Next premiership contender: Melbourne or Essendon?

[Damon_3388]

Comment was on now they end up in a position using him as a key target, not as a small forward. He contributed, but when he’s your target up forward it’s not ideal.

Yeah fair enough on that.

How does it happen, with McDonald, Weidemann and Fritsch all there?

 

[Engimal v3]

Both of these teams suck.

 

[the harry]

I keep hearing about all the surgeries Melbourne had but have no real context. Is 15 a lot?

A third of your list doesn't immediately scream outlier.

Also, did I hear on On The Couch that May was the least fit of anyone during pre season?

 

[Toump Ass]

Big game this weekend- two premiership fancies in a season defining do-or-die battle.

Both teams a little rusty at the moment but I'm expecting a highly skilled, high intensity contest. Perfect prime time TV viewing. Can't wait!

 

[MadMundy]

This thread has definitely aged well

 

[CrowInFiji]

May as well debate Freo vs Kangas at this point

 

[Fadge]

Battle for the spoon next week between these two awful teams

Was going to say the same thing.

Look out Carlton, you have a couple of new challengers this season!

 

[Downhill Skier]

Melbourne are still a flag threat this year. Essendon look worse than Melbourne at the moment but are still a finals threat if they get it together. I have more confidence in Melbourne due to having real leaders around the club whereas Essendon I don't believe has any decent leaders , especially now Goddard has gone

 

[chunkylover53]

Melbourne arent shit. Every few years there’s a youngish team expected to ‘take the next step’ then go balls up with a season from hell - due to injuries, expectation, form or whatever. Richmond in 2017, Geelong in 06, Hawthorn 09 (they pinched that flag in 08) Heck I’d even throw Carlton 2012 in there but we ****ed up and sacked Ratten.

The Dees will be fine they just need to hold their nerve at years end.

Essendon are cooked though I think. Even if they do get their shit together their list is not premiership contender.

 

[chunkylover53]

Was going to say the same thing.

Look out Carlton, you have a couple of new challengers this season!

You’re obbssseeeasseeeedddd maaaaattteee.

 

[Toump Ass]

Getting a bit of a Malthouse in his last year at Carlton vibe from Worsfold... Doesn't seem to be enjoying the place too much at all.

 

[Juddernaut08]

Essendon supporters would have to be pretty resilient to sustain optimism throughout the last decade or so.

No finals wins.
ASADA scandal.
Underperforming when expected to challenge.
Talk of Hirdy coming back to AFL.

Wowzers.

Melbourne will still be a top 4 team this year imo. Just a slow start, but their list is too talented to fail.

 

[Fadge]

Melbourne will still be a top 4 team this year imo. Just a slow start, but their list is too talented to fail.

A team with ambitions for top 4 would have wanted a better start than 0/2 and 50% against teams rated as outside the top 8 at the start of the season.

A long way back from here. No chance.

 

[Fadge]

Melbourne arent shit. Every few years there’s a youngish team expected to ‘take the next step’ then go balls up with a season from hell - due to injuries, expectation, form or whatever. Richmond in 2017, Geelong in 06, Hawthorn 09 (they pinched that flag in 08) Heck I’d even throw Carlton 2012 in there but we ****** up and sacked Ratten.

The Dees will be fine they just need to hold their nerve at years end.

Essendon are cooked though I think. Even if they do get their shit together their list is not premiership contender.

Richmond in 2017 were pretty good actually...

 

[Downhill Skier]

Richmond in 2017 were pretty good actually...

Swans were 0-6 a couple of years ago

 

[Substance]

I keep hearing about all the surgeries Melbourne had but have no real context. Is 15 a lot?

A third of your list doesn't immediately scream outlier.

Also, did I hear on On The Couch that May was the least fit of anyone during pre season?

It is a lot, but it also depends on the type of surgerys too. I remember after 2016 the dogs had a similar number.

 

[chunkylover53]

Richmond in 2017 were pretty good actually...

Typo. Richmond 2016 finished 13th with a crap coach, no depth, failed recruits and a board challenge.

 

[Fadge]

Swans were 0-6 a couple of years ago

And were eliminated in their first final and therefore never contended for the premiership.

 

[Downhill Skier]

And were eliminated in their first final and therefore never contended for the premiership.

We destroyed Essendon the first week of the finals

 

[threesixpio]

Wha?

Melbourne easily.

Bombers are shite

 

[EasternTiger]

Can I bump the 'Matthew Knights Vindicated' thread?

 

[richoatthedisco]

Big game this weekend- two premiership fancies in a season defining do-or-die battle.

Both teams a little rusty at the moment but I'm expecting a highly skilled, high intensity contest. Perfect prime time TV viewing. Can't wait!

Only an idiot fancied Essendon for the flag.

 

[Black Stripe]

A team with ambitions for top 4 would have wanted a better start than 0/2 and 50% against teams rated as outside the top 8 at the start of the season.

A long way back from here. No chance.

Who's more likely to contend for a premiership first out of Melbourne and Essendon?

 

[Fadge]

Who's more likely to contend for a premiership first out of Melbourne and Essendon?

Pass

 

[ziad]

Melbourne arent shit. Every few years there’s a youngish team expected to ‘take the next step’ then go balls up with a season from hell - due to injuries, expectation, form or whatever. Richmond in 2017, Geelong in 06, Hawthorn 09 (they pinched that flag in 08) Heck I’d even throw Carlton 2012 in there but we ****** up and sacked Ratten.

The Dees will be fine they just need to hold their nerve at years end.

Essendon are cooked though I think. Even if they do get their shit together their list is not premiership contender.

Not sure you can write off their last three games so easily. They span two seasons and show a real inability to score- their game is deaply faulted.