Essendon 2017

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

No penetration on his kicking & looks to have lost a yard of pace

Yep he's cooked glad he pulled the pin.

 

[Bigjobss]

Season is a passmark.
Would have to be some chance to win an elimination final but can't see them progressing further.

Pretty much this.
Most bombers supporters are simply happy that we havent sucked for the first time in a while. And credit to the media (I feel dirty saying this) but there has been very little #brave crap this year, we are all over it.

On our gameplan/style it has a certain element of a fat kid running downhill, it is a bit of a spectacle and exciting to watch but you just dont know how much control there is or how things are going to finish up.

 

[Ari]

On our gameplan/style it has a certain element of a fat kid running downhill, it is a bit of a spectacle and exciting to watch but you just dont know how much control there is or how things are going to finish up.

 

[The 747]

how can anyone consider essendon's season a success thus far? winning a final would be a success for them given it hasn't happened for a while. just making the finals to be bundled out i wouldn't say is a success.

They finished last in 2016 and were bottom 4 in 2015. Now they look set to play finals how can that possibly not be called a success?

 

[Phat Toni]

started the season thinking 10-11 wins would be a win and we'd need some luck with the injury list(everybody was saying the 10 returning would break down). Injury list has been really good and we'll probably clock in at 12 wins and a finals berth, tick - good year in my books!

In finals depends on the match ups but a game against the Power or Tigers could potentially(everything would have to go right) yield a win, alternatively a trip to Sydney would be a blow out of the highest order.

Next year will be interesting, the hunting pack of Dogs, Saints, Eagles(always in the hunt with 12 games @ Subi + NicNat) and Hawks could all get on a run and all could kick 4 current teams out of the finals, that's where we are at with the AFL at the moment.

Next year and the Bombers - probably 6 to 8 changes (Stanton/Watson/Kelly/Hocking/Morgan/Jackson Merrett all out at a minimum). That's a lot of changes for a team hoping to kick on, couple that with a slightly tougher draw and probably not as good a run with injuries and it could be 1 step forward and 2 steps back depending on the progression of Francis/Langford/Laverde/McGrath/Parish + others. The question remains - is there two guys in this group ready to stand up and take the front line duties of Watson/Kelly(the only two who really have contributed in 2017) the answer is probably yes as their impact in 2017 has been limited, honestly though I think they should go and hunt some good mid-tier talent for the midfield and probably try and land a couple of them to fit into age demographic of the group. So 1 Jacob Hopper and Jasper Pittard to go thanks!

 

[Del165198]

They finished last in 2016 and were bottom 4 in 2015. Now they look set to play finals how can that possibly not be called a success?

Do i really need to explain this? Last year they were a vfl team. Before that - saga.

 

[The 747]

Do i really need to explain this? Last year they were a vfl team. Before that - saga.

Not much point explaining a stupid argument. They have done far better this year than any year since what 2012? Its clearly a success for them.

 

[Cold Sober]

I think the word you are all looking for is 'PROGRESS'

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

If we do make the finals reckon they will give it a shake we seen over the course of the year the damage they can do against the better sides.

 

[evo]

Heard a few weeks ago on SEN someone (Chris Connolly ?) giving Pyke, Hardwick and Worsfold "a big tick" for 2017. I don't see it that way with Essendon at all. Ten losses for the year as the older team spells trouble (Hawthorn and West Coast also have 10).

Disagree. Essendon have an absolutely terrible list. Worsfold has pulled a modern day miracle to get them anywhere near the 8

Mastercoach, for mine.

 

[Ambrosia]

If we do make the finals reckon they will give it a shake we seen over the course of the year the damage they can do against the better sides.

Can't see that being the case. Finals are won at the contest and we have been deplorable in that area all year.

 

[Del165198]

Not much point explaining a stupid argument. They have done far better this year than any year since what 2012? Its clearly a success for them.

