?

We are a very young side atm winning games WITHOUT our top 5 draft selections from the past 3 years firing a shot (Gumby, Myers, Hurley) People are starting to take notice of our youth and we havent even shown off the jewels in the crown yet. :D

God help the competition if/when these boys start producing.

[jimmy5]

[QUOTE=kelvin_sheedy;14619161]1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs

Understatement on par with Edmund Hillary and Tenzing decided to take a early morning stroll up the hill. :p

Would be great if things turned out this way Kelvin, for now i'm just enjoying the moment.

[bOmBeR_BoY1]

1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs up there. Could be the best combo next year.

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

6. Hooker and Pears with another pre season and allowing Fletch be the 3rd or even 4th string defender.

7. Jetta to demand a spot in the 22 and form a lethal partnership with Davey.

8. McVeigh to take the captaincy and be a gun in any position.

9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.


If all that eventuates, I would probably wet my pants in delight. Multiple times. Just putting that out there early.

It's all too good to be true. Like every team, we will have our fair share of setbacks but if even 7 or 8 of those 10 eventuate, things will look good and the rest will take care of itself.

We've exceeded expectations so far this year - anything more than what we've done already is probably going to be a bonus but why not raise that expectation bar in 2010? Will be a defining year.

[Big Blow Hard]

11. Matthew Lloyd Kicking Goal Number 1000 :thumbsu:

[Mr Mosquito]

Call me Big Kev - Cause I'm EXCITED!

[loopy_cam]

12. 17

[fella1]

12. 17

Amen brother, amen.

[Donakebab]

I agree with Spike being a gun, but Watson will be captain.


13. 2010 a few players come out of contract, if performance doesn't improve it could be time to cut them loose. (I refuse to name names to avoid shitfights over players on here unlike others)

[nonchalance]

13. 2010 a few players come out of contract, if performance doesn't improve it could be time to cut them loose. (I refuse to name names to avoid shitfights over players on here unlike others)

You're looking forward to 2010 because you get to see Essendon players sacked?
What the hell?


From my point of view, I'm still having rather a lot of fun in 2009. We're in the top four atm, so lets look around and enjoy the view.

[Longy413]

Agree with most points, but I don't think McVeigh will be our next captain.

[table tennis]

Dont mean to put a dampener on things However i have a few points of my own.

1. David Hille should be given 18 months to get his knee right and fitness back. So dont expect the magic of the ruck duo until then. Anything expected sooner than that on Hilly is an unfair expectation.

2. Even though the season so far has been pretty good, I think its a little bit early for us to be going overboard. AS the side is so young, all of us should expect some inconsistencies for the next 12-24 months as these kids grow to men and senior footballers.

3. Injuries - Its almost the same as predicting success. I acknowledge that we now have depth that we have not had for a long time, however, a few key players go down and were back with the pack. So something we have to be prepared for.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - I believe if people are expecting these two in 12 months or ever are going to fill the shoes of Lucas and Llyod, then we might be in trouble. Gumbleton could be a star, no doubt, however you need to be able to step foot on a blade of grass without breaking your foot. Neagle needs to get fitter. Has great hands, however needs to develop a long way.

5.Form - There are several players that are in career best form now. As we all know, form can change. Our players are developing nicely and I think that they will be good players in the future.

I know that im being a dampener. However I dont want to get my expectations up and then we fall away. I think we are a key forward short of being a last week in september side. We might only have 18months of good footy from Llyod, I think Lucas will be back but this will probably be his last season.

The introduction of Prismall to the midfield will be handy, Houli is coming on nicely, Ryder has been a revelation, Winders is a star (after much doubt), Watson is the best centreman in the comp & next captain, Stanton is getting better every year, Dempsey has been exciting across half back, NLM has had his best season so far (shame he is out but breaking pettifers nose is almost worth it). Dyson should be on one year contracts all the time, as when it comes to playing for his future he pulls a rabbit out of the hat, Hooker & Pears have been supreme, For the first time in a long time our defence has not fallen apart when Fletcher is not there.
I acknowledge there are 1000 more positives than negatives at the essendon footy club at the moment. I just dont want to fire the gun in the holster just yet.

We have a big task this week against Geelong. We need to beat sides like Geelong, St.Kilda & the Bulldogs to lay claim to being a top 4 side or even premiership side. So the excitement can build from this weekend.

Go bombers - Let the force be with you!

[AndyLesPaul]

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.


5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.


9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.

.... feel free to add your own.
Bolded are all the things that have happened this year, and/or will happen this year.
I'll wait next year for the further improvements:cool:

[BomberComfort]

1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs up there. Could be the best combo next year.

