Autopsy Essendon v St Kilda (Round 23)

[Plugger35]

Hall was great again, at least we have locked him away, we need to lock away Windhager who was great again too.

I would love to lock away Nas too but he still butchers a few kicks (copium) but then nails a few kicks too (hopium)

 

[Parkysp]

Hall was great again, at least we have locked him away, we need to lock away Windhager who was great again too.

I would love to lock away Nas too but he still butchers a few kicks (copium) but then nails a few kicks too (hopium)

I'm more a Garcia fan myself than Windy. Dont get me wrong I really want Windy to stay but if Windy is aggrieved on money then I reckon he needs to pull his head in.

 

[ThomasR]

Hall was great again, at least we have locked him away, we need to lock away Windhager who was great again too.

I would love to lock away Nas too but he still butchers a few kicks (copium) but then nails a few kicks too (hopium)

Hall is a top 5 player at the club now I would say. and probably the best under the age of 30 next year

 

[Plugger35]

I'm more a Garcia fan myself than Windy. Dont get me wrong I really want Windy to stay but if Windy is aggrieved on money then I reckon he needs to pull his head in.

I like Garcia but Windy is better than him, he's bigger and stronger for a start and he plays with that old fashioned St Kilda spirit.

We can't afford to lose him, he is a talisman like Lenny Hayes, he sets the tempo with his workrate and his never say die attitude.

There is a reason other clubs are offering contracts for Windy and not Garcia.

 

[Ads734]

Who would have thought that

• Pou who has injuries since pre season and been stuck in the forward pocket would struggle,
• Wilson in his second year (Ross very complimentary of his contested game in the presser and stated he wants him on the ball)
• Tauru would not win every one v one
• Camaniti would be beaten sometimes
• Trav would be hit and miss

Guys like Windy have finally become consistant.
We need patience, espescially with how many kids we had. I am more concerned with the game style we are running.

 

[Parkysp]

I like Garcia but Windy is better than him, he's bigger and stronger for a start and he plays with that old fashioned St Kilda spirit.

We can't afford to lose him, he is a talisman like Lenny Hayes, he sets the tempo with his workrate and his never say die attitude.

There is a reason other clubs are offering contracts for Windy and not Garcia.

I'll agree to disagree. You obviously love Windy and fair dues. I'm taking Hugo with me on a footy field. Will smack the ruckman on the nose then hit a leading forward on the tit. I've seen that way more often from Hugo. I'm greedy and want both. Windy's the one out of contract just case you missed why the interest...

 

[Mat Mann]

Who would have thought that

• Pou who has injuries since pre season and been stuck in the forward pocket would struggle,
• Wilson in his second year (Ross very complimentary of his contested game in the presser and stated he wants him on the ball)
• Tauru would not win every one v one
• Camaniti would be beaten sometimes
• Trav would be hit and miss

Guys like Windy have finally become consistant.
We need patience, espescially with how many kids we had. I am more concerned with the game style we are running.

It's quite an issue, I can't work out why we are so stationary all the time, the main time we get speed on the ball is when we get it over the top. D50 and I50 is putrid, hard to use any other word for it.

How do we see the game plan going forward?

 

[Ads734]

Not that he will ever get the credit but Hugo is averaging for rising stars

• most tackles
• second most average clearances
• Total clearances

 

[Ads734]

It's quite an issue, I can't work out why we are so stationary all the time, the main time we get speed on the ball is when we get it over the top. D50 and I50 is putrid, hard to use any other word for it.

How do we see the game plan going forward?

it's like without Naz and Sinclair it is plan impossible. I do think Trav tries to break lines. but IDK.

 

[SG34]

Who would have thought that

• Pou….would struggle,
• Wilson in his second year…
• Tauru would not win every one v one
• Camaniti would be beaten sometimes
• Trav would be hit and miss…

Tick*, not surprised, fair enough, Tick, Tick
* When has Pou looked good? good - not for flashes, but a whole game? (Last season at the end. Four games. In four years.

Hammer is a battler who everyone loves but gets out pointed in defence regularly- which to be fair they all do.

Who would have thought that

• Pou who has injuries since pre season and been stuck in the forward pocket would struggle,
• Wilson in his second year (Ross very complimentary of his contested game in the presser and stated he wants him on the ball)
• Tauru would not win every one v one
• Camaniti would be beaten sometimes
• Trav would be hit and miss

Guys like Windy have finally become consistant.
We need patience, espescially with how many kids we had. I am more concerned with the game style we are running.

Tick*, not surprised, fair enough, Tick, Tick
* When has Pou looked good? good - not for flashes, but a whole game? (Last season at the end. Four games. In four years.

Hammer is a battler who everyone loves but gets out pointed in defence regularly- which to be fair they all do.

 

[Plugger35]

I'll agree to disagree. You obviously love Windy and fair dues. I'm taking Hugo with me on a footy field. Will smack the ruckman on the nose then hit a leading forward on the tit. I've seen that way more often from Hugo. I'm greedy and want both. Windy's the one out of contract just case you missed why the interest...

