Round 1 preview: Essendon

[Alex99]

vs

Where: AAMI Stadium
When: 1st of April
Time: 12:40 pm (CST)
Broadcaster: Foxtel Live, Channel 7 delayed

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Round 1 line up

FF: Bode ~ Welsh ~ Burton

HF: McLeod ~ Bock ~ Edwards

C: Reilly ~ Thompson ~ Doughty

HB: Torney ~ Stevens ~ Mattner

FB: Bassett ~ Rutten ~ Johncock

Ruck: Hudson ~ Goodwin ~ Shirley

Interchange: Griffin ~ Van Berlo ~ Douglas ~ Perrie

Emergency: Knights ~ Porplyzia ~ Tippett

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I selected Ian Perrie as that extra tall on the interchange bench over the inexperienced Kurt Tippett so there was that extra experience. It will also depend on how Ian Perrie performs this week (assuming he plays an SANFL trial game) and pulls up.

Jonathon Griffin will debut as a back up ruckman to Ben Hudson and this poses a problem to me; can we afford to play 2 first gamers. By selecting the 2 first gamers could pose a huge problem as both are extremely raw at this level and Kurt Tippett doesn’t have a lot of football experience to full back on. I went with Ian Perrie for the extra experience as round 1 is a must win.

The defensive back 6 looks as stable as they have been in the last 2 year and this gave me the confidence that Andrew McLeod could become another goal kicking option.

Round 1 is a must win as the next 4 games have to be considered very dangerous and could leave our season hanging on a knife edge. With the current injury list getting higher every day, we are starting to look quite venerable to a few hungry sides.


Tip: Adelaide by 41 points.

 

[RoosterLad]

What an absolutely disgraceful time for a game of footy, still I will actually be there this time as I make my debut as a Silver Member. That will be far more exciting than the actual game itself as we should run out comfortable winners by 65 points.

 

[CarnCrows]

Round 1 is a must win as the next 4 games have to be considered very dangerous and could leave our season hanging on a knife edge. With the current injury list getting higher every day, we are starting to look quite venerable to a few hungry sides.


Tip: Adelaide by 41 points.

A good start to this season will be a bonus.

I've put my team down a few times and cant be arsed to do it again. However a few points. Perrie - yes, Knights - should be in for either Torney or Shirley. NVB on the bench - don't think so.

Should beat the Dons esp. if Sheeds refuses to flood.

Tip: Adelaide by 36 points (inaccurate kicking to keep the margin down)

 

[Alex99]

A good start to this season will be a bonus.

I've put my team down a few times and cant be arsed to do it again. However a few points. Perrie - yes, Knights - should be in for either Torney or Shirley. NVB on the bench - don't think so.

Should beat the Dons esp. if Sheeds refuses to flood.

Tip: Adelaide by 36 points (inaccurate kicking to keep the margin down)

Robert Shirley has to be considered our number 1 run with player and I have seen no reason why he should not get a game round 1. This is why he started as a ruck rover and Nathan Van Berlo started on the interchange bench. I would imagine that Robert Shirley will go to Mark or Jason Johnson and then rotate with Van Berlo.

It came down to either Chris Knights or Michael Doughty on that wing and as much as I would like to see Knights given the game and opportunity to play from round 1 NC will go with Doughty.

 

[RoosterLad]

Shirley must play as crows98 said. I'd prefer to see Knights in over Doughty from the start.

 

[CarnCrows]

I would like to see NVB used as an attacking tagger as I can't see the critical need for a hard-tag against the dons. This would result in Shirley on the bench - then it's either Shirley or Knights. Realistically I can't see NC dropping Shirles, however I would like Knights to play.

I hope Mattner is back on the wing.

 

[DaSawx]

Jason Johnson won't be playing

 

[Alex99]

Jason Johnson won't be playing

Why?

Injury, form, fitness or suspension?

 

[DaSawx]

Why?

