bsa

[Blues_Brat]

The chinks in the Essendon armour are getting very noticeable. Brisbane are the team to beat. I was hoping for a Brisbane/Essendon grand final, but after seeing the arrogance of the "Bombres" (yes, your cheer squad put that on a banner) supporters, I hope they get their arses kicked and we see a Sydney/Brisbane final.

 

[TheKoutaman]

Huh???

Carlton v anyone please doofus.

 

[Dan26]

Darky,

You're argument is very easy to maintain, because you are comparing us to last year. Logically we wouldn't be able to maintain a 24-1 ration and a percentage of 160, so when our record inevitably falls short of the 2000 benchmark, you claim that we have slipped.

I don't think we have slipped as a team, so much as others have caught up. In fact, a number of factors point to our 15-4 record being inferior to our 19-0 record at the same point last year:

1.) Our injury problems are worse this year
2.) Other teams have caught up to us.
3.) Having won the flag, every other teams is out to get us each and every week.
4.) Our motivation, whilst high, cannot possibly be as high as last year, given the end of 1999.

You've got to understand, that we have basically the same list as last year. Therefore, I think we still have the same ability and potential to play to the level we did in 2000. In fact, at certain times, we HAVE played to the level of 2000. However, at other times, we have had "off-days" and not been as consistent.

I don't think this means we have slipped, and hopefully, when we get our full-strength team back on the park, we can show that.

But as I was saying originally, it is spurious of you to say we have slipped, when you knew darn well, that it would be impossible to improve or maintain the statistical records we set in 2000. The fact that we havn't achieved those same statistical marks is a convenient excuse to say we have slipped. I just think we havn't been able to get our best team on the park, and are begining to suffer some mental strain of performing to THAT standard every week. Our best form in 2001 (such as against the Bulldogs, Hawthorn, Sydney in Rd4 and Richmond) shows me that our best is still as good as it was in 2000, but we havn't been able to play to that level 100% of the time, whihc is prefectly understandable.

It's a bit like Melbourne in 1957. After having won their 2nd consecutive flag in 1956 with a 16-2 record, the Dees only won 12 games in 1957. They ended up winning the flag anyway in '57, and went on to win the 1959 and 1960 flags too!

I'm not saying we will do what Melbourne did, but I am just saying it is unrealistic to expect even Essendon to maintin a 20 win home and away season, regardless of the talent we have on our list.

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

Dan25

Interesting to compare your club with Melbourne of the 50's. Quite a valid comparison, it COULD turn out that way for you and at the moment its hard to say. Of course you guys could go the other way and be like South Melbourne in the 30's - Best team going around by miles but not much to show for it by way of silverware. Chronic inder-achievers in other words.

Anyway, thats for us to see in the furture and we shall see. What I'm saying is that the difference between being a 1950's Melbourne and a 1930's South Melbourne is very fine indeed and I'm sure after the 99PF you would be acutely aware of this.

OK people - a reality check here ok ?

Going into Sunday's game Sydney was in 7th (yes - 7th) place with an 11-7 record and a reasonable percentage. We had experience an up and down season thus far but we felt we were playing well enough NOT to fell like imposters in the top 8.

Essendon ('the greatest team ever') were in first place with a percentage of around 138 and a 14-4 record. They were virually unbackable for the premiership and although they had 6 top players out, still looked like they would be able to brush Sydney (yes, the SEVENTH placed Swans that is) aside with too much trouble.

So lets get this right - Essendon trailed the 7th placed Sydney all day, under the roof at Colonial Stadium (hey - isn't that Essendon's home ground ?) but Essendon managed to get up in the end and win it on the siren - well done ! good effort !

But isn't that what 'best teams ever' are supposed to do ?

Especially against a club like Sydney which was in 7th place ?

... and to cap it all off - I find the bombers people here on BigFooty so happy with their teams, er, 'performance' they actually start a thread addressed to me personally just so they can gloat about the win ?

Just what planet do you guys live on may I ask ?

Oh and thanks for all the attention - I'm flattered, but seriously you people must be very concerned about the form of 'the greatest team ever' if you go to all that trouble just to say NAH NAH to my face.

Personally I am delighted that a lowly, loser club like Sydney could give 'the greatest team ever' a good hard game on their own turf.

I am delighted by the way my boys fought it out on Sunday.

And I really am somewhat perplexed by your reaction to the game. You guys are so ****-a-hoop about beating the 7th placed team at home - hmmmm I don't get it.

Aren't you guys supposed to be 'the greatest team ever' ?

or are you (shock horror !) JUST ANOTHER FOOTY TEAM ?

cheers

 

[1AD]

Originally posted by TheMase
Whinging?
What are you talking about?

Im commenting on you saying that 'sydney is ready for another installment' , when this is far from the truth ...

TheMase I am $orry if I up$et you talking about money $ydney have got from the AFL.

Plea$e accept my humble apoligie$.

 

[1AD]

Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
Dan25

. OK people - a reality check here ok ?


cheers

Yes we are just another Football team but just a bit better than yours.

And really you know damn well that your slagging off Essendon is the reason you have copped it so spare us the crap ok

PS you lost we won (again)

 

[windyhill]

Originally posted by 1AD


TheMase I am $orry if I up$et you talking about money $ydney have got from the AFL.

