Essendawn

[Burzum]

IT is early on the second day of Essendon's new dawn, and coach Matthew Knights is perched in a cafe adjoining Princes Park, eagerly outlining his plans for the Bombers.

Sitting huddled in a nearby corner is the Carlton hierarchy, no doubt debating the onerous task of how they will fit Chris Judd and Matthew Kreuzer into their line-up.

Meanwhile, Knights is calmly detailing how he must not only replace the most charismatic coach in AFL history, but do so without a player he regards as the most dominant midfielder in modern football.

No James Hird, no Sheedy and, according to some, no hope.

And yet, incredibly, Knights is laughing out loud.

"I think (Hird) and (Chris) Judd are the best midfielders going around - and I mean in the last 20 to 25 years - and Hird won this year's best-and-fairest," Knights says.

"It's not a little hole coming out of our side, it's a crater. I have taken on the gig without our best-and-fairest winner, with the best midfielder in the last 25 years stepping out.

"And apparently he did a hill session with Andrew Welsh the other day and he's still going all right, so I will have to have a couple of lattes with him to slow him down."

If Knights can find humour in the situation it is not out of any sense of desperation.

He knows what he has got himself into and is ready to roll up his sleeves.

He says he is ready to execute the detailed plan he put to the Essendon board, which means doing whatever is required to get the job done.

After the club's first time trial this week, Knights discussed his plans for the Essendon list and presented a package of optimism and excitement.

He will not be underestimating the task, but neither does he have the negativity some believe should be associated with Essendon's much-debated list.

"I am really excited to be the new coach of the Essendon Football Club," he says. "I am following probably the greatest coach of all time, so there are doomsayers out there, but that's fine.

"I am pretty comfortable. I am pretty relaxed about that.

"There are different schools of thought out there that we might not have as much talent as other clubs, but I am really excited about our young players, and they are going to be injected into the team and given an opportunity to play.

"We will put players in who will take us to our next premiership.

"What happens on the journey initially, I don't think anyone is quite sure? But it is exciting."

If the sceptics wondered just what Essendon had done when it presented rank outsider Knights as the club's new coach, he has quickly set about changing perceptions.

Knights is so well-presented, so confident, so planned, that you cannot help, but be won over by him.

Insiders say the players are already raving about his calm authority and his plans for the future, and his public performances have been surprisingly polished and full of assurance.

But a club that has missed September in the past three seasons is undoubtedly in a state of transition.

Knights says the list needs to be reinvented rather than rebuilt.

The ageing match-winners are still there, but the midfield remains the significant area of concern for Essendon, as it has been every year post-2001.

Compare the Bombers' onball brigade to the all-conquering Geelong's midfield squad, and perhaps only Brent Stanton would warrant selection.

Knights says the only way to fast-track the midfield to where it needs to be is to play the batch of speedy young kids drafted to address those concerns.

That means youngsters - Leroy Jetta, Bachar Houli, Courtenay Dempsey, Andrew Lovett, et al -- will be given every chance to lock down regular midfield roles.

The good news for Essendon fans is two-fold. Under Knights, there will be plenty of the aforementioned kids, and plenty of excitment.

"Our list lends itself to playing exciting football," he said.

"You are not going to bring in a dour game plan with this group.

"You have good fire-power up front and we have some decent inside players, and then we have drafed young quick kids recently.

"They are going to want to play fast and attacking footy and I am keen on that."

Knights is clearly not Sheedy, and it is so evident that he hopes it might work in his favour.

He won't be a song-and-dance man, but he will be happy to sell the club when needed and do his fair share of media.

"I think that is a massive point of difference. It may be easier for me," he said.

"People have asked if following Sheeds will be different, but there is such a large age and demographic difference. He has given me such a great course in the last three years. Kevin's positivity has been amazing.

"He has opened up my mind to make sure I look at the good parts of players, rather than seeing negative things.

"When I first started coaching I was probably a touch intense. His relaxed nature has been really refreshing from my point of view."

Knights wants to be organised, well-planned, and above all, consistent.
He will also be bold.

