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Feb 10, 2000
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Essendon & Arsenal
After that I'll have to take my chances with fate, injuries, motivation and all that crappola - don't know how you Carlton fans felt going into 96 must I'm almost waiting for the other shoe to drop - surely, despite the list, Essendon can't put a third season together like 99-00? If they don't its going to be very strange learning to accept also ran (ie: normal) performances...

Anyway North fans, what say you about March 30th? Hows the feeling at Arden ST?
 
Not saying we can't Dan. Just getting that delicious sense of uncertainty in the stomach that you get at the start of a year following a flag - bizarrely its the exact opposite to the one of outrageous optimism you get if the prior year was a "development" year (ie: shite)... I mean we were on another planet last year - and its very, very hard to maintain that level.

Just had a look at who we're got in the Ansett and it got me pondering that's all - other than Port (poor buggers - 1st game of the real stuff last year, 1st game of the year this year), Geelong and Sydney, particularly in Canberra (?) will be serious hit outs. Whether anything can be determined by the performances other than the odd crippling injury to Hird, Flether, Lloyd, Mercuri or Barnes who can say but...

Mate, its just SO LONG since I thought that we were less than a 90% chance of winning any game that its just a bit of refocusing time that's all... and no one has any idea which Essendon is going to turn up post the "greatest season by any team of all time - ie: not necessarily the greatest team of all time" (GF quote: J. Dunstall) - let's face it - almost every year its a downer for the premiers - I know 85, 89 and to a lesser extent 98 were exceptions to this rule but... I have strong memories of being very confident of whipping Hawthorn first round 86 and before Long's knee went this time in preseason 94....

Look, talk to me in 5 weeks about this and we'll probably have a good feeling - lets face it, it may not be taken seriously by all clubs but the Ansett Cup is usually a good barometer of how the Dons are travelling...

Frankly, I would prefer it if we were just into the real stuff against the roos....

Sorry for the long post folks - just musing.

Dutchy
sub-zero temperatures
London town
 

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I'm a bit different to you in that regard. I am alays optimistic. Even in 1986,87,88, 92,94,97,98 I always felt at the start of those years we could win the flag. I'm a real optimist when it comes to our club.

By all reports, the players have been put through their toughest pre-season in years.
The playeing group seem to have a unique bond and Sheedy has been drilling it into them that we still need a premiership to "make up" for 1999. 2000 didn't make up for 1999, in his opinion. Maybe that's a good way of keeping the group motivated. Caracella said the palyers are so toey and they can't wait to get back into it.

The fact that we have had a month more than normal to get ready is a godsend. It means that last year will b the furthest thing from everyones minds when the season starts. I think this particular group of players really want to establish themselves in history, so I truly believe they will be motivated.

I wouldn't expect a repeat of 1986. I'm sure we won't let that happen. We'll be okay in 2001. That's just my optimism showing, but I really feel we can make this a great year.

Can you imagine if we improved? It's possible. What if every player got better? Is there any reason why all our young players can't improve even more?
 
Don't get me wrong - I'm not saying I'm not very confident and expecting another great year (And I do every year too) - I'm just wary of getting ahead of myself given the topsy turvy nature of AFL teams...

Sure they could get better - but it would only be possible in the centre - ie: a really, really dominant ruck (not dissing Barnes) and one more hard running ball-magnet (such as Corey McGrath???)...
 
I will go out on a limb and predict that Port will win the 1st round Ansett cup game...

The game is fairly meaningless but Port have a lot to prove and the Bombers do not.

Madness I know...but just a hunch.

ptw
 
ptw,

It's exactly the type of match Essendon could lose. It's an away game in front of a parochial footy park home crowd, and port will be anxious to impress against the reigning premiers.

Having said that, going by pure talent, Essendon should win. But these Anset Cup games throw up some strange results sometimes. I'm actually planning to come over to Footy Park in Round 17 to watch Port vs Essendon.
 
Yep, certainly a possibility in the circumstances PTW - in no way a mad call - but I was just commenting on what tough 1st up draws the Power have had - don't have to be dead to be stiff eh?
 
Dan24

indeed...anything could happen, also depending on who plays and who is benched etc.

Port & Essendon have had some good games (99 @ FP, 97 @ MCG) even last year @ FP Port got as close to Essendon as anyone (we will forget about Rd 1 !!!)

Should be a fast match at least if the whether is dry.

ptw
 
gotta agree cloggy....

I like the saying by the way....

I have 2 kids so I have been stiff at least twice and I ain't dead yet
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ptw

[This message has been edited by ptw (edited 02 February 2001).]
 
Hey Dutch its enevitable there will be a down spot i predict you go something like 2 -2 for the first 4 rounds and then much like last year only to lose by a point to WCE in the Grand Final
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CMON with your talent you will just romp onwards LOL
 

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