Plea$e accept my humble apoligie$.

Now that is amusing.

And to bsa,you have to be kidding yourself , sydney should have murdered us on sunday,i have not seen Essendon play that bad for years,sydney choked,we took advantage.what players did sydney have missing ?

 

[BMD]

Originally posted by windyhill

Now that is amusing.

And to bsa,you have to be kidding yourself , sydney should have murdered us on sunday,i have not seen Essendon play that bad for years,sydney choked,we took advantage.what players did sydney have missing ?

Warfe
Barry
Schauble (there's half the defence for a start)
Lewis
Fosdike

Now I'm not claiming that these players are the equivalent of Lloyd, Hird etc, but we were not at full strength.

No credit goes to Sydney at all, for forcing Essendon to not play that well?

Sydney fans are getting used to that, Carlton played badly against us, Hawthorn played badly against us, Adelaide played badly against us, North played badly against us and now Essendon played badly against us. Is it just me, or is this more than a coincidence?

 

[TheMase]

I have been saying this for a while BMD!
Im glad someone notices aswell!

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

get used to it BMD

If you follow this game, one thing becomes apparent very quickly.

Only Victorians can play footy - when a Victorian side loses to a non-Victorian side it is the Victorian club that played badly.

Never ever ever will a Non-Victorian club play better footy than a Victorian club - never.

Adelaide and the WCE have won two flags each but don't forget mate - they can't play footy.

Same with us - heaven forbid if Sydney actaully win a flag - it will be because the opposition lost it rather than us winning it.

Don't ever expect respect or even understanding from Victorains - they are far too busy gazing intently at their own navels.



cheers

 

[Dan26]

BSA.

You've got to understand that even though it was 1v7 at our home ground, the form of the two sids, and the personnel that was on show was not reflective at all of the ladder position.

Admittedly, Sydney had some payers out, but we had Lloyd, Hird, Barnes, M Johnson, Rioli, Soloman, Blumfield and Long out of the side. In addition, we were in poor form, while the Swans were red hot.

No matter how good a side is, there will always be times when that side is not playing as well as they could, or their confidence is down. We were in that situation, and for us to beat Sydney, despite not being anywhere near our best (and Sydney played very well too) was a great victory for us, given the circumstances.

I rate Sydney as a pretty fair side, and when they play well, they are a difficult side to beat. The problem with Sydney is, that there is a massive gulf betwen their best and worst form.

 

[1AD]

Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
get used to it BMD


Don't ever expect respect or even understanding from Victorains - they are far too busy gazing intently at their own navels.



cheers

Beats gazing at what I heard you Sydney blokes gaze at (not that there is anything wrong with that)

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

yeah ok point taken

But youse guys must be looking over your shoulder at the moment.

Self belief and passion is what is winning games for you these days, and in that respect your performance over recent weeks has been astounding.

BUT - its a long, LONG way from the Essendon we all knew and feared last year and for the early part of this year.

Just keeping woth the Syd v Ess theme, that Round 4 game at the SCG really sticks in my memory because in pouring rain and minus Lloyd and Misiti you guys gave one of the most awesome displays of skill that I think I had ever seen.

You didn't fumble or drop a single handpass, not a single kick went astray, your hand skills were so slick you got pinged fotr throws a couple of times.

Quite simply you blew us away that night and gave us a lesson in how a premiership side plays in wet weather against a fancied opponent on their home ground.

But even a true believer such yourself would have to concede Essendon are playing nothing like that quality of footy these days.

Cripes - I even saw un-forced skill errors in abundance on Sunday.

You've come off your high and now look dead ordinary out there I must say ...

But as I said earlier, your self belief, passion and outstanding esprit de corps remain intact and THAT is what got you over the Swans on Sunday and THAT is what will ensure you still have a big say in the September action.

cheers

 

[Dave]

Originally posted by Bloodstained Angel
get used to it BMD

If you follow this game, one thing becomes apparent very quickly.

ranting followed

Geez, I can understand you being bitter about sundays game but that's just a tad over the top isn't it? We're not all that bad!

 

[Bloodstained Angel]

you don't think so ?

 

[Dave]

Well *I* may not be but's there's a couple in here that seem fairly reasonable Mr MasterFisherman sir

 

[Grendel]

Couple of points, the Swans when they beat Hawks forced the Hawks into playing badly. While the Hawks played badly it was due to the Swans pressure. Maybe thats why the Swans are not getting due credit for their wins?

Dons and slipping from last year? My oath, Barnes was (very nearly) All Australian ruck last year. No where near that form this season. Bewick was damaging of off the bench with his nous, Moorcroft while spectacular is not even close to Boris in consitency and output. Long has missed (and probably, my opinion here, will continue to miss) the majority of the season. For all many peoples views on Mick, he is (was?) a very clever footballer with an ability to create that half chance.

Added to that others such as Lucas, Carecella, Mercuri, Misiti are all down over this season on their form for 2000.

Taken purely on stats, it all shows that while still a terrific side, they are not as dominant (be mighty hard to achieve that level back to back) this year. Foolish to state anything to the contrary.

As Darky said, they are still (deservedly so) flag favourites. Yet this season they have bled, something that didnt happen for near on two seasons previous.

Oh, and windy, waiting for the day that you run into cess half tanked and let him know what you REALLY think of him!!!