Game thread: Essendon vs Hawthorn

[S.C[BANKS]]

BLITZ PREVEIW

Round 11 - Hawthorn Match Preview

By Stealth bomber
It’s been four years since that fateful day when lines were drawn in the sand, and the fortunes of both clubs involved in that farcical event have changed dramatically. Prior to that point, Essendon had pretty much owned the Hawks for the best part of ten years. Since then though, the tables have certainly turned around for the wees and poos, what with the emergence of young guns like Hodge, Roughead, Mitchell, and of course, Buddy Franklin.

The Hawks have become the poster children for the rebuilding process and appear to be entering a sustained period of success not unlike that of their 1980s counterparts, led by a flashy, swaggering CHF wearing #23 with loads of talent and a supporting cast of hard nuts, some who occasionally get under the skin of opposition players and supporters. Despite their loss last week, they remain on top of the ladder and still present themselves as a genuine premiership threat.

Essendon, meanwhile, finds itself in 14th position, having lost seven straight matches, many of which were thrashings where brief periods of good play were marred by lengthy passages of absolutely disgraceful football (see 4th quarter vs Sydney, 1st half vs. Richmond, pretty much all day against Port and Collingwood).

Things were a lot different last week, however, as an inspired Essendon side went to Adelaide and nearly stole one from a flat Crows outfit, with vastly improved performances from the young brigade. Essendon coach Matthew Knights put forth a challenge to his youth at half time during the “Nightmare-time at the G” debacle and many of them took it on board. Angus Monfries played perhaps his best game for the club, Jason Winderlich also got in the best and contributed with two goals, and the likes of Sam Lonergan, Bachar Houli and the once-again orange-booted Kyle Reimers also getting themselves onto some of the best lists. Also pleasing to see was encouraging form from Adam McPhee, with three goals, who began to resemble something of his 2004 self.

No sight warmed the hearts of Essendon supporters more though than the return of Scott Lucas from a lengthy knee injury. Lucas will play his 250th game for Essendon this week. The skinny kid from Camperdown has grown into one of the premier forwards of the game and one of Essendon’s best players over the past decade. Congratulations to Scott and here is hoping the boys can put in something special for this one.

In another milestone, Dustin Fletcher will play the 550th game combined between him and his father Ken. One more and the Fletchers will hold the all-time combined father/son games record, a truly remarkable achievement. Perhaps twenty years from now we’ll be talking about Dustin’s two young sons and some kind of record involving three generations of Fletchers at Essendon.

One could say things are in a sad state of affairs if five-point losses are anything to get excited about, but Essendon finally showed some serious signs of improvement against the Camries, even if they fell short on the scoreboard. Defensive accountability was much, much better against the Crows, with players finishing tackles and being rewarded with holding the ball frees and pressuring the Crows’ disposals enough that resulted in many turnovers and sprayed shots at goal. Kick-ins from behinds, which have at times been a complete disaster, were also much improved.

The Bombers have rewarded the young players’ efforts by making just one forced change, bringing in the much-maligned Jason Laycock in place of the injured Tom Hislop, who is nursing a sore shoulder suffered during last week’s game.

http://www.bomberblitz.com/News/343/round-11-hawthorn-match-preview

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

3 more hours! cant wait for this match boys.

 

[Spikey]

BLOW THE SIREN!!!

Oh and Welsh on Mitchell, I don't like the sound of that...

 

[bomberbill22]

BLOW THE SIREN!!!

Oh and Welsh on Mitchell, I don't like the sound of that...

Hopefully Bellchambers kills it

 

[MarkJohnson#1]

Robert Walls already opening his mouth, seriously what a professional tool!

 

[hateitorlovett13]

dissapointing with franklin already kicking 6. was really looking forward to seeing ryder beat him, just didnt look interested.

 

[Miss_Hawk_Fan]

What was the point of night running down the clock with minute to go in the first quarter? is there more to it than i can see or did he just want to join our coach this week and look like a tool?

 

[MadBomberfan]

What was the point of night running down the clock with minute to go in the first quarter? is there more to it than i can see or did he just want to join our coach this week and look like a tool?

