Review Nab Cup Rd 1 review thread

[rines]

Yes its only NAB, yes Brisbane were boys and StK did field a modified team but I was excited to see some evidence of change.. absolutely awesome to watch some slick ball movement.. confidence in structures and a DEFENSIVE mindset.. actually some forward pressure on the ball carrier. I applauded the effort and think Rnd 1 of the NAB cup couldn't have gone much better!

Borrowing Player List from HFF and EFC:


1 Jay Neagle - Looked slimmer.. thats about all you can say. Looked as lost down back as he often does up forward. Not sure I would invest much time in him other than back up for injuries.

2 Ricky Dyson - Didn't notice his stuff ups which is always a great sign! But hard to notice when a senior player only gets 5 touches in a "half" of footy. Useful as a fill in maybe.. but can see some kids going past him in best 21 this year.

3 Scott Gumbleton - When do we concede we got this wrong/ got very unlucky/ wish it went differently? Looked like the pace was too much, got muscled out of it way too easily and big reason we were able to come back is because Hurley relieved this guy at CHF. Had high hopes like most but he just looks lost.

4 Jobe Watson (C) - BANG! No more can be said, deserves the C, led brilliantly, is a leader/teacher/ A grader. Disposal looked clean for most part and engine looks finely tuned. Could be his best year yet with chop out from howlett and others. I'm excited!

5 Brent Stanton - Can sometimes knock him but thought he was brilliant. Ran hard all night, didn't shy away from physicality and really looks to have added some accountability to the game. Far more damaging rather than running around the back for cheap stats! Lovely disposal and looks super super super fit! One of the best in both games and still looked fresh at the end of the night.

6 Angus Monfries - Disagree with some that he wasn't up to scratch. Think he will be looking to spend more time in the middle and that could be a very good thing. loved his pressure along with davey in the forward line. Never gives up the fight and should be better for the run. Was a standout in st K game (think he got 140+ SC pts.. was it 6 tackles?) and he looks in great shape.

7 Leroy Jetta - Good against the weaker opposition Bris but struggled for impact against the bigger bodies of St K. Looks more determined and in better shape than I've seen him. Loved his decision making and hard running to space. Could light it up this year.

8 Jason Winderlich - Did he even play??! Saw him floating off the back of a the pack a couple of times but was a dismal game for him. Obviously far too early to crack the whip but would hope for more from a senior player. Didn't seem interested at all.

9 Brent Prismal - Really want this guy to fire but didn't hit his straps last night. Disposal is his strength but struggled to impact even after the two runs.

10 Mark McVeigh - Is he back? Thought he looked more interested and aggressive than we saw for the whole of 2010! Maybe playing for hirdy, or maybe career or perhaps both but showed the passion we expect from spike and was reflected in performance. Will be an asset across half back if stays fit and angry!

11 David Zaharakis - And Here We Go! Loved it, loved it, loved it.. shame we didn't get a chance to see against the better opposition but really looks trim and mature. Disposal clean, speed to burn and clinical around goal. Could be a part of our own "fab four" with Watson, Stanton and Milkshake.

14 Sam Lonergan - Solid across both games. Role Player in the team and that is important if we are to be consistent. Never gives up and is a touch above "plodder" in terms of skill.

15 Courtenay Dempsey - Just got a run in the 2nd game and looked eager to strut his stuff. I have been critical in the past but thought he was great. Clean disposal and some attacking flair. We have to realise he will be positioned at HBack but not actually be a defender. His role will be to run off HB to set up attacking play, like forever this could hurt on quick turnover. Would love to see him on a wing instead.

17 Jake Melksham - Let down by disposal but knows how to find it. Only 2nd year in the system but has the makings of a gem. I think he will be a core midfielder for the next 5-10 years. Decision making is perfect especially for one so young. Touch of class but will need to iron out kinks in disposal and continue to work on tackling technique.

18 Michael Hurley - Keep him forward. Wayne Carey/Johnno Brown mould. Will split every pack he goes near and is sharp once the ball hits the deck. Kicked a few cheap goals but it was his "presence" around the ground/ forward half I liked. We started to go well when he subbed on in the StK game.. just so important for structure. Salivating at the thought..

