Essendon vs Richmond who is better?

Roby

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It's seems that every thread transforms into an Essendon v Richmond you-know-what measuring contest. So who is actually better?

Essendon last year played finals, and although they exited quite badly, it's a lot better than anything Richmond could muster.

But this year both teams have improved, especially in the midfield.

Their are a lot of similarities between them in things like speed, both are very quick. They have a lot of underrated players, especially in defence. And both have good forward lines. On paper they look the same, but the win/loss doesn't suggest this, But we know that doesn't tell the full story.

Richmond up until now has had the toughest draw in the AFL. Geelong, Collingwood, Hawthorn, West Coast, Carlton Sydney, St Kilda and well Essendon. All last year's top eight. And they haven't really been blown away by any team. Their worst loss was against Carlton, and in that game they were nearly level had Martin scored that goal with 20 minutes to go.

Essendon has had an easier draw and they are yet to play Hawthorn, Sydney and St Kilda. Essendon also haven't been blown away, they also beat West Coast and Carlton comfortably.

While Essendon are currently 6th in the rankings, Richmond are hot on their heels in 8th and gathering more and more momentum.

In the Rnd 8 game, Richmond were unlucky not to have beaten Essendon, especially when Grimes went down, they took the lead in the last quarter and the umpires made sure that Essendon were given a hand.

I don't like to forecast but it's possible that Essendon may soon be overtaken by Richmond. Could Richmond handle the heat now that the lid is off? Essendon's for the remainder of the season has the worst draw in the AFL, while Tigers have a dream run. We may see riots at G' if they meet in a final.
 

Richo83

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Essendon are higher on the ladder and recently beat Richmond. It's no shame being currently lesser than an older, more experienced and established side. I expect Richmond to make 8th, and Essendon to finish in the top four. Next year? Who knows, maybe the two can face off in a final, maybe grand final in the next few years. Round 22, Friday night, will be interesting.

/thread
 
Essendon are higher on the ladder and recently beat Richmond. It's no shame being currently lesser than an older, more experienced and established side. I expect Richmond to make 8th, and Essendon to finish in the top four. Next year? Who knows, maybe the two can face off in a final, maybe grand final in the next few years. Round 22, Friday night, will be interesting.

/thread

This. Though not as much difference as our Bombers friends seem to think.
 

Mattlowry

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Great question. Tough question.

Two very different teams. Almost a West Coast vs Sydney in 05/06 type of question.

One team is flashier, has the silkier players (Richmond), the other team is hardder at the ball, plays to a game plan and is arguably better coached (Essendon).

Essendon seems VERY even across the park. Richmond has an amazing midfield, but I feel like Essendon has their number (but not by much) in defence, ruck and up forward. If Richmond lose Maric or Reiwoldt, it's all over. If essendon lost Belchambers or Hurley we wouldn't lose a great deal.
 

Richo83

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One team is flashier, has the silkier players (Richmond), the other team is hardder at the ball, plays to a game plan and is arguably better coached (Essendon).

I think those attributes you apply to Essendon could easily apply to Richmond (in the sense that Richmond is hard at the ball, plays to a game plan and is well coached).

Essendon is just a more experienced side. I don't think they're better coached. Hird and Hardwick are to very good coaches.
 

Knight Ryders

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The positives about both side are the leadership that has been put in place.

Richmond has put Gale in place as CEO and have a fantastic Board. Essendon were going down the line of a 2 cent club with huge resource before Robson and Evans took over.

Hird and Hardwick were very positive signings and added to the leadership and direction of both clubs, but I don't think it can be under estimated how much the back room leadership has to do with the success of current AFL teams.

Both clubs are also developing very good on field leadership, both seriously considering leadership as a vital component of a draft pick's make up.
 
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Both teams are on the up ... Essendon probably 2 years ahead in development.

Who has the better future? That depends on the coaching staff more than anything else. While I admire Hardwick a lot, and reckon he still can do a lot more with that team, until he gets similar backing to what Hird's getting (in terms of money/support staff) ... the Tigers won't extract as much from their list as what Essendon will.

Hence why Essendon is where we are right now. Most neutrals would say "yeah, reckon Tigers have the better list". But the real question is "how many elite development coaches have you got to maximise your return from investment (player)?"

Over the years, Collingwood has been the best example of maximising output from a decent (but not so amazing) list of players. It's a true art and huge credit to the management of that club. By contrast, list management at the Tigers has historically been woeful. There's a lot to change if Tigers want premierships.
 

Wernumberone

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While Essendon are currently 6th in the rankings

No, Essendon are second on the only rankings that matter, The AFL ladder.

They may as well be last on your rubbish rankings because all they are is a biased joke where you over ride your own formula with your poor judgement.

We beat them already and are second on the ladder.

Currently Essendon is better.
 

Bring-Back-Powell

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Richmond by the length of the Flemington straight.
Essendon haven't really beaten anyone of note. And most alarmingly they lost to Collingwood
 

Tazwegian

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Richmond by the length of the Flemington straight.
Essendon haven't really beaten anyone of note. And most alarmingly they lost to Collingwood

Yeah, it's a huge concern when you only just lose to the team that SHOULD be premiership favourites right now, despite important injuries occurring during the game. Also, the ladder leaders aren't noteworthy? :eek:
 
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