Moved Thread Essendon v North 2014

[Ambrosia]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

You might want to give Bomber that mail.

Watch Geelong, Hawthorn they all set up with fewer players at the ball so they are ready to pressure opponents into turning the ball over so they can score on the counter attack.

Why do you think one of the best clearance mids in the league in Mitchell was moved to the HBF this year?

 

[eth-dog]

Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha.

You might want to give Bomber that mail.

Actually only 1 of the top 4 teams this season were in the top 4 clearance differential sides in the comp (Swans). Five of the top 8 sides (inc. Essendon, exc. Carlton) were outside of the top 8 sides in clearance differential.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Actually only 1 of the top 4 teams this season were in the top 4 clearance differential sides in the comp (Swans). Five of the top 8 sides (inc. Essendon, exc. Carlton) were outside of the top 8 sides in clearance differential.

That is an interesting point of discussion. I think this year would be one of the rare seasons where this was the case as teams seemed to put less focus on generating scoring opportunities from the midfield and more so via counter attack off half back. In what is nothing more than an assumption I reckon the majority of top teams over the last decade would have been among the strongest in and around the stoppages in the comp. FWIW I think that this 2013 trend will correct itself as teams look to limit the damage created by the 'slingshot'.

 

[The Bomb]

so many clearances are just rushed kicks, they need a stat for clean clearances and break away clearances.

 

[MaddAdam]

so many clearances are just rushed kicks, they need a stat for clean clearances and break away clearances.

Any Essendon fans got a stat for how the Bombers have gone in games sans Jobe in recent years?

 

[The Bomb]

Any Essendon fans got a stat for how the Bombers have gone in games sans Jobe in recent years?

Essendon don't really rely on clearances to win games, probably around 6th or 7th for the clearances, centre clearances ect, our defenders take a hell of a lot of marks from opposition kicks so I would think stats regarding marks Essendon will be right up the top, players like Carlisle, Fletcher, Hooker and Hibberd just pick the kicks off at will.

 

[timtamWB]

Any Essendon fans got a stat for how the Bombers have gone in games sans Jobe in recent years?

They have been posted throughout this thread. Off the top of my head, it was 5 wins, 3 losses. It was a positive win ledger either way.

 

[boncer34]

They have been posted throughout this thread. Off the top of my head, it was 5 wins, 3 losses. It was a positive win ledger either way.

Since 2010 its 5 and 5 or 6 and 5 depending if you include the Port game where he was gone in the first 5 minutes.

So par for course for Essendon in that time.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Clearances aren't as important in football anymore. It's more of an outside game now with DE being more important.

The wheel will turn. It always does.

6 of the top 8 sides were top 8 for effective disposal differential whereas only 3 were in the top 8 for clearance differential

And North were first but that in itself doesn't mean much considering St. Kilda were fourth and the Dogs 6th. The better teams not only maintain possession but generate scoring shots from that. North and Hawthorn are first and third for disposal efficiency and third and first for total points, indicating an ability to hold the ball and importantly, use it well. Given that North are also very strong in clearances it indicates that we could become a well rounded complete team if we learn how to A) tackle properly, and; B) transition from attack to defence as a unit. The pieces of the puzzle are there for North, they just need to add tactical discipline and maturity.

 

[eth-dog]

The wheel will turn. It always does.

And North were first but that in itself doesn't mean much considering St. Kilda were fourth and the Dogs 6th. The better teams not only maintain possession but generate scoring shots from that. North and Hawthorn are first and third for disposal efficiency and third and first for total points, indicating an ability to hold the ball and importantly, use it well. Given that North are also very strong in clearances it indicates that we could become a well rounded complete team if we learn how to A) tackle properly, and; B) transition from attack to defence as a unit. The pieces of the puzzle are there for North, they just need to add tactical discipline and maturity.

Honestly, North were a top 6 side this season. All the stats indicate that, but they can concede 5 goals in 10 minutes which is a definite flaw

 

[MaddAdam]

The wheel will turn. It always does.

Your point earlier in the thread about "the slingshot" being a tactical innovation that will be quickly quelled is the best made in the thread so far.