Injury, form, fitness or suspension?

injury, having a minor op on his foot

 

[CrowHop]

injury, having a minor op on his foot

DeSawx, can you give us a run down on any other injuries you guys have ?

Also, any top notch kids we can expect to see ? Monfries is a local boy, so I'll keep an eye out for him. Anyone other young talent we should keep an eye on ?

 

[CrowHop]

p.s. Can we sticky this ?

 

[Stiffy_18]

I think Knights will be in. Not sure who misses out.

 

[DaSawx]

DeSawx, can you give us a run down on any other injuries you guys have ?

Also, any top notch kids we can expect to see ? Monfries is a local boy, so I'll keep an eye out for him. Anyone other young talent we should keep an eye on ?

There'll be no JJ, Laycock, Camporeale, Nash or Cole.

Both Hille and Kepler Bradley had their cases thrown out today

Alwyn Davey should very well be playing. The media seem to think both Leroy Jetta and Bachar Houli will play but I'm not totally convinced, we'll have to wait and see with them.

Good chance Paddy Ryder will get a game while Henry Slattery, Ricky Dyson and Courtenay Dempsey are maybe's

 

[ShearMagic9]

Adelaide by 37 pts

 

[cold toaster]

I think there is some serious underrating of Essendon on here.

With Michael releasing Fletcher to play as a creative CHB and stiffening the backline, and Lucas and Lloyd reunited at the goalfront, they are a seriously more imposing team than last season.

Predict thrashings at your peril.

 

[Markthirtytwo]

I think Knights will be in. Not sure who misses out.

If Welsh doesn't come up they might try the Sarge at FF, but as I said in another thread, Tippett should be rotating with the Sarge if that happened.

Macca on a HBF however.

 

[CarnCrows]

I think there is some serious underrating of Essendon on here.

With Michael releasing Fletcher to play as a creative CHB and stiffening the backline, and Lucas and Lloyd reunited at the goalfront, they are a seriously more imposing team than last season.

Predict thrashings at your peril.

The problem for Essendon is the support for these players, esp in the midfield. Plus they never bring their A game to AAMI.

 

[NikkiNoo]

For those arguing VB as an attacking tagging option v Shirley - have you watched the rotations in the pre-season games? Shirley comes off to be replaced by VB. If you have one in the side it is a given that the other will also be named.

 

[Asgardian]

The secret to a Crows win is to shut down Lloyd & Lucas, plus their supply.

Do it you win, don't do it you lose

 

[saladin]

the point about playing poorly at aami is valid. but it will turn around sooner or later, and it could be in two weeks that this happens.

yep, we finished with just three wins last year. but treat us lightly at your peril.

likely squad (although who knows where sheedy will have them play?):

slattery , michael, m. johnson
mcphee, fletcher, lovett-murry
lovett, watson, winderlich
hird, lucas, monfries
davey, lloyd, johns

hille, stanton, mcveigh

int: peverill or heffernan (as a tagger on goodwin), ryder, bradley and one of welsh/jetta/dyson.

i thought we were going to have an edge in the ruck, but laycock did a hammy last week, so is unlikely to play. hudson vs hille will be vital.

our backline should go ok against your forwards, and fletch could kill you with his delivery if you can't make him accountable. where will your goals come from? probably the midfield!

can we cover goodwin/ edwards/birdman? will be tough, but we'll be quicker through the middle than we were last year, and might give you something to think about going the other way.

up forward, i think rutten will do ok on lloyd - lloyd still looks rusty to me. not sure who you'll have on lucas? and a third marking player in johns? monfries and davey are dangerous around goal - would be a cracking duel to see mcleod on davey. and i hope we take jetta over. another rapid, mercurial young fella.

in short, i reckon our backline, and your lack of roo/mcgregor etc, can keep us in touch. through the middle you have the edge, but maybe not by as much as you think. up front, we can trouble you if we get enough of it.
hopefully, it aint another 15 goal drubbing. i don't think it will be.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I think Knights will be in. Not sure who misses out.