20 Henry Slattery - Hmmm. Some will love and some will hate. Tries hard, works hard, keeps close to his man. Solid on every level without being a star. Important if we are to start playing consistent footy but not sure if he will survive if young kids come on.

21 Dyson Heppell - Was his first hit out.. but looked good.. very good. Disposal either was very shaky from nerves or needs a little work. Will wait and see which. Ran hard and looks ready to play senior footy this year, even Rnd 1 based on some passages of play. Would like to have seen him against the bigger and tougher saints as lions were little better than witches hats at times.

22 Jake Carlisle - Jury out. Depth player at best for me. Still young and developing, definitely not time to swing the axe for sure based on a few glimpses last night.

23 David Myers - Yuck Yuck Yuck. Didn't like him being picked, never liked him being played and last night did nothing to change my mind. Shame he will have no trade value either, another wasted top 10 pick by EFC and should be left to languish somewhere else. Fumbles, bumbles and can't hold a mark to save himself. Liability at the back and too slow for the middle. Should be passed, and passed quickly, by others.

24. Alex Browne - Didn't see/notice him enough to pass judgement. New numbers.

26 Cale Hooker - Will be better for the run. Not his best.

27 Luke Davis - Didn't see/notice him enough to pass judgement. New numbers.

29 Alwyn Davey - Pressure was back. Didn't get a heap of the ball but was back to chasing and harassing. Will be a key to forward pressure this year.

30 Patrick Ryder - Spectacular grab for the highlights but showed again that Ruck is his spot. Athletic and interested.. could be a good year. Quick hands too makes him another "mid" after the ruck contest.

31 Dustin Fletcher - Oldest player but still prob our best in defence. God I love his man. Controlled and instructed and lose arms still seem to always just get there!!

32 Travis Colyer - Question his disposal and decision making. Speed good and looks fit and stronger than last year.

33 Mark Williams - Yes kicked the winning goal.. which was lucky otherwise you might not have known he was playing. Disappointing yet again. Just don't know what his role is in modern footy. Ugly trade decision.

34 Kyle Hardingham - Ahhhhh.

39 Heath Hocking - Solid, solid and solid. Plays his man and the ball hard and with determination. Will be great if he can step up to chop out watson/howlett in the in and under work around the ground. Very solid with ball in hand if not damaging.

40 Ben Howlett - The man to help watson. Goes in and under with determination. Will be one of the keys in our midfield rotation without being a "star". oppositions will need to plan to negate him or risk watson going crazy.

42 Nathan Lovett-Murray - Disappointing for mine. Senior player but looked like just going through the paces. Will see how season proper goes but I think we will be a better side if NLM isn't required to hold down a key defensive post.

43 Michael Hibberd - VFL pick up that could add some toughness. Very good depth player and should be one to watch.

44 Tom Bellchambers - Another year and it shows. Body is starting to fill out and he one a few contests in his own right. Will be much better fill in for Hille this year if req'd and hopefully might be ready in 5 years when we need it.

45 Stewart Crameri - Best forward by a country mile. Great hands, quick thinking and caused havoc in both games. Never thought much of Stew but good chance to be elevated if required on the basis of that performance. 5 goals was an excellent result.

46 Josh Jenkins - Didn't see/notice him enough to pass judgement. New numbers.


Was exciting to see the boys up and running and our game plan seems far more balanced between attack and defence. It is early but it feels good to have some hope and something to base that hope on. To come back against the saints in a rnd 1 NAB game clearly showed how determined we were. Was very proud that we seem to have that competitive spirit. If the boys seek to win everything they are part of then a winning culture should be around the corner!

 

[Wheedus]

Love watching Hurley play forward. There was a game last season where on a couple of occasions he stormed out of the 50, took the ball at his ankles and dished off beautifully to a teammate running towards goal. Classic CHF. Last night, he had a real presence and we can only hope he can take his game to the classic Carey like role. Will be great if Hooker and Pears can both step up further (both already look the goods) to allow Hurley to play up forward permanently.

