View Full Version : Team V St.Kilda
B: Hocking Fletcher McVeigh
HB: Prismall Hooker Lovett-Murray
C: Melksham Stanton Lonergan
HF: Monfries Gumbleton Zaharakis
F: Hille Hurley Davey
R: Ryder Winderlich Watson
Int (from 9: Williams Jetta Colyer Myers Dempsey Atkinson Howlett
In: Williams Jetta Colyer Myers
Out: Slattery (inj)
My view: My view bench will be Williams Dempsey Atkinson & Howlett
Skeeta Olly
13 May 2010, 16:40
In: Mark Williams, Leroy Jetta, Travis Colyer and David Myers
Out: Henry Slattery (back)
whats_at_stake
13 May 2010, 16:42
Out of the interchange I would prefer to see Colyer, Myers, Jetta and Slaterry miss out. Potentially could swap Dempsey for Slaterry.
Colyer- still needs to work on disposal
Myers and Jetta- would prefer sustained form for Bendigo (at least 1-2 more weeks)
Slattery- unlucky
Would like to see Houli in. Has been playing well for a while and was unlucky to be dropped.
EDIT: I was sure I saw Houli in the team sheet in the video. Not in the team list though?
essendon2008
13 May 2010, 16:44
B: Hocking Fletcher McVeigh
HB: Prismall Hooker Lovett-Murray
C: Melksham Stanton Lonergan
HF: Monfries Gumbleton Zaharakis
F: Hille Hurley Davey
R: Ryder Winderlich Watson
Int (from 9: Williams Jetta Colyer T.Slattery Houli Myers Dempsey Atkinson Howlett
In: Willams Jetta Colyer T.Slattery Houli Myers
Out: Slattery (inj)
Will update in 15 mins
Hopefully:
IN: Myers, Howlett
Atkinson to play a defensive role. Dempsey to rotate wings and forward flanks.
Frothies Mcveigh
13 May 2010, 16:48
Would like to see Tyson Slattery and Mark Williams come in for Henry Slattery and Jarrod Atkinson. But it would appear as though Houli will be playing.
No surprises with the ins again this week.
Would be nice to see Jetta get a game. He was flying preseason and has been working really hard at Bendigo and deserves a chance in the senior side. His forward pressure and run and carrying would be very dangerous against the saints.
Would like to see Tyson Slattery and Mark Williams come in for Henry Slattery and Jarrod Atkinson. But it would appear as though Houli will be playing.
How can he play? He hasn't been named?
Pocket_Pears
13 May 2010, 16:51
I think Dempsey has to be gone this week, as he's been named on the field every other week. Can't see Howlett being dropped after only 1 game.
In any case, will be one of Houli/Dempsey/Atkinson (we don't need/want all three or even 2), Howlett, Williams and one of Myers/Jetta, probably Jetta.
My wants are Houli, Howlett, Williams, Jetta
Skeeta Olly
13 May 2010, 16:52
Do people actually read?
Bombers36
13 May 2010, 16:52
Knights better bloody well play M.Williams. A quality goal kicker - its beyond me why he was left languishing in the reserves last week...
Frothies Mcveigh
13 May 2010, 17:13
How can he play? He hasn't been named?
They are both in the extended bench you posted before.
Skeeta Olly
13 May 2010, 17:21
They are both in the extended bench you posted before.
Which is wrong.
The real IN/OUT are named below.
twentington
13 May 2010, 17:25
sounds like knights might be half expecting one or two not to pull through training tomorrow from his selection table vid. apart from hurley anyone got any info?
essendon2008
13 May 2010, 17:26
Knights better bloody well play M.Williams. A quality goal kicker - its beyond me why he was left languishing in the reserves last week...
Because he has looked lazy. I watched him closely for about 15 mins in the Freo game and he was pathetic. It's all in the head for him though so he can turn it around if he wants to.
Giggidy Giggidy
13 May 2010, 17:36
B: Hocking Fletcher McVeigh
HB: Prismall Hooker Lovett-Murray
C: Melksham Stanton Lonergan
HF: Monfries Gumbleton Zaharakis
F: Hille Hurley Davey
R: Ryder Winderlich Watson
Int (from 9: Williams Jetta Colyer Myers Dempsey Atkinson Howlett
In: Williams Jetta Colyer Myers
Out: Slattery (inj)
My view: My view bench will be Williams Dempsey Atkinson & Howlett
Here's where the confusion in this thread lies. 9 man interchange was named by Knights also including T Slatts & Houli. Surely he can't name 27 players though, and Houli & T Slatts are just honourable mentions!?
