Finals next year?

[Windas_Magic]

A lot of so called 'experts' on BF have predicted the Bombers to win the spoon but do you think we have a chance to make the 8. I personally think we can as we were on track to last year but just for some reason, completely lost it. I think that we dont have great depth but if we can keep a full side on the park, we're every chance to. I also think it depends heavily on how our youngsters (drafted last 2-3 years) peform.
FORWARD LINE:
Our strongest point of our game. Lloyd and Lucas leading the pack with Gumby and hopefully Neagle developing. Also having the likes of Davey, Lovett, Jetta, Dempsey and Mcphee roataing through which i think is a great forward line.

MIDFIELD:
A lot of people critisize our midfield and it is probably our weakest asscet of our game but i dont think its horrible. Stanton, Winderlich, Watson, McVeigh, Monfries, JJ, Pev and others cat move into the midfield. We also have young players like Slattery, Hocking, Houli and Hislop who provide some bigger bodies.

BACKLINE
our defence is pretty good with the experienced Mal and Fletch and Ryder developing. We also have Welsh, NLM and Nash providing some good run along with our new recruits who may get some game time. We also have the unproven Lee and Johns who may also be getting some games.

RUCK:
Hille and Laycock are our main ruckman. Laycock provides good tapwork and Hille provides a forward target and a bigger bodied player. Not bad and we also have Ryder if needed.

 

[Gus2Gumby]

Good post

Not really sure yet... Gotta see the new team play first.

Its true that we didn't miss by much last year... But we only just got over the line in a few games and it could easily have gone very badly

But, based on hype at the moment, I think we're looking at top 4 lol

 

[Carlton.No.1]

Hahaha

 

[walshy93]

Give yourselves 2-3 years then you'll be a better chance at making the finals

 

[Slattery_20]

2 games out this year
Question is, will the loss of Hird and Sheedy outweigh the improvement we expect from the kids who've played a few games?
Personal opinion is that 2 games isn't ahell of a lot - I daresay if we hadn't had injuries to Watson, Davey, Stanton & Winderlich in the 2nd half of the year we could have done it

Fact is, there are probably 13 teams who have a good chance to make finals, & it all depends on having your good players un-injured. I personally rate us as well above Carlton, Freo, St Kilda, Richmond & Melbourne, and we're proven to be capable of beating Adelaide, Sydney, & WCE as well.

 

[bomberstomake8]

A lot of so called 'experts' on BF have predicted the Bombers to win the spoon but do you think we have a chance to make the 8. I personally think we can as we were on track to last year but just for some reason, completely lost it. I think that we dont have great depth but if we can keep a full side on the park, we're every chance to. I also think it depends heavily on how our youngsters (drafted last 2-3 years) peform.
FORWARD LINE:
Our strongest point of our game. Lloyd and Lucas leading the pack with Gumby and hopefully Neagle developing. Also having the likes of Davey, Lovett, Jetta, Dempsey and Mcphee roataing through which i think is a great forward line.

MIDFIELD:
A lot of people critisize our midfield and it is probably our weakest asscet of our game but i dont think its horrible. Stanton, Winderlich, Watson, McVeigh, Monfries, JJ, Pev and others cat move into the midfield. We also have young players like Slattery, Hocking, Houli and Hislop who provide some bigger bodies.

BACKLINE
our defence is pretty good with the experienced Mal and Fletch and Ryder developing. We also have Welsh, NLM and Nash providing some good run along with our new recruits who may get some game time. We also have the unproven Lee and Johns who may also be getting some games.

