Rumors are spreading of another rookie list promotion for this week.
Bomber rookies may get a chance
By Martin Blake
May 27, 2004
Essendon has already gone outside its playing list to reinvigorate itself this year, and now coach Kevin Sheedy is considering another rookie for the Bombers' match against Fremantle at Docklands tomorrow night.
After the success of Nathan Lovett-Murray following his elevation from rookie status earlier in the year, two other rookies are believed to be under consideration. One of the Aboriginal duo of Andrew Lovett, 21, and Adrian Wilson, 19, are believed to be in line for a spot in the team against the Dockers.
Either one could be promoted to the senior list as a replacement for Joel Reynolds, who has glandular fever and is on the long-term injury list. Both have been impressive with Bendigo Bombers in the VFL this season, Lovett clocking 21 disposals against Coburg last weekend.
Lovett, 181 centimetres and 73 kilograms, came from Northern under 18s but played a season of senior football with East Perth last year.
While it is difficult to see where another goalkicking forward can fit into a team that already boasts Damian Cupido and Lovett-Murray, the Bombers are obviously keen to find some offensive punch.
Wilson, 180 centimetres and 87 kilograms, a hard-nosed ball-getter, is a cousin of Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin and was recruited from Central District in South Australia. He was on Essendon's rookie list last year.
With captain James Hird due to return after his recovery from an eye injury, the Bombers are likely to have at least two changes from the team that lost to Geelong at the Docklands last Saturday night.
Among those also under consideration are Lovett and Wilson, Jason Winderlich, Mark Alvey, Kepler Bradley, Jobe Watson and Aaron Henneman. Alvey was best-afield for Bendigo last weekend, while Bradley booted four goals and Winderlich had 24 disposals.
"We'll have to pick a better side and make sure the players' attitude is spot-on," said Sheedy. "We'll make two or three changes. We've got to make sure we're on the button.
"We're after a top-four position and we've let ourselves down for too long in that area, and we let ourselves down last week."
Sheedy defended full-forward Matthew Lloyd, who has been struggling by his own standards.
The coach said if Lloyd had kicked as accurately as usual - his conversion is down to 66 per cent from its customary 80-plus mark - it would be different.
"People aren't used to him being second on the AFL goalkicking. (St Kilda forward Fraser) Gehrig's having a pretty good season in a pretty good team up in front of him who are playing better than Essendon at the moment.
"Put Matthew Lloyd down in front of the St Kilda team, there's probably another 15 goals there."
The Bombers were greeted on the track at Windy Hill last night with a couple of hundred supporters brandishing the so-called "Pot-Stirrers" to be handed out at Telstra Dome tomorrow night. The inflated plastic sticks are banged together to create an intimidating environment.
"We're bringing our weapons to play," said Sheedy. "(I) might get a letter from the AFL: 'Please explain.' All the letters I ever get from the AFL are 'please explain.' "
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/05/26/1085461833754.html
Bomber rookies may get a chance
By Martin Blake
May 27, 2004
Essendon has already gone outside its playing list to reinvigorate itself this year, and now coach Kevin Sheedy is considering another rookie for the Bombers' match against Fremantle at Docklands tomorrow night.
After the success of Nathan Lovett-Murray following his elevation from rookie status earlier in the year, two other rookies are believed to be under consideration. One of the Aboriginal duo of Andrew Lovett, 21, and Adrian Wilson, 19, are believed to be in line for a spot in the team against the Dockers.
Either one could be promoted to the senior list as a replacement for Joel Reynolds, who has glandular fever and is on the long-term injury list. Both have been impressive with Bendigo Bombers in the VFL this season, Lovett clocking 21 disposals against Coburg last weekend.
Lovett, 181 centimetres and 73 kilograms, came from Northern under 18s but played a season of senior football with East Perth last year.
While it is difficult to see where another goalkicking forward can fit into a team that already boasts Damian Cupido and Lovett-Murray, the Bombers are obviously keen to find some offensive punch.
Wilson, 180 centimetres and 87 kilograms, a hard-nosed ball-getter, is a cousin of Sydney's Michael O'Loughlin and was recruited from Central District in South Australia. He was on Essendon's rookie list last year.
With captain James Hird due to return after his recovery from an eye injury, the Bombers are likely to have at least two changes from the team that lost to Geelong at the Docklands last Saturday night.
Among those also under consideration are Lovett and Wilson, Jason Winderlich, Mark Alvey, Kepler Bradley, Jobe Watson and Aaron Henneman. Alvey was best-afield for Bendigo last weekend, while Bradley booted four goals and Winderlich had 24 disposals.
"We'll have to pick a better side and make sure the players' attitude is spot-on," said Sheedy. "We'll make two or three changes. We've got to make sure we're on the button.
"We're after a top-four position and we've let ourselves down for too long in that area, and we let ourselves down last week."
Sheedy defended full-forward Matthew Lloyd, who has been struggling by his own standards.
The coach said if Lloyd had kicked as accurately as usual - his conversion is down to 66 per cent from its customary 80-plus mark - it would be different.
"People aren't used to him being second on the AFL goalkicking. (St Kilda forward Fraser) Gehrig's having a pretty good season in a pretty good team up in front of him who are playing better than Essendon at the moment.
"Put Matthew Lloyd down in front of the St Kilda team, there's probably another 15 goals there."
The Bombers were greeted on the track at Windy Hill last night with a couple of hundred supporters brandishing the so-called "Pot-Stirrers" to be handed out at Telstra Dome tomorrow night. The inflated plastic sticks are banged together to create an intimidating environment.
"We're bringing our weapons to play," said Sheedy. "(I) might get a letter from the AFL: 'Please explain.' All the letters I ever get from the AFL are 'please explain.' "
This story was found at: http://www.theage.com.au/realfooty/articles/2004/05/26/1085461833754.html
