Changes Round 4 vs Bombers

[Wahooti Fandango]

That’s the concerning thing - the Bombers will now be extra determined after this embarrassment in the betting markets. This is just like Scott Morrison in the 2019 election.

Even if that is the case, our skills are shizen. I would not worry if I was you.

 

[bresker]

Nate Caddy is pretty much their best player from what Ive seen this year.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Nate Caddy is pretty much their best player from what Ive seen this year.

He is also their main focal point up forward. I guess big Peter Wright will now be the go to.

 

[bresker]

He is also their main focal point up forward. I guess big Peter Wright will now be the go to.

Big Peter isn't a Majak Daw but he does enjoy playing us, he's kicked 7 & 4 in previous games.
But he's never met Michael 'The Glove' Sellwood.

 

[Dogs_R_Us]

Big Peter isn't a Majak Daw but he does enjoy playing us, he's kicked 7 & 4 in previous games.
But he's never met Michael 'The Glove' Sellwood.

And Buku “Bite you on the knee” Khamis.

 

[grassman75]

Bit of a danger game for us, this one.

Danger game for Scott and Bevo

 

[threenewpadlocks]

If there's any opportunity, with no Libba, for Sanders to take a game by the scruff of the neck and prove that he's going to be an A-grader in the future, this is the one - against weak opposition a chance to play a truly dominant game. I genuinely have faith that he can - he's another year fitter, another year older, and he's started the season well via generally clean disposal from tight spaces, 8 intercepts across 2 matches, and effective kicking when he's kicked it. But the issue is, you really can't be a match winner with bad decision making! He's got to kick more often!

Last year, when he similarly played against an incredibly weak opponent, when he was subbed on in the 3rd quarter vs. West Coast when we were already 12 goals up, he proceeded to have 6 handballs and 2 FA from 8 uncontested possessions. Ugh. That was why he was dropped for the following week. He can arrest that bad game against a bad opponent via this game. This isn't meant to be a slap - I have faith he can! He just needs to eventually show it, and this is an opportunity for him to!

While he's playing well, he can certainly provide better value via kicking. He doesn't fail to hit targets by foot - an indeed, the 9 times he's elected to kick this year have hit the targets far better than league-average expectations given the nature of winning the ball in the spaces he does, so it's not through lack of skill for doing so. It's a mindset thing.

This was the infuriating example of it last week, in a tight game - he had the opportunity to wheel and kick inside 50 to the top of the square (even if not to a specific target). Instead he handballs to a player, about to be tackled, with the player tackling him in his field of vision (therefore should have been a factor in deciding not to handball at the last second, thus forcing the hack kick forward). It is only through good fortune not via Sanders's decision making that it was an illegal tackle and a free kick to Jaques.



Come on Ryley, you're a good kick, just kick it more often!

 

[MaxiBont]

If there's any opportunity, with no Libba, for Sanders to take a game by the scruff of the neck and prove that he's going to be an A-grader in the future, this is the one - against weak opposition a chance to play a truly dominant game. I genuinely have faith that he can - he's another year fitter, another year older, and he's started the season well via generally clean disposal from tight spaces, 8 intercepts across 2 matches, and effective kicking when he's kicked it. But the issue is, you really can't be a match winner with bad decision making! He's got to kick more often!

Last year, when he similarly played against an incredibly weak opponent, when he was subbed on in the 3rd quarter vs. West Coast when we were already 12 goals up, he proceeded to have 6 handballs and 2 FA from 8 uncontested possessions. Ugh. That was why he was dropped for the following week. He can arrest that bad game against a bad opponent via this game. This isn't meant to be a slap - I have faith he can! He just needs to eventually show it, and this is an opportunity for him to!

While he's playing well, he can certainly provide better value via kicking. He doesn't fail to hit targets by foot - an indeed, the 9 times he's elected to kick this year have hit the targets far better than league-average expectations given the nature of winning the ball in the spaces he does, so it's not through lack of skill for doing so. It's a mindset thing.

This was the infuriating example of it last week, in a tight game - he had the opportunity to wheel and kick inside 50 to the top of the square (even if not to a specific target). Instead he handballs to a player, about to be tackled, with the player tackling him in his field of vision (therefore should have been a factor in deciding not to handball at the last second, thus forcing the hack kick forward). It is only through good fortune not via Sanders's decision making that it was an illegal tackle and a free kick to Jaques.



Come on Ryley, you're a good kick, just kick it more often!

Agreed he should have kicked I50, but great to see him looking quick getting the ball and getting space from a tight spot.

 

[LondonBulldog]

Good to see Sanders committed to the club. He is on the cusp of becoming a good player. Two items he needs tiday up

1. Have the confidence to kick more often (nothing wrong with his kicking either)
2. Be more desperate when the ball moves slightly away from you. Has a tendency to go into jog mode too quickly (its a junior habit from players who read the play well, they can slip into the next play instead of keeping the pressure up). Needs to show the desperation and pressure that Libba does if he wants that in and under role.

Heading in the right direction, yet footy is tough and a lot fighting for the onball spots (which is great).

