Review Positives & Negatives vs Essendon

[jaxxon]

We had a good win despite very quiet days from Ebert, Nicoski, Gaff, Hams and Masten, and to a lesser extent Naitanui, Schofield, Smith and Waters (in terms of possession anyway, these last four had impact on the game with limited ball, whereas the first five didn't have much impact). Stood up to the pressure well, Essendon tackled regularly and hard.

 

[swannies]

I'll post it in here, I could have done it in any number of threads.

I find it very odd and strange that Eagles supporters (they haven't changed in 25 years) are bagging out players when we are in the top 4. I could understand it last year, just as I have been harsh on players at Swans this year, but I don't understand all the negativity after the Eagles have jumped into a top 4 spot.

On yesterday's game, as I have now watched it a couple of times, especially that last quarter, after revelling in the glory at Basso and all I can say is we won by 57 points, against a team giving their all in that game.

 

[The Dodger]

I'll post it in here, I could have done it in any number of threads.

I find it very odd and strange that Eagles supporters (they haven't changed in 25 years) are bagging out players when we are in the top 4. I could understand it last year, just as I have been harsh on players at Swans this year, but I don't understand all the negativity after the Eagles have jumped into a top 4 spot.

On yesterday's game, as I have now watched it a couple of times, especially that last quarter, after revelling in the glory at Basso and all I can say is we won by 57 points, against a team giving their all in that game.

Yep Essendon threw the kitchen sink at us yesterday and we still got on top and in the end pulled away form them. They played like a team wanting to secure a finals berth, thankfully we played like a team who knows the benefits of a top 4 spot.

Ebert didn't have a great game, but even though things weren't going his way he still through his body into the fray numerous times and it was very willing in there yesterday.

 

[tonayz]

Flat early but worked into it. I love the balance of the team more than anything as players are really acknowledging each others strengths.

Great to see the strong/elite kicks being fed again - Shuey (16), Hurn (17), Kennedy (15), LeCras (13), Embley (12) - by the great spacing provided by the usual suspects Kerr, Priddis, Scooter and NicNat.

Keep the intensity up over 4 qtrs and there's no reason we can't compete with the best. Also, that NN-Kerr-NN goal...mmmmm

 

[Toshowyouwhy]

Naitanui is like Cox and Judd combined.

 

[Scotland]

Positive

Turning a mediocre performance into a 9 goal win in the space of 30 minutes.

Negative

Essendon fans and Victorian media endlessly going on and on about the umpiring, WA crowd and Waters hit.

 

[Evelyn208]

Yes, the umpire crying is getting old quick. They never notice when we are the ones that are getting absolutely smashed by the umps. Very selective in their outcry.

 

[Pea Barrel]

I find it very odd and strange that Eagles supporters (they haven't changed in 25 years) are bagging out players when we are in the top 4. I could understand it last year, just as I have been harsh on players at Swans this year, but I don't understand all the negativity after the Eagles have jumped into a top 4 spot.

Some fair points. We've had several players come good from last year and I guess we should trust that Woosha knows what he's doing in persisting with some players.

 

[Pea Barrel]

Yes, the umpire crying is getting old quick. They never notice when we are the ones that are getting absolutely smashed by the umps. Very selective in their outcry.

Prior to the match I stated that I have massive respect for the Bombers, but have seen their enormous dummy spit on their forum, I'm having to revise my opinion. Calling the home crowd scum for supposedly booing Watson (as if) is pretty desperate.

 

[Scotland]

Just watched the Sunday footy show wrap up of our game. Geez we must have been good to win by 9 goals given they spent the entire time praising the Bombers...

Essendon kicked two goals in the last 30 seconds of quarters, were gifted a goal from an interchange penalty and were up 7.1 to 6.6 at half time. They had a go with 21 players for 90% of the game and 20 players for 40% of it, but they were pretty lucky to be in it at half time then totally dropped their bundle after Waters KO'd Watson. That moment sparked a lift in intensity and we simply handled it a lot better. No point sooking about the umpiring when you start playing undisciplined, reactionary footy.

 

[Suma Magic]

Positives:
- Schofield, A. Selwood. Backline would be perfect if Butler could replace Smith, and perhaps McGinnity also into the team.