Celebrating the grand achievement of making an elimination final seems rather Richmond-esque

 

[Nuggs Bunny]

Celebrating the grand achievement of making an elimination final seems rather Richmond-esque

I remember when Port was celebrating the first time when they didn't have to bring out the tarps on match day. Different milestones for different clubs brother.

 

[bombersfan4000]

They finished last in 2016 and were bottom 4 in 2015. Now they look set to play finals how can that possibly not be called a success?

Not winning the flag

 

[bombersfan4000]

Disagree. Essendon have an absolutely terrible list. Worsfold has pulled a modern day miracle to get them anywhere near the 8

Mastercoach, for mine.

Probably on par with the tigers ATM easily

 

[Rack Watts]

Probably on par with the tigers ATM easily

Yup. But we have a future.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Not much point explaining a stupid argument. They have done far better this year than any year since what 2012? Its clearly a success for them.

2014 they lose an elim final, likely with 11-12 of the same players + Kelly (i.e. same core). Few improvements around the ground, few losses (e.g. Watsons form, Hibberd).

Overall based on that 2017 is a mere pass, which is still 'success' but they didn't wildly exceed expectations.

Winning a final would be huge for them and the likes of Merrett, Parish, AMT, and Daniher. Think they can if they get Sydney (strangely I think Melbourne can win if they get Port, Essendon can win if they get Sydney - Bombers seem to match up well on the Swans).

 

[SterlingArcher]

Not sure the soft draw argument really stacks up when we lost to Carlton, Brisbane and Fremantle anyway, if we do end up making it, we've had to beat teams inside the 8 to do it.

Helps when you can lose and then still beat Carlton, Brisbane and (likely) Fremantle though.

Which top 8 teams did you beat? Port & Geelong. Hardly the 'hard way'. 2-6 against top 8 teams, 6-3 against bottom 6 teams. Some Essendon fans have a word for Josh Kennedys goalkicking record which is similar...

Disclaimer: I think soft draw excuses are a load of shit anyway because 22 games is a much better reflection of your position than 3 double-up games, but just saying it's not like you've lost out from having 10 games against bottom 6 sides.
Definitely agree you've earned your spot, as every finals team does

 

[Ron The Bear]

They finished last in 2016 and were bottom 4 in 2015. Now they look set to play finals how can that possibly not be called a success?

The wheels fell off under Hird in 2015 and last year was an anomaly. There hasn't been any real progression from 2014. A pass could only be conceded if some concession is made for the saga, and I think Worsfold has made good mileage from that already.

Year|Coach|Ladder|Avg age|Age rank
\2007|Sheedy|12th|25.25|6th
\2008|Knights|12th|24.21|12th
\2009|Knights|8th|24.03|11th
\2010|Knights|14th|23.68|14th
\2011|Hird|8th|24.09|12th
\2012|Hird|11th|24.62|10th
\2013|Hird|9th**|24.85|10th
\2014|Thompson|8th|25.35|7th
\2015|Hird|15th|25.17|7th
\2016|Worsfold|18th|25.21|8th
\2017|Worsfold|8th*|25.70|4th

The 22 is set for a refresh, and improvement is difficult to make while a team is getting younger. But as said earlier, if Essendon makes the finals in 2018 with an average of say 25.0, I would re-assess their short-term future.

 

[blitzer]

2014 they lose an elim final, likely with 11-12 of the same players + Kelly (i.e. same core). Few improvements around the ground, few losses (e.g. Watsons form, Hibberd).

Overall based on that 2017 is a mere pass, which is still 'success' but they didn't wildly exceed expectations.

Winning a final would be huge for them and the likes of Merrett, Parish, AMT, and Daniher. Think they can if they get Sydney (strangely I think Melbourne can win if they get Port, Essendon can win if they get Sydney - Bombers seem to match up well on the Swans).

