Review 2017 Expectations - Time to reflect

[JayJ20]

On looking back, you're right. Just thought we were better there than we actually are. My mistake.

Not excuses. Reasons, factors as to why we won't win. Is Hawkins injured? He played pretty well Saturday Night.

I think we do beat Richmond. The two last season are write-offs, and we almost beat them in one with a pretty shit team. Their forward line is one dimensional and if we can get on top of them there it'll go a long way to beating them.

2013-16 West Coast had a 5-6 record at Docklands. They don't travel well at all and I think we beat them if we can shut down their elite forward line. Hurley to monster Darling, Hartley on Kennedy and Hooker on Vardy/Giles

Haha yeah we are. Part of the reason why I want to move to the G and play mentally scarred interstate teams there instead

Hawkins could be suspended if the Fletcher rule applies to him. But probably not. Selwood hopefully goes out and we can target Dangerfield. I think their midfield is very suspect without Dangerwood firing.

I think West Coast's travel record is skewed by their record at the MCG and SCG. They can travel anywhere else just fine. In fact, they have a better record at Adelaide Oval and Spotless than even the tenants. Docklands hasn't been an issue for them like most of the interstate teams except for Port and I think Fremantle. We'll see how we go against Geelong first. Hopefully Sam Mitchell is in to spark the boys up

 

[BrunoV]

I can't say I've been apprehensive or nervous about winning. As in, that it'd be better not to.

New one for sure.

It's really that hard to see the link between falling over the line a few times and then wasting the next eight weeks while we make absolutely sure that we aren't up to it?

We went to Subiaco having rested two running players without having replaced either and with a leading forward target who can't run out a quarter.

Our "pace" or "run" comes from lazy players like Colyer and Zaharakis who give nothing defensively. We get some run from Tippa but it's not two way and fair enough because he is a forward. Fantasia is also a forward. Merrett and Parish can't do it all themselves and they're not particularly good runners in any event.

If I'm hearing correctly, we lost the game because we were tired but unlike every other team in the AFL ours is a special tiredness. We always seem to have a way of explaining away the inadequacies of our midfield and players.

 

[Doss]

Mate I think you're overcomplicating a pretty simple thing. Yes wins might sometimes gloss over big deficiencies, but I doubt I'd ever get to the point of not being happy when we do manage to get across the line.

 

[Lore]

It's really that hard to see the link between falling over the line a few times and then wasting the next eight weeks while we make absolutely sure that we aren't up to it?

We went to Subiaco having rested two running players without having replaced either and with a leading forward target who can't run out a quarter.

Our "pace" or "run" comes from lazy players like Colyer and Zaharakis who give nothing defensively. We get some run from Tippa but it's not two way and fair enough because he is a forward. Fantasia is also a forward. Merrett and Parish can't do it all themselves and they're not particularly good runners in any event.

We lost the game because we were tired but unlike every other team in the AFL ours is a special tiredness. We always seem to have a way of explaining away the inadequacies of our midfield and players.

I get what you mean about losing a few games so that we realise where our list is really at. As a supporter group I think we already have (or some of us have, but that will spread with time). I'd say the coaches know what they want the group to look like going forward, and they're figuring out who fits and who doesn't.

But I'm not sure what you think would happen next, once they've had that epiphany? We can't do much about the actual list until the trade/draft period at the end of the year, by which time I'm sure they'll know precisely what they want to do with it. The only thing we can actually do before then is look at selections, so where does that leave us? We realise we have a midfield group that can't play the style we want and need to play, and then what... we start tanking? We drop every player over 26 and just play all the kids that will 'be there for the next flag'?

I think establishing a culture among the playing group is one of the more important things that we need to do this year. Winning is important, putting effort in regardless of the scoreboard is important, earning your spot in the side is important. Those things were all established with the young guys last year, and they're things that need to be reinforced again among the returning players, draftees and other incoming players this year.

 

[BrunoV]

Mate I think you're overcomplicating a pretty simple thing. Yes wins might sometimes gloss over big deficiencies, but I doubt I'd ever get to the point of not being happy when we do manage to get across the line.

Hopefully I'll start caring again when we are good.

 

[yodellinhank]

If I'm hearing correctly, we lost the game because we were tired but unlike every other team in the AFL ours is a special tiredness. We always seem to have a way of explaining away the inadequacies of our midfield and players.

A freo poster pointed out our gameplan was too taxing for a hot day at subi, i thought that made a lot of sense.

I'm with you on the explaining away of our inadequacies though.