Good ins and messages sent pretty clearly to Dempsey and Atkinson.
TeamHurley
13 May 2010, 17:41
I'm confused.
Ludwig van Bertstare
13 May 2010, 17:46
Well deserved Jetta!
Skeeta Olly
13 May 2010, 17:53
I'm about to implode.
I'm confused from looking at the team, and knights little video thing. He mentions houli and t.slatts in it, but they aren't in... :confused:
james_omahoney
13 May 2010, 18:30
Here's where the confusion in this thread lies. 9 man interchange was named by Knights also including T Slatts & Houli. Surely he can't name 27 players though, and Houli & T Slatts are just honourable mentions!?
Nah. He just calls it 'this week's squad' and it's the 'selection table', not the end result of the selection table. So he's saying "Here are the guys we're picking our team from". Forget the video, just look at the picture:
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/preview.asp?round_no=8&sub_section=teams
One question needed to be asked:
When are the match committee going to realise that Hocking is not a back pocket???
Darealrath
13 May 2010, 18:48
I would like to see Williams, Jetta, Dempsey and Howlett make up the bench.
Been waiting all season to see Jetta, hope he makes it in and gets a chance through the midfield.
Daytripper
13 May 2010, 19:48
Jetta, Williams, Myers & Colyer have all been named for Bendigo so that would suggest Dempsey, Atkinson & Howlett are playing.
Last bench player to come from the four named at Bendigo.
ghostdog
13 May 2010, 20:22
Just saw the Hocking - Milne match up and realised how much I appreciate Hank Slattery.
One question needed to be asked:
When are the match committee going to realise that Hocking is not a back pocket???
It doesn't look like there's many other options at the moment with Pears and Slattery out.
It doesn't look like there's many other options at the moment with Pears and Slattery out.
McVeigh is the obvious one for Milne. They don't really have a second small forward to run with.
Hocking is a midfielder..and one of the few in there who kicks the footy!
Just saw the Hocking - Milne match up and realised how much I appreciate Hank Slattery.
I think McVeigh will play on Milne, but I'm not sure who will play on Schneider.
I think McVeigh will play on Milne, but I'm not sure who will play on Schneider.
Schneider's been playing off half-back all year.
Schneider's been playing off half-back all year.
Ok, I haven't had a chance to see any St kilda games, so didn't realize.
I'd like to see a bench of Willo, Jetta, Atkinson and Myers.
Dempsey was avg last week and looked tired, give him a week off.
Willo too classy for reserves.
Jetta, strong game for Bendigo, Carlton's smalls played well.
Ben the Gooner
13 May 2010, 22:45
I don't want to see Howlett out of the side again. Inside midfielder who reads the play well, tackles hard, and has excellent footskills? Certainly not exactly what we were begging for pre-season...
I don't want to see Howlett out of the side again. Inside midfielder who reads the play well, tackles hard, and has excellent footskills? Certainly not exactly what we were begging for pre-season...This.
I don't want to see Howlett out of the side again. Inside midfielder who reads the play well, tackles hard, and has excellent footskills? Certainly not exactly what we were begging for pre-season...
agree 100%. This kid can play, clean skills and hardly turns it over. Howlett seems like a modest young man whose main focus is to win his position and get the job done without trying to be to flashy. We need more of this type......
MarkJohnson#1
14 May 2010, 00:31
Interesting to see Hurley named, wasn't great seeing him on one leg last week, I just hope he doesn't do any further damage by playing. Also Howlett won't get dropped after a good game on the weekend.
Bombers36
14 May 2010, 08:51
You'd have to think Howlett stays and Willo comes in, the other two spots up for grabs I reckon.
Blowfly
14 May 2010, 09:00
Named for Bendigo - Williams, Jetta, Colyer and Myers.
So I expect the bench to be Dempsey, Howlett, Atkinson and Williams from the above
My guess is Williams in, Slatt's out. I'm a tad concerned that we aren't trading in like for likes. I would rather of seen another small defender come in.
Dempsey will have to go to Milne which is concerning.