You can take Hugo with you on a footy field but I would take Windy with me on a rugby field, he reminds me of Lenny Hayes.

Rugby union is the closest thing to war on a sports field and Windy is the sort of guy you would want to have in the trenches.

 

[Verdun66]

When did the Wilson tackle happen that Ross refers to in the press conference? I must have missed it. Probably hiding behind the couch.

 

[MOLTEN GANGLANDS]

Not that he will ever get the credit but Hugo is averaging for rising stars

• most tackles
• second most average clearances
• most average clearances

umm...

 

[JG22]

When did the Wilson tackle happen that Ross refers to in the press conference? I must have missed it. Probably hiding behind the couch.

early to mid last quarter. holding the ball on Nguyen, nice for Darcy.

 

[Ads734]

Tick*, not surprised, fair enough, Tick, Tick
* When has Pou looked good? good - not for flashes, but a whole game? (Last season at the end. Four games. In four years.

Hammer is a battler who everyone loves but gets out pointed in defence regularly- which to be fair they all do.

Tick*, not surprised, fair enough, Tick, Tick
* When has Pou looked good? good - not for flashes, but a whole game? (Last season at the end. Four games. In four years.

Hammer is a battler who everyone loves but gets out pointed in defence regularly- which to be fair they all do.

Firstly Pou is in his third year. Secondly for the vast majority he has been stuck in the fwd line, so tune when coming back from injury. Not surprising he’s been at his best when played on ball…

 

[SG34]

Firstly Pou is in his third year. Secondly for the vast majority he has been stuck in the fwd line, so tune when coming back from injury. Not surprising he’s been at his best when played on ball…

Yep third year for Pou. He’s had four big games. I mean over 20 possessions.. late ‘24. Maybe, his time will come. Hope so.

 

[Ads734]

Yep third year for Pou. He’s had four big games. I mean over 20 possessions.. late ‘24. Maybe, his time will come. Hope so.

Context pls.

 

[Verdun66]

Watched most of the game. Essendon deserve some credit.They played pretty well with a lot of intensity.

I did wonder during the game that one reason they seemed to gel quite well as an unfamiliar combination was that they have their own VFL team. So these guys would be playing the same system and would be familiar with each other.

Might be clutching at straws, but it was a thought. Have often considered the fact that we haven’t had our own team a drawback. Puts the younger fringe guys at a disadvantage.

They had 17 out, so we didn’t have much excuse. But we really had little in the front half. Redman had a field day. And Laverde looked All- Australian in the first half. Owens was missed, and of course King. We probably need another developing tall forward. Higgins as a main target pretty tough on him.

Anyway, happy we won. Not a lot to get excited about. Blunted by NAS and others seemingly holding out. Hard not to think about. Team still playing with spirit. That’s something.

 

[mad-saint-guy]

Props to Windy who might have been BOG for us. Developing really well and must be retained. He's actually tracking to be worth 800k in the next year or two.

Garcia is also tracking really well. He has cleaned up his kicking and I think he's the best handball at the club - has a great knack of firing out and accurate handball forwards to a player in space.

Box continues to show good signs, including a point of difference with his overhead marking.

Dodzilla had a great first quarter and was very unlucky to have a free paid against when he took a great contested grab. He's way more advanced than a first year ruck should be. Was disappointed to see him subbed when it clearly should have been Pou, who just can't get near it as a forward right now.

Gotta say I don't see top 10 draft pick quality in Travaglia. His loopy kicks hang in the air way too long and will consistently get chopped off by the opposition. Not sure what strengths he brings to the table - not particularly quick or good overhead, and issues with ball use are obvious. Hastie has shown a lot more talent IMO.

Wilson had an up and down game but it was an improvement and he has some good moments. Here's hoping the praise from Lyon post-match gives him a lift and he can get back to his best next week.

Props to Hill for finishing the season strong after a pretty horrid three or so months of form. He has been much better with the ball recently and is even winning some contests.

Wasn't Nas' best game but he still probably won it for us. His clearance work is so much better than I expected. Don't mind the flubbed attempt in front of goal - he's testing the limits of his superpowers to see what's possible. The goal shortly after was just ridiculous. It's almost certainly his last game for us next week though (assuming he passes a concussion test)

 

[okeydoke7]

Yes, the way we have won these games have been frustrating. A tough watch.

Yes, our performance against Freo, Swans and Cats actually felt better despite the losses.

Kane craps on about Ross’ excuses about being young, but they’re not an excuse. They’re an explanation. It’s so important he gets that messaging out there to the footy public and to our own fans.

We scrape over the line to an ‘Essendon reserves side’ and ‘playing a bunch of kids’. We just beat a Richmond side who ‘traded all their experience out’. We somehow hold off the ‘hapless North Melbourne’.

Let’s remember that before the season, most pundits actually had us in the bottom 4. We all, or mostly, disagreed. But just getting over fellow bottom 4 candidates can’t be viewed as such a failure by those same pundits.

