changes against melbourne

[The Donners]

I find it funny when people say Skipworth and Houli should be dropped. They have both been very solid the last couple of rounds, if someone is going to be dropped it will be either Lonergan, or a slight chance in Gus.

Skipworth holds the ball up far too much and Houli is too soft. Simple really.

Monfries won't be dropped at any stage this season. We have very few small forwards and Monfries is leading Essendon for goal assists and is equal 5th goal-scorer. Whether I believe he's the right type of forward for Essendon moving forward is another question.

 

[slick1]

Melbourne would be a good game to get some run into the legs of Fletcher. With no dis-respect to them, there forward line isn't really a massive threat at the moment, and could get him ready for a tough couple of weeks coming up.

 

[bomberstomake8]

Melbourne would be a good game to get some run into the legs of Fletcher. With no dis-respect to them, there forward line isn't really a massive threat at the moment, and could get him ready for a tough couple of weeks coming up.

personally i dont think fletcher needs time, he has been around for a long time, someone above mentioned the example of mcveigh not being ready, well mcveigh had a longer stint on the sidelines and is a midfeilder (fitness is paramount), for fletcher however his role doesnt require the same level of fitness his role is dominantly about reading the play. fletcher should NEVER play for bendigo unless his form warrants it eg scott lucas

 

[bomberstomake8]

Skipworth holds the ball up far too much and Houli is too soft. Simple really.

Monfries won't be dropped at any stage this season. We have very few small forwards and Monfries is leading Essendon for goal assists and is equal 5th goal-scorer. Whether I believe he's the right type of forward for Essendon moving forward is another question.

although i agree in regards to skipworth he would be still adjusting to the speed of afl and the game plan, he hasnt had as long to get used to it as others have

in relation to houli i have to say i disagree on the soft issue, although he was critised for it ealier in the season he seems to put his body on the line when required. the tackle on hodge - example 1. the bump from cam mooney where he held his ground and gave off a great clearing handball - example 2. there would be plenty more thats just a couple off the top of my head. he has been good the last month

 

[Hirdman]

That's not the point. The point is sooner or later you're going to have to play 'underdone' players.

Would you rather play an 'underdone' player against Melbourne or Carlton?

Yet that was the point you made (albeit poorly)

Fletcher would be one of the very few players that you could bring in off a 4-5 week layoff, due to the position he plays and his ability to read the play and not expend that much energy. The question is not when to play underdon players its when they are ready and how many can you play in the one game. Fletch plays when he is ready I promise you he wont be running around for Bendigo.

 

[The Donners]

in relation to houli i have to say i disagree on the soft issue, although he was critised for it ealier in the season he seems to put his body on the line when required. the tackle on hodge - example 1. the bump from cam mooney where he held his ground and gave off a great clearing handball - example 2. there would be plenty more thats just a couple off the top of my head. he has been good the last month

I couldn't disagree any more. I could probably only remember one time that sticks out for me where he shit himself, take yourself back to the St. Kilda game, he's deep in St. Kilda's forward line and he panics, dishes the hands off directly to Kosi (or Roo) who snaps a behind from 10 metres out.

I couldn't keep count of the number of times he's given hands off to teammates heavily under pressure. Sorry but I'm not sure if this guy is ever going to cut it. Absolutely beautiful kick - sometimes. We may as well bring Nash back into the team.

 

[bomberstomake8]

I couldn't disagree any more. I could probably only remember one time that sticks out for me where he shit himself, take yourself back to the St. Kilda game, he's deep in St. Kilda's forward line and he panics, dishes the hands off directly to Kosi (or Roo) who snaps a behind from 10 metres out.

I couldn't keep count of the number of times he's given hands off to teammates heavily under pressure. Sorry but I'm not sure if this guy is ever going to cut it. Absolutely beautiful kick - sometimes. We may as well bring Nash back into the team.

so do 90% of our team, your comment was saying that houli is soft, my comment is he isnt, he puts his head over the ball and puts his body on the line when he needs to.

i could give you examples where every single player in our team has handballed to a player under pressure, yes houli does do it a lot, but he is still very young, he will gain composure with confidence, his defensive jobs have been admirable, atleast he is trying to generate run out of defence,
im not saying his perfect he definately has floors but doesnt deserve to be dropped.

 

[GoldenboyHird_5]

so what do you do in 2 weeks time when Slattery, Fletch, NLM and hurley all become available. Make FOUR changes against Carlton? Would be ridiculous.

You have to bring them in one or two at a time. Bring Fletch and/or Hurley in this week, then next week bring the other two in.

 

[The Dustbin]

If we didn't have the bye last week, I reckon Zaka would be odds on to be ommitted this week. Having said that, his form has gradually being dropping off and looked tired against Ade...

Out: Zaka
In: Woosher - Welcome back.

 

[efcboy]

winderlich for zaka this week seems a no-brainer.

then assuming he's right to go i would imagine fletcher would replace one of hocking or lonergan.

houli's biggest flaw is his ability to handpass under pressure - his handballing is terrible. definitely needs to work on that.