 

[The Bomb]

Love watching Hurley play forward. There was a game last season where on a couple of occasions he stormed out of the 50, took the ball at his ankles and dished off beautifully to a teammate running towards goal. Classic CHF. Last night, he had a real presence and we can only hope he can take his game to the classic Carey like role. Will be great if Hooker and Pears can both step up further (both already look the goods) to allow Hurley to play up forward permanently.

he picks it up as clean as a whistle, also last year he got alot of his goals reading the ball off of the pack, or out of the congestion and got more goals doing it again last night, when in defence he does it also and clears it out of danger.
that is quiet a special skill for a bloke of his size.

 

[DaSawx]

Melksham seems to be a player the game slows down for, if he can sure up his disposal, especially his handball, he could really be something, I also like the fact he likes to try the difficult, shows confidence and maybe arrogance gun players need.

Don't remember Myers' fumbled marks, he did some really good things and can still place kicks in the exact spot needed or float them perfectly, he can get out of traffic and use it well, very good traits needed off HBF.

Zaka, in my SC team, keep it up buddy

 

[stander]

Don't remember Myers' fumbled marks, he did some really good things and can still place kicks in the exact spot needed or float them perfectly, he can get out of traffic and use it well, very good traits needed off HBF.

You would have to be the only one in the EFC community to not remember the fumbled marks, what's wrong with you?

 

[DaSawx]

You would have to be the only one in the EFC community to not remember the fumbled marks, what's wrong with you?

Meant to say try not to

 

[ghostdog]

OK, i'll have a go here then:




14 Sam Lonergan - People really underestimate Lonergan at times, his relentless attack on the ball went throughout the night, he was a constant around the clearances. As silly as it sounds, he is our poor man's Luke Ball. Would love to see some quick hands out to team mates, or the footy thrown onto his boot.


23 David Myers - Hugely disappointing for mine, did some nice things, but tried to do to much most of the time. Not sure where Myers fits in, once everybody is fit and firing. KPD (Tayte Pears/Cale Hooker), 3rd Defender (Dustin Fletcher), 4th Defender (Hibberd/Heppell), Small Deffender (Slattery/Mcveigh). Could we use his big body and pace as a deffensive weapon and play him as a tagger? moves the aging Welsh out of the centre square and gives Myers room to use that big left foot of his, after all, he is a midfielder isnt he?

Agree on Lonergan. He keeps at it and doesn't mind getting in and under. was played out of position in the forward line a bit last year. Could be our tagger as opposed to Myers? ...or develop Myers in the role. Both add to our depth regardless. Myers at the very least needs a consistent run in the midfield before I can him. I don't think he's been given enough of an opportunity yet.

 

[yaco55]

Was impressed with the role played by Davey last night.

Seems to be have more value playing up the field - and then pushing into the forward line - This has two benefits - more midfield pressure - seems to make better decisions when running towards goals, as opposed to having his back to goal.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Agree on Lonergan. He keeps at it and doesn't mind getting in and under. was played out of position in the forward line a bit last year.

On one hand I absolutely agree, but on another while he is constantly in there, he rarely give clean hands out of the congestion. Does an excellent job on winning a contested ball but would have a poor 1st possession to clearance ratio.

 

[ant555]

Game Plan
As expected there where more defensive aspects to it and it was very clear watching from level 3 that the effort was being put in to hold a straight line and zone the middle of the ground. It fell away in the first half of the Saints game but was better in the second half.
The game plan continues to have most of what Knights was working on minus the 3rd, 4th and 5th stupid handballs to stationary targets which appears to be replaced with a long kick inside 50 so expect to see a lot of Hurley, Hille or Ryder at FF. We will have to be careful that we do not just get sucked into simply bombing it all the time.

Overall the skills where reasonable, we got ourselves under pressure against the Saints with some sloppy half back turnovers and a few panic moments which looked like last year but once the pressure and contested footy came back up the game plan started to work.

Next week against Melbourne should give us a better ,look with a full game under closer to normal circumstances as the Brisbane game was a nothing game that we won as we should have given their lack of strength and the St.Kilda game was too short to draw any absolute conclusions.

The players

1. Neagle -not terrible but does not know a lot about defense. I bet Gamble was happy to see Neagle as his first opponent.

2. Dyson - may have had only 5 touches but was solid in defense playing the whole game at half back. Did nothing wrong. did not play the second game.