Fundamentally, the game of Australian Football is predicated on winning the oval shaped ball in a contested situation.

This will never change and the team that can do that best - then add on the outside stuff and tactical elements as they evolve, and as good judges observe, tactics develop and are worked multiple times during a season - will win more often than not, especially in finals.

 

[GarnerSmash]

Honestly, North were a top 6 side this season. All the stats indicate that, but they can concede 5 goals in 10 minutes which is a definite flaw

Shit yeah. Massive issue that was somewhat rectified as the season went on. This has been a trend with this team over the last few years. Some excellent signs early, but issues with one aspect of our game that repeatedly lets the side down, rectified late in the year with some promising results ensuing. I see this as a developmental curve given the fact that the team has been rebuilt over the last 4 years in both personnel and playing style, with each year bringing changes to the way in which we have played. It has also been a development period for the coach in which he has obviously learned to alter the game style to suit the level at which the majority of his charges are at.

4 years of developing the game style is enough. The young players have all the grounding and development they need. Next year they need to perform. Sure, tweaks to the game style are always required, but there is no more need to drastically alter the way in which we set up. We can mix it with the best. Now we need to add steel and a defensive edge.

 

[MaddAdam]

And Essendon look fantastic until June/July then fall in a giant heap.

When will that be addressed?

 

[Ambrosia]

The wheel will turn. It always does.

And North were first but that in itself doesn't mean much considering St. Kilda were fourth and the Dogs 6th. The better teams not only maintain possession but generate scoring shots from that. North and Hawthorn are first and third for disposal efficiency and third and first for total points, indicating an ability to hold the ball and importantly, use it well. Given that North are also very strong in clearances it indicates that we could become a well rounded complete team if we learn how to A) tackle properly, and; B) transition from attack to defence as a unit. The pieces of the puzzle are there for North, they just need to add tactical discipline and maturity.

The same can be said for a heck of a lot of sides.

 

[Jobe Watson]

And Essendon look fantastic until June/July then fall in a giant heap.

When will that be addressed?

Gee you're a bit touchy. A bit sad though that we can only play half a season and still finish with 4 more wins than North Melbourne.

I'm sure both sets of teams are looking at working on their deficiencies over summer. Essendon will no doubt be looking to once again increase their fitness base, North will be doing lots of 4th quarter match simulation. I also don't think you'll be calling off any pre-season practice matches due to wet weather this year either.

 

[GarnerSmash]

The same can be said for a heck of a lot of sides.

A heck of a lot of sides don't post the numbers North do.

 

[Ambrosia]

A heck of a lot of sides don't post the numbers North do.

What numbers are those?

 

[boncer34]

admit
you're

sorry

Don't be. I was wrong. I have no issues being corrected.

 

[GarnerSmash]

What numbers are those?

Clearances, points for, disposal efficiency etc...

Go back a few posts and have a read. There is some discussion in those posts about what they mean in the context of the overall season and development of the North team. In short, 4 year rebuild + annual changes in game style + improved performance in key statistical indicators + development of significant number of best 22 players + issues with defensive transition and tackling = a team that can match it with the best but developed a tendency to lapse for periods which was largely addressed as the year went on. Those who actually watch North closely can see that they are close.

 

[Ambrosia]

Clearances, points for, disposal efficiency etc...

Go back a few posts and have a read. There is some discussion in those posts about what they mean in the context of the overall season and development of the North team. In short, 4 year rebuild + annual changes in game style + improved performance in key statistical indicators + development of significant number of best 22 players + issues with defensive transition and tackling = a team that can match it with the best but developed a tendency to lapse for periods which was largely addressed as the year went on. Those who actually watch North closely can see that they are close.

I just don't see how that separates them from the likes of Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood, Port who all have similarly young lists and have shown they can match it with the best but have deficiencies that prevent them from being a top 4 side/premiership contender.

 

[GarnerSmash]

I just don't see how that separates them from the likes of Richmond, Essendon, Collingwood, Port who all have similarly young lists and have shown they can match it with the best but have deficiencies that prevent them from being a top 4 side/premiership contender.

It doesn't.

