Essendon vs Carlton on Friday Night

[Galactico]

Prismall, Watson and Stanton are all younger than Winderlich and he's younger than Swan.

We don't know how Houli, Zaharakis and Myers will come on yet. If these guys come on we'll have the most depth to rotate through the midfield in the competition. Knights' plan.

We opted to draft KPP before midfielders. We have put and we will be putting a lot of time and money into the likes of Pears, Hooker, Ryder, Neagle, Gumbleton, Still and Hurley.

1 a-grade midfielder away from challenging for the premiership in 2 seasons. That's the plan.

I understand mentioning Prismall. He is young and could be a genuine gun. However your misunderstanding where I'm coming from. All of the 5 I've mentioned, bar Stanton are 24 or over. They are the core of your midfield right now. If you compare their ages and relative performance to the benchmarks of the competition, say Geelong, St Kilda and Hawthorn (based on last year) you will find that the ages between their core midfielders and your core midfielders are roughly the same.

Now assuming your aiming for a premiership in say 2-3 years, work out what ages your core mids will be and think whether you honestly believe they will improve significantly in that time frame to challenge for a flag. Knowing fully well they are the same ages as Geelongs midfield (bar Selwood) Hawthorns (bar Ellis and Muston) and St Kilda's.

I'm not assuming Essendon's midfield will be heading south in 2 years but rather asking if they will peak high enough, given that they already are in a footballers peak period (bar Stanton).

I'm skeptical as to whether there is alot of improvement left in that group. Reimers, Houli, Prismall are all potential and could be great players. I'm talking of the others.

FWIW I don't think there is any improvement left at all in O'bree and Lockyer, maybe Leon Davis who is a gun and was a late bloomer of sorts. Therefore apart from Davis, I don't think O'bree or Lockyer will be part of our next flag tilt. IMO of course. This is where I'm coming from.

 

[Galactico]

If you're relying on the likes of Wellingham and Thomas, you're in more trouble than i thought.

Our future midfield is looking very good, and of course it will improve, how stupid can you get. Stanton, Prismall, Watson, Winderlich absolutley shits on the four you just mentioned. and will be up there with Hawthorns of last year in terms of quality when they improve in a couple of years time.

You have aging mids you still rely on in Lockyer, Davis and O'Bree, whilst we have been without McVeigh for most of the year and have done alright. I would look in your own backyard before criticing ours.

WTF are you on about? Have you watched anything of Wellingham or Thomas? Or do you just watch Dale's commercials and form your opinion on that? Of course Thomas has a way to go but he's shown plenty in patches and, the key, he's still only just turned 22.....

Our ageing mids? Lockyer is a utility, O'bree is ageing and has no improvement left and Davis is in his prime, albeit in his late 20's. I don't expect Lockyer and O'bree to contribute anything in 2 years time....

Stanton, Prismall, Watson and Winderlich shits on who? The likes of Davis, Swan and Pendlebury? Honestly are you on planet earth?

 

[Daytripper]

WTF are you on about? Have you watched anything of Wellingham or Thomas? Or do you just watch Dale's commercials and form your opinion on that? Of course Thomas has a way to go but he's shown plenty in patches and, the key, he's still only just turned 22.....

Our ageing mids? Lockyer is a utility, O'bree is ageing and has no improvement left and Davis is in his prime, albeit in his late 20's. I don't expect Lockyer and O'bree to contribute anything in 2 years time....

Stanton, Prismall, Watson and Winderlich shits on who? The likes of Davis, Swan and Pendlebury? Honestly are you on planet earth?

2 losses in a row to Essendon now, isn't it ?

 

[Galactico]

2 losses in a row to Essendon now, isn't it ?

If that's what you hang your hat on, us blowing a game such as Anzac day, then you are struggling. Imagine if Carlton and Collingwood hadn't ****ed both those games up, where would that leave you currently? You won them and your still behind both....