I don't think you can look at our list 3 years ago and use that as the basis for how we should be performing this year. Some of our most important players now: Zac Merrett didn't yet have the fitness base to play full games and was regularly the sub in his first year, Fantasia was playing VFL, Daniher was in his second year and he was only just getting regular games and he was a young colt who could jump really high but got outbodied easily, Tippa was playing VFL for us and not listed.

I would argue our core is very different. Only 4-5 players in our core would still be the same: Hurley, Zaharakis, Heppell, Hooker and Goddard (with Watson no longer being part of our core but still getting a spot in our 22). The rest of the core is probably the players I've listed above - which includes 3 of our top 4 goal kickers and have kicked over 30 goals this year.

Some of the guys that have left like Ryder, Hibberd and Carlisle were all very important players for us back in 2014. Basically my point is we're a very different team.

I disagree that we would do well against Sydney in a final. We did well in the H&A match its true but in finals their experience and superior midfield would wreck us. Also they named a particularly slow side that day which really played into our hands but the side that played Adelaide last week would belt us I reckon.

We did a good job against Port earlier in the year where we won by 10 goals (at Etihad mind you) and I would fancy our chances against them as being pretty decent.

 

[Jesse Custer]

Celebrating the grand achievement of making an elimination final seems rather Richmond-esque

We get it. You hate the club.

 

[Fozdog]

Most posters on Big Footy had Essendon finishing 10-12th when asked where they'd finish this year. Now we've beaten that (possibly) we've underachieved? Gimme a spell.

 

[JayJ20]

Helps when you can lose and then still beat Carlton, Brisbane and (likely) Fremantle though.

Which top 8 teams did you beat? Port & Geelong. Hardly the 'hard way'. 2-6 against top 8 teams, 6-3 against bottom 6 teams. Some Essendon fans have a word for Josh Kennedys goalkicking record which is similar...

Disclaimer: I think soft draw excuses are a load of shit anyway because 22 games is a much better reflection of your position than 3 double-up games, but just saying it's not like you've lost out from having 10 games against bottom 6 sides.
Definitely agree you've earned your spot, as every finals team does

Don't forget that we had Sydney away pretty much won before everything went wrong in the last couple of minutes. We also only lost by 16 pts against GWS away and 15 against Richmond after being less than 10 points down in the last for both games. Adelaide is the only side that we haven't gone near

 

[andrewb]

I'm assuming this is a drunken bait thread (Essendons resurgence isn't unprecedented at all, WCE made a prelim in 2011 after a spoon in 2010, Essendon haven't even secured finals) but I'll bite.

Essendon are one A grade inside mid and a couple solid B grade mids (Think Dom Tyson level) from challenging for a flag. Probably need a medium forward too but I really rate their list.

I think our midfield will be fine TBH, it's just a year or two off.

Next year the core rotation will be:

Heppell (25), Zach Merrett (21), Zaharakis (27), Parish (20), McGrath (19), Myers (28), Bird (28), Colyer (25) with Tippa (24) and Fantasia (21) rolling through.

We've got a few good kids coming through in Langford (20), Laverde (21) and Mutch (19) who have shown a bit at both AFL and VFL level. My expectation is that Langford and Laverde will gradually push Myers and Bird out of the rotation, they're big bodied kids (both 6'3") who should come of age over the next 18 months. Begley (19) is a big, competitive beast who also looks like he could roll through the midfield and do some damage.

We need to find some rebound off the half back line to replace Pops Kelly (retired) and McGrath who will move up to a wing but other than that the list is in reasonable nick. Dodoro and Keane have done a great job with very limited draft resources over the last few years.

Ambrose, Hurley, Bellchambers, Daniher, Hooker is a really good spine and we have tall depth with Mitch Brown, James Stewart, Aaron Francis, Mick Hartley.

 

[Bunk Moreland]

Probably a pass I reckon. Losses to Carlton, Brisbane and Sydney really wrecked our season and any shot at real success. Hopefully less brainfades next year