Who has more to look foward to in the next 5 years?

[proka123]

Tough choice. Eagles or Bombers.

 

[Scootyb]

Eagles. Simply because of Nic Nat and Shuey

 

[sr36]

To me most games are won and lost in the midfield and I think that the Eagles have a very good young midfield coming through. Essendon has no young mids that I like. I'd take Eagles list by a mile. Frankly I'd take the Eagles list over Melbourne's list for that matter.

 

[sTeeL]

Geez I'd like to see some better games by some of our mids though I guess that will come with time. Dont really know enough about the Dons to comment however I like the look of Hurley despite his less than stellar year.

 

[drummond2fevola]

Bombers have a decent spine in the making, Eagles however

 

[bombermick]

Brisbane is the club that will struggle. What happens in a couple of years when Fev and Browny retire?

 

[drummond2fevola]

Brisbane is the club that will struggle. What happens in a couple of years when Fev and Browny retire?

Acorn FF
Clark CHF

Midfield is our weakness, theres too far a gap between the kids & aging stars, not enough players in there prime. That is the downfall of dominating the competition for ages.

 

[bombermick]

Acorn FF
Clark CHF

Midfield is our weakness, theres too far a gap between the kids & aging stars, not enough players in there prime. That is the downfall of dominating the competition for ages.

You had a great era, and most supporters would put up with a few years down the bottom, if they were promised 3 flags. Losing last year's no.1 pick and Henderson will hurt. Essendon and West Coast's midfields are both being held up by slow extractors in Watson and Priddis. Both clubs need their youngsters in Shuey et al to really come on to rise up. Essendon's midfield is bottom 3 atm but with a spine like this in a couple of years a good coach should be able to get us up the ladder.

Hurley
Pears
Watson
Gumbleton
Daniher

Essendon needs to rid itself of the borderline AFL players like Lovett-Murray and Dyson.

 

[Clay Davis]

Tough question. I'd say Eagles because they've proven themselves able at rebounding from very poor seasons using the draft, whereas Essendon's dominance always came after they were thereabouts, and they've never had a superstar come from a high draft pick.

The one thing both clubs lack is quality on field leadership.

 

[EagleMan87]

Bombers have a decent spine in the making, Eagles however

We've got a few good KPDs in MacKenzie, Schofield and Brown, but apart from Kennedy we really don't have and decent forward options.

 

[J_Moore]

Pointless crystal ball gazing. All one of the teams really needs is for a handful of draft picks or currently average players to come good, and it'll seem like a whole new side. All of a sudden forwards who looked mediocre will start peforming because of good delivery. Backs who previously seemed to struggle will suddenly always seem to be in the right position due to improved structures or communication, or because they're able to play on opponents more suited to them, outside midfielders who seemed to never touch the ball will suddenly find themselves with effective insiders able to get the ball out to them.

Doesn't take much to turn a side round, I don't think, and can be very hard to predict.

 

[Freo2012]

Could easily go either way.

IMO Eagles have failed spectacularly in recent years drafting and player development - I think they almost have the next few spoons in the bag if they stick only with the New Breed and their dated seniors. Wonder how many seasoned players they will try to buy in to avoid it. Whether they can start getting their act together on both fronts will determine when they get back into the 8 - perhaps in 5 years.

Essendon seem to have some good KPP's coming through. A new coach will be under no illusions as to how much work is required - hope they don't go the unproven favorite son route, unless in an understudy role. A few have mentioned Choco with Hird understudy - definitely have the credentials (capability and credos) to get the most out of essendon during the next few years with hopefully some favourable trading/drafts.

 

[shoe]

We've got a few good KPDs in MacKenzie, Schofield and Brown, but apart from Kennedy we really don't have and decent forward options.

Er, Mark Lecras says hi.

 

[EagleMan87]

Er, Mark Lecras says hi.

I doubt LeCras will be lining up at FF next year.

 

[mehow2g]

Funny this came up, I just had a 4 hour chat with a mate who is Ess supporter and he thinks Ess are done for 5 years and says Ess should be in Eagles spot getting picks.

Eagles had a terrible year no doubt, But without looking at the ladder and more at the list Id say Eagles have a better list than Bombers much better.

The main reason why Eagles struggled this year is senior players had no impact at all which is the worst possible thing for a very young team.

I dont care if you think im biased mark my words.