 

[ezard15]

Don't think I'll be too nervous about this week's game given I think I know a bit more about where we are at.

 

[JayJ20]

We're in trouble.

We have Geelong, West Coast at Etihad (we're terrible there), Richmond, GWS in Sydney, Port at Etihad, before we have Sydney at th SCG after the bye. This is our next 6 games
I can't see a win. We'd go 3-10.

Geelong - Win from a big first 3 quarters
West Coast - Big win (Great at Etihad this year)
Richmond - Were in it to the last quarter. Not too bad
GWS away - Great performance, but fell short to a good team
Port - Obliterated them in pretty much every facet of the game

That was our hardest stretch of the year and we are currently 3-2. Great stretch

 

[Rack Watts]

We have won 10 of 12 first quarters.
Next closest is 7 in GWS and Port.
Only won 5 of 12 in each of the other quarters.
We were 9-4-5-4.

 

[Rack Watts]

Geelong - Win from a big first 3 quarters
West Coast - Big win (Great at Etihad this year)
Richmond - Were in it to the last quarter. Not too bad
GWS away - Great performance, but fell short to a good team
Port - Obliterated them in pretty much every facet of the game

That was our hardest stretch of the year and we are currently 3-2. Great stretch

If you said that we'd be 3-3 from these games, plus the Sydney one, I'd have taken it.
Rest of the year is significantly less challenging.

 

[eth-dog]

6-6 with 9 games that I can see us being a chance in left.

 

[LB#16]

I've readjusted my expectations multiple times but after that performance, finals should be the expectation.

 

[Lore]

So far, 11 games into his first season with an AFL quality Essendon list, Worsfold's Bombers are:

WWLLW LLWWL L

After 11 rounds we're 5-6.

By comparison, Hird's first year in 2011 we finished 8th and lost the elimination final:

WLWDL WWWLb LLLLW WWLLW WLW

After 11 rounds Hird's Bombers were 5-4, a draw and a bye. He then went 6-6 for the rest of the season.


A good team is more than the sum of its parts, it has an established culture, game plan, strategies, everyone knows how each other plays and can play accordingly. While we might have most of the parts that we need, Worsfold needs time with the whole group to establish all that other stuff that takes a good bunch of players and makes them a competitive, successful team. This year is essentially year 1 with this group, given that we have 9 returning players, two players traded in, 5 draftees and 2 new rookies. We have 18 players Worsfold has never coached before, almost half the list of 44.

Have now gone one better than we did in 2011 at the same point in the season.

At the end of 13 rounds we are 6-6 and a bye, in 2011 we were 5-6 a draw and a bye at the end of 13 rounds.

 

[Rack Watts]

Could get anything from 14-10 wins this season.
It's exciting.

 

[freddy mercury]

I think we are tracking just a bit better than expected, we have got so much to look forward to in the second half of the year!

 

[Skipper_]

In 2014 when we made finals we were 6-6 as well after 12 games.

 

[boncer34]

We'll struggle to get out of the bottom 6 unless we have some unbelievable improvement from a few kids and we can get a ready made star from the draft that has a Heppell type year.

You look at the top 8 this year and the only team we can possibly overtake is North. The others look to like they'll be thereabout again.

Out of the 8 you have an improving St Kilda + Carlisle. Melbourne have been steadily improving and could win a few more games. Collingwood have re-invigorated their list over the last 3 years with kids and they may top up looking for Bucks to make finals.

Gold Coast had a horrid injury run and could improve out of sight.

Richmond will add Prestia to the midfield and aren't rebuilding so they'll be no easy kill unless it all collapses early in the year.

Port won 10 games, get Ryder back in and may surprise.

Freo get Fyfe back, Bennell, Sandilands, trade in Mcarthy and they could bounce back up quickly.

Only Brisbane and Carlton will be easy beats and it'll be a dogfight for the rest.

Good Morning

 

[Skipper_]

Pretty sure as long as West Coast lose to Geelong we will be in the eight after everyone has played 12 games.

 

[adsla69k]

In 2014 when we made finals we were 6-6 as well after 12 games.

And this time we have an easy run home! Carlton and Melbourne games still hurt but

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

Good Morning

Hey, good morning. How ya been? I've missed you.

Looking back at my post, pretty accurate and spot on as usual. The difference between 5th and 13th is 1 game and its a dog fight between the sides. We've won 1 out of our last 3 and we have played one more game than the others so lets keep a lid on it.