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

6. Hooker and Pears with another pre season and allowing Fletch be the 3rd or even 4th string defender.

7. Jetta to demand a spot in the 22 and form a lethal partnership with Davey.

8. McVeigh to take the captaincy and be a gun in any position.

9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.

.... feel free to add your own.

I like yours however I would rather Jobe be captain :)

1. Best Backline in the comp of Fletch, Pears, Hooker, Hurley and Daniher.

2. Laycock also in the ruck with give us great depth!

3. The Priz with a pre season and a few games as a don under his belt to know the game plan..... what a mid we would have.

3. Welsh joining hocking in the team so we have 2 great taggers that can shut down the ops best 2 mids and get lots of the ball themselves.

4. We will have another first and second round pic to add to our depth and lets hope we get a gun with our first rounder ;)

5. Injuries can come a bit more as we will have real deeeep depth to our list.

6. The kids have another 15 games or so into them on average so they are even better at the game plan etc.

7. Davey to have fully gotten over his reco and be kicking goals and be better than Rioli! and talked about like him too.

8. To have all the bitching about how why are we better than the scum and they have Judd and all those #1 picks... does the draft system really work by tanking?

9. Finally getting RESPECT!

10. Oh and of course best of all our 17th Flag... new record YES!!!

[marcuz]

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.


That is the big one Kelvin, if both those guys get a big pre-season and injury free run at it and our spine goes from promising to ****ing awesome. the fact that they found the root of gumbys problems makes me very confident that he's ready to explode.

[james_omahoney]

That is the big one Kelvin, if both those guys get a big pre-season and injury free run at it and our spine goes from promising to ****ing awesome. the fact that they found the root of gumbys problems makes me very confident that he's ready to explode.

Jobe 'twittered' that Gumby had 'good news from the surgeon' last week.

[Godzke]

yes the future looks bright ... but we can't get ahead of ourselves. Let's see how the rest of the season plays out before claiming "we're a genuine top 4 side". Because i think we're a long way off that. Maybe 2011 we'll be a top 4 side.

once we do reach our peak ... we'll probably have salary cap pressures :(

ps: looking forward to this sunday's Ess vs. Geel :D

[Lance Uppercut]

Jobe 'twittered' that Gumby had 'good news from the surgeon' last week.

best tweet ever!

Oh, and good thread Kelvin :thumbsu: Nice & positive.

I'll add another:

11. David Myers shows the footy world why he was rated so highly by the Bombers ;)

[daffo]

Bolded are all the things that have happened this year, and/or will happen this year.
I'll wait next year for the further improvements:cool:

How can Winders have a preseason this year?

1. Lloyd's 1,000th!
2. Pears/Houli continual development
3. Essendon (hopefully) playing finals footy
4. Carlton in the bottom four
5. Hille coming back into the side
6. Gumbleton to finally get over his injuries
7. Our new found midfield depth
8. Reimers kicking goals
9. D.Myers to cement his spot in the side
10. Davey back to full strenght, working in tandom with Jetta.

[SirJimi05]

Haven't even thought about 2010 tbh. Just concentrating on 2009.

[Ben the Gooner]

1. The most dynamic ruck trio in the league, with Hille, Laycock and Ryder rotating through the ruck, and 1-2 positions in the forwardline.

2. Prismall, McVeigh, Welsh and Reimers with a full preseason adding to the midfield depth we have now

3. Pears, Hurley and Hooker freeing Fletch up to play on the wing

4. 1000!

5. Lonergan, Hocking and Reimers being renowned as the toughest midfield trio in the comp

6. Courtenay Dempsey breaking the land-speed record without snapping in half

7. Gumbleton returning from Winda's magic surgery.

8. Knighter agreeing to a 3 year extension, while Brett Ratten gets the same (3 more years of mediocrity).

9. Essendon's running gameplan to tear Geelong's aging, Milburnless defence to pieces.

10. Draft pick 17 to come in and dominate.;)

[GoDons]

1. The most dynamic ruck trio in the league, with Hille, Laycock and Ryder rotating through the ruck, and 1-2 positions in the forwardline.

I hate to be negative in what is such a positive (and good) thread, but I can't see that working.

Hille plays at his best when he gets the lion's share of the ruck. How we could give enough minutes to Laycock and Ryder as well with a forward line hopefully already being home to Neagle, Lloyd and Gumbleton I'm not sure.

Good dilemma to have though!

[Big Blow Hard]

15. The emergence of Michael Still as another great potential forward, to keep Gumby and Neagle honest.

[Ben the Gooner]

I hate to be negative in what is such a positive (and good) thread, but I can't see that working.