Collingwood has been finalists for the last 3 years straight while rebuilding after losing the likes of Buckley, Licuria, Clement, Wakelin etc.......while you have been where exactly?

Amusing.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Licuria

How have you coped?

We've been crippled by the loss of Henneman and Bolton in successive years.

 

[Daytripper]

If that's what you hang your hat on, us blowing a game such as Anzac day, then you are struggling. Imagine if Carlton and Collingwood hadn't ****ed both those games up, where would that leave you currently? You won them and your still behind both....

Collingwood has been finalists for the last 3 years straight while rebuilding after losing the likes of Buckley, Licuria, Clement, Wakelin etc.......while you have been where exactly?

Amusing.

Imagine if Hille hadn't gone down in the first 5 minutes - how far would we have won by ?
Imagine if Essendon had even some semblance of a full strength side and didn't kick 2.7 in the last 1/4 against Carlton ?

Yet they still won and won last year as well.

See, thats amusing.

Anyway, why don't you wait till next week and you can start your own Ess v Coll thread.

 

[Galactico]

How have you coped?

We've been crippled by the loss of Henneman and Bolton in successive years.

Of course, your right. Licuria was ****ing useless.

 

[GuzzLG]

How have you coped?

We've been crippled by the loss of Henneman and Bolton in successive years.

I understand where he's coming from Ben. Players like Ritchie Cole were irreplacable, we would be pushing for the flag this year if we kept him.

 

[GuzzLG]

Imagine if Hille hadn't gone down in the first 5 minutes - how far would we have won by ?
Imagine if Essendon had even some semblance of a full strength side and didn't kick 2.7 in the last 1/4 against Carlton ?

Yet they still won and won last year as well.

See, thats amusing.

Anyway, why don't you wait till next week and you can start your own Ess v Coll thread.

The margins definitely flattered the blues and pies earlier in the year.

 

[Daytripper]

The margins definitely flattered the blues and pies earlier in the year.

Its funny how they forget how Essendon was in front for the majority of the game in both matches !!!!!

 

[Ben the Gooner]

I understand where he's coming from Ben. Players like Ritchie Cole were irreplacable, we would be pushing for the flag this year if we kept him.

Don't forget Mark Alvey.

A summary of Galactico's points in this thread. Don't bother disagreeing, because they're right.

• Prismall, Watson, Winderlich and Stanton are already in their prime. Therefore our midfield can only get worse.
• Licuria = god
• Wellingham = god
• Thomas = god

 

[Galactico]

Anyway, why don't you wait till next week and you can start your own Ess v Coll thread.

Yeah because I was clearly the one who dragged Collingwood into the discussion. I merely put it out there (actually someone did before me....) in regards to your core midfield, their ages, performances and potential improvement. All I got in return was shit heaped on our midfield (of course, how insecure of you all ) and talk of how Reimers, Prismall (thank **** you landed him hey ) and Houli will give you fantastic depth.

I won't bother next time. We'll just wait and see how Watson, Winderlich, McVeigh, Lovett and Stanton are travelling in a couple of years. Surely nailing you a premiership I'm guessing.

 

[Galactico]

Don't forget Mark Alvey.

A summary of Galactico's points in this thread. Don't bother disagreeing, because they're right.

• Prismall, Watson, Winderlich and Stanton are already in their prime. Therefore our midfield can only get worse.

If your going to quote me, at least do it accurately. Then you may land a slight bit of credibility.

Didn't put Prismall in the group. It was Watson, Winderlich, Lovett, McVeigh and Stanton.

So are they not in their prime yet? Is that your take on it all?

 

[Ben the Gooner]

I won't bother next time. We'll just wait and see how Watson, Winderlich, McVeigh, Lovett and Stanton are travelling in a couple of years. Surely nailing you a premiership I'm guessing.

Now you're talking sense.

