VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
- 17,493
- 35,311
- AFL Club
- Essendon
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- Liverpool FC, Melbourne Storm
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- #1
Made this graphic before Hurn got rested. Goodnight sweet prince
ESSENDON BOMBERS
Flat.
It's hard to put into words how upsetting it is to be so close and fall short again, especially against the bloody Swans.
Long fadeouts once again cost us; we played well in the first and fourth quarter but just stopped in the second and third, and whilst we nearly got over the line, the damage had been done.
Somewhat fittingly, Lance Franklin's career ended against the team he routinely punished in us. Whilst he did my head in constantly, he will go down as one of the best ever.
Kyle bloody Langford has to be up in the top 3 of the Crichton this year - He is now almost the complete forward and is kicking goals for fun. Over 40 this year, and he's heading straight towards a maiden leading goal-kicker award.
Peter Wright got to a ton of contests but very rarely marked it - resulting in what could be considered one of the worst 4-goal performances you're ever likely to see.
I've always thought Nick Bryan would make it as a ruckman in the Tim English mold, and after a string of AFL performances consecutively (finally), he looks like he's really settling into the role. It's starting to look like a combo of Bryan and Draper is the way forward for our club. Amazing ruck craft, great tap work and body positioning, and the forward knowledge will come with time.
Zach Merrett is a Rolls Royce. He's a wonderful captain and leader, and I believe he will be our next Premiership captain.
Regardless, * I hate the Swans.
ESSENDON BOMBERS 15.9 99
def. by
SYDNEY SWANS 15.11 101
BEST: Langford, Caldwell, Merrett, Bryan, Heppell
GOALS: Langford 5, Wright 4, Martin, Perkins, Hind, Caldwell, Durham, Menzie
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WEST COAST EAGLES
Hahahahaa Norf.
The Eagles have been decimated all year with injury, horrible form, a lack of game plan, no urgency, miserable, negative coaching and media pile ons all year. They are arguably the worst team we have ever seen in the AFL.
And yet, still, the overwhelming loser mentality of Norf was strong enough to see West Coast get their first win since Round 2.
Both of these sides are in desperate need of a restart - Norf thought they got theirs by signing on Alastair Clarkson as the Arden St Messiah, but he lasted a matter of weeks before he realised what a huge pile of s**t he got himself into. Since then, both the Eagles and Roos have gone winless.
Last week was billed as the Harley Reid cup, as the loser will likely end up with the highly rated youngster as their first pick.
Now, it's looking like a battle of percentage. The Eagles have been routinely belted all year, including a record 171-point obliteration at the hands of Sydney.
Tim Kelly looks to have rejuvenated himself after a rough year last year, and he, alongside young gun Oscar Allen, are clearly West Coast's most important players.
In a year of few highlights for Eagles fans, they can take some solace in the form of Elijah Hewett - this kid will be something very special and they have to hope he wants to stick around long term.
In a race to the bottom, maybe they'll help us out by just... not rocking up today.
WEST COAST EAGLES 10.12 72
def.
LOL NORF 10.7 67
BEST: Kelly, Hunt, Williams, Cripps, Hurn
GOALS: Cripps, Allen 2, Hunt, Hewett, Darling, Long, O'Neill, Petruccelle
ESSENDON EMERGENCIES: Sam Weideman, Will Snelling, Kaine Baldwin, Alwyn Davey Jnr
WEST COAST EMERGENCIES: Isiah Winder, Luke Foley, Greg Clark, Callum Jamieson
ESSENDON OUTS: Davey Jnr, Snelling (Both omit)
ESSENDON INS: Tsatas
WEST COAST OUTS: Sheed (Injured), Bazzo, Hurn (Managed)
WEST COAST INS: McGovern, Rotham
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Sub to be chosen from the emergency list one hour prior to bounce.
ROUND 11, 2023
Optus Stadium
27/5/2023
WEST COAST EAGLES 6.10 46
def. by
ESSENDON BOMBERS 14.12 96
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ESSENDON GOALS: Langford 3, Hobbs, Snelling, Menzie 2, Redman, Stringer, Perkins, Draper, Guelfi
WEST COAST GOALS: Allen 4, Waterman, Petruccelle
ESSENDON BEST: Martin, Merrett, Redman, Draper
WEST COAST BEST: Allen, Hunt, Duggan, Kelly
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
ESSENDON OUTS: Ridley, Stringer, Snelling, Draper, Weideman, D'Ambrosio, McDonald-Tipungwuti
ESSENDON INS: Kelly, Tsatas, Wright, Cox, Phillips, Parish
WEST COAST OUTS: Hurn, Ginbey, Sheed, Waterman, West, Bazzo, Barrass, Clark, Foley
WEST COAST INS: Maric, Cripps, Darling, Chesser, Cole, McGovern, Hewett, J. Williams
If we are at all serious about making a late push for the eight, then we need to put the Eagles to the sword. They got their win last week, but there is a potential spot in the finals up for grabs and we need to give ourselves the best possible chance, and our percentage has taken a hammering in the past month. Get a big win today, and try to consolidate that next week against Norf.
Special shoutout to Elijah Tsatas, who's run to debut has been anything but smooth considering the injury he dealt with early this year. The number 5 guernsey at our great club has a long and proud tradition, and some of our greatest ever players have worn it with pride.
Today, that story has another chapter started. Go well, young fella. All the best!
Go Planes.
Essendon by 124.
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