Just a quick message, no intention in trolling here just giving an honest opinion on ur list as I see it. I watch just about every Essendon game every year, my family split between the hawks and the bombers and I reckon just about 80% of all mates barrack 4 the bombers so u could say when the hawks season finishes I quietly cheers 4 the bombers………don’t ever tell my brother i said that , I would never hear the end of it.
4 what its worth , here is how I see it
ESSENDON FC……….
KEY DEFENDERS
Elite AFL
Dustin Fletcher……elite defender of competition when he brings his head 2 the footy field
Good
Scotty Lucas………still think he is a better CHB than forward but good to have an offensive side and defensive side 2 his game… me I would let him settle all year down back but ultimately match will dictate where he will play
Adam Mcphee……could maybe hold down chb but maybe a little undersized, rather turn in2 a kouta style midfielder, pace a huge weakness 4 essendon at the minute
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Mark Bolton…….shown what he is like when tredrea pushes him around like a 16yr old, huge motor but not in essendons best 22 4 mine
Aaron Henneman…still amazes me that he is on your list, doesn’t seem 2 have any improvement in him 4 mineDELIST
Sam Hunt…………time 4 sammy 2 stand up and move ahead of Henneman/Bolton/Bradley..etc
Ted Richards………undersized and a little light 4 KP but gives his all
2 early 2 tell
Kepler Bradley….still young and maybe develop in2 a good chb , but time will tell…….kicking his one weakness that needs 2 addressed by coaching staff
MID/TALL DEFENDERS
Elite
Hird James……….could squeeze another couple of seasons playing james off the half back line, personally think he is needed in the midfield where Essendon will get smashed again this year.
Good
Dean Soleman…….this guy can come to the hawks anyday he wants, unquestionable commitment 2 the footy, natural leader on the field. Another player than can play either end or midfield, 4 mine should settle midfield while his body right, then move down back 2 finsih his career.
McPhee, Adam…..as above
Lucas, Scott………cant play on the huge gorillas of the comp but great penetrating left foot outa the backline
Average AFL
Zantuck, Ty……..probably should have lower in next category. But 4 mine a steal in pre-season draft, is in bombers best 22 & will play 22 senior games barring injury.
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Henneman, Aaron…GOING GOING GONE
Bolton, Mark……...young kids make progression then Bolton likely playing 4 bendigo
Hunt, Sam…………as previously
Johns, Courtney……little dermy but can he get his body right
Richards, Ted………trier
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Andrew, Lee……….2 young 2 tell, will spend the year at Bendigo 2 improve
Bradley, Kepler……as above
RUNNING DEFENDERS / DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
ELITE
Nup
GOOD
Welsh, Andrew….would move him in2 midfiled 4 mine, feel like a broken record but essendons lack of pace is a worry, great kick and no fear appeals. But has the scope 2 be one of the great running defenders
Rioli, Dean……….match winner that can break a game open with silky skills and ample time 2 dispose of footy……..INJURY PRONE though
AVERAGE
Johnson, Mark…..another of sheedys favorites. Rumours of trade last year might make him hungrier than ever….pace a concern 4 the midfield. Cant coexist with soleman/peverill in the same midfield
McVeigh, Mark…..great stopper in the back pocket. Finished last year in the midfield so wouldn’t surprise 2 see him moved there
Peverill, Damien…..honest tagger who would be one of sheeds favorites. Lack of talent holds him back a little
AFL BORDERLINE OR WORSE
Stanton, Brent ….made progress in first year, needs that rise 2 continue to cement place in midfield rotation
Ramanauskas, Adam..needs 2 recapture the form of a few years ago. Hope he can. Either has a hard running half back or a damaging wingman
Bullen, Marc……starved of opportunity 2004, needs time on ground to show his stuff, everything I saw I was impressed with
Haynes, Ben……DELIST
Alvey, mark…..maybe last year on the bombers list. Another lack of pace onballer that can find the pill
Winderlich, Jason..maybe last chance 4 jason. MAKE OR BREAK…..pace good, just has trouble finding the pill
Paul, Thomas…….sheedy may have the half back flamk ear marked 4 him, bomber fans would be screaming 4 him 2 slot straight in2 the midfeild
Reynolds, Joel……potential potential, injury free will have an impact this year
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Slattery, Henry……likened to gary o’donnel, bomber fans would hope so
OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
ELITE
Nup
GOOD
Rioli, Dean……… game breaking link man that can run through the lines…….. just needs 2 lay of the turtles