Hille plays at his best when he gets the lion's share of the ruck. How we could give enough minutes to Laycock and Ryder as well with a forward line hopefully already being home to Neagle, Lloyd and Gumbleton I'm not sure.

Good dilemma to have though!

I see Laycock as more of a forward into the future, so in reality it won't be a ruck trio. On the other hand, Ryder roaming free, third man up etc. would be amazing.

[GoDons]

I see Laycock as more of a forward into the future, so in reality it won't be a ruck trio. On the other hand, Ryder roaming free, third man up etc. would be amazing.

He may be, I guess my hope lies more so with Neagle and Gumbleton.

[BrunoV]

1. Ryder to play as a genuine Ruck Rover along side Hille and Laycock? He is athletic enough to play as a midfielder and his attributes as a 'ruckman' will serve as a midfielder. He could go back and take the taps with Hille going forward (this is more just thinking out loud). Add Hille to make a Bradshaw type return from a knee reco.

I am not convinced that Ryder is a ruckman because I still live in hope that Laycock will arive as a player. That will leave Ryder to run a muck doing what he likes in an Adam Goodes type role (not intending to be racial here it is just that I can't think of anyon the same size that plays a role like that).

If Ryder does end up combining with Hille as the ruck combination I will not be complaining.


Edit: this is too much fun.


2. Myers to show just why Essendon fans should not be concerned that we didn't take Palmer. It is just a matter of time people.


3. Gumbleton and Neagle to lay the foundations for a partnership that will eclipse Lloyd and Lucas. There is just so much potential in this partnership it is not funny. Neagle is almost a Fevola clone in the way he plays but he has better hands and is a bigger man. Watching Gumbleton move you can see why people are soo excited. The magical back surgery will give us the recruit of the year next year.


4. Hurley to win NAB rising star. Only because Zaharakis won't win it this year and will have played too many games.


5. Lloyd's 1000th. That fact that the 1000th is a possibility is a testament to the class of Lloydy as a player. Not getting nearly enough credit these days. They prefer to talk up forwards who can't actually kick goals.


6. McVeigh to put together a full season in the form that he is in. Is quickly becoming one of those players who is having his best years robbed by injury.


7. The end of 2010 should see a few of our young midfielders considered as top 50 players in the comp. It has been a long time since this has happened. Guys like Zaharakis, Myers, Riemers and Jetta (keep the faith) could all be in the position.


8. Lovett, Winderlich and Watson as one of the primier starting midfields in the comp. It is already happening in many respects.Winderlich with a preseason behind him should be big enough (he is already aggressive enough) to start in the square with Lovett and Watson (who are already doing it).


9. Backling development. Seems as though it will be old news by 2010. Hooker, Pears and Hurley (rotating forward) as the key talls. Fletcher purely as a zone/loose type man. Dempsey, Hocking, Slattery, Houli and McVeigh to be the ones to play on small players.


10. Lonergan getting through a season without a concussion. Poor bastard. Anyone else noticing that he doesn't get a touch without copping a blow to the head?

[james_omahoney]

15. The emergence of Michael Still as another great potential forward, to keep Gumby and Neagle honest.

I'm gonna jump on Still early too. All I've seen is his youtube vid, but I liked what I saw.

[lamaros]

I would love to see Ryder play a Goodes type role with Laycock and Hille in the ruck. That would be :thumbsu::):D:):thumbsu: Only thing holding him back at the moment is aggression, the ego to dominate, and the fact he's needed in the ruck.

[daffo]

10. Lonergan getting through a season without a concussion. Poor bastard. Anyone else noticing that he doesn't get a touch without copping a blow to the head?

Our version of Luke Ball?

[Big Blow Hard]

110. Lonergan getting through a season without a concussion. Poor bastard. Anyone else noticing that he doesn't get a touch without copping a blow to the head?

Have ya seen the size of the kids melon? Its no small wonder! :p

[BrunoV]

Have ya seen the size of the kids melon? Its no small wonder! :p

I didn't want to be the one to say it.

Very large skull.

[Slattery_20]

Agree with most points, but I don't think McVeigh will be our next captain.
Left it a bit too late? That's what I'm thinking

[Longy413]

Left it a bit too late? That's what I'm thinking

I just don't think he's the best option.

[Philzsay]

Paddy Ryder Brownlow medalist :D

[jade_00]

I am seriously optimistic about the Bombers presenting as a serious threat in 2010. Thought I'd throw out a few reasons as to why:

1) Ryder / Hille ruck combo

Surely this looks on paper now the best ruck combo in the league? Moreover, the contrast in styles each player brings is going to cause absolute fits to opposing teams trying to match up on them.