Eleven 38
14 May 2010, 09:33
im gonna take a stab in the dark and say williams is backup for hurley, and say colyer or jetta will come in for slatts...
chris2269
14 May 2010, 12:29
Jetta is in the side.
Willo will only play if someone else fails their fitness test - didn't catch who it was sorry.
The Donners
14 May 2010, 13:33
I'm assuming Jetta will play as a back pocket, I see Knights trying to turn him into Harbrow.
I'm assuming Jetta will play as a back pocket, I see Knights trying to turn him into Harbrow.Don't mind that.
chris2269
14 May 2010, 13:49
Hurley?
Hmm, could have been.....
I know Hurley had a fitness test last week and if he failed Willo was supposed to play, but Hurley mentioned after the test he felt fine - which we all know turned out not to be the case, so Willo missed out and Hurley played on one leg....
Giggidy Giggidy
14 May 2010, 14:37
Jetta is in the side.
Willo will only play if someone else fails their fitness test - didn't catch who it was sorry.
You seem to be stating this as fact rather than opinion, and I know you've said you're close with Willo before. Is this what he has told you?
Pumped if Jetta gets the nod... first time this year I can wear my #7 without people looking down at their records and shrugging!:D
chris2269
14 May 2010, 15:09
Yep - pretty confident it is fact, take that as you will.
Lonergan (?sp) is the one who might miss.
Knights said he was liking the tackling pressure and Howlett layed 7 tackles! Surely if Knights believes in what he is pushing Howlett will keep his spot?
Watching a replay of the Port game can someone please tell me how Prismall continues to get a game. He pays absolutely no respect to his opponent and then we he gets the ball he couldn't hit a target to save himself. He also continually misses important goals.\
Just because he can rack up 30 possessions does not mean he should be in the side!!
Eleven 38
14 May 2010, 17:39
Watching a replay of the Port game can someone please tell me how Prismall continues to get a game. He pays absolutely no respect to his opponent and then we he gets the ball he couldn't hit a target to save himself. He also continually misses important goals.\
Just because he can rack up 30 possessions does not mean he should be in the side!!
pretty sure pris would be disappointed with his disposal,,,,couldnt get any worse than last week...
when does the 22 come out by the way?
Tailypo
14 May 2010, 17:41
In: Myers, Jetta
Out: Slattery, Dempsey (injury)
Dempsey out = ouch.
Skeeta Olly
14 May 2010, 17:43
Oh dear. Myers in defence.
ronaldfc
14 May 2010, 17:44
The team is still not up is it?
Tailypo
14 May 2010, 17:47
According to afl.com it's NLM out with a foot, actually :confused:
ronaldfc
14 May 2010, 17:47
Its lovett murry who is out according to AFL.com
such is ben
14 May 2010, 17:47
Out slattery and lovett-Murray(foot)
in myers and jetta
according to afl site
Eleven 38
14 May 2010, 17:49
so myers gets to play inside mid? about time!
Tailypo
14 May 2010, 17:51
NLM out is even more significant. Hard body, great tackler- needed against the Saints. Damn.
Skeeta Olly
14 May 2010, 17:54
Racists.
Lets just hope they give Myers the chance to fill Lovett-Murray's inside midfielder role.
Eleven 38
14 May 2010, 17:55
both outs are no good at this stage! but 2 kids get another go!!
Jetta down back sounds good to me! let him learn to be accountable down there and to learn on one of the best small forwards in the game on how to play that role!
and myers gets his chance in the midfield where he should be!! not on a half back flank!
muzz777
14 May 2010, 17:58
Put myers in the guts all game.
Skeeta Olly
14 May 2010, 18:00
Time to put into action: Operation Myers.
It invloves a person and a banner with the writing "Myers - Centre" at the game.
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/preview.asp?round_no=8#team
I'm going by that, which has Dempsey not on the field/bench
Eleven 38
14 May 2010, 18:09
http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/preview.asp?round_no=8#team
I'm going by that, which has Dempsey not on the field/bench
i dont think the bombers site gets edited after 5pm,,,but yeah interesting!! and you would take the AFL site as the teams that were officially submitted..
I'm hoping if Myers does get to play midfield, he plays well.
Otherwise the backlash would be out of control.
I'm hoping if Myers does get to play midfield, he plays well.
Otherwise the backlash would be out of control.