Under his new and novel coaching structure Gary O'Donnell will be responsible for "defensive actions" all over the ground; Ashley Prescott will assist Knights with "game-style tempos" and Scott Camporeale will work on "structure and set plays".

Adrian Hickmott will handle the development of players who have been at the club for less than four years and Prescott will work with players who have played four years or more.

Knights is keen to ensure senior players have channels of communication and are not neglected by the push to bring in younger players.

Few can accurately predict where Essendon might end up this year, but Knights is urging supporters to have faith.

"The big thing for the Essendon members and supporters is that there is a plan in place," he said.

"We have the plan and we are going to do it right.

"It won't be one year or two years in, you will see younger players injected into the line-up, and we will find out lsooner rather than later if they cut the mustard.

"I am not putting a cap on next year. We will just see what evolves. And it makes coaching pretty exciting."

http://www.heraldsun.news.com.au/footy/common/story_page/0,8033,22735344%5E19742,00.html

 

[Schmick]

In the paper along with that article it also mentions that:
-McPhee will have a different role this year, he won't be playing back, instead will be playing on the wing and forward.

-Knights would like to see Laycock and Hille being threats up forward and will be rotating forward when ever they get the chance.

-McVeigh will be playing in the midfield alot more this year rather than playing as a flanker.

-Knights said he kept Johns because he is alot more "footy savvy" than people may think.

-Jobe copped abit of criticism towards the end of the year, Jobe got very sore and shouldn't have even played and Knights has big plans for Jobe.
Can't wait

-He also mentioned Hocking and Lonergan. Hocking can win his own ball but can also be a run with player. Lonergan is a rugged typed midfield and Knights thinks that people don't know how good Lonergan could be.
Can't wait to see it.

-Gumby and Ryder were never up for trade when there was the Judd talk as they are our future spine. "They are players we should respect more some other AFL clubs would love to have them"

-Knights also said that our midfield lacks pure class but bats deep. It will mix the clubs experience and ball winning in Peverill, Watson, Johnson, McVeigh, Stanton and Dyson, emerging kids like Lovett and Winderlich and pace kids in
Jetta, Houli, Hislop and Dempsey.
No Monfries or Hocking??? Yet Dyson and Peverill get mentions?

Knights is really saying and doing all the right things, can't wait to see in all put to play next year.......except for Monfries not getting a mention, will that mean that Knights plans to play him forward instead??? Hope not.

 

[Merv]

In the paper along with that article it also mentions that:
-McPhee will have a different role this year, he won't be playing back, instead will be playing on the wing and forward.

-Knights would like to see Laycock and Hille being threats up forward and will be rotating forward when ever they get the chance.

-McVeigh will be playing in the midfield alot more this year rather than playing as a flanker.

-Knights said he kept Johns because he is alot more "footy savvy" than people may think.

-Jobe copped abit of criticism towards the end of the year, Jobe got very sore and shouldn't have even played and Knights has big plans for Jobe.
Can't wait

-He also mentioned Hocking and Lonergan. Hocking can win his own ball but can also be a run with player. Lonergan is a rugged typed midfield and Knights thinks that people don't know how Lonergan could be.
Can't wait to see it.

-Gumby and Ryder were never up for trade when there was the Judd talk as they are our future spine. "They are players we should respect more some other AFL clubs would love to have them"

-Knights also said that our midfield lacks pure class but bats deep. It will mix the clubs experience and ball winning in Peverill, Watson, Johnson, McVeigh, Stanton and Dyson, emerging kids like Lovett and Winderlich and pace kids in
Jetta, Houli, Hislop and Dempsey.
No Monfries or Hocking??? Yet Dyson and Peverill get mentions?

Knights is really saying and doing all the right things, can't wait to see in all put to play next year.......except for Monfries not getting a mention, will that mean that Knights plans to play him forward instead??? Hope not.

I think the Monfries thing was just probably an oversight.

I agree with Lonergan.

He has a fair bit of ability and would have played a lot more if it wasn't for his injuries.

He has a body for the midfield straight away and if stays fit could surprise a few next year.