 

[ant555]

in relation to houli i have to say i disagree on the soft issue, although he was critised for it ealier in the season he seems to put his body on the line when required. the tackle on hodge - example 1. the bump from cam mooney where he held his ground and gave off a great clearing handball - example 2. there would be plenty more thats just a couple off the top of my head. he has been good the last month

You have given two examples of areas he is not soft in but missed the one problem he has. He goes in hard in tackes and around packs. He wears a bump when he has the footy in his hads but he simply does not like front on contact. He does not go hard enough if there is a chance of being hit front on.
That being said he has played ok, he just needs to back himself and kick the bloody ball more often rather than getting caught looking for handballs and doing u-turns. His short passing game is good enough to pick apart any zone.

 

[Kong]

Knights has announced that both Fletcher and Welsh will play. Winderlich is a possibility.

Two star Bombers look set to return to the senior side this Friday night against Melbourne at Etihad Stadium.

Speaking to media today, Matthew Knights said that veteran Dustin Fletcher has recovered from a cracked fibula and Andrew Welsh is fit and ready to go after playing two VFL games.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/news/news.asp?nid=6726

Fletcher is a very welcome return. I have my doubts on how much Welsh will be able to contribute, however. Hopefully the likes of McVeigh, Skipworth, Lucas, Prismall and Reimers have a lot more to offer after another week under their belts.

 

[Hencho]

We'll have a few down weeks I think with bringing in Remiers, Welsh, McVeigh and Prismall in all around the same time but we'll be better off for it in the long run.

INS: Fletcher, Winderlich, Welsh
OUTS: Skipworth, Zaharakis, ? not too sure about who the third will be

 

[daffo]

We are currently carrying a couple of players, so I doubt we can carry another mid so I doubt Welsh will be an inclusion.

 

[Mad Bomber Sean]

Considering our ruck concerns & todays news Fletch will play.

Welsh I am not so sure about.

Given Welshy hasn't played all year, and considering just how low on match fitness our team is with the recent inclusion of Mcveigh, Prizza, Reimers Skippy & the week off - it might be too much for us. I can't see him playing, but next week - he would be a good inclusion V Blues.

Winders is a lock.

Until I get a training report I like the following :

In's: Fletch, Winders
Outs: Zaha, Skippy

 

[The_Young_Gun]

IN:
Fletch, Welsh, Winder.

OUT:
Zaha, Hooker, Skipworth.

Hooker and a number of others were getting killed by Adelaides forward line last week... Hooker to be precise didn't do much good, looks like he's lost a bit of grunt that he had like against Hawthorn...

 

[fella1]

IN:
Fletch, Welsh, Winder.

OUT:
Zaha, Hooker, Skipworth.

Hooker and a number of others were getting killed by Adelaides forward line last week... Hooker to be precise didn't do much good, looks like he's lost a bit of grunt that he had like against Hawthorn...

I concur, Melbourne aren't especially tall up forward, so it makes sense to swap Hooker out for Fletch.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Melbourne might actually play pretty tall up forward, on the dees board their expecting the debut of Jurrah (tallish forward), potentially Watts, Miller, Jurrah, Sylvia, and Robertson... Could be interesting, we need to dominate out of the centre.

 

[wazzabp]

We are currently carrying a couple of players, so I doubt we can carry another mid so I doubt Welsh will be an inclusion.

I'd take the chance to get a game into them this week, freshen up the younger guys, because I gaurentee not one Essendon person will want to drop either of the following 2 games!

 

[Boucks09]

IN:
Fletch, Welsh, Winder.

OUT:
Zaha, Hooker, Skipworth.

Hooker and a number of others were getting killed by Adelaides forward line last week... Hooker to be precise didn't do much good, looks like he's lost a bit of grunt that he had like against Hawthorn...

Who would you suggest assist Paddy in the ruck if Hooker is dropped?

Jamar and Johnson are much better (and bigger) than Maric and Moran.

 

[Ricky]

Knighter: Fletcher and Welsh WILL Play!

To Be Honest I really don't like this...Welsh would be extremely underdone..as would Fletcher..I'd be happy with one more week...But I'm not the coach am I

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Jamar and Johnson are much better than Maric and Moran.

No chance. Johnson is improving but they aren't of a better standard than Maric and Moran.

 

[Kaan]

Re: Knighter: Fletcher and Welsh WILL Play!

I'd bring Welsh back in this week since he's played 2 VFL games but Fletcher should play half a game in VFL and be ready for an important game against Carlton.

 

[ghostdog]

Re: Knighter: Fletcher and Welsh WILL Play!

Hoping Welsh's state of readiness is better than Reimers and Prismalls was. Indeed, hoping that Reimers and Prismall are up to it on Friday night if selected. If we can avoid carrying players too much it will benefit.

I want;
1. A massive percentage boosting win.
2. This match, if these players run on, to have them ready for Carlton... please.

 

[Godzke]

Re: Knighter: Fletcher and Welsh WILL Play!

I'd bring Welsh back in this week since he's played 2 VFL games but Fletcher should play half a game in VFL and be ready for an important game against Carlton.

I agree, unless he's really fit and ready for a game.