We've seen McGrath come in and almost do a Heppell like first year but still good enough to push out the old slower guys from half back. Our biggest problem is half back run so he's fixed it for a short while until he goes midfield next year and fixes the other problem. We've rejigged the back line to give Hurley a bit more freedom and he's covering one of our other weakness. McKenna providing the drive lacking early in the year with too many old guys.

We'll still miss the 8 but the improvement we are getting from the likes of Daniher, McKenna and others is the bonus we have been crying out for. If some of the other guys like Langford and Laverede could be pushing best 22 now I'd be pretty satisfied.

We still need to be more ruthless and build. Our list has too many holes at the moment. Ok now, but next year we'll lost Jobe and Goddard is another year older. You just don't replace that easily. For every good kid coming in, we lose a guy over the hill.

Absolutely critical that we add a best 22 mid next year of >22 years of age already developed to push for finals and flags before our big guys are done and dusted.

 

[daffo]

At the start of the year I was hoping for 10+ wins. We are performing better than what I was expecting.

 

[Lore]

Solid write-up from Tom Morris over at fox sports. I've tried to keep to the main points of interest so there's a bit more to go and see if you click the link.

Makes some big statements about our potential, and the potential of some of our kids (Joe Daniher, generational player?)

Of the predictions of how this season could turn out, this is probably on the more positive end of the spectrum. But it's not impossible, not even unlikely for us to make finals this year.

2017 mid-season Report Card: Essendon’s comeback story on the right track, but more work to do

One of the benefits of finishing last on the ladder for the first time since 1933 — as Essendon did last year — is that the Dons received a more straightforward fixture (at least on paper) for 2017.

As we’ve seen, there are no ‘easy’ wins this year, but the Bombers are well positioned to play finals and even go deep in September if they can steer clear of injuries.

In Joe Daniher they have arguably the most exciting young forward in the league. He has the potential to not just be a franchise player, but also a generational player in the mould of Matthew Lloyd and John Coleman. These are big expectations, but he’s already shown he can perform on the big stage by winning the Anzac Day Medal. As for his kicking, the left-footer has booted 21.2 since his woeful 1.6 against Melbourne in Round 6.

Add his talents to Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell in the midfield and Michael Hurley in defence, and you have a potentially premiership-winning core group of players.

...

PRE-SEASON EXPECTATIONS
JUST three Bombers were in the all-important 24-26 age-bracket at the start of the season. As a result, expectations were muted. Then again, nobody really knew what to expect, least of all the coach himself.

Chemistry was always going to be hard to come by and there were questions as to how the 10 returning players’ bodies would hold up to the rigours of elite sport after a year out.

HAVE THEY BEEN MET?
IN short, yes.

They haven’t broken barriers or leapt to premiership favouritism, but at 6-6 the Dons have enjoyed a solid start to the season that they can now use as a launching pad.

BACK-HALF EXPECTATIONS
AT six wins and six losses, finals are well and truly on Essendon’s radar. Given its generous back-half fixture, it would be disappointing if the club did not feature in September this year. Regardless of what’s happened in the past, a top eight finish must be the ambition from now.

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/201...o/news-story/549685a3ced2b5e17aa61ea24cef17c8

 

[Killer_Mike]

FLAG.

Still on track!

 

[Killer_Mike]

We'll struggle to get out of the bottom 6 unless we have some unbelievable improvement from a few kids and we can get a ready made star from the draft that has a Heppell type year.

You look at the top 8 this year and the only team we can possibly overtake is North. The others look to like they'll be thereabout again.

Out of the 8 you have an improving St Kilda + Carlisle. Melbourne have been steadily improving and could win a few more games. Collingwood have re-invigorated their list over the last 3 years with kids and they may top up looking for Bucks to make finals.

Gold Coast had a horrid injury run and could improve out of sight.

Richmond will add Prestia to the midfield and aren't rebuilding so they'll be no easy kill unless it all collapses early in the year.

Port won 10 games, get Ryder back in and may surprise.

Freo get Fyfe back, Bennell, Sandilands, trade in Mcarthy and they could bounce back up quickly.

Only Brisbane and Carlton will be easy beats and it'll be a dogfight for the rest.

You must be chuffed with the performance this year comparative to expectations[emoji1]

 

[Doss]

I think we need to temper our expectations. We could sneak a finals spot but we are still a work in progress at this point.

So 11 months on, I reckon I was relatively on the mark with this.

Some frustrations at times and still many kinks to be ironed out, yes. But sneaking a finals spot is exactly what we've done and considering the two years that proceeded it, I'm happy with that. Anything from here is a bonus.

The challenge will be to back it up and build on it in 2018 and beyond.