Now last night, we had 11 players under 22. 6 were 19 or younger. Essendon, for example, had 8 under 22. Our average age was about the same. Same against Richmond. We were younger than Melbourne. When we horrifically lost to West Coast earlier in the year, we were a full year younger on average.

I think this would surprise most people. Because we have been in footy quicksand of mid-table there’s a view that we are an experienced and under performing side. We are actually a young side who is prioritising the fast-tracked development of young players, while supporting them with some older ones instead of throwing them to the wolves. Even if one of the older ones is Zak bloody Jones.

We are aware that our next tilt as a flag comes from Max King

Multiple players found. Use birthday to differentiate. eg [PLAYERCARD="23/11/1962"]Joe Smith[/PLAYERCARD]

and below. Maybe a few of the experienced guys can hold on and be part of it.

When you play SO MANY young players at the SAME TIME you increase the chances of transitional breakdowns, either in possession or in defence. Through decision making error, game plan adherence error, fatigue. Half of last night’s side was under 22! Over 1/4 were in their first or second year of football! Small breakdowns in transition will absolutely expose you.

But we haven’t shied away from that. We have, for the most part, cut the dead wood over the last few years. A little left to cut. Ross has prioritised the development of the youth, and there’s lots to be excited about.

I love how fast-tracked Tauru’s development will be from this exposure. A few times lately he’s made critical errors. Switching when he shouldn’t. Switching too casually and hanging it in the air. Getting caught holding the ball a few times moving slowly. The kid is still playing juniors where the good players can do that. He is adjusting to the pace of the game. Nothing teaches better than errors like that. Imagine him after all that learning and an actual pre-season. He’s going to be bloody fantastic next year and beyond.

It’s been frustrating to see the way we have played the last few weeks, but we know that’s not the goal. We need to look at the individual kids development as the goal here. This is an investment in our next tilt at finals, top 4, dare I say a flag if enough goes right years down the line.

We have a young core to start getting excited about, I really believe that. For the first time since maybe 2003.

 

[bergholt]

Yeah, I thought Tauru had a disappointing night too. Looked like he was moving in slow motion at times. He got outpostioned too often, he misjudged the flight of the ball too often and he had a few goals kicked on him. He will get better as you say but tonight wasn't pretty to watch.

Reckon his legs are starting to get pretty heavy, he's been playing 90% game time but only played 78% last night.

 

[CaptainRisky]

I like Garcia but Windy is better than him, he's bigger and stronger for a start and he plays with that old fashioned St Kilda spirit.

We can't afford to lose him, he is a talisman like Lenny Hayes, he sets the tempo with his workrate and his never say die attitude.

There is a reason other clubs are offering contracts for Windy and not Garcia.

Really, well let's see who ends up the better player , think you're selling Garcia a bit short

 

[pebblesofsand]

Looked like a game between two young teams who can see the finish line and can't wait to stumble accross it.

Not a fantastic win but its better than a loss.

Keeler, Heath or Dodson ? interested to hear peoples view on what each may offer. Dodson did some good things last night but no more than the other two have done during their short stints.

Keeler - could be just laconic but still have doubts he has the absolute commitment needed to make it.

Heath - good solid Tom Campbell

29

Tom Campbell

Age

34

Ht

201cm

Wt

108kg

Pos.

Ruck

Career

Season

Last 5

D

9.1

2star

K

4.2

2star

HB

4.8

3star

CL

1.6

4star

HO

17.0

5star

D

5.0

1star

K

3.0

1star

HB

2.0

1star

CL

1.0

3star

HO

2.0

5star

D

7.2

2star

K

4.2

2star

HB

3.0

3star

CL

1.2

4star

HO

13.2

5star

type back up.

Dodson - looks the most likelly but its a very very small sample so far.

A word of advice - stay away from the List Management thread - apparently everyone is jumping ship next year - likely we will need to fold.

 

[CaptainRisky]

This is not a Swipe at lance as I have said a million times he has immense talent but those who thought he showed a bit IMO must have had beer goggles on, if it was any other player you wouldn't have even mentioned him , let's see him do something before you cover him in mayo.
I watched him last night and a few times when the ball went past him he didn't put much effort into chasing, he has a long way to go .

 

[BrutThough]

A very mixed performance but managed to somehow get it done.

Hall is a star. Already a top 5 player. I feel safe when he has the ball and know good things are going to happen.

Sharman and Higgins deserve a lot of credit for making things happen. Our forward line is a black hole but they managed to have enough moments to get a score and nail the shots they had too.

Boxshall is a very impressive mark. Hugo had is his game. Both are developing very nicely. Was also impressive by Collard's intent when he came on. He had an intensity and investment that he's lacked in the VFL. If we can harness that and see it consistently, he will be a player.

I wasn't as impressed by Windy as most. He lacks a hurt factor to be playing at half back. He racks it up but it was a lot of nothing disposals. Was better in the 2nd half when he was positioned more midfield.

Tauru looked tired and he was struggling. Phillipou isnt fit enough to be playing so watching him struggle in the forward line is hard. Both need big preseasons but will be excellent players when fit.