If he plays in the backline, the backlash is justified.
BomberTime
14 May 2010, 18:55
I'm hoping if Myers does get to play midfield, he plays well.
Otherwise the backlash would be out of control.
He should be given more opportunities as well, i hope he does play well after gaining some confidence in the vfl. But if he does have a stinker i feel he should be left in the team like we have done with dyson and gumbleton..we do have richmond next week.
A midfield rotation of watson stanton howlett myers lonergan prismall winderlich melskham with dempsey and atkinson burning past hopefully get the job done :thumbsu:
A midfield rotation of watson stanton howlett myers lonergan prismall winderlich melskham with dempsey and atkinson burning past hopefully get the job done :thumbsu:
And with that rotation, a genuine midfielder in Hocking is left to lament in the back pocket? Are we brain dead?
eth-dog
14 May 2010, 19:44
agree with Paz. Hocking>Dempsey in terms of midfield. Dempsey>Hocking in terms of defence.
Longy413
14 May 2010, 20:20
I'm assuming Jetta will play as a back pocket, I see Knights trying to turn him into Harbrow.
Don't think Jetta has the reach to play down back.
Harbrow is very good over his head and can play taller than he is, bit more like Dempsey.
And with that rotation, a genuine midfielder in Hocking is left to lament in the back pocket? Are we brain dead?
Hocking has played really good footy the last few weeks, the best he's given us and it's because of the role he's been playing across half-back and pushing into the middle. Most teams play a forward as an extra midfielder, like what we do with Lonergan. Hocking plays on that bloke.
He still gets lost in traffic and that holds him back from being a pure midfielder. I'm often critical of Knights playing blokes out of position but I reckon he's got Hocking right.
Knight Ryders
14 May 2010, 20:23
Collingwood have like 13 players going through the midfield. What's stopping us from employing a similar strategy. Howlett, Watson, Prismall, Hocking, Dempsey, McVeigh, Myers, Jetta, Zaka, Lonergan, Melksham, Stanton and Winderlich.
Longy413
14 May 2010, 20:28
Great point, but I don't think our midfielders are experienced enough, nor well enough drilled to handle a rotation like that.
We struggle running two ways, forward and back, let alone having to run a zone and a 12 man rotation.
Ben the Gooner
14 May 2010, 20:50
agree with Paz. Hocking>Dempsey in terms of midfield. Dempsey>Hocking in terms of defence.
Disagree. Dempsey is not a defender's arsehole, as evidenced by the goal he cost us running to cover someone else's man (while that person was going to his man) leaving Dempsey's own man in the goalsquare, easy handball over the top, goal. And by his stupid attempt to take a contested mark at the top of the goalsquare rather than punching it through, fumbling (surprise, surprise) it and costing us a goal.
And four points.
BomberDog
14 May 2010, 21:01
Myers in senior team = Tamsyn Lewis at the Olympics.
You hope it works out, but everything you have seen says that it won't.
Myers in senior team = Tamsyn Lewis at the Olympics.
You hope it works out, but everything you have seen says that it won't.
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA
:D:D:D:D
That made me laugh...
Alot :p
Ben the Gooner
14 May 2010, 22:10
Myers in senior team = Tamsyn Lewis at the Olympics.
You hope it works out, but everything you have seen says that it won't.
That's just outstanding.:D:thumbsu:
That's just outstanding.:D:thumbsu:
It could have been Jana Pittman and the same would apply...
Skeeta Olly
14 May 2010, 22:17
It could have been Jana Pittman and the same would apply...
"You hope it works out.."
na.
BomberTime
14 May 2010, 22:23
And with that rotation, a genuine midfielder in Hocking is left to lament in the back pocket? Are we brain dead?
Good one paz! yeh hocking will probably go through there too..geez couldnt forget hocking i feel so stupid..sorry paz
Another two injuries this week - Ouch.
We are only one or two injuries away from having an impact on our season.
