News "Essendon can win the flag" - Tony Shaw

[Call Me Cake]

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/collingwood-premiership-captain-tony-shaw-says-essendon-can-come-from-nowhere-to-win-the-2011-premiership/story-e6frf3e3-1226114660110

Collingwood premiership captain Tony Shaw says Essendon can win this year's flag.

The Bombers came 14th last season and are yet to guarantee a finals berth this year, but Shaw said they had the ingredients needed for the ultimate success.

The Fox Sports AFL expert cited Essendon's speed of ball movement and a strong defence, although he said they would need big performances from captain Jobe Watson in the midfield and young key position player Michael Hurley.

"If they can keep that intensity they can win premierships, they can win the premiership this year," Shaw said on Melbourne's 3AW radio on Sunday.

"Essendon can win the premiership this year if they keep a level.

"I'll tell you why, because this game has been built on one thing and (there are) three or four really good sides who do it well, that defensive pressure.

"You do that for a length of time and you can beat anybody in the competition and I'm serious about that."

http://www.foxsports.com.au/afl/afl-premiership/collingwood-premiership-captain-tony-shaw-says-essendon-can-come-from-nowhere-to-win-the-2011-premiership/story-e6frf3e3-1226114660110

Maybe not this year Tony, but we'll give the top four a shake sooner or later.

 

[BrownPearHookers]

We already know this, Just all other team supporters dont want to believe it

 

[yaco55]

Oh My God !

Did Tony Shaw run into a tree this morning ?

 

[DVD Player]

First the Scotland comment now this. Somebody needs to give this bloke the tap on the shoulder and wheel him off into the retirement home.

 

[Kyptastic]

I thought he said a couple of weeks ago we hadn't improved since last year?

 

[theboxmike]

Won't happen though

 

[Colin D'Cops]

If we can get hold of an A/B+ midfielder during the trade period with pace that's around 23-27, I'll probably be saying the same thing as Shaw; this time next season. Add that midfielder to the development of the likes of Melksham, Colyer, Hurley, Ryder, Carlisle, etc; and it can happen sooner rather than later.

This season however, it'd be mighty tough to get up; won't stop me from wishing though.

 

[tha Freak]

I BELIEVE! I think Shaw is right. This is possible and I'm sure Fletch, Hird, Bomber and others will emphasize the similarities with 93. While other sides are plateauing, the Bombers are still developing and improving.
We're a chance this year.

 

[blitzer]

That's weird, I haven't heard Shaw say anything positive about Essendon all year and all of a sudden we're a chance for the premiership??? Maybe he's trying to put us off by giving us some ridiculous flattery. In all honesty if we made the second round of the finals that would be fantastic, prelim sensational. Basically would need miracle upon miracle to get near the flag this year.

My prediction is we will lose first round again of the finals, come back next year and finish somewhere between 4-6 and be more a legitimate contender.

 

[stugots]

well if we knock off the Eagles next week, I might just get on Shawys bandwagon

he does however make a valid point & if we can keep & get back the necessary players on the park, why not a flag this year?

The Cats are beatable, as are the Blues, Eagles & Swans - Hawks a challenge for mine but no other sides bar the obvious would seriously trouble the Bombers side that played the last couple weeks. & although it doesnt show on the scoreboard we managed to give the Pies a run for their money for most of a game.

A week is a long time in footy - a month is a lifetime

 

[Lord Nicholson]

[youtube]rm81LSKJC2k[/youtube]

 

[Burzum]

 

[Fin ice Smuggler]

think we can win one final, hope for a second but realise there is daylight between us and the heavyweights.

a couple key acquisitions in trade/draft period might give me hope for next year.

 

[table tennis]

He will say we have one of the worst lists in the afl next week when the eagles dismantle us over there.

 

[Bombermania]

Tony Shaw has a point that if we play to our best then of course we can win the flag but................................................................................!



We wont in 2011 for the simple reason that whilst our best is very good, but we are still behind the likes of the Pies, Pussy Cats and Hawks

The big different is our ability to maintain the level that the best three can and do week in and week out.

I see great signs for 2012 but still we will need to improve a great deal to match the top three teams

 

[fishardansin]

If we can get hold of an A/B+ midfielder during the trade period with pace that's around 23-27, I'll probably be saying the same thing as Shaw; this time next season. Add that midfielder to the development of the likes of Melksham, Colyer, Hurley, Ryder, Carlisle, etc; and it can happen sooner rather than later.

This season however, it'd be mighty tough to get up; won't stop me from wishing though.

think we can win one final, hope for a second but realise there is daylight between us and the heavyweights.

a couple key acquisitions in trade/draft period might give me hope for next year.

See two of you said this. However, I'd rather we go to the draft and continue to build this list. I don't want to look for the trade until we're a top 4 team that can't go that extra step like Collingwood and the Bulldogs were up till last year.

Heppell, Melksham, Jetta and Zaka will be these players. Instead of giving away draft picks, and our future, just keep putting in the effort to build up their size and tank.

 

[Valve Bounce]

Tony's been into Mick's weed again.

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

What ever he has been smoking i want some.

 

[The Bomb]

Hurley to kick 11 in the prelim me hope.

 

[Pweter]

This was the word in the round 3/round 4 period, top 4 if not a premiership chance.

Then we lost a few and we were compared to the same side as that which lived the Knightmare.

Now we've won a couple and we're back to being a premiership chance.

That's the media for you. Any realistic Bombers supporter knows this year was about seeing what the list is capable of playing under a decent game plan/structure and seeing the development of our current crop of players.

 

[MadBomberman]

What? how can we possibly make the grand final let alone win the premiership. even if we make the grand final, i can see us with a half time lead, stop playing in the third quarter and trying to comeback from a big margin in the 4th and obviously failing. Im just happy we are playing finals and even that its not confirmed yet. that was only a dream at the start off the year considering we finished 14th.

 

[Slattery_20]

The Shaws are normally such bright folks as well - really out of character for any of them to say or do something dumb.

 

[jsd09]

Although very unlikely I tend to agree with him when we are on there is no doubt in my mind we can beat Collingwood all's that is missing is consistancy if we hit that come September then where just as much as a chance as anyone else!

 

[bombermick]

With some intelligent comments such as these - it's a wonder how he was such a successful coach. Our midfield needs an inside/outside gun and a lot of things to go right i.e Joe Daniher or Gumby becoming A grade guns.

 

[Kong]

...and Grizzly Adams had a beard.