RUCK:
Hille and Laycock are our main ruckman. Laycock provides good tapwork and Hille provides a forward target and a bigger bodied player. Not bad and we also have Ryder if needed.

with lloyd lucas flecther and mal holding up our spine it is impossible for us to win the spoon...
i honestly think we will shock the hell out of everyone next year... From my point of veiw sheedy had lost it a bit this year... played a lot of players out of position and didnt seem to have the game plan necessary to take a group to new heights... our defensive aspect of the game was very poor. very limited midfeild pressure, and sheedy played almost all of our players out of position. he played MJ on the small quick forwards (not what i would do), mcphee in the backline on a main target most of the time (whereas i would have mcphee in more of an attacking role like knights), lucas down back (was never a good move) and lloyd playing up the ground more which is clearly not where his true strengths are...
there were quite a few more examples aswell laycock being played too much on the bench and probably not given enough opportunities..

i think knights will do a great job next year and we will show great improvement..

 

[The Dustbin]

Give yourselves 2-3 years then you'll be a better chance at making the finals

That's what Carlsum have been saying since 2002.

Why has there been a sudden fascination from Carl supporters to come on our board and contribute meaningless crap? Says alot about the quality on the Carl board at the moment.

Merv won't tolerate this for much longer....

 

[Slattery_20]

with lloyd lucas flecther and mal holding up our spine it is impossible for us to win the spoon...
i honestly think we will shock the hell out of everyone next year... From my point of veiw sheedy had lost it a bit this year... played a lot of players out of position and didnt seem to have the game plan necessary to take a group to new heights... our defensive aspect of the game was very poor. very limited midfeild pressure, and sheedy played almost all of our players out of position. he played MJ on the small quick forwards (not what i would do), mcphee in the backline on a main target most of the time (whereas i would have mcphee in more of an attacking role like knights), lucas down back (was never a good move) and lloyd playing up the ground more which is clearly not where his true strengths are...
there were quite a few more examples aswell laycock being played too much on the bench and probably not given enough opportunities..

i think knights will do a great job next year and we will show great improvement..

Can't remember the last time a side had two gun forwards, two gun backmen, and two good ruckmen and won the spoon
Normally the last placed team struggles to get 1 ruckman - eg Carlton, Richmond

 

[Windas_Magic]

Do people expect to see a lot of Hocking or Hislop because if so, do you think theres a spot for Pev? All play similar roles and having a midfield consisting of Hocking, Pev, Hislop, Gus, Watson, Slatts, Stants is just too slow for my liking. Personally, id like to see Hislop get anywhere between 5-15 games as he has had some injury concerns and there are bits of his game he needs to clean up and Hocking around 15-20. I'd like to see Hocking play an almost full season becasue to me, he looks ready. He has a matured body, is good to have in the midfield and has a good tank. Houli is the other one i'd like to see more of as he is a goal-kicking midfielder with a big body and an all round game.
Realisitcally, I think Pev and JJ will be given a full season as they are more experienced players who imo, still have something to offer. The argument with that is, we're probably not gonna win the flag next year (always hopeful!) so whats the point of having JJ and Pev who only have 1-2 years left when we could bleed youngsters. i think this would be the wrong move as a young inexperienced midfield, would get dominated.

 

[DonMania#5]

A lot of so called 'experts' on BF have predicted the Bombers to win the spoon

Experts and Bigfooty is a big mismatch

 

[Windas_Magic]

Hahaha

I am so certain that we will finish above you guys. Just think, in the last few years you have won about 3 games a season. Why will 1 player change that You say you have a great midfield but youve had that midfield (other than Judd) for the past couple of years. I woudnt be surprised if carlton struggle to win 5 games.

 

[bomba4eva]

Do people expect to see a lot of Hocking or Hislop because if so, do you think theres a spot for Pev? All play similar roles and having a midfield consisting of Hocking, Pev, Hislop, Gus, Watson, Slatts, Stants is just too slow for my liking. Personally, id like to see Hislop get anywhere between 5-15 games as he has had some injury concerns and there are bits of his game he needs to clean up and Hocking around 15-20. I'd like to see Hocking play an almost full season becasue to me, he looks ready. He has a matured body, is good to have in the midfield and has a good tank. Houli is the other one i'd like to see more of as he is a goal-kicking midfielder with a big body and an all round game.
Realisitcally, I think Pev and JJ will be given a full season as they are more experienced players who imo, still have something to offer. The argument with that is, we're probably not gonna win the flag next year (always hopeful!) so whats the point of having JJ and Pev who only have 1-2 years left when we could bleed youngsters. i think this would be the wrong move as a young inexperienced midfield, would get dominated.