Bombers36
15 May 2010, 07:32
I like the look of the side but NLM out is a loss - Jetta showed a bit for Bendigo last week & hopefully he can have an impact in his first game for the year, and it will be interesting to see how Myers goes. Cant believe M.Williams not getting a gig - has he pissed off Knights or something...???well balanced team though - I think they will line up something like this:
Atkinson Fletch McVeigh
Dempsey Hooker Hocking
Melksham Watson Jetta
Monfires Gumby Zaharakis
Ryder Hurley Davey
Hille Stanton Winders
Myers Howlett Lonergan Prismal
Duckworth
15 May 2010, 07:37
I like the look of the side but NLM out is a loss - Jetta showed a bit for Bendigo last week & hopefully he can have an impact in his first game for the year, and it will be interesting to see how Myers goes. Cant believe M.Williams not getting a gig - has he pissed off Knights or something...???well balanced team though - I think they will line up something like this:
Atkinson Fletch McVeigh
Dempsey Hooker Hocking
Melksham Watson Jetta
Monfires Gumby Zaharakis
Ryder Hurley Davey
Hille Stanton Winders
Myers Howlett Lonergan Prismal
I think the team balance looks better without Williams and Monfries in the same team.
Our backline is looking a bit week - without slattery, dyson, pears and Lovett Murray.
Really hoping Jetta and Myers - two high draft picks - can show something this weekend.
The Donners
15 May 2010, 09:33
It's really pissing me off that Williams isn't getting a gig for the sake we signed him to a lucrative 3 year deal, we knew exactly what we were getting! I think he should be in the team, he is one of the only players at the club that I would be confident of having the ball in his hands 30 metres out from goal.
Whose idea was it to draft him and then not play him?
WeAreEssendon
15 May 2010, 09:39
Another two injuries this week - Ouch.
We are only one or two injuries away from having an impact on our season.
Yep, a few more injuries might ruin our finals chances. :D
As for the game and team, we have no chance of getting within 6 goals of the Saints tomorrow.
One only needs to look at the Pies last night who play a defensive, counterattacking game with about 8 players who would struggle to get a game at a lot of clubs. They play a game of minimal mistakes, no risk and rely on squeezing the opposition.
Boucks09
15 May 2010, 09:46
Myers in senior team = Tamsyn Lewis at the Olympics.
You hope it works out, but everything you have seen says that it won't.
Yeah it's pretty easy to be the 9th best athlete in the world at your chosen sport :rolleyes:. The 800m is the ultimate test in running and you are competing against every single country in the world....not just Australia.
Epic fail.
Eleven 38
15 May 2010, 09:52
at the start of the season i was hoping by about this time or in the next month NLM Slattery Dyson and Welsh had been pushed out of the side by younger players,
however NLM and Slattery have done well at keeping their spots, and nobody has really been pushing out welsh or dyson. Now with them all out of the side its a very important time in the careers of Atkinson, Myers & Jetta, if they can perform over the next few weeks it may just be the kick start their careers especially with Myers getting a chance in the midfield for a few weeks! and Jetta was hungrier and fitter than ever before the season started i expect him to be 1000% more hungrier than that now!
Frothies Mcveigh
15 May 2010, 10:30
NLM is a huge exclusion. We are really going to miss having his hard body and tackling pressure tomorrow. That being said I really hope that Myers can have somewhat of a 'break out' game.
Wahooti Fandango
15 May 2010, 11:45
Disagree. Dempsey is not a defender's arsehole, as evidenced by the goal he cost us running to cover someone else's man (while that person was going to his man) leaving Dempsey's own man in the goalsquare, easy handball over the top, goal. And by his stupid attempt to take a contested mark at the top of the goalsquare rather than punching it through, fumbling (surprise, surprise) it and costing us a goal.
And four points.
You are overlooking his spoiling ability and great tackling skills. Admittedly he sometimes is too attacking.
You are overlooking his spoiling ability and great tackling skills. Admittedly he sometimes is too attacking.
Yeah, he definitely has the skills to be a good defender. Personally I feel like the coaches go too soft on him though. They've dropped Prismall and Houli for a for less than what Dempsey gets away with. In fact, it looks like they tell him to run off his man.
Ben the Gooner
15 May 2010, 13:15
You are overlooking his spoiling ability and great tackling skills. Admittedly he sometimes is too attacking.
The skills are fine, but what's the good of having them if he doesn't use them (spoil that ball and we win) or is too far away from his man to use them? He doesn't have a defensive mindset, and the contrast between Hooker and Fletcher, and Dempsey was marked on Saturday.
The Donners
15 May 2010, 14:41
The skills are fine, but what's the good of having them if he doesn't use them (spoil that ball and we win) or is too far away from his man to use them? He doesn't have a defensive mindset, and the contrast between Hooker and Fletcher, and Dempsey was marked on Saturday.