AVERAGE
Stanton, Brent……decision making the question mark, but that can be expected with the pace of AFL in ur first year…POTENTIAL
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Ramanauskas, Adam…….lacks the size to really have an impact in the midfield
Alvey, Mark………….make or break 2005
Murphy, Justin……….damging footballer but accountability the question mark and always has been, LAST YEAR 4 mine
Reynolds, Joel……….yet 2 show much because of injuries…..hype huge
Haynes, Ben………..DELIST
Winderlich, Jason…..2005 will tell
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Monfries, Angus……..havent seen much, but may have found a good midfielder
Dyson, Ricky…………showed some signs last year, damaging left foot
INSIDE MIDFIELDERS
Elite
Johnson, Jason…..one of the premier midfielder in the comp……top 10
Hird James………..CHAMPION
Good
Solomon, Dean…….tuff hard at it midfielder , that has never taken his eyes off the footy
Average
Peverill, Damien…..what he lacks in talent he makes up 4 with determination. Good tagger
Johnson, Mark…….lacks the foot speed 2 really cut it in the midfield IMO. But is still the biggest mongrel onballer in the afl, dirty dirty footballer, always walking the line but rarely crosses it by giving away free kicks. Opposition midfielders must be sore after playing on johnno
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Watson, Jobe………don’t know what position that jobe could finally slot in2 in the AFL…….his quick hands and decision making may eventually mean he plays on-ball
KEY POSITION FORWARDS
Elite
Lloyd, Matthew….3rd best forward in the league behind tredders & riewoldt……CHAMPION
Good
Lucas, Scott……..proven CHF over his carrer, feel he the one essendon fans get frustrated with a lot. CHB 4 mine
McPhee, Adam….shame u don’t have 3 mcphees, after the year he had last year. 1 forward 1 back and 1 midfield. Midfield 4 mine but could play CHF releasing Lucas 2 CHB
Average
Fletcher, Dustin….tried here, but why would u move one of the best defenders in the comp
Laycock, Jason….like the look of him , has had time 2 develop while playing 4 bendigo……..time 4 him 2 make strides in2 senior AFL footy
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Hille, David……not a very good ruckman and not a very good forward …….except 4 20 minutes against the demons in elimination final
Bolton, Mark…..not a chance of holding KP down
2 Early 2 Tell
Andrew, Lee……way 2 early
Johns, Courtney..needs 2 get on the park and get some time under his belt. Saw photo the other day , he is HUGE
MiD/Small Forwards
Elite
Hird, James……..doesnt kick enough goals anymore. Don’t think his body could cope with a full season up forward and Essendon need him in the middle
Good
Solomon, Dean…..his hardness in the centre appeals 2 me, but a good forward that fights like a tiger 2 keep the ball locked in the forward line
Average
Rioli, Dean………..like better across half back setting up the play but can play forward, opposition teams would straight away put a player with a motor on him
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Cupido, Damian….does the impossible every so often. But not enough 4 me, soft , undisciplined & must be the one bomber fans love to get jacked with.
Richards, Ted…….only possy left 4 teddy is down back, will never make a forward other than pinch hitting roles
Murphy, Justin……loves a goal, silky skills, just think this will be his last year
Reynolds, Joel…..maybe a forward???????
Watson, Jobe……..think his lack of pace is a worry up forward. His quick thinking and quick hands may have him spending time in the forward pocket
Zantuck, Ty……….proved he can play forward with cameo roles 4 the tigers and be it Coburg. Knowing sheedy will spend time up thre at some stage
Lovett-Murray, Nathan…super quick, eratic by foot. Thought Essendon mighta promoted him from thererookie list this year, needs more consistency and game time
Andrew, Lee………..way 2 early
RUCKS
Elite
Nup
Good
Nup
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Allan, Matthew……..just an average ruckman in every sense of the word. Not a shadow of his former self
Cartledge, Tristan….big wraps and still young, another year with the Bendigo bombers is in store
Henneman, Aaron…4 enetertainment value only…..can someone tell me why is he on your list?
Hille, David………..terrible tap ruckman and lacks the pace to keep up with the premium guys in competition. Doesn’t impress at all in this area
2 early 2 Tell
Laycock, Jason…….future rucking star IMO, if not that a key position CHB, CHF, FF
Essendons big 5 (hird, fletcher, jj, llyod, mcphee) play 22 odd games each, then u r in good shape of making it deep in2 finals series. These boys get injured heavily and it might be a tuff year.