 

[Blewdog]

Sanders is a genuinely lovely kick, and he hits targets when he does finally put it on the boot. I honestly think if he kicked 10 times more a game, he'd be one of the better young mids. He is clean as **** in the contest and has a great burst of speed. He reminds me of Dangerfield, except when he's in space, he does a 180 and handballs to a bloke 2m behind him.

 

[hutchy31]

This is the biggest percentage opportunity probably this season. Worst team in the comp, at home, missing their best forward. Darcy and Naughton should be kicking 10+ on their own, total score should be 25 goals or more.

How do we lose, or only win in a close one? I can only think of two possibilities - all time butchering in front of goal (6.32 or something) or a spate of injuries leaving us with no rotations.

I’m hoping we see a youngster have a big game, and obviously at least 30 and 3 from Bont.

 

[JohnnySteel]

Has to be Dolan & Arty for Libba & Hynes

Sanders with extra inside mid minutes.

I think Hynes will be a gun brute mid/forward in time but for team balance Dolan/Arty are a better fit forward of the ball, he’ll need to go back and dominate the midfield in VFL for now.

 

[scratchie]

Even if that is the case, our skills are shizen. I would not worry if I was you.

I have to ask, wtf is going on at Essendon? The team appears physically weak, unfit, disorganized and demoralized. What must the supporter base be thinking - full rebuild, new coach - is there still disharmony at the top. I normally enjoy watching Essendon and Carlton suffer a bit but I m feeling sorry for Essendon nowadays - it’s been too long.

 

[dogwatch]

This is the biggest percentage opportunity probably this season. Worst team in the comp, at home, missing their best forward. Darcy and Naughton should be kicking 10+ on their own, total score should be 25 goals or more.

How do we lose, or only win in a close one? I can only think of two possibilities - all time butchering in front of goal (6.32 or something) or a spate of injuries leaving us with no rotations.

...

1. Complacency. Even with all the gee-ups and warnings that are hopefully being dished out within the club it's still easy to fall into the trap of deep-down believing the Dons will be a pushover.
2. Form is not a constant. In every form cycle there's a low point (roughly where the Dons are now) followed by an up-tick. Form is fluid. As a few random good things start to happen, confidence returns and soon becomes infectious. Essendon may also finally be embarrassed by - and respond to - all their dismal showings and the public lashings they've received. For some, including the coach, it's also a career crisis. Beware the cornered rat.
3. Unpicking our new system. In recent days there has been analysis of our system, especially how we defend, how we allow cheap possession when the opposition is in it's defensive third, etc. So how long will it be until opposition coaches are devising effective strategies to counter that? Will Brad be the first to do so?

Perhaps none of these is enough to bridge the obvious gulf between the form of the two sides but if some of these factors combine (including injuries, inaccuracy mentioned above) then it could be much closer than some are expecting.
I hope we win by 150 but it could be much much less if things go awry.

 

[Golden_6]

On top of Essendon being shit, their missing Caddy & Redman who are probably two of the their top 5 players (with Martin out too).

 

[Optimistic Dog]

Supporters predicting a huge win.

Bevo will be saying something like they ran north to 2 goals, finished off the game.well. Teams that finsh well normally start off well the next week so be alert on your game no game is easy.

 

[glenashley]

Got Dale at $23 for 40+ disposals.

Wonder if they'll put work into him after last time?

 

[Libbaaaa]

Got Dale at $23 for 40+ disposals.

Wonder if they'll put work into him after last time?

The 49 was the first game wasn’t?

 

[threenewpadlocks]

Got Dale at $23 for 40+ disposals.

Wonder if they'll put work into him after last time?

Bold for you to assume Essendon will get it in their attacking half for Dale to be anywhere near it

 

[doggie dog]

I have to ask, wtf is going on at Essendon? The team appears physically weak, unfit, disorganized and demoralized. What must the supporter base be thinking - full rebuild, new coach - is there still disharmony at the top. I normally enjoy watching Essendon and Carlton suffer a bit but I m feeling sorry for Essendon nowadays - it’s been too long.

In the drug world there is a saying.....what goes up must come down.
The longer the high, the longer the come down.
Seems appropriate for this team

 

[glenashley]

Bold for you to assume Essendon will get it in their attacking half for Dale to be anywhere near it

True. Interesting that the bombers are considered a better (odds) chance of beating us than Dale getting 40 touches??

 

[Floridog]

If our kicking accuracy was still where it was a few years ago this could have been the game where a team reaches 100 without kicking a goal.

 

[DognBones]

Got Dale at $23 for 40+ disposals.

Wonder if they'll put work into him after last time?

I think Dale is a bit down on form thus far. Doesn't seem to have either the confidence or fitness to do the fast runs off half back we are used to. Averaging just 20 disposals in the first 3 games which is well below historical averages.Not sure what's going on under those leg bandages but it could be a factor.

 

[Libbaaaa]

I think Dale is a bit down on form thus far. Doesn't seem to have either the confidence or fitness to do the fast runs off half back we are used to. Averaging just 20 disposals in the first 3 games which is well below historical averages.Not sure what's going on under those leg bandages but it could be a factor.

I feel like the bye would have done him the world of good, has been playing banged up and its a credit to him he has been out there at all.

 

[bresker]

Looks like no debut this week, or we would have heard by now?