I agree with this. However, Hooker tends to play too loose on occasion and gets hurt badly on the rebound. This has been noted ad nauseam. I like him though, he is gutsy and loves the contest, will be a solid 10 year defender - great work from Knights and the recruiters to take him so late in the draft! :thumbsu:
I think Hooker is missing Pears. He could afford to be attacking and gutsy because he always had back up from Fletch. With Pears out fletch has a dangerous opponent and isn't able to cover hooker like he has been. Hooker is fine one and one, and is a good mark/spoiler, but he is also an attacking player. He looks awkward, but he is actually good at hitting targets as well.
chris2269
15 May 2010, 16:28
Looks like Lonergan will miss - Colyer (again sp?) will take his place.
Willo has been told to have the week off for Bendigo - will be an emergency tomorrow, but unlikely anymore outs from the senior team.
To be honest, I have no idea what the deal is with Essendon and Willo, I would have thought he would be a certainty in your best 22 - maybe he is wishing he had stayed at Hawthorn now, given he came to Essendon to reviatilise his career - can't say he has been given much opportunity to do that.
Willo has been told to have the week off for Bendigo - will be an emergency tomorrow, but unlikely anymore outs from the senior team.
To be honest, I have no idea what the deal is with Essendon and Willo, I would have thought he would be a certainty in your best 22 - maybe he is wishing he had stayed at Hawthorn now, given he came to Essendon to reviatilise his career - can't say he has been given much opportunity to do that.
Well it started off with an injury, he hasn't managed to force his way into the team since though. A bit strange after a 4 goal performance last week. I guess Knights doesn't think anyone deserves to be kicked out of the forward line at the moment.
Eleven 38
15 May 2010, 17:29
I agree with this. However, Hooker tends to play too loose on occasion and gets hurt badly on the rebound. This has been noted ad nauseam. I like him though, he is gutsy and loves the contest, will be a solid 10 year defender - great work from Knights and the recruiters to take him so late in the draft! :thumbsu:
most of the time it isnt hookers fault he gets caught on the rebound, more the midfield turning it over! i personally dont want him to change his game!
Longy413
16 May 2010, 09:57
I agree with this. However, Hooker tends to play too loose on occasion and gets hurt badly on the rebound.
That's because we're playing a zone instead of man on man.
It means all our defenders are giving ground to their opponents.
Dempsey, Slattery and Hooker are the ones that get caught out the most because they're playing on the most dangerous forwards.
We get smashed up at kicks in's employing the full ground zone.
Looks like Lonergan will miss - Colyer (again sp?) will take his place.
Can confirm this.
Kildonan
16 May 2010, 10:35
Essendon should not be dismissed as easybeats, they are an enigmatic team often doing poorly against weaker teams and well against good teams:
Rd 1 LOSS v Geelong 94-125 The Bombers held a surprise 24-point lead midway through the third quarter, and still led by a goal at the final change but Matthew Knights' men went scoreless as Geelong piled on six goals to open the final term, and the reigning premiers ran away with a 31-point win: 19.11 (125) to 13.16 (94).
Rd 2 LOSS v Fremantle 113-69 The game was in the balance at three-quarter time, but Freo ran away in the final quarter kicking six goals to Essendon's two behinds to win a rare game on the road, 17.11 (113) to 9.15 (69).
Rd 3 WIN v Carlton 95-75 Essendon was only able to shrug the Blues in the final term, with the match not sealed until the final minutes. It was close throughout although the Bombers probably had a chance to put Carlton away earlier in the night. They dominated the inside-50 count in the second term but simply weren't able to convert their opportunities, managing 3.8 to the Blues' 2.1 during that period. The Bombers held a 10-point break at the main change but should have been four goals up.
Rd 4 LOSS v WCE 78-101 The Eagles booted nine unanswered goals from late in the first term to early in the third to set up an unassailable 52-point lead, eventually winning 15.11 (101) to 11.12 (78). The Dons added respectability to the scoreboard by kicking five of the game’s last six goals, but they were effectively out of the contest six minutes into the third term.