Not sure if we can make finals. Pretty sure that JJ and Pev wont be in our next flag winning side. That should give you your answer. Get the young mids coming through. We are capable of making finals, provided we dont get too many injuries. We certainly do not have good depth at this time so we are an injury away to Lloyd from a long season IMO. If we do have a good run with injuries, then there is no reason why we cannot keep our development continuing positively seeing as we won plenty more games last season than in 06.

 

[Blueinblood]

Question.....what happens ifhille gets injured....2 bad ruckmen
What happens if lucas and lloyd get injured.....average at best forward line
What happens if fletcher gets injured.
And i dont know if you know but fletcher has said this is his last year.......in 2 years from now these players leave: Lloyd Lucas Fletcher Michael
this isnt ment to be a mean post but i think your season will be decided on injuries
if 1 or 2 key players get injured you could well come last.... if most of your key players stay fit..you may well make a play for the 8... sam with blues.....infact im sure the team with the most injuries between essendon richmond carlton melbourne adelaide and a few other teams will decide who gets the spoon and who makes the finals

 

[Jono B]

I think the ruck is the key to our finals hopes. Laycock and Hille both had standout performances in the second half of the year but never together. Laycock is hopefully completing his first full pre-season in a long time and Knights has planned to play them on the ground for long periods of time (which suits them). I think 2008 looks likely to be the year in which they finally establish themselves as a top quality combination.

Ryder is also important in that he provides depth to the rucking division that we have lacked. Even if we do lose one of Hille or Laycock to injury we can still be competitive with Ryder as second ruck and Gumbleton as a key back (Gumbleton is better credentialed for CHB in 2008 than Ryder was in 2007).

North made the finals on the back of serious improvement from their ruck division. If we make the finals this is to be a major reason.

Also on a side note: If you look at the bottom sides for the last few years you will find one similarity and that is basket-case ruck divisions. Improvement in our ruck division should mean we would avoid the spoon.

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

I do think Essendon will make the 8. I have said that all along. People don't think Essendon is good due to the loss of Sheeds and Hird. Well Essendon has lost many games in recent years due to Sheedy's crap coaching. It is better for Essendon that Sheedy is gone. Just because Hird is gone does not mean that Essendon will do bad. Just because Buckley is gone does not mean that Collingwood will do terrible either, same with other stars that have retired. Sure Hird can never be replaced but Essendon is still a good side and I do predict Essendon to make the 8.

 

[Windas_Magic]

Question.....what happens ifhille gets injured....2 bad ruckmen
What happens if lucas and lloyd get injured.....average at best forward line
What happens if fletcher gets injured.
And i dont know if you know but fletcher has said this is his last year.......in 2 years from now these players leave: Lloyd Lucas Fletcher Michael
this isnt ment to be a mean post but i think your season will be decided on injuries
if 1 or 2 key players get injured you could well come last.... if most of your key players stay fit..you may well make a play for the 8... sam with blues.....infact im sure the team with the most injuries between essendon richmond carlton melbourne adelaide and a few other teams will decide who gets the spoon and who makes the finals

Thus why i said that we dont have great depth and if we could put a full team on the park, we are every chance

 

[Windas_Magic]

Question.....what happens ifhille gets injured....2 bad ruckmen
What happens if lucas and lloyd get injured.....average at best forward line
What happens if fletcher gets injured.
And i dont know if you know but fletcher has said this is his last year.......in 2 years from now these players leave: Lloyd Lucas Fletcher Michael
this isnt ment to be a mean post but i think your season will be decided on injuries
if 1 or 2 key players get injured you could well come last.... if most of your key players stay fit..you may well make a play for the 8... sam with blues.....infact im sure the team with the most injuries between essendon richmond carlton melbourne adelaide and a few other teams will decide who gets the spoon and who makes the finals

Where did you hear that??