3. Gumbleton - rubbish effort, ran around trying to take marks from 3 or 4 deep. Little wonder he only had 3 touches. One positive was 3 hit outs and a couple of tackles.

4. Watson - super game! Like the way he is now starting to spread quickly from the contest giving another option or dragging his tagger away from the play.

5. Stanton - Pretty sure you will see Stants play his best footy under Hird. Good game with less calling for cheap handballs and good defensive positioning.

6. Monfries - limited possessions in the Brisbane game and with the way the ball came in he was the odd forward out in terms of feed as we had many options. Had to work hard in the Saints game and got a few more touches. Tackling was good.

7. Jetta- was hoping to see more but maybe he was trying to concentrate on the defensive things as i did not notice him just wandering around behind the play as much as in the past.

8. Winderlich - did nothing really.

9. Prismall - like Winders did bugger all except a couple of u-turns. You would really think he should know the Geelong game plan that ours is based off.

10. McVeigh - big year coming up, looks quicker and really switched on. I still don't think he is a genuine mid but he was pretty good linking in around the ground.

11. Zaka- played in the easy game and looked really good. Body wise he is looking like an AFL player now.

14. Lonergan- 6 disposals in both games, as usual was good in and under. Still needs to prove he can win more of the ball.

15. Dempsey - great ball winning game with plenty of run and good contested ball. Still had as many hairy moments in defense as Myers and was still very loose. No doubt he can run with the ball, time to prove he can work in the zone defense. Good game otherwise.

17. Melksham - will be a good outside midfielder for us . Goes in when it is his go but his best work is getting into space. I had a good look at his defensive efforts and he is still a bit lazy on that side. A number of times he was simply standing in an area that was useless and he needs to switch on and move to better positions if our midfield zone is going to be effective.

18. Hurley - good games, is never out of the contest and is not a one trick pony when it comes to kicking goals.

20. Slattery - does what Henry does, plays ok but never wins the respect of most supporters.

21. Heppel - Good enough start but his kicking was interesting. 9 possessions was a good start from half back. Defense was pretty good although he did get caught out not pushing back hard enough a few times.

22. Carlisle - 6 disposals, 2 tackles and a goal was not a bad hitout. Did drop a couple of marks but unlike Gumby he lead his opponent to the ball. He is coming along ok and will be a good player ! LOL at depth player comments...

23. Myers - defense good, ball in hand or slipping out of hand not so good. Used to be a fan while i was waiting for him to develop but i am not seeing enough composure with the ball in hand for him to be consistently effective at AFL level.

24 Browne - 8 possessions and 3 marks. Did what he had to do and played ok.

26 Hookers - just a game.

27 Davis - only had the 3 touches but looked composed. Did play in the easy game so ahrd to judge either way.

29. Davey - usual Davey, ran fast, made a few tackles and had a few touches, just didnt kick the goals needed. Was good with his hands.

30. Ryder - still an enigma, if he ever concentrates for even 60% of the game he will be a super star. Did what he usually does and that is play ok while leaving you walking away wondering if only he could....

31 Fletcher - champion.

32 Colyer - played ok for his 10 disposals but needs to use it better and also needs to work back the other way harder, part of the reason our zone looked so bad in the first half of the Saints game.

33. Williams - 4 disposals is not a big return but was not given much of a chance with our style of play in the first half of the Saints game. was reasonable in the second half. only played against the Saints.

34 Hardingham - looked good but missed a few easy targets.

39- Hocking - not as good as a few others but did a good job while on Rich and then Goddard while still winning some ball. had a couple of turn overs.

40. Howlett- as i have said before we do not need some star to help Watson, we have Howlett !

42. NLM - looked really good in game one and reasonably good with a few shaky moments in games 2.

43.Hibberd - did a good job on Milne and got a few touches, looked composed.

44. Bellchambers - no point really commenting a lot as he is still only 22 and it will be another 3 years before he is in his prime for a ruck man. Did not do a lot and was not a great game.

45. Crameri - no surprise to me, have said a number of time i though he showed a bit in the few games he played last year before his lack of fitness base slowed him down. has had a good pre season and played well.