At this stage those teams aren't there, have qualities that ensure they can play top level footy but need to take another step. Then you look at the key areas of the teams and the key players and analyse strengths and weaknesses to determine the likelihood of further development occurring which can address those weaknesses.

For North the biggest issue is defensive transition and tactical awareness of the players on game day. Much of this comes down to fitness and discipline and given that much of our midfield and flankers are young players we can expect this to improve somewhat organically. Ziebell, Cunnington, Bastinac, Macmillan, Atley, Mullett, McKenzie, Jacobs, McDonald Harper and Garner will all play significant parts in our team in the immediate to short term, all are highly rated juniors and all have scope for further development. Their roles are also important in addressing the aforementioned weaknesses because of the positions in which they play, either on the ball or on the flanks and rotating through the middle. Given their relative youth one would expect their fitness and tactical awareness to improve as they mature, and as this occurs so too will the teams overall effectiveness at countering those issues.

North adding a tackling coach and a highly regarded senior assistant coach with a defensive background can only assist further.

What are Essendon's weaknesses and what are they doing to address them?

 

[carnthedons]

It doesn't.

At this stage those teams aren't there, have qualities that ensure they can play top level footy but need to take another step. Then you look at the key areas of the teams and the key players and analyse strengths and weaknesses to determine the likelihood of further development occurring which can address those weaknesses.

For North the biggest issue is defensive transition and tactical awareness of the players on game day. Much of this comes down to fitness and discipline and given that much of our midfield and flankers are young players we can expect this to improve somewhat organically. Ziebell, Cunnington, Bastinac, Macmillan, Atley, Mullett, McKenzie, Jacobs, McDonald Harper and Garner will all play significant parts in our team in the immediate to short term, all are highly rated juniors and all have scope for further development. Their roles are also important in addressing the aforementioned weaknesses because of the positions in which they play, either on the ball or on the flanks and rotating through the middle. Given their relative youth one would expect their fitness and tactical awareness to improve as they mature, and as this occurs so too will the teams overall effectiveness at countering those issues.

North adding a tackling coach and a highly regarded senior assistant coach with a defensive background can only assist further.

What are Essendon's weaknesses and what are they doing to address them?

Issue number 1 is forward line structure and function. Moving Egan to defensive line coach and bringing in Bassett is designed to help with that.

Issue number 2 is fade outs in seasons due to lack of fitness (and other things ie teh druggzzz) and another preseason is designed to help that combined with the fact that we are weaponless now

Issue number 3 is spread from the contest, opportunities being given to guys like Merrett & Colyer combined with some more fitness from Kavanagh and others is to help with that. Who knows Rayner may have a break out from left field and his pace/tank is top shelf as a former 800m national champ.

Issue number 4 is Ruck/KPF depth and that's what we hope will be addressed in the upcoming draft period

 

[Ambrosia]

What are Essendon's weaknesses and what are they doing to address them?

Other than not running out the season I'd say we have 4 main deficiencies that need too be sorted

1. If Hurley moves to defense/continues his poor run with injuries than we won't have a bullocking CHF who makes space and creates scoring opportunities for team mates.

2. A crumbing forward hopefully mitigated by the signing of Chapman and the development of Merrett/Colyer

3. While I think our midfield is passable if one of Howlett, Myers, Kavanagh, Browne, Hams ect ect could make the leap to the level of Stanton or even Melksham it would go a long way to Essendon making the top 4.

4. We lack proven depth in the midfield ruck and key forwards.

While our forward line structure was poor it's biggest problem this season was continuity. If we can get the same 6-8 guys playing through there for the majority of the season I expect it to improve significantly

 

[GarnerSmash]

So it appears that Essendon supports think that their main deficiencies are in personnel and fitness and North supporters think their issues are structural and discipline?

 

[Chism]

If you want to talk about the Bombers saga regarding ASADA etc or just post to troll with idiotic immature comments like this board is the Bay you are now going to get carded. This thread has had more of it fair share of clean ups and enough is enough so no more warnings.

Also if you do see something that is a rule breach REPORT IT without biting back with crap otherwise you will only get yourself a card.