 

[Daytripper]

Yeah because I was clearly the one who dragged Collingwood into the discussion. I merely put it out there (actually someone did before me....) in regards to your core midfield, their ages, performances and potential improvement. All I got in return was shit heaped on our midfield (of course, how insecure of you all ) and talk of how Reimers, Prismall (thank **** you landed him hey ) and Houli will give you fantastic depth.

I won't bother next time. We'll just wait and see how Watson, Winderlich, McVeigh, Lovett and Stanton are travelling in a couple of years. Surely nailing you a premiership I'm guessing.

I don't understand. If they're so bad, then why do they keep beating Collingwood ?

 

[Ben the Gooner]

If your going to quote me, at least do it accurately. Then you may land a slight bit of credibility.

Didn't put Prismall in the group. It was Watson, Winderlich, Lovett, McVeigh and Stanton.

So are they not in their prime yet? Is that your take on it all?

As far as I'm concerned, in their prime means at their peak footballing performance.

Barring McVeigh, every one of those has another couple of gears at least. McVeigh's been well done this year because of injury as well.

Are they in the 24-28 age group, mostly.
Are they in their prime, mostly not.

 

[Bombers1234]

Yeah because I was clearly the one who dragged Collingwood into the discussion. I merely put it out there (actually someone did before me....) in regards to your core midfield, their ages, performances and potential improvement. All I got in return was shit heaped on our midfield (of course, how insecure of you all ) and talk of how Reimers, Prismall (thank **** you landed him hey ) and Houli will give you fantastic depth.

I won't bother next time. We'll just wait and see how Watson, Winderlich, McVeigh, Lovett and Stanton are travelling in a couple of years. Surely nailing you a premiership I'm guessing.

You don't have to have the greatest midfield ever to be a preimership threat. Stanton and co in a few years will be just as good as Mitchell, Sewell, Bateman, Lewis of last year.

 

[Galactico]

Now you're talking sense.

Of course. Those 5 in 2 years time will surely slaughter Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood. Just like they are now. St Kilda and Hawthorns midfields will be blown away.....not a chance.

This is ****ing amusing. Keep it up.

 

[Daytripper]

If your going to quote me, at least do it accurately. Then you may land a slight bit of credibility.

Didn't put Prismall in the group. It was Watson, Winderlich, Lovett, McVeigh and Stanton.

So are they not in their prime yet? Is that your take on it all?

Watson is 24, Stanton is 22, Winderlich is 24.

This obsession with youth is ridiculous. Ring up Simon Black, Tyson Edwards, Chris Judd, Luke Hodge and tell them to pull the pin.

Its all over for them.

 

[GoldenboyHird_5]

Daytripper,

is Simon Black as good as the Black of '02?
is Judd the Judd of '06?

No, they peaked in those years and they are on a gradual decline.

I'm not sure i;ve seen a better season from a midfielder than that 2006 version of Judd, he was invincible.

 

[The Donners]

I understand mentioning Prismall. He is young and could be a genuine gun. However your misunderstanding where I'm coming from. All of the 5 I've mentioned, bar Stanton are 24 or over. They are the core of your midfield right now. If you compare their ages and relative performance to the benchmarks of the competition, say Geelong, St Kilda and Hawthorn (based on last year) you will find that the ages between their core midfielders and your core midfielders are roughly the same.

Now assuming your aiming for a premiership in say 2-3 years, work out what ages your core mids will be and think whether you honestly believe they will improve significantly in that time frame to challenge for a flag. Knowing fully well they are the same ages as Geelongs midfield (bar Selwood) Hawthorns (bar Ellis and Muston) and St Kilda's.

I'm not assuming Essendon's midfield will be heading south in 2 years but rather asking if they will peak high enough, given that they already are in a footballers peak period (bar Stanton).

I'm skeptical as to whether there is alot of improvement left in that group. Reimers, Houli, Prismall are all potential and could be great players. I'm talking of the others.