Strengths: the big 5
Weaknesses: rucks and pace around the middle
Predicted Finish-4th to 12th
My prediction 7th ……………….injuries , like so many other clubs will decide the bombers fate
cheers
4 what its worth , here is how I see it
ESSENDON FC……….
KEY DEFENDERS
Elite AFL
Dustin Fletcher……elite defender of competition when he brings his head 2 the footy field
Good
Scotty Lucas………still think he is a better CHB than forward but good to have an offensive side and defensive side 2 his game… me I would let him settle all year down back but ultimately match will dictate where he will play
Adam Mcphee……could maybe hold down chb but maybe a little undersized, rather turn in2 a kouta style midfielder, pace a huge weakness 4 essendon at the minute
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Mark Bolton…….shown what he is like when tredrea pushes him around like a 16yr old, huge motor but not in essendons best 22 4 mine
Aaron Henneman…still amazes me that he is on your list, doesn’t seem 2 have any improvement in him 4 mineDELIST
Sam Hunt…………time 4 sammy 2 stand up and move ahead of Henneman/Bolton/Bradley..etc
Ted Richards………undersized and a little light 4 KP but gives his all
2 early 2 tell
Kepler Bradley….still young and maybe develop in2 a good chb , but time will tell…….kicking his one weakness that needs 2 addressed by coaching staff
MID/TALL DEFENDERS
Elite
Hird James……….could squeeze another couple of seasons playing james off the half back line, personally think he is needed in the midfield where Essendon will get smashed again this year.
Good
Dean Soleman…….this guy can come to the hawks anyday he wants, unquestionable commitment 2 the footy, natural leader on the field. Another player than can play either end or midfield, 4 mine should settle midfield while his body right, then move down back 2 finsih his career.
McPhee, Adam…..as above
Lucas, Scott………cant play on the huge gorillas of the comp but great penetrating left foot outa the backline
Average AFL
Zantuck, Ty……..probably should have lower in next category. But 4 mine a steal in pre-season draft, is in bombers best 22 & will play 22 senior games barring injury.
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Henneman, Aaron…GOING GOING GONE
Bolton, Mark……...young kids make progression then Bolton likely playing 4 bendigo
Hunt, Sam…………as previously
Johns, Courtney……little dermy but can he get his body right
Richards, Ted………trier
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Andrew, Lee……….2 young 2 tell, will spend the year at Bendigo 2 improve
Bradley, Kepler……as above
RUNNING DEFENDERS / DEFENSIVE MIDFIELDERS
ELITE
Nup
GOOD
Welsh, Andrew….would move him in2 midfiled 4 mine, feel like a broken record but essendons lack of pace is a worry, great kick and no fear appeals. But has the scope 2 be one of the great running defenders
Rioli, Dean……….match winner that can break a game open with silky skills and ample time 2 dispose of footy……..INJURY PRONE though
AVERAGE
Johnson, Mark…..another of sheedys favorites. Rumours of trade last year might make him hungrier than ever….pace a concern 4 the midfield. Cant coexist with soleman/peverill in the same midfield
McVeigh, Mark…..great stopper in the back pocket. Finished last year in the midfield so wouldn’t surprise 2 see him moved there
Peverill, Damien…..honest tagger who would be one of sheeds favorites. Lack of talent holds him back a little
AFL BORDERLINE OR WORSE
Stanton, Brent ….made progress in first year, needs that rise 2 continue to cement place in midfield rotation
Ramanauskas, Adam..needs 2 recapture the form of a few years ago. Hope he can. Either has a hard running half back or a damaging wingman
Bullen, Marc……starved of opportunity 2004, needs time on ground to show his stuff, everything I saw I was impressed with
Haynes, Ben……DELIST
Alvey, mark…..maybe last year on the bombers list. Another lack of pace onballer that can find the pill
Winderlich, Jason..maybe last chance 4 jason. MAKE OR BREAK…..pace good, just has trouble finding the pill
Paul, Thomas…….sheedy may have the half back flamk ear marked 4 him, bomber fans would be screaming 4 him 2 slot straight in2 the midfeild
Reynolds, Joel……potential potential, injury free will have an impact this year
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Slattery, Henry……likened to gary o’donnel, bomber fans would hope so
OUTSIDE MIDFIELDERS
ELITE
Nup
GOOD
Rioli, Dean……… game breaking link man that can run through the lines…….. just needs 2 lay of the turtles
AVERAGE
Stanton, Brent……decision making the question mark, but that can be expected with the pace of AFL in ur first year…POTENTIAL