2) Pace pace pace

Already this year we have seen the whiplash effect the Bombers can have on opposing teams. Get another year into those legs, with no foreseeable retirements or aging to slow them down.

3) Jobe Watson

Surely putting his hand up as one of the best clearance players in the league. Add in McVeigh, Stanton, Skipworth and Prismall for assistance and you have the making of an inside - outside type midfield when coupled with the pacey midfielders.

4) Scott Gumbleton

Who's promise is glaring. If he can put his injuries behind him looks to be an outstanding pickup - and he isn't a boy anymore.

Any more anyone care to add?

[bipolarbeaR]

Yeah, I have been fapping off to this prospect for a few weeks now.
Our defence I would like to add, as well as some pre seasons of players that need them.
Can you imagine Zaharakis after another pre-season?

[Kong]

Can you imagine Zaharakis after another pre-season?God he's going to be good. In a few years we could have marquee players in Zaharakis, Ryder, Gumbleton, Dempsey, Reimers and Pears.

[Houli to Neagle]

James Hird to return home as an assistant coach :thumbsu:

Gumby to have a season without any injury, I don't care if he gets 2 kicks a game.... :p

Lovett to win the Brownlow.

Prizza to dominate.

Welsh to sufficate.

Watson to be named as Captain.

Watson to take Neagle under his wing and explain to him how to lift his work rate just like Jobe did a few years ago.

Play finals in any capacity!!!

[centurion]

15. The emergence of Michael Still as another great potential forward, to keep Gumby and Neagle honest.

Thats exactly what i would like to see. It would be great to see Still make it, just in case Gumby or Neagle don't make it.

And if all of them make it, even better.

[daffo]

Jetta cementing his spot in the side.
Watson to continue on from his 2009 B/F season.
Essendon to finally play finals again!

[adii_7]

We would be a serious Flag contender if we did 1-3 of these things..

trade off spike, get a player (rosa) + first rounder :)

trade off spuds, grab white, Kieren Jack from sydney.

Get Armitage from st.kilda..

pack up 1+2nd rounders for didak :D

Trade off laycock for a 2-3rd rounder. (provided we get white)

[SydneyBomber]

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

am I the only one who couldn't give a shit about opinions in the 'afl world'?
just keep it low key and keep doing the business boys on your way to #17, that's all I ask.
:thumbsu:

[SydneyBomber]

I didn't want to be the one to say it.

Very large skull.

it's almost ebert-esque (http://www.abc.net.au/reslib/200804/r242615_986079.jpg).


almost.
that guy has a scarily large head

[Ben the Gooner]

We would be a serious Flag contender if we did 1-3 of these things..

trade off spike, get a player (rosa) + first rounder :)

trade off spuds, grab white, Kieren Jack from sydney.

Get Armitage from st.kilda..

pack up 1+2nd rounders for didak :D

Trade off laycock for a 2-3rd rounder. (provided we get white)

You are a ****ing idiot.

[yaco55]

1. Hille and Ryder ruck combo - These guys can be a dynamite duo swapping ruck and forward. Hille is great in the forward line and Paddy has shown he can take a few grabs up there. Could be the best combo next year.

2. Winderlich - a preseason under his belt, a bit more strength and watch this kid go.

3. Dempsey - always thought this kid was going to be great and I can't wait to see him go after a good solid season.

4. Neagle and Gumbleton - AFL fitness is the key for these blokes and I reckon the tide will turn for them in 2010.

5. The AFL world waking up and proclaiming the Bombers as a genuine top 4 side.

6. Hooker and Pears with another pre season and allowing Fletch be the 3rd or even 4th string defender.

7. Jetta to demand a spot in the 22 and form a lethal partnership with Davey.

8. McVeigh to take the captaincy and be a gun in any position.

9. Reimers and Zaharakis to tell the AFL we are coming.

10. The constant debate over why some players can't get a game in the 22 when they are dominating at VFL and are banging on the door.

.... feel free to add your own.

Kelvin

Your optimism about 2009 has dropped !

You were talking premierships early in the season.

[craaaig]

my side for start of 2010
starting from backline
Houli Hurley Slattery
dempsey Pears Fletcher
prismall welsh lovett
monfries gumbleton mcphee
davey lyoddy reimers
followers: ryder, watson, mcveigh
bench: hooker, NLM, lonergan, zaharakis, stanton
emergency: neagle, skipworth, hocking, dyson

that was soooooo f*****g hard,
but even if we dont have a full list we look like
we will have a reallly good side, and once we get hille back!
i didnt put lucas in because i think by the end of this season he'll be getting to sore and matthew knights might not see him in the being apart of the future of essendon