Vs Port

[Darealrath]

I think we need them to choke again, and i don't think they will.

A bit too good for us, but i don't think we'll be smashed.

[windyhill]

Probably similar to last year where we threw everything at them. I`ll say 20 pts to them. Still going over, will scream guts out, head off.

[thewhippersnapper]

Its going to be a tough match.

They may have to choke for us to win but there going to be favourites and the pressure is going to be on them.

I rate us a good chance. Hopefully our win in Fremantle on Friday will give us confidence away from home.

[marcuz]

A bit different to last year. We had robbie forster-knight playing at centre half back. WE have plenty of options down back this year. Not to mention lloyd wasnt playing, hird wasnt fit. Bolts tore his hamstring 10 minutes in. We didnt have someone like cupes who can tear a team a new arse in 10 minutes. Hille wasnt as good and was not even playing. Welsh has gone up a level. McPhee is doing well.

We should go in confident that we are a bloody good chance at getting a result. Saying that port are favourites no doubt.

[go team]

if we can get on top early we're a show.... what we dont need is port kicking a few early goals

[Chiz]

We'll be quite a good chance. All we need is a bit to go our way and I can see us getting over the line.

Still it is hard to win coming back from Perth

[dougthelegend]

We are a good show on the form that we showed against Freo....but having said that, we will need to play VERY good to beat them.....

[Cupestar]

I think we can do it. Watch for the sheedy mindgames...this is going to be one hell of a week for Port. They just don't have the mental strength to play the big games, and sheeds is going to milk that for all it's worth.

[5AASUX]

Originally posted by go team
what we dont need is port kicking a few early goals

Yeah, you need Lloyd, Hird & Cupido firing to put those ferals out of the game. Essendon haven't had a victory against Port for about two years (I think), so the pressure will be on Port to perform in one that really does count.

Like another poster said, Essendon had a depleted side last year so its a bit hard to compare last years game.

I hope that you smash them off the ground!!!!!!!!!!

[The Dutchman!]

We need Fletcher playing. Not sitting in the frickin stands. Jeez!


IF we get within 20 points I will be very excited about 2004. If we win - I would back us to push the woods all the way.

[Pornstar]

If Port play with confidence it is all over right now. You would think we need to get on top early to have them second guessing themselves and playing scared, and also take the crowd out of it. Unfortunately Essendon are slow starters in the first quarter and generally give away the first 2 goals of the game.

[Rogue Bomber]

Originally posted by The Dutchman!
We need Fletcher playing. Not sitting in the frickin stands. Jeez!


IF we get within 20 points I will be very excited about 2004. If we win - I would back us to push the woods all the way.

You need to be careful with these type of statements. You are correct that Essendon's future is looking healthy. But you only get so many chances to win premierships. This year whoever wins it will have stolen it. I don't think that there is any one team that deserves it more than any other. So would be a good year to win it.

You may also find that it is the last season for a while in which this is the case. There is no doubt that West Coast, Freo, Sydney, Hawthorn, St Kilda and Geelong have a very rapid rate of improvement possible in the next couple of years. Essendon's options are also excellent. But nobody knows where we will end up in the wash.

[Merry]

IMO this is the toughest game left. If they are good enough to win this, they can go all the way. Essendon are a real chance after last weeks performance and if Fletcher plays and Hird turns another one on, i think the bombers will win.