Essendon's Strongest Team..

CJH

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Thread starter #1
... was on the park last night against St. Kilda (sans JJ). They came out breathing fire, keen to amend for last weeks debacle and were playing the games of their lives, not giving St. Kilda an inch.

St. Kilda won in a canter by 54 points.

That is a scary thought!

It would be fair to say that we are like the boy with the barrow this week - having the job ahead of us!

Talk about a massive challenge. Win this game and we too will scare a lot of teams. Lose by 100 points and all other teams will still be scared... by St. Kilda though!

The only thing that let Essendon down was that they were too keen to snipe on the player rather than the ball. This is a trap we must not fall into.

We also have an issue in defense. Gaspar is way out of form and will not be capable of taking Riewoldt. Hall isn't in the same class and will be taken apart while AK doesn't have the mobility to run with him.

I would go with the following defensive matchups:

Gehrig - Gaspar
Hamill - AK
Riewoldt - Schulz

Big things are expected from Schulz and this would be a huge challenge for him. Let's see how the kid can play!

I would consider running Zantuck with Riewoldt but he may give a little away in terms of height.

I would run Hall with Blake who St. Kilda seem to have in a Goodes type role.

While I am never keen on tagging, I would play Fleming on Dal Santo. In part to stop him and in part of annoy the hell out of him. Dal Santo is a receiver but a very damaging one at that. He, more that anyone else hurt Essendon last night.

Every other midfield matchup should be players going head to head.

Our focus should also be on relentless tackling and going long and direct to the forward line.

Big things should be expected of Coughlan and Johnson. St. Kilda were dominant at winning the hard ball and clearances - maybe helped by Jason Johnson's absence). This is an area where we must break even in.
 

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rfctigerarmy

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#2
Id rather start Hall on Reiwolt and see how he goes. If that isnt working (which most likely it wont) then Schulz would be the man.

I feel for this game, Brown should play more in the forward line - especially if we can break even in the centre without him. Stretching the Saints backline is really a key especially to try and get the 3 big forwards they have out of the game.

I think we can match the Saints but a performance like against Collingwoods is needed.

For Fleming, Id like him in the midfield. Just to change things around a little bit. Doesnt have to get 15-30 posessions, just has to go in hard like he usually does and shake em up a bit. It is crucial that right from the start we let em know we're fair-dinkom.
 

kretchy

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#3
We definetly need at least one other tall in the side so whether it Schulz or Weller probably depends on how they play today at Coburg.

To play Schulz on Riewoldt would be a masisve ask. He started on Thompson in round 22 last year and he was beaten easily by him. Gaspar did fairly well on Riewoldt in the Wizard Cup and is a better match-up for him than what Neitz was. Gehrig is the one that will really trouble us I reckon. Hall probably will get given the task on Gehrig. Zantuck has to go down back he is the best match-up for Hamill.

Gaspar - Riewoldt
Zantuck - Hamill
Hall - Gehrig

Agree with the idea of Fleming on Dal Santo, Hayes/Johnson, Coughlan/Ball and Harvey/Campbell. Although they will probably use Baker to tag someone.

It's gonna be tough though to beat a team that has flogged us the last two times we've played.
 

Crumden

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#4
Originally posted by rfctigerarmy
For Fleming, Id like him in the midfield. Just to change things around a little bit. Doesnt have to get 15-30 posessions, just has to go in hard like he usually does and shake em up a bit. It is crucial that right from the start we let em know we're fair-dinkom.
Trying to "shake em up a bit" has been tried two weeks in a row against the saints without success. I think our main chance is if we gain midfield ascendency early. Our midfield isn't the best in the league, but its far from the worst either and is talented enough to be backed in most days if they go in with the right frame of mind. I'd rather we try and make the play like we did against Collingwood than go too negative. If Fleming starts in the midfield, I can't see us having a chance.
 

CJH

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Thread starter #5
Quite right Crumden!

Whoever Hamill's opponent is should walk up to him at the start of the game, shake his hand and wish him well. And then not say another word to him for the whole game.

Hamill has been on the back foot ever since the Wizard Wok final and has become OTT aggressive. Maybe taking the opposite approach will throw him off his game a little!:eek:
 

oxx

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#6
Riewoldt - Schulz
Big things are expected from Schulz and this would be a huge challenge for him. Let's see how the kid can play!
Good call.
 

Richmondfan#1

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#8
I'm worried. Not so much because of St. Kilda's form but because it's St Kilda and no matter how good or bad they are at the time, they seem to be able to come up with the goods against us.

Determination boys! That smother of Cog's on Friday night is the sort of determination I mean. Powerful enough to win footy games.
 

rioli17

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#10
Originally posted by CJH
... was on the park last night against St. Kilda (sans JJ). They came out breathing fire, keen to amend for last weeks debacle and were playing the games of their lives, not giving St. Kilda an inch.

St. Kilda won in a canter by 54 points.

That is a scary thought!

It would be fair to say that we are like the boy with the barrow this week - having the job ahead of us!

.
fair to say that the dons are still wel underdone and at best theyll battle for a bottom of the 8 position. Im hoping that the lads really come out breathing fire after one of the more lamentable perofrmances in recent years....
 

peejay

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#11
Saints will be red hot favs - only 12 months ago we beat them easily.

Without doubt we can beat them - They are about due for a loss (6 in a row including wizzo cup). If we play at our best we can beat them, play below this and we lose - simple as that.
 

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corporal

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#12
Originally posted by rfctigerarmy
For Fleming, Id like him in the midfield. Just to change things around a little bit. Doesnt have to get 15-30 posessions, just has to go in hard like he usually does and shake em up a bit. It is crucial that right from the start we let em know we're fair-dinkom.
All he has to do is play his usual role and snipe Riewolt at the first bounce with a good ole fashion elbow to the head.

This game is going to be won in the midfield. Our defense has no chance against the St Kilda Forwards if the ball is being delivered quickly and accurately. We have to try and capitalise on our Ruck Strengh and win the ball and boot it long.
 

1980

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#13
Hall on Riewolt? Are you serious? Gaspar with a broken leg would be a better option. Hall is not AFL standard, let alone a match-up for one of the AFL's most promising players.

The good thing about this game is that every game the bummers lose, is one step closer to Sheedy coaching Richmond. He wont sign another contract unless there is real potential in winning a premiership in that period.

Beating the Saints this year is a tough ask, but I at least hope we can put in a hard competitive performance. If we lose fine, but lets not be labelled as the league's softest team.

And Spud, if you make us clap them again after the game, I dont care about the fines. I'm jumping the fence.
 
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#15
can we forfeit before monday?

I'm not excited about the Easter Monday massacre awaiting.

we didnt have anyone to stop neitz and now we have to stop Riewoldt, Hamill and Gehrig

*shudders*
 

1980

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#16
Frawley should come out of retirement and play on Riewoldt. He'd make more of a contribution getting 10 goals kicked on him, than sitting in the coaches box and doing what he does every week- NOTHING.
 
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