FWIW I don't think there is any improvement left at all in O'bree and Lockyer, maybe Leon Davis who is a gun and was a late bloomer of sorts. Therefore apart from Davis, I don't think O'bree or Lockyer will be part of our next flag tilt. IMO of course. This is where I'm coming from.

No, I'm not following your point, Misiti, Mercuri and Hird were 25-27 in 2000. Lloyd and Lucas were 22 and 23. Barnes, Long and Wallis were 31 and Bewick was 33.

Come GF Day 2011:

Fletcher - 36
Lloyd - 33
Hille - 30
McVeigh - 30
Lovett - 28
Lovett-Murray - 28
McPhee - 28
Skipworth - 28
Welsh - 28
Davey - 27
Dyson - 26
Laycock - 26
Watson - 26
Winderlich - 26
Nash - 25
Prismall - 25
Slattery H - 25
Stanton - 25
Dempsey - 24
Lonergan - 24
Monfries - 24
Gumbleton - 23
Houli - 23
Jetta - 23
Neagle - 23
Ryder - 23
Bellchambers - 22
Daniher - 22
Hooker - 22
Myers - 22
Reimers - 22
Williams - 22
Hurley - 21
Pears - 21
Quinn - 21
Zaharakis - 21
Slattery T - 20
Still - 20

The only guarantee is Lucas will not be there. Fletcher has already flagged the idea of playing beyond 2010. I've made no delistings.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

Of course. Those 5 in 2 years time will surely slaughter Ablett, Bartel, Corey and Selwood. Just like they are now. St Kilda and Hawthorns midfields will be blown away.....not a chance.

This is ****ing amusing. Keep it up.

In 2 years time?

Easy, Geelong won't have a spine (bye bye Milburn, Scarlett, Harley, Mooney (GC), Ottens).

Hawthorn still won't have a defence.

St Kilda - who knows?

 

[GuzzLG]

Yeah because I was clearly the one who dragged Collingwood into the discussion. I merely put it out there (actually someone did before me....) in regards to your core midfield, their ages, performances and potential improvement. All I got in return was shit heaped on our midfield (of course, how insecure of you all ) and talk of how Reimers, Prismall (thank **** you landed him hey ) and Houli will give you fantastic depth.

I won't bother next time. We'll just wait and see how Watson, Winderlich, McVeigh, Lovett and Stanton are travelling in a couple of years. Surely nailing you a premiership I'm guessing.

Give up your embarrassingly stupid analysis.

Brisbane in 2000 and Brisbane in 2001 both had a group of midfielder in their prime. The 2000 side were middle of the pack, were all at their peak according to you and yet they won the next 3 flags.

Geelong in 2006 had midfielders all at their peak age and were a rabble yet have barely lost a game since early 2007 with the same midfielders at their peak.

HOW CAN THIS BE? THIS CONTRAVENES GALACTICO'S UNIVERSAL LAW OF MIDFIELDS. **** I AM SHITTING MY PANTS ABOUT A UNIVERSAL ENDING PARADOX NOW.

Have fun squirming your way out of this while I laugh at your pathetic responses.

 

[Galactico]

You don't have to have the greatest midfield ever to be a preimership threat. Stanton and co in a few years will be just as good as Mitchell, Sewell, Bateman, Lewis of last year.

Disagree. In todays football, a midfield of quality and potency is key to having a genuine tilt at a premiership. In a few years, you think your group will be as good as that Hawthorn midfield? A long, long shot. That Hawks engine room is the same age (roughly) as your core midfield now.

 

[wazzabp]

I'm not sure why Collingwood is being discussed here, this thread has gone off topic.
I'm looking forward to Friday nights game and I am sure both teams will be confident they can win for various reasons.
Also I'm not sure why the Fox sports report mentioned Fevs goal kicking woes last time we played, we also kicked 2.7 in the last quarter which pretty much cancels out that arguement.
We just don't want to give him 11 shots on goal this time, we must win the midfield battle and keep the supply down and keep pressure on their midfielders when going forward so he doesn't get the ball lace out.