So it's OK for your guys to zone off and flood back and you get the shits because we won't just bomb the ball to you? Get over it.

 

[Spikey]

What was the point of night running down the clock with minute to go in the first quarter? is there more to it than i can see or did he just want to join our coach this week and look like a tool?

Let me just ring Knighter then!

He says piss off.

That's a bit mean of him...

 

[MadBomberfan]

Free kicks like the one paid to that gutless prick Mitchelle at the end of the 3rd Q sum it all up tonight. ____ you, you green pieces of shit.

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Great first half, cant say the same for the 2nd half.

 

[Blind Blink]

Argh. We were doing so well, now it's 40 points. Damn Franklin. Was on track for a billion. At least we settled him for a bit.

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Argh. We were doing so well, now it's 40 points. Damn Franklin. Was on track for a billion. At least we settled him for a bit.

At least we're still on track to get Rich.

 

[Spikey]

Belly didn't get one hit-out...

 

[MadBomberfan]

Belly didn't get one hit-out...

He got sfa game time. But yes you'd like to see some stats, even in his first game.

 

[w.weapons]

im just a neutral observer looking at the bombers........

nothing agaist lloyd........he is a champ.........are his days over ive watched him the last 3 weeks cant get a sniff..........is he injured.......looks very slow second efforts arnt there......got anything for me boys..........?

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

im just a neutral observer looking at the bombers........

nothing agaist lloyd........he is a champ.........are his days over ive watched him the last 3 weeks cant get a sniff..........is he injured.......looks very slow second efforts arnt there......got anything for me boys..........?

The supply from the midfield isn't there.

Those days where Lloyd was as good as Franklin right now is over.

 

[Rack Watts]

the Western Bullies need a tall Full Forward
Want matty?

 

[Jesse Custer]

Hawks proved what a top side they are tonite. Good effort in the first half, but those silly mistakes keep happening each week. Fletcher may have a cracked rib. Long way to go.

 

[kelvin_sheedy]

im just a neutral observer looking at the bombers........

nothing agaist lloyd........he is a champ.........are his days over ive watched him the last 3 weeks cant get a sniff..........is he injured.......looks very slow second efforts arnt there......got anything for me boys..........?

He's slowed down a bit. He was never really quick but quick enough to get away from the defenders and keep them off.

He can't do that anymore and with the lack of supply he's getting he might struggle a bit more.

Could still kick 60 in a good side but he can't make us a good side anymore.

 

[Tony Delaney]

Enjoyed the endeavour in the first half. Scoreboard pressure is a wonderful thing. If McPhee kicks his on the run from 15, Monfries holds the chest mark 10 metres out it gets us off to a better start but against sides like Hawthorn you only get one chance.

Buddy's a superstar just wonder how they would go if he was out with an injury such is his impact. Getting players back to help out was a good ploy but they didn't do it properly. Fletcher punches when he should have marked - no talk, NLM punches but straight up not a 20 metre thump.

Theres always next week. Go Bombers

 

[danzan22]

Lack of awarness really showed tonight, to often we just took to long to get rid of the ball and were run down.

 

[Miss_Hawk_Fan]

So it's OK for your guys to zone off and flood back and you get the shits because we won't just bomb the ball to you? Get over it.

No the bombers just kept going backwards and no effort to try and go forward and get another goal. At this stage the bombers where in control of the game and the ball, every thing they did turned to gold. The hawks on the other hand was feeling the bombers pressure and kept turning the ball over in the first QTR. It just didnt make sense in my veiw to stop the run on and control the bombers had at that stage. t's not like counting the clock down was going to win them the game, it was the first QTR.

I think the bombers have some exciting players to build their next generation on Leroy Jetta (love his speed and class in time will be in your midfeild) Remmers, Hillie, Houli, Laycock, Monfries, Nash, Pears and Paddy Ryder who did absolutley nothing wrong in his marking of buddy, loved his attacking busting through the pack mark against Buddy.

Fantastic first have from the bombers....... good luck for the remainder of season 2008.

 

[Miss_Hawk_Fan]

Let me just ring Knighter then!

He says piss off.

That's a bit mean of him...

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