Preview Round 13, 2019: Essendon v Hawthorn, 14 June 2019, 7.50pm @ Marvel Stadium

[HODGEYROAD]

I'm really disappointed Lewis got dropped as we aren't doing anything of note this year so I'd like to have seen him play every game possible. Harris Andrews was given BOG by both coaches 12 days ago, so obviously Clarko was really disappointed with Lewis output at the Gabba.

 

[tige19]

I'm really disappointed Lewis got dropped as we aren't doing anything of note this year so I'd like to have seen him play every game possible. Harris Andrews was given BOG by both coaches 12 days ago, so obviously Clarko was really disappointed with Lewis output at the Gabba.

How could you be disappointed you wonder? Andrews played on Lewis, had he kicked that Soda he has 3 goals and 3 contested marks, surely that’s at least a break even.

I can only think Sicily is going forward.

 

[HODGEYROAD]

How could you be disappointed you wonder? Andrews played on Lewis, had he kicked that Soda he has 3 goals and 3 contested marks, surely that’s at least a break even.

I can only think Sicily is going forward.

I didn't think Lewis was that bad, but Clarkson must have given he gave his direct opponent BOG.

One of Sicily or dare I say it TOB is a certainty to go forward you'd think.

 

[Gaston]

This is the only thing that gives me confidence.
We have had some stellar wins in Adelaide after the bye.

Clarko's language (cut throat game) also creates the impression that the attitude should be great.

 

[Simon Crawshay]

Glad to see Brand given another chance, still think he is a chance to make it.
As others have already stated I would not mind sering him in a key forward role. He can clunk a mark and he is fairly mobile for someone his size.

 

[KOLOKOTRONIS]

The Lewis omission must be an injury or management issue. He will feature again in a week or two maximum is my take.

Roughead to be given a game at season’s end it seems. An amazing career, however bold by Clarkson to keep him omitted. One cannot question Clarkson’s commitment to the next generation moving forward.

KOLOKOTRONIS

 

[Tassieboy]

We look slow and lumbering.

This will be a big challenge on that deck.

As opposed to most of * being unable to hit the side of a barn door?

 

[TBoyleSuperstar]

Annoyed Lewis is out. We need games into him. He’s looked good I’d have thought, but clearly he’s not doing something Clarko wants.
Like Moore in, worried McEvoy is being rushed back, and brand....meh

Just hope we win

 

[hawkguru]

lewis out???

 

[Hawk_francais]

I'll eat my hat if the selected team takes the field.

 

[Nick the Pig]

The Lewis omission certainly caught us all by surprise as he has been one of the genuine reasons this season to be optimistic about our future.

Having said that, Gunston's best game in ages was the 6 goal game against Port which was the week Lewis missed. He was fantastic with the extra space allowed playing alongside the resting ruck and small forwards. Not sure if this has anything to do with Lewis non selection or whether it means TOB or Sicily will be sent forward.

I cant see the logic in Brand's selection. Structually doesn't seem to be needed. Happy for Glass to get another game to see is he can progress as its not as if the obvious replacements such as Howe and Morrison have grasped their own chances when getting games earlier in the season. Glad to see Moore back as I have felt he has shown some ticker.

 

[Timo pez]

Glad to see Brand given another chance, still think he is a chance to make it.
As others have already stated I would not mind sering him in a key forward role. He can clunk a mark and he is fairly mobile for someone his size.

Brand and Timmy O hang their heads a bit and both dont look to have much self belief, i think that's what holds both back.

 

[lickmerocks]

A couple of small areas

Stratts-
Please refrain from spending the night whacking some blokes arm from behind and niggling and get in front and beat your opponent and get a kick like we know you can.

Sicily-
You played one of the most petulant games I have seen against the Lions and your attitude and body language throughout the game stunk. Time to
lift and play to a standard we know you can.

 

[Bugs1977]

what is the surprise? Mcevoy is a big surprise..
I am also surprised that Glass can get a game over Morrison or Howe!
I'm not a massive Howe fan, but Howe is the perfect player to bring in to shut one of there mids down ala Merret or Shiel.

As for K.brand open up your eyes its been 15+ weeks since we looked like a high scoring threat! mark my words J.Sicily will play forward

We haven’t scored over 100 in something like 16 games. Terrible.

 

[JaegarTime]

Maybe Brand to play the CHB role that O’Brien has been trialled in recently & O’Brien to be the lose intercepter to allow Sicily to go forward.

Hesitant about sending Sic forward as he’s a weapon but obviously he may provide some real fire power. Also have serious doubts on Brand but I guess we’ll see

 

[Jables]

It's not a thrilling team selection bar McEvoy, but it's just one game and maybe they have a one off plan they want to execute. Tim O'Brien is adding value to the team now so who says Glass can't do well for us given he has his qualities and is much younger? Gotta chill and take the long view, Lewis isn't going anywhere, he won't lose all his abilities because he didn't play for a week. Kinda salty Roughy is still out not gonna lie, Sicily isn't going to transform our forward line and Brand well, that's a potshot reminiscent of Frawley playing forward in 2015.

 

[Tassie Cryptik]

Game day thread a late starter?

 

[Brant]

Seems Lewis was looking good as a Forward so we’ve sent him back to BHH to strip some weight off, so we can play him across Half Back.

 

[tige19]

Seems Lewis was looking good as a Forward so we’ve sent him back to BHH to strip some weight off, so we can play him across Half Back.

Hahaha this is so true... deadset one of the great head scratchers from the MC on this one, FB pages blowing up as they should. Etihad is a great ground for deep forwards, he’d have a lot of opportunity to impact. If I see TOB go forward I’ll walk out.

 

[Bumps"N"Grins]

Not looking forward to the broadcast. It’ll be an Essendon jizz-fest and I’m predicting I’ll hit the mute button half a second after the first Brian Taylor “Orrraaazzziiioooo”

And I'm already grumpy as feck at the moment.

Thanks for the thought bubble...............................................not!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[Bumps"N"Grins]

I'll eat my hat if the selected team takes the field.

Laughed.

 

[Strapping Young Lad]

I'll eat my hat if the selected team takes the field.

Vegetables or fries?

 

[Carl Spackler]

We haven’t scored over 100 in something like 16 games. Terrible.

In the paper today Mick McGuane says the issue with scoring is that the mids are delivering poorly. I don't think I agree with him. I tend to think it's that the forwards are not presenting well. The ball is entering the f50 plenty and it doesn't feel nearly as "bomb-and-pray" as it did the last two seasons. The ball seems to be entering flatter and to the pockets more, but still not hitting the forwards. It seems the forwards are always caught behind and out of position.

I wish I could see some detailed stats, but it sure seems like the mids have more time than they have previously so I tend to think they are delivering where and how they are supposed to, it's just the forwards aren't connecting. Plus, goal kicking accuracy has been a shocker. Particularly sitters. So many times we could be turning up the heat but then put ourselves under big pressure when we miss the easy points. That being said, kicking accuracy did us no good at all when we lost control of the midfield against Brisbane.

I feel like I'm on the right path since it seems it is our forward line that has the greatest selection uncertainty. It looks like we're still shifting players around trying to get that end of the field to fire. The defensive setup has been pretty stable this year, a few injuries causing changes but no dropping and swapping. The same with the midfield (out of necessity perhaps due to the depleted stores, but Howe, despite being healthy, does not get a look in). The forward line, though, has a change in look virtually every week. It's been very unsettled at selection time.

Dunno, but I think that's our point of weakness.

 

[Milkshaker]

I'll eat my hat if the selected team takes the field.