Hawthorn were quite keen on taking him in the ND.

 

[Darealrath]

McPhee has looked dangerous the few times he's played forward. I don't mind that idea. He's a damn hard match up too, especially seeing he'd get the 3rd tall (or even 4th if Gumby comes on quickly). We'd be pretty tall up forward is the only concern.

The wing should suit him too, only downside is his poise in traffic is lacking.

I wonder if the plan to move him from defence makes us more likely to pick up that Myers chap.

 

[Schmick]

McPhee has looked dangerous the few times he's played forward. I don't mind that idea. He's a damn hard match up too, especially seeing he'd get the 3rd tall (or even 4th if Gumby comes on quickly). We'd be pretty tall up forward is the only concern.

The wing should suit him too, only downside is his poise in traffic is lacking.

I wonder if the plan to move him from defence makes us more likely to pick up that Myers chap.

It's looking likely indeed, and the fact Knights said he wanted to go after a running backman ages ago.

 

[DaSawx]

Loved the part about having strength in numbers in the midfield, so often we were out-numbered around the ball, frustrated the hell out of me

 

[TheDon35]

-He also mentioned Hocking and Lonergan. Hocking can win his own ball but can also be a run with player. Lonergan is a rugged typed midfield and Knights thinks that people don't know how good Lonergan could be.
Can't wait to see it.

If Lonergan was to play I would imagine there would need to be a few injuries to Watson, Hocking, Peverill, McVeigh, and Hislop. He won't make AFL standard IMO. Doesn't have the tools for todays AFL footy.

A handy backup midfielder at best

 

[Schmick]

-He also mentioned Hocking and Lonergan. Hocking can win his own ball but can also be a run with player. Lonergan is a rugged typed midfield and Knights thinks that people don't know how good Lonergan could be.
Can't wait to see it.

If Lonergan was to play I would imagine there would need to be a few injuries to Watson, Hocking, Peverill, McVeigh, and Hislop. He won't make AFL standard IMO. Doesn't have the tools for todays AFL footy.

A handy backup midfielder at best

I think he'll make it, "people don't know how he could be" sounds a bit much, but i do think he'll be a good solid contributor to the club if he get the opportunities and an injury free run.
He seems very determined to make it at AFL level and works very hard so i think if he had an injury free run, Knights obviously has belief in him so he'll probably give him a run if he plays some good footy (which is likely).

 

[Longy413]

If Lonergan was to play I would imagine there would need to be a few injuries to Watson, Hocking, Peverill, McVeigh, and Hislop. He won't make AFL standard IMO. Doesn't have the tools for todays AFL footy.

Unlike all but McVeigh on that list, he has the ability to play as a small forward.
And a good one.

He's a very, very good overhead mark as well.
Something Hocking and Pev lack.

 

[Spikey]

Unlike all but McVeigh on that list, he has the ability to play as a small forward.
And a good one.

He's a very, very good overhead mark as well.
Something Hocking and Pev lack.

What's his kicking like?

 

[Longy413]

What's his kicking like?

This might sound a little silly, but I reckon it's a bit like Hirdy's (in context).

Very good across his body, but is prone to spraying the odd drop punt.

I'd say he's a fair kick of the footy, better than Pev, but not as good as McVeigh/Nash.

 

[Slattery_20]

Loved the part about having strength in numbers in the midfield, so often we were out-numbered around the ball, frustrated the hell out of me

mmm
particularly v North & Hawks, they made the game look spectacularly easy:
When you have the ball, run forward & offer an option
When you don't, get back to half back and wait for the turnover

Main thing I want from the year is fitness & run
We've got so much speed & flair, it just needs to be tempered with stronger bodies & match experience. Two guys I think could help are Hocking & Monfries in the guts of the midfield.

 

[Burzum]

mmm
particularly v North & Hawks, they made the game look spectacularly easy:
When you have the ball, run forward & offer an option
When you don't, get back to half back and wait for the turnover

Main thing I want from the year is fitness & run
We've got so much speed & flair, it just needs to be tempered with stronger bodies & match experience. Two guys I think could help are Hocking & Monfries in the guts of the midfield.