Negatives:
- Ebert probably has too many games like that, we wasn't great.
- Smith has been a bit off the last few weeks.
- Hams wasn't that great, I'd hoped he could have done better.
- Masten looked lost.
- The last few spots in our team were pretty bad yesterday.

A fully fit Butler would make such a huge difference. I say that if he can play well in the WAFL the week after next, he comes in against the Pies.

McGinnity is now looking like best 22, although perhaps as the sub.

 

[sTeeL]

I really honestly have no idea what we should do with the sub. McGinnity isn't the answer(I think he is in the 21). Masten/Hams/Strijk would probably be the three I would want to choose from. Can have an impact from the sub spot. Maybe Weedon if he gets a little more of the ball. Ideally someone who can play mid/HFF and impact the contest.

 

[Marlin01]

I think the Eagles have used the sub superbly all season. Prior to the commencement of the season, I thought it would be an opportunity for "high-impact" players, such as Smith or an underdone Kerr.

Instead they've used players like Ebert, Gaff and Masten to very good effect IMO. These workhorse types have been able to run the opposition off their legs most times. In Gaff and Ebert's case, it's enabled them to really boost their confidence and improve their games when they've played full minutes.

 

[Quinz]

Have we gone from being the 'feel good story of the year' to the evil club again? Seems like it's going that way.

 

[SwiftforPM]

Our performance as a team and club has obviously been outstanding this year, but when a player who is not playing a tagging role eg. Ebert has 9 possessions for the game with 33% efficiency - meaning he had 3 useful possessions in 4 quarters of football, he will obviously not be viewed as effective in any way.
If only we had 20 other contributors like Ebert we could have had 60 effective disposals for the whole team.

 

[HoneyBadger35]

Our performance as a team and club has obviously been outstanding this year, but when a player who is not playing a tagging role eg. Ebert has 9 possessions for the game with 33% efficiency - meaning he had 3 useful possessions in 4 quarters of football, he will obviously not be viewed as effective in any way.
If only we had 20 other contributors like Ebert we could have had 60 effective disposals for the whole team.

Nobody on the entire board is disagreeing with you, Ebert had an awful game. The problem is, it was his first awful game all year (he got subbed off in the Collingwood game but was still ok that day). He's consistently been in our best this year.

Also, there were two goals (Nicoski's from the goalsquare and LeCras in the last quarter) where he was by himself in the goalsquare, if LeCras had passed to him or if Nicoski hadn't cut off the pass clearly intended for him you'd say he had a very servicable 2 goals. His stats weren't great, neither was his game, but calling for his head is a bit far after he's had such a great year.

 

[anti_]

Have we gone from being the 'feel good story of the year' to the evil club again? Seems like it's going that way.

that's the way i like it.

Positives:
we keep winning by comfortable margins even when not playing the best footy. it's a fantastic quality to have, we done this very often in 2005-07.

JK is a gun and so vital to our structure. if he kicked straighter, he would've been far and away the best player on the ground. i just love the way he plays, tries his guts out.

3rd quarter win.

Negatives:
Ebert is still too inconsistent...i do like what he has to offer at times but there's so much rubbish in between. clean this up and he'll be a great player.

i'd slag off masten but i thought he tried pretty hard. he ran into space and just wasn't used at times...so the negative was he didn't have an impact as the sub...but i'm not really too disappointed with him.

we let kerr get smashed too often. the bloke is going to deteriorate pretty quickly if we don't give him some protection. some of his hits couldn't be avoided though (the NLM one)..

 

[southjoy]

Thought id wait till i got to see the game again this morning.
A game of two halves on the scoreboard - so ill comment on the first half.

I thought the conditions whilst looking pretty good could not of been. I thought Perth was at Altidude as the ball appeared to be carrying and floating longer. This could be the ball put i doubt it. Just watching the ball in flight whether it was kicked perfectly or hurriedly it just seemed to travel differently.

I believe one on one the defenders were outstanding- rarely beaten and often leaving their player to get most dangerous space/player. Which then gives great kudos to Pat Ryder - very good 1st half.