46 Jenkins - jumps ok in the ruck and had 4 hit outs but has a lot to learn around the ground which you would expect from a 21 year old who has hardly played at any level other than country footy.

 

[Oh Tayteridge]

Rd 1 NAB Cup- Myers fumbles 3-4 times.

Surely he can be excused for fumbling 4 times in that situation, both at the early stage of the season and under the first real pressure we've had for 4 months, if one considers his exceptional use of strength, powerful kicking, and solid defence that far outweighed the negatives?

Then again, that's apparently a big if for most here.

 

[Slattery_20]

26 Cale Hooker - You could tell it was Hookers first run in the Saints game, did some very good things and actually summed up things quite well. Would like to see him stick to the percentages for the most part this year and allow others to set up around him (Hibberd/Heppell/McVeigh).

Agree.

Disagree on Myers, 1 or 2 mistakes but was pretty good defensively, out-pointed his man. Not a great night but not a bad one either IMHO.
Still think he's of much more value as a midfielder.

Overall pleasing to see much stronger efforts from flankers & mid-sized types; and a much better effort at helping the defense rather than leaving it to the last line to do everything.

 

[Murph_S13]

Surely [Myers] can be excused for fumbling 4 times . . .

Except that he was the only one doing it. And he's a serial offender. And he continually turns into traffic . . .

He's not a defender as long as his bum points to the ground and that's his only excuse this week. A couple of fairly decent games in the midfield last year, but I don't think he's quick enough (and he doesn't have the other strengths that another slowish player in Watson has) to win and hold a spot there.

 

[DaSawx]

Except that he was the only one doing it. And he's a serial offender. And he continually turns into traffic . . .

Hmmm, saw him work out of traffic beautifully on the half back flank near the boundary.

 

[Yoda_]

Agree.

Disagree on Myers, 1 or 2 mistakes but was pretty good defensively, out-pointed his man. Not a great night but not a bad one either IMHO.
Still think he's of much more value as a midfielder.

Overall pleasing to see much stronger efforts from flankers & mid-sized types; and a much better effort at helping the defense rather than leaving it to the last line to do everything.

This is why I think that Myers could be well utilised as a tagger. Big body, pace, size, can kick it when he gets it..

Here is a question I pose to everyone, at what stage do we go, alright we (Essendon Football Club) stuffed up and move on?

Just think that Myers could be in some serious trouble this year if he does not play 15 + games (barring injuries). Think Hird may give him every chance to do so, just depends wheter Myers takes that chance.

 

[Kong]

Hmmm, saw him work out of traffic beautifully on the half back flank near the boundary.

Also saw that.

He worked his stuff beautifully to begin with, it's just that he dropped that mark and fumbled once or twice later on, which is all that it takes when it comes to the fickle supporters and their whipping boys.

 

[Slattery_20]

Here is a question I pose to everyone, at what stage do we go, alright we (Essendon Football Club) stuffed up and move on?

When we have a better chance of finding someone who'll offer more. I'd have about 12 or 14 blokes in the gun first without even thinking.

He was nigh-on BOG in our last match... he's 21... I cannot really see why he's the one we're discussing. It annoys me enough when we see it about Lonergan, Slatts, NLM etc but they're at least a realistic chance to go.

Myers being cut now, after 3 years and a sum total of about 30 weeks un-hindered by injury, would be farcical.

This is why I think that Myers could be well utilised as a tagger. Big body, pace, size, can kick it when he gets it..

Sounds like exactly the player we need, doesn't it.

I think we should cut Myers then draft a guy exactly the same then give him 2 or 3 years to develop; but if he hasn't won a brownlow by 21, cut him.

 

[daffo]

Again, I was really impressed with Zaka. I think he is going to have an outstanding season.

 

[Super Gusto]

Seriously can't understand the negative comments about Dempsey.

Just watched the game again for the third time and thought he was one of our better players on the night. His attack on the ball, pressure and second efforts was fantastic.

I couldn;t see any hair raising moments in the backline, in fact he played alot of game time up on the wing.

There were only two bits of play that people could be critical of him, and both of these it would be pretty harsh.

First one - First half. When the ball was fed out to him on the wing and he ran forward bombing it in for a point. In this case all our forwards were up the ground and there was no one to kick to, no other option for him but to back his penetrating kick.