Don't forget accountability.

 

[gPhonque]

That was a good article. I'm really liking Knights' plans so far, and some of the things he's planning to do from day 1 are things I've been crying out for for years. (McVeigh in the midfield... finally!!, McPhee up the ground more, etc)

I'm not up-to-date with all our young players as much as some of you guys are, so I don't really know what we've got hidden away.... but I'm actually seeing our backline as being the worrying area. If we're not light-on in that area at the moment, then we certainly will be when Fletcher goes.... (or gets injured/suspended!)

Anyway, I'm definitely looking forward to watching the Bombers next year. Will be very interesting to see how we play under Knights. It really seems as though he's going to let the players play to their strengths and build a game-plan around THAT.....which is something Sheedy, as much as I loved him and didn't want him to go at the time, never really did.

 

[TheGuitarMan]

^ Yeah, I gotta say, when I first heard about the appointment I was dissappionted because I really wanted Hardwick.

But Knights has done everything right so far, I thought he might be a bit to soft on the players and the media made it look like he was looking at our list through rose coloured glasses, but he's the exact opposite. He handles the media well too.

I don't expect big things next year, it will really be a rebuilding year and we're playing alot of inexperianced players. But that's ok, should set us up for a great 2009, and it iwll be exciting watching all the new guys have a go.

EDIT: I guess Darcy will be a future backman, and if Johns pans out... But we are still short there, especially with Mal and Fletcher gone.

 

[Ari]

Fantastic!!

We need more of these type of articles. Knights should pin them up in the
gym/activites room at Windy Hill.

 

[TheDon35]

Unlike all but McVeigh on that list, he has the ability to play as a small forward.
And a good one.

He's a very, very good overhead mark as well.
Something Hocking and Pev lack.

He is a good overhead mark and can go forward however with players like Jetta, Davey, Lovett, Dempsey, Reimers, already pencilled in for those small forward / midfield rotation rolls and with a raft of power marking options down there already, he's about the 15th in line to play a forward roll.

That's why I think he'll need injuries to get a shot.

 

[bombersmad75]

Cant wait to see the new game plan and new roles come in next year. Should bring back the players that had been limited by the way our old game plan was. Bring on 08.

 

[Longy413]

He is a good overhead mark and can go forward however with players like Jetta, Davey, Lovett, Dempsey, Reimers, already pencilled in for those small forward / midfield rotation rolls and with a raft of power marking options down there already, he's about the 15th in line to play a forward roll.

That's why I think he'll need injuries to get a shot.

I think 15th in line is a stretch.

He's not in our best 22, but this year anyone outside of that (draftees aside) should be pushing for selection if form permits.

Knights is a big advocate of form and fitness, if Lonergan displays the form he showed last year, he'll get a game.

I have no doubt that if it was Round 1 tomorrow, Lonergan would get a game ahead of Lovett based on his fitness levels.

Dempsey doesn't play the role Lonergan would play and I'm not convinced Davey or Jetta will spend considerable time in the midfield this season.

I'm a massive fan of Reimers, but Lonergan is better prepared than him (and Houli for that matter).

He'd need injuries to get a game, based purely on him not being in our best side. But he's not that far away.

 

[TheDon35]

I think 15th in line is a stretch.

He's not in our best 22, but this year anyone outside of that (draftees aside) should be pushing for selection if form permits.

Knights is a big advocate of form and fitness, if Lonergan displays the form he showed last year, he'll get a game.

I have no doubt that if it was Round 1 tomorrow, Lonergan would get a game ahead of Lovett based on his fitness levels.

Dempsey doesn't play the role Lonergan would play and I'm not convinced Davey or Jetta will spend considerable time in the midfield this season.

I'm a massive fan of Reimers, but Lonergan is better prepared than him (and Houli for that matter).

He'd need injuries to get a game, based purely on him not being in our best side. But he's not that far away.

Yep 15th is a stretch.

Still a fair way back in the que for mine but we'll see.