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Ramanauskas, Adam…….lacks the size to really have an impact in the midfield
Alvey, Mark………….make or break 2005
Murphy, Justin……….damging footballer but accountability the question mark and always has been, LAST YEAR 4 mine
Reynolds, Joel……….yet 2 show much because of injuries…..hype huge
Haynes, Ben………..DELIST
Winderlich, Jason…..2005 will tell
2 EARLY 2 TELL
Monfries, Angus……..havent seen much, but may have found a good midfielder
Dyson, Ricky…………showed some signs last year, damaging left foot
INSIDE MIDFIELDERS
Elite
Johnson, Jason…..one of the premier midfielder in the comp……top 10
Hird James………..CHAMPION
Good
Solomon, Dean…….tuff hard at it midfielder , that has never taken his eyes off the footy
Average
Peverill, Damien…..what he lacks in talent he makes up 4 with determination. Good tagger
Johnson, Mark…….lacks the foot speed 2 really cut it in the midfield IMO. But is still the biggest mongrel onballer in the afl, dirty dirty footballer, always walking the line but rarely crosses it by giving away free kicks. Opposition midfielders must be sore after playing on johnno
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Watson, Jobe………don’t know what position that jobe could finally slot in2 in the AFL…….his quick hands and decision making may eventually mean he plays on-ball
KEY POSITION FORWARDS
Elite
Lloyd, Matthew….3rd best forward in the league behind tredders & riewoldt……CHAMPION
Good
Lucas, Scott……..proven CHF over his carrer, feel he the one essendon fans get frustrated with a lot. CHB 4 mine
McPhee, Adam….shame u don’t have 3 mcphees, after the year he had last year. 1 forward 1 back and 1 midfield. Midfield 4 mine but could play CHF releasing Lucas 2 CHB
Average
Fletcher, Dustin….tried here, but why would u move one of the best defenders in the comp
Laycock, Jason….like the look of him , has had time 2 develop while playing 4 bendigo……..time 4 him 2 make strides in2 senior AFL footy
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Hille, David……not a very good ruckman and not a very good forward …….except 4 20 minutes against the demons in elimination final
Bolton, Mark…..not a chance of holding KP down
2 Early 2 Tell
Andrew, Lee……way 2 early
Johns, Courtney..needs 2 get on the park and get some time under his belt. Saw photo the other day , he is HUGE
MiD/Small Forwards
Elite
Hird, James……..doesnt kick enough goals anymore. Don’t think his body could cope with a full season up forward and Essendon need him in the middle
Good
Solomon, Dean…..his hardness in the centre appeals 2 me, but a good forward that fights like a tiger 2 keep the ball locked in the forward line
Average
Rioli, Dean………..like better across half back setting up the play but can play forward, opposition teams would straight away put a player with a motor on him
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Cupido, Damian….does the impossible every so often. But not enough 4 me, soft , undisciplined & must be the one bomber fans love to get jacked with.
Richards, Ted…….only possy left 4 teddy is down back, will never make a forward other than pinch hitting roles
Murphy, Justin……loves a goal, silky skills, just think this will be his last year
Reynolds, Joel…..maybe a forward???????
Watson, Jobe……..think his lack of pace is a worry up forward. His quick thinking and quick hands may have him spending time in the forward pocket
Zantuck, Ty……….proved he can play forward with cameo roles 4 the tigers and be it Coburg. Knowing sheedy will spend time up thre at some stage
Lovett-Murray, Nathan…super quick, eratic by foot. Thought Essendon mighta promoted him from thererookie list this year, needs more consistency and game time
Andrew, Lee………..way 2 early
RUCKS
Elite
Nup
Good
Nup
Borderline AFL or WORSE
Allan, Matthew……..just an average ruckman in every sense of the word. Not a shadow of his former self
Cartledge, Tristan….big wraps and still young, another year with the Bendigo bombers is in store
Henneman, Aaron…4 enetertainment value only…..can someone tell me why is he on your list?
Hille, David………..terrible tap ruckman and lacks the pace to keep up with the premium guys in competition. Doesn’t impress at all in this area
2 early 2 Tell
Laycock, Jason…….future rucking star IMO, if not that a key position CHB, CHF, FF
Essendons big 5 (hird, fletcher, jj, llyod, mcphee) play 22 odd games each, then u r in good shape of making it deep in2 finals series. These boys get injured heavily and it might be a tuff year.
Strengths: the big 5
Weaknesses: rucks and pace around the middle
Predicted Finish-4th to 12th
My prediction 7th ……………….injuries , like so many other clubs will decide the bombers fate
cheers