Second one - Second half. Had the ball in the centre and lolly popped a kick up to three Essendon players who dropped the mark and the ball was turned over resulting in goal to Montagna. In this case the only problem was his execution of the kick but it was to three players who had a heap of space. If the player hadn't dropped the simple mark this wouldn;t even had stood out.

These two bits of play (harshly judged as stuff ups) should be far offset by his other hard work. He was everywhere, one minute winning the ball forward the next running back to help out the defence.

I'm sure he'll be used this way all year, so people need to get used to his un accountability as his role is to create play and act as the second or third man in to help out in defence.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

I couldn;t see any hair raising moments in the backline, in fact he played alot of game time up on the wing.

1. Picks the ball up on the forward pocket on the Spencer St/La Trobe street side of the ground (i.e. not Medallion Club) uses a brilliant burst of pace to get away from his man, swings around, and pops it up in the air to Leroy Jetta v 5 St Kilda players at CHF. St Kilda break down the other end.

2. Uses his pace to keep the ball in on the back pocket, swings away from the boundary, and kicks to a one-on-one contest at CHB.

How basic are those things? You're taught from U/10 level not to blaze away into the forward line unless you have to, in which case, you go to the top of the square. You're taught never to kick to a contest in the defensive corridor - go down the line.

 

[Super Gusto]

1. Picks the ball up on the forward pocket on the Spencer St/La Trobe street side of the ground (i.e. not Medallion Club) uses a brilliant burst of pace to get away from his man, swings around, and pops it up in the air to Leroy Jetta v 5 St Kilda players at CHF. St Kilda break down the other end.

2. Uses his pace to keep the ball in on the back pocket, swings away from the boundary, and kicks to a one-on-one contest at CHB.

How basic are those things? You're taught from U/10 level not to blaze away into the forward line unless you have to, in which case, you go to the top of the square. You're taught never to kick to a contest in the defensive corridor - go down the line.

If the first instance is the one I'm thinking of - Picks up the ball on the wing not forward pocket. He was good enough to win the ball under way to much pressure and then tackled as he went to kick causing his kick to drop short. If he wasn't tackled it would have gone over the 5 skilda players and jettas head to a group of free essendon players. After the turn over he then went back to fight for the ball a second time in defence. Your's is a half glass full view of what happened and totally unfair.

When did the second instance occur? Was this the one when he kicked to Ryder in the last qtr?.

 

[Kong]

He only started playing footy as a 17 year old, didn't he?

Not an excuse, just a sidenote.

 

[Ben the Gooner]

If the first instance is the one I'm thinking of - Picks up the ball on the wing not forward pocket. He was good enough to win the ball under way to much pressure and then tackled as he went to kick causing his kick to drop short. If he wasn't tackled it would have gone over the 5 skilda players and jettas head to a group of free essendon players. After the turn over he then went back to fight for the ball a second time in defence. Your's is a half glass full view of what happened and totally unfair.

When did the second instance occur? Was this the one when he kicked to Ryder in the last qtr?.

I've only seen the game once, live, so perhaps my memory isn't 100% spot on.

1. It seemed like he just blazed away to CHF, but I'm happy to say that didn't happen, if you've seen the game more than I have.

2. Last qtr, I don't remember the player, but the kick went to the same spot as the Jetta one (albeit the other half), from the opposite side of the ground.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

I saw the replay the other day and I reckon Dempsey only really stuffed up once. The instance when he lobbed a pass to 3 Essendon players on their own and they dropped an easy mark was not his fault.

 

[Super Gusto]

I've only seen the game once, live, so perhaps my memory isn't 100% spot on.

1. It seemed like he just blazed away to CHF, but I'm happy to say that didn't happen, if you've seen the game more than I have.

2. Last qtr, I don't remember the player, but the kick went to the same spot as the Jetta one (albeit the other half), from the opposite side of the ground.

Pretty sure the other one you are talking about was when he kicked it to Ryder at chb and mcqualter came from nowhere and tried to spoil but gave away the free kick. Another fairly harsh call IMO but if the only time you saw the game was live on the night then I can see why these incidents appeared worse that what they were.