Rd 5 LOSS v Collingwood 55-120 In front of a crowd of 90,070 - the ninth best VFL/AFL home-and-away attendance - the Pies seized control with a stunning first quarter. Collingwood booted seven goals from 12 scoring shots as Essendon managed just three behinds.
Rd 6 WIN v Hawthorn 63-106 the Bombers, who led by 12 points at the last break, finished full of legs. Not only did they boot 4.7 in the final term but also managed to keep the Hawks scoreless.
Rd 7 LOSS v Port Adelaide 109-106 Essendon quickly set about adding to a one-point half-time lead with three goals in succession sending the visitors reeling, but just as the game threatened to escape them Power summoned an unlikely four-goal burst sparked by Motlop. Scott Gumbleton's third restored some sort of order, but a 12-point advantage at the final change wasn't enough to give Essendon absolute control and the frenetic last quarter proved a fitting crescendo. With the game seemingly in his side's keeping shortly after the half-time break, Bombers' coach Matthew Knights was left to rue a lack of composure in the face of the Port challenge.
Essendon have played several of the better teams already. They have a bye next week against Richmond then they have three more tough matches (Western Bulldogs, Sydney and Geelong) after which they play Hawks, Crows, Demons, WCE, Kangaroos and then five more difficult matches to finish off the season. I think they will win eight to ten matches this year and stretch a few of the better teams.
They match up well against the Saints, using their speed to great effect. Their outs include Henry Slattery (back), and Nathan Lovett-Murray (foot) together with Dyson, Pears and Reimers who are already on the sidelines.
Changes from the last time we met (Rd 20 2009):
Essendon
In: Heath Hocking, Cale Hooker, Jake Melksham, Scott Gumbleton, David Zaharakis, David Hille, Jason Winderlich, David Myers, Leroy Jetta, Ben Howlett and ?Travis Colyer.
Out: Andrew Lovett, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Jay Neagle, Adam McPhee, Tom Bellchambers, Andrew Welsh, Ricky Dyson, Henry Slattery, Tayte Pears, Michael Quinn and ?Sam Lonergan.
St Kilda
In: James Gwilt, Clint Jones, Andrew McQualter, Jarryn Geary, Nick Heyne, Ben McEvoy.
Out: Nick Riewoldt, Sean Dempster, Steven King, Luke Ball, Raphael Clarke, Max Hudghton.
Essendons turnover is huge, with some very good players not available, but some very good ins.
The Saints do miss Riewoldt, McEvoy comes in for King, but otherwise it is quicker players in for slower players out...
Hey guys - just looking for some comment from you re: the ins/outs since last time we met (especially Essendons - as we already have a fair idea about the Saints ;))
Towno78
16 May 2010, 10:40
Looks like Lonergan will miss - Colyer (again sp?) will take his place.
Willo has been told to have the week off for Bendigo - will be an emergency tomorrow, but unlikely anymore outs from the senior team.
To be honest, I have no idea what the deal is with Essendon and Willo, I would have thought he would be a certainty in your best 22 - maybe he is wishing he had stayed at Hawthorn now, given he came to Essendon to reviatilise his career - can't say he has been given much opportunity to do that.
Completely agree Chris. Willo should definitely be in the side, could easily have been the difference against Port, and could easily be today also, but he's still missing.
He is a game breaking premiership player who was targetted by Knights to play in a perceived hole/weakness in our side and can't get a game in the role he was targetted for. Makes no sense whatsoever.
I believe he's missing as players like Monfries and Zaka are playing well, and Knights doesn't wish them to make way for Willo, but in reality, they shouldn't make for Willo, they should be used further up the ground/in the midfield. Can easily see Monfries, Zaka and Willo (and Davey as well for that matter) all in the same side.
Hope he is back soon. Really hope he is not becoming disenchanted due to this confusing treatment.
WeAreEssendon
16 May 2010, 11:33
Hope he is back soon. Really hope he is not becoming disenchanted due to this confusing treatment.
Confusing treatment? :confused:
He couldn't get near it in 3 games and his tackling pressure was non existent. I say he's being exactly treated like any player should. Don't play well enough and you'll be in the VFL. FWIW I thought he was only a little above average in the VFL last week and wasn't screaming out to get picked.
With Hurley and Gumbleton forward we need guys that can flood back and join the midfield and sadly he's not one. A lot of good judges are saying the game style has passed people like Willo. Hopefully it's not the case for us but it's not looking good at present.