Cox battled and i thought at stoppages that with crap ribs he was very good. Priddis was outstanding in the first half and he was the exception with foot delivery. I thought Kerr was almost brilliant, got it, got out of trouble once, twice and then either a good dish or ball up. Shuey in patches was a cut above Priddis and Kerr just not enough(hes only a Rising star)

Discussion on Hams was a bit unfair. Yes didnt get it much, but most of the half forwards didnt get it a great deal. He did work hard to get 1st possesion and dish. As for allowing Heppel to play loose- well this is what happens with the forward press/zoning/taking the most dangerous space(whichever way you want to call it- its the same). Heppel was very good at getting to the right places but almost all of it was easy recieve stuff or mopping up(unlike Shueys possesions)

As for the umpiring. I thought the 1st half was good umpiring. Probably had three decisions/non decisions that i would of been ok with. Reimers fend was a little unlucky, the tunnel ball just prior although it appeared to be Hams on second look and different angle it does appear to be an Essendon throw.

Best players 1st half. WCE: Priddis, Waters, Shuey and Kerr
Ess: Ryder, Zaharkis, Watson(not all that effective but without him we would of smashed them)

Ill watch the second half and see where that goes.

 

[southjoy]

Summary of the third because it all seemed to happen.

Nat's work in the ruck was breathtaking and a big difference. Shuey was brilliant and if he plays like this then come finals he will be tagged. Kerr was also inspirational. Forwards kept working hard and started getting rewarded on the scoreboard.

Waters on Watson. Geez initially it looked very much in the play; on second slow mo effort Watson takes poseesion and gets collected by Waters. The contact was not initiated by Waters but more with both players moving into the same space. To Waters credit he does keep his shoulder down(90% of other footballers would of raised even if it was for their own protection). Problem is is that contact is made with shoulder and jaw..
Personally more worried with the Hams contact but i thinkthe MRP wont let it go(image of the game)

Esendon released Hocking from priddis and I thought with Zark was very good for them.

Umpiring - a lot went our way but i think they were all there, Essendon lost composure for a brief period. We got away with a Kennedy fend(which in light of Reimers one should of been given - but in normal its a 50/50 call)

 

[Toshowyouwhy]

Have we gone from being the 'feel good story of the year' to the evil club again? Seems like it's going that way.

Now that we haven't turned shit again, like everyone was expecting, the masses are getting worried.

 

[Evelyn208]

Tall Poppy Syndrome!

 

[southjoy]

Well the game broke open.

Last comment on umpiring because its been topical. Last quarter was good again maybe we got one that we shouldnt of but i could also argue on some missed. Overall agood umpiring job with most good calls - good to see incorrect disposal being hit up.

Our defenders were very good especially one on one and getting to contest to create + number. A Selwood, Hurn and Schofield had good second halves. Maybe Smith was the one who only halved his contest(still good result for a defender)

Nat's second half was very impressive led with Kerr and Shuey ability to really damage oppo at contested situations.

Forwards continued to work hard and fair result to Lynch. Kennedy and Lecca on the scoreboard.

WCE best were Shuey, Kerr, The combined work of COX and Nat, good rebound football from Backs esp Selwood and Hurn, defensive work from S Selwood and wings/Hf's. Pridiss for good overall game which keeps us in the contest.

Ess best was Hocking(esp when realised), Zaharkis, Ryders efoorts deserve credit, Stanton for playing 4 quarters along with defensive efforts from Heppell and Myers. I also thought Crameri worked hard for them

Negatives for us. I think we will miss Waters still not convinced he should even go BUT...
I also think we really missed Rosa.

 

[Lynch takes a mark]

Nic Nats goal was goal of the year for mine, then again I only watch 1 or 2 games a week.

Love that kid, such a talent.

 

[WCE_phil]

Nic Nats goal was goal of the year for mine, then again I only watch 1 or 2 games a week.

Love that kid, such a talent.

Nicnats goal wasnt even our best goal of the game. The perfectly fluid coast to coast goal was one of the best goals i've seen. Just pure, perfect and clean play.

 

[MWPP]

+
Kerr, Shuey, Scooter
3rd quarter
We won!

-
First 1/2
Waters' incident
Comfortable win in the end, but may not be a reflection of where we are at because the margin flattered us, and was helped by umpiring/unlucky injuries on Essendon's part