In my opinion Eagles are in a similar posi as Freo last year Freo were much better than the ladder said it was just that little extra polish and finish and they would become a good side and it happend, I feel the same for West Coast.

In 5 years time? I think it will be Syd Freo WCE North Melb Richmond in the top 6 While Melb is Geelong of the new era and just dominating.

 

[DrTomSwift]

Our spine will be
Mackenzie
Schofield/Brown
Shuey, Priddis, Swift, Kerr, Masten but I'm not really sure how this will develop.
Kennedy
?????

In regards to the spine the big question marks is obviously who will play FF. Atm I think it is Wilson and while he won't be a star he will be adequate. Our biggest concern imo is our midfield but on that it totally eclipses the Bombers young midfield talent. The reason why we can consistently beat the Bombers is because our young and old(ish) midfielders are far better then anything the Bombers have

 

[willoblue]

3 years ago i was impressed with the Bombers drafting of big fellas before little guys beause the talls mature later & compared them to Carlton who were chasing the midfield rebuild.
It seems I was wrong.
What I was right about at the start of this season was that Richmond have a better midfield than west coast.
The Kangas really impress me as well of the bottom 8 sides.
Melbourne are great to watch as well.

 

[shoe]

I doubt LeCras will be lining up at FF next year.

"No forward options" is a pretty different statement to "no great FF prospect". Yes?

 

[mad_eagle]

Has to be the Eagles doesn't it?! Can't get any worse than a big ole spoon!!

 

[Papa Juggs]

Pointless crystal ball gazing. All one of the teams really needs is for a handful of draft picks or currently average players to come good, and it'll seem like a whole new side. All of a sudden forwards who looked mediocre will start peforming because of good delivery. Backs who previously seemed to struggle will suddenly always seem to be in the right position due to improved structures or communication, or because they're able to play on opponents more suited to them, outside midfielders who seemed to never touch the ball will suddenly find themselves with effective insiders able to get the ball out to them.

Doesn't take much to turn a side round, I don't think, and can be very hard to predict.

Great post.

In the new AFL it takes hard work to get anywhere.

You need a good list and a structure that works.

When I see 18 men on the field I don't think for a second 1 man can make all the difference. Maybe in b-ball or soccer when there are less players on the field but in AFL you need a solid contribution around the board.

Considering the Bombers are about the only team the Eagles could beat in 2010 I'd say things don't look good at all for them.

Lloyd went too early and it really shows. They dropped off a cliff from one year to the next and Knights got the blame.

 

[Roby]

Flip a coin. All depends on how they draft players in the next 2-3 years, that will be the difference.

 

[le dominateur]

I went with the Bombers even though I detest them. Eagles have only 1 A-grade player and that is LeCras. Essendon have a few more potential top line players and some line breakers in their side. West Coast fans expecting Cox, Kerr & Glass to return to anywhere near their 2005-2007 form are deluded.

 

[yummy6]

Great post.

In the new AFL it takes hard work to get anywhere.

You need a good list and a structure that works.

When I see 18 men on the field I don't think for a second 1 man can make all the difference. Maybe in b-ball or soccer when there are less players on the field but in AFL you need a solid contribution around the board.

I agree, all the talk about players being 'elite' is rubbish. Everyone at that level is elite that's how they get there. Some just do things better than others, still the majority of football fans would love to be able to play like the others.

I think if West Coast can pick up a Gaff or Atley in this years draft for some midfield polish that will help them greatly.

 

[Slattery_20]

Tough question. I'd say Eagles because they've proven themselves able at rebounding from very poor seasons using the draft, whereas Essendon's dominance always came after they were thereabouts, and they've never had a superstar come from a high draft pick.

We all thought Eagles would rebound well this year, didn't we? Masten, NicNat et al? Haven't been good enough, yet.

The one thing both clubs lack is quality on field leadership.

Definitely the case at Essendon. Watson's about it. Just can't see Stanton or someone like that really stepping up & demanding respect. Partly due to age of our list & the quality of our guys aged >23 or so.
Some of the younger guys seem to conduct themselves well & are regarded well internally but it'd be a stretch to call them a leader when they're not yet consistent senior players.

 

[The Donners]

We've got a superior bunch of young KPPs and their young midfield is no better than Essendon's young midfielders, Masten, Shuey, Swift vs Zaharakis, Colyer, Melksham.