Cmon woose .......put your ....on the line and make a call

Frankly I can't see Knights or Porplyzia out of the side ....maybe Porps slightly ahead due to his flexibility.

I'd have Porps over Bode ....better mark, good tackler and better disposal by hand and foot .....and a great footy brain who has already shown real smarts around goal.

Yes I can see Bode as a great defensive small but honestly in a side that'll battle to kick goals we need a goal kicking small rather than the more defensive Bode.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

For those arguing VB as an attacking tagging option v Shirley - have you watched the rotations in the pre-season games? Shirley comes off to be replaced by VB. If you have one in the side it is a given that the other will also be named.

why? .....what happened prior to VB being on the list?

VB has the endurance to run with most players in the league now with a 2nd full PS under his belt

What makes the better taggers is the ability to attack of the opposition and make him more accountable for the tagger ....otherwise the tageee is simply running around carefree like a stray dog.
That IMO is where we have been falling down

 

[NikkiNoo]

WW I know that you have an inherint bias against Shirley but in the two pre-season games I have seen first hand Craig has used Shirley as the first tagging option with VB the second. In the port game VB was started on the wing as a second tagging option while Shirley was also on the ground. Then with a few injuries he resorted to Shirley as the single tagging option with VB his replacement whenever Shirley was heading to the bench for a rest.

You seriously need to go back and watch a few games if you think that Shirley is not an attacking player - he is often the one at the bottom of the packs feeding the ball out or else he can be fairly handy around the goals. But we have had this argument before and I can't see you changing your mind.

People need to remember that the game is no longer played the way it was 10 years ago, let alone 5. A player that takes his place at the start of the game will not spend the entire game in that one position, especially midfielders. They will be rotated very regulary off so when picking a team you need to consider who is on the bench and what position / rotation they offer / compliment. That is what I meant by if you have one tagger in the team, you really need two named.

 

[CrowMagnum]

WW I know that you have an inherint bias against Shirley but in the two pre-season games I have seen first hand Craig has used Shirley as the first tagging option with VB the second. In the port game VB was started on the wing as a second tagging option while Shirley was also on the ground. Then with a few injuries he resorted to Shirley as the single tagging option with VB his replacement whenever Shirley was heading to the bench for a rest.

You seriously need to go back and watch a few games if you think that Shirley is not an attacking player - he is often the one at the bottom of the packs feeding the ball out or else he can be fairly handy around the goals. But we have had this argument before and I can't see you changing your mind.

People need to remember that the game is no longer played the way it was 10 years ago, let alone 5. A player that takes his place at the start of the game will not spend the entire game in that one position, especially midfielders. They will be rotated very regulary off so when picking a team you need to consider who is on the bench and what position / rotation they offer / compliment. That is what I meant by if you have one tagger in the team, you really need two named.

Shirley is handy in and under the pack as you say but around goals? He lacks penetration and is not a great finisher and, as others have said, which Dons midfielder actually needs a tag?

 

[macca23]

WW I know that you have an inherint bias against Shirley but in the two pre-season games I have seen first hand Craig has used Shirley as the first tagging option with VB the second. In the port game VB was started on the wing as a second tagging option while Shirley was also on the ground. Then with a few injuries he resorted to Shirley as the single tagging option with VB his replacement whenever Shirley was heading to the bench for a rest.

You seriously need to go back and watch a few games if you think that Shirley is not an attacking player - he is often the one at the bottom of the packs feeding the ball out or else he can be fairly handy around the goals. But we have had this argument before and I can't see you changing your mind.

People need to remember that the game is no longer played the way it was 10 years ago, let alone 5. A player that takes his place at the start of the game will not spend the entire game in that one position, especially midfielders. They will be rotated very regulary off so when picking a team you need to consider who is on the bench and what position / rotation they offer / compliment. That is what I meant by if you have one tagger in the team, you really need two named.

^^^^^^^^^^^