Season preview: Essendon

[rolandproducts]

I am surprised nobody has had anything to say about this...

Would have thought that 13th is a bit pessimistic after a good ol' fashion clean out and fairly good recruiting period.


from http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=250676

Monday 13 March 2006
Scott Spits
Exclusive to afl.com.au

In the lead-up to the 2006 AFL premiership season, afl.com.au will be taking a close look at each team and, based on a poll of our writers, ranking them and counting down from 16th to 1st.

We'll seek to answer key questions about each club and select their best line-up. Today, Scott Spits has the Bombers in his sights.

Club: Essendon

2006 ranking: 13th

1. Should the Dons look at resting James Hird some weeks?

Absolutely. Essendon should do whatever possible to prolong the career of its champion and former captain. The Bombers are certain to rotate the 33-year-old off the bench and through the forward line this season, but if the 223-game utility needs a rest to freshen up once per month, then that's fine. There's no certainly Hird will play again in 2007 but if a slightly lighter load this year eases the strain on his body, Essendon should certainly consider that. No doubt the Dons would love to profit from his experience, leadership and poise under pressure for another two seasons. Essendon coach Kevin Sheedy has taken a deliberately careful approach with his two-time premiership player during the off-season but he suffered a calf injury during Friday night's NAB Challenge clash against Hawthorn in Bendigo.

2. Gary Ayres has a brief to look after the Bomber backline. Is it in good shape?

Essendon's likely half-back line of Nathan Lovett-Murray, Kepler Bradley and Adam McPhee shows plenty of promise. But the biggest key to the Essendon backline is still veteran full-back Dustin Fletcher, who has been one of the AFL's best in the key defensive post for 13 seasons. Fletcher remains one of Essendon's most important players and the 30-year-old surely has several seasons left at the elite level. Plenty is expected of a bulked-up Bradley, who is entering his third AFL season and may shore up centre-half-back. McPhee only played 14 matches in 2005 and a groin injury severely restricted his performance compared to his best-and-fairest season in 2004. Overall, the Bombers have a solid defensive half but if Bradley or McPhee aren't performing or aren't available as the second key tall, the Dons may have to rob Peter to pay Paul by calling on the ever-reliable Scott Lucas from the forward half.

3. Essendon fans are talking up the new batch of 'Baby Bombers'. How good are they?

There are plenty of reasons to be excited about Essendon's young players, several of whom showed glimpses of their potential in 2005. Brent Stanton finished third in the best-and-fairest in his second season, while fellow midfielders Ricky Dyson, Henry Slattery and Angus Monfries appear set for long careers. As for the big men, Bradley shapes as a star while Jason Laycock is expected to make a giant leap forward in 2006. The Dons were delighted with their acquisitions in last year's NAB AFL Draft, particularly snapping up young East Fremantle ruckman Paddy Ryder with the No.7 selection. Some observers rated the athletic 197cm Ryder as a potential number one pick. The other youngster who will be closely watched in 2006 is Courtney Johns, who has overcome a chronic hip injury. The Bombers have put plenty of time and money into the rehabilitation of the 100kg forward who was ignored by other clubs in the 2002 NAB AFL Draft.

4. Why we think the Bombers will finish 13th?

The overall consensus of the afl.com.au team is that the Bombers are set to miss the finals for a second successive season. The club may have recruited a healthy batch of youngsters, but the improvement on last year's 13th-placed finish is unlikely to happen in 2006. Essendon still relies heavily on its upper-tier players and it will probably take 2-3 years before the Dons are pushing for the top four once again. Last season was definitely a development year and 2006 will be more about consolidation. But a big thing in Essendon's favour is its draw, featuring just four interstate trips and only one match against the likes of Geelong, St Kilda, West Coast and Adelaide.

5. Our best 22:

B: Welsh, Fletcher, McVeigh
HB: Lovett-Murray, Bradley, McPhee
C: Camporeale, J.Johnson, Stanton
HF: Cole, Lucas, Solomon
F: Hird, Lloyd, Lovett
Foll: Hille, Peverill, M.Johnson
Inter: Watson, Rioli, Laycock, Bolton

 

[ant555]

I am surprised nobody has had anything to say about this...

Would have thought that 13th is a bit pessimistic after a good ol' fashion clean out and fairly good recruiting period.


from http://afl.com.au/default.asp?pg=news&spg=display&articleid=250676

Just someone else's opinion and he has them 13th. I think we can make the eight but in saying that if a few things go wrong we could struggle again this year. Over this year i think the bottom few clubs can win some more games so even having 10 wins could place you in the bottom 4 or 5. No matter which way you look at it a number of players do have to step up for us to suceed. Watson, Johns,Winderlich,Dyson (yes Dyson) all have to take another step forward. Hille has to find some consistancy now he is currently injury free.Lovett and Lovett-Murray have to prove they can hold last years form. Solly has to fight back after an ordinary year becasue of injury.
There are a lot of variables that could see us go one way or the other in a big way.

 

[blumfieldisback]

Just someone else's opinion and he has them 13th. I think we can make the eight but in saying that if a few things go wrong we could struggle again this year. Over this year i think the bottom few clubs can win some more games so even having 10 wins could place you in the bottom 4 or 5. No matter which way you look at it a number of players do have to step up for us to suceed. Watson, Johns,Winderlich,Dyson (yes Dyson) all have to take another step forward. Hille has to find some consistancy now he is currently injury free.Lovett and Lovett-Murray have to prove they can hold last years form. Solly has to fight back after an ordinary year becasue of injury.
There are a lot of variables that could see us go one way or the other in a big way.

well said, you would also have to say that if lloyd remains injury free we should be better placed then 13th because providing delivery improves he will kick close to 100 goals this year, not that 100 goals these days signifies a stellar season e.g i think Lloyds 2003 and 2004 seasons were better then 2000 and 2001.