 

[The Dustbin]

Where did you hear that??

Yeah I'm keen to know this as well.

 

[Enki]

Question.....what happens ifhille gets injured....2 bad ruckmen
What happens if lucas and lloyd get injured.....average at best forward line
What happens if fletcher gets injured.
And i dont know if you know but fletcher has said this is his last year.......in 2 years from now these players leave: Lloyd Lucas Fletcher Michael
this isnt ment to be a mean post but i think your season will be decided on injuries
if 1 or 2 key players get injured you could well come last.... if most of your key players stay fit..you may well make a play for the 8... sam with blues.....infact im sure the team with the most injuries between essendon richmond carlton melbourne adelaide and a few other teams will decide who gets the spoon and who makes the finals

Weak troll at best.

 

[warney7]

Essendon won't make the 8 in 2008.

Why?

We don't have Hird.

That sets us back a year or so.

I'd like to be proven wrong though!

 

[bomberstomake8]

Question.....what happens ifhille gets injured....2 bad ruckmen
What happens if lucas and lloyd get injured.....average at best forward line
What happens if fletcher gets injured.
And i dont know if you know but fletcher has said this is his last year.......in 2 years from now these players leave: Lloyd Lucas Fletcher Michael
this isnt ment to be a mean post but i think your season will be decided on injuries
if 1 or 2 key players get injured you could well come last.... if most of your key players stay fit..you may well make a play for the 8... sam with blues.....infact im sure the team with the most injuries between essendon richmond carlton melbourne adelaide and a few other teams will decide who gets the spoon and who makes the finals

haha your sources are way wrong.. he said in an interveiw half way through this year that he is aiming to stay on for at least another couple of season, body permitting...

do you know anything about footy? think about all the great forwards lynch (36) lockett (35) etc what age did they play to? lloyd and lucas have just turned 30, forwards who keep up their form into the latter part of their careers normally play until they are 35.. that means there could well be another 5 seasons for them likewise mal (although that depends on whether he is interested or not)..

what i find even funnier is that fact that almost every non-essendon supporter on BF goes on about how lloyd is past it, fletcher is past it and mal micheal is well and truly past it, yet when your talking about our future you act like they are the best players in the game
make up your mind people. makes it even funnier when one of them averaged the second most goals kicked for the year the other was up there in the colemen and the other was an all australian.

 

[Windas_Magic]

Essendon won't make the 8 in 2008.

Why?

We don't have Hird.

That sets us back a year or so.

I'd like to be proven wrong though!

Theres no doubt that Hird is an AFL Legend and that he was a superior player, but im getting tired of this 'no hird no ess' crap.

 

[The Dustbin]

haha your sources are way wrong.. he said in an interveiw half way through this year that he is aiming to stay on for at least another couple of season, body permitting...

do you know anything about footy? think about all the great forwards lynch (36) lockett (35) etc what age did they play to? lloyd and lucas have just turned 30, forwards who keep up their form into the latter part of their careers normally play until they are 35.. that means there could well be another 5 seasons for them likewise mal (although that depends on whether he is interested or not)..

what i find even funnier is that fact that almost every non-essendon supporter on BF goes on about how lloyd is past it, fletcher is past it and mal micheal is well and truly past it, yet when your talking about our future you act like they are the best players in the game
make up your mind people. makes it even funnier when one of them averaged the second most goals kicked for the year the other was up there in the colemen and the other was an all australian.

I'll answer that on behalf of the carl peanut. No.

 

[SirJimi05]

Experts and Bigfooty is a big mismatch

an oxymoron even............

 

[pazza]

9th.

Will be in amongst right up until August, but, will just fall short. 2009 looks set to be a big year.