Sheedy's final stand
28 February 2007 Herald-Sun
Mike Sheahan
I TUMBLED into Essendon in each of the past two years, predicting final-eight finishes and then watching it finish 13th and 15th.
mcphee
Released: Adam McPhee is likely to have a more creative role this season.
Like the jilted lover, I say never again . . . not until next time, anyway.
The Bombers have had their worst two years of Kevin Sheedy's 26-year reign with eight wins (2005) and then three. Is the veteran coach's seemingly bottomless bag of tricks finally spent?
Until Saturday night's uninspiring performance against Carlton, there had been mounting optimism about the Bombers this year.
With Matthew Lloyd back in front of goal, Mal Michael protecting the goal at the opposite end and James Hird pumped for his swansong year, it was easy for Essendon supporters to get excited.
But, there's usually a good reason why a team finishes in the bottom four two years in a row and that's a fundamental flaw in the make-up of the player group.
Essendon is sub-standard in perhaps the two most critical aspects of the modern game: pace and efficient use of the footy.
The midfield is slow and players all over the field give the ball up too often when kicking under pressure.
Turn it over in the modern game and you get turned over.
The Bombers weren't bad going forward last year – they outscored seven of the other 15 teams – but were terrible defending.
They conceded 2469 points, an average of 112 points, equivalent to, say, 16.16. It was the highest in the competition.
Where was the resistance? In simple terms, they weren't quick enough to recover when they lost the disputed ball, or when a kick or handball missed the target and fell into opposition hands.
Michael will make a difference for he has been an elite player for six years, the toughest full-back in the game according to new teammate Lloyd.
He has freed up Dustin Fletcher to play at centre half-back, which also gives Adam McPhee a slightly easier and, hopefully, more creative role at half-back.
Yet, it is only six months since Michael didn't want to play football again. Is his enthusiasm renewed or just temporary in new surrounds?
Hird plays on, but he came as close to retirement as you can get last year without burning your footy gear.
As good as he is, as professional as he is, there has to be a worry when he was on the verge of giving it away three or four different times.
Lloyd is back, bigger and hungrier, and maybe a little angrier. He is a four-goals-a-game man, but he has had a significant injury; a hamstring tendon ripped off the bone.
Will it affect his pace off the mark, will it impact on his ability to convert from 60m?
If he is right, he will make a huge difference. Worth remembering is that Essendon beat Sydney by 27 points in the opening round last year after Lloyd kicked six in the first quarter.
It is a huge year for the club. For a dozen players. For the coach. The Bombers haven't missed the finals three years running since 1978. If that were to happen this year, a change of coach would be inevitable.
New president Ray Horsburgh has ordered his directors to refrain from any speculation on Sheedy's future until mid-season. That won't stop the media and "Sheedy's Future" might be a board game by then.
Good luck to the president – and the coach – if they are 4-8 or worse come the mid-season break. Even earlier if they are 0-3, having lost to Adelaide, Fremantle and Carlton.
The problem as I see it is the Bombers are much the same as they have been in the past couple of years.
Yes, Michael has arrived and the new recruits all are supposed to have pace, but the "best 22" for 2007 isn't far removed from what it has been in the previous two years.
Perhaps Alwyn Davey can slot straight in. He is new but he turns 23 in May. His brother, Aaron, didn't take long to make his mark at Melbourne, remember.
If the Bombers are to make a move, the impetus will come from McPhee, Lovett, Hille, Johns, Laycock and Monfries.
Talented, all of them, but there is too long between drinks.
Any thoughts on this article regarding his annual assessment of our side. While I dont agree with everything he states here, particularly his views on Lloyd and Hird....if you take a step out and look in, you cant blame opposition supporters and journalists for writing about only what they see, particularly this line he uses..." Like the jilted lover, I say never again . . . not until next time, anyway."
Anyone have views of their own??
28 February 2007 Herald-Sun
Mike Sheahan
I TUMBLED into Essendon in each of the past two years, predicting final-eight finishes and then watching it finish 13th and 15th.
mcphee
Released: Adam McPhee is likely to have a more creative role this season.
Like the jilted lover, I say never again . . . not until next time, anyway.
The Bombers have had their worst two years of Kevin Sheedy's 26-year reign with eight wins (2005) and then three. Is the veteran coach's seemingly bottomless bag of tricks finally spent?
Until Saturday night's uninspiring performance against Carlton, there had been mounting optimism about the Bombers this year.
With Matthew Lloyd back in front of goal, Mal Michael protecting the goal at the opposite end and James Hird pumped for his swansong year, it was easy for Essendon supporters to get excited.
But, there's usually a good reason why a team finishes in the bottom four two years in a row and that's a fundamental flaw in the make-up of the player group.
Essendon is sub-standard in perhaps the two most critical aspects of the modern game: pace and efficient use of the footy.
The midfield is slow and players all over the field give the ball up too often when kicking under pressure.
Turn it over in the modern game and you get turned over.
The Bombers weren't bad going forward last year – they outscored seven of the other 15 teams – but were terrible defending.
They conceded 2469 points, an average of 112 points, equivalent to, say, 16.16. It was the highest in the competition.
Where was the resistance? In simple terms, they weren't quick enough to recover when they lost the disputed ball, or when a kick or handball missed the target and fell into opposition hands.
Michael will make a difference for he has been an elite player for six years, the toughest full-back in the game according to new teammate Lloyd.
He has freed up Dustin Fletcher to play at centre half-back, which also gives Adam McPhee a slightly easier and, hopefully, more creative role at half-back.
Yet, it is only six months since Michael didn't want to play football again. Is his enthusiasm renewed or just temporary in new surrounds?
Hird plays on, but he came as close to retirement as you can get last year without burning your footy gear.
As good as he is, as professional as he is, there has to be a worry when he was on the verge of giving it away three or four different times.
Lloyd is back, bigger and hungrier, and maybe a little angrier. He is a four-goals-a-game man, but he has had a significant injury; a hamstring tendon ripped off the bone.
Will it affect his pace off the mark, will it impact on his ability to convert from 60m?
If he is right, he will make a huge difference. Worth remembering is that Essendon beat Sydney by 27 points in the opening round last year after Lloyd kicked six in the first quarter.
It is a huge year for the club. For a dozen players. For the coach. The Bombers haven't missed the finals three years running since 1978. If that were to happen this year, a change of coach would be inevitable.
New president Ray Horsburgh has ordered his directors to refrain from any speculation on Sheedy's future until mid-season. That won't stop the media and "Sheedy's Future" might be a board game by then.
Good luck to the president – and the coach – if they are 4-8 or worse come the mid-season break. Even earlier if they are 0-3, having lost to Adelaide, Fremantle and Carlton.
The problem as I see it is the Bombers are much the same as they have been in the past couple of years.
Yes, Michael has arrived and the new recruits all are supposed to have pace, but the "best 22" for 2007 isn't far removed from what it has been in the previous two years.
Perhaps Alwyn Davey can slot straight in. He is new but he turns 23 in May. His brother, Aaron, didn't take long to make his mark at Melbourne, remember.
If the Bombers are to make a move, the impetus will come from McPhee, Lovett, Hille, Johns, Laycock and Monfries.
Talented, all of them, but there is too long between drinks.
Any thoughts on this article regarding his annual assessment of our side. While I dont agree with everything he states here, particularly his views on Lloyd and Hird....if you take a step out and look in, you cant blame opposition supporters and journalists for writing about only what they see, particularly this line he uses..." Like the jilted lover, I say never again . . . not until next time, anyway."
Anyone have views of their own??
