skill,skill,skill

[greenlight]

skill is whats really lacking down there...they have the run. they have the smarts and they have the abilty....we saw that last year....if he can get them beleiving in them selves and there skill...we will be a major force....confidence is another factor...look at how geelong bought the ball outta defence this year....with ease because they knew there capabilitys....same as essendons 2000 team....we have the neuclius...we now have to put it together...i believe we can....go dons

 

[Burzum]

That's the main thing Knights will be focusing on.

 

[BABYBOMBERS2007]

Spot on. All Essendon need is confidence and to take risks and Essendon would be one the forces in the AFL. The skill is right there, they just need to use it.

 

[DannyJames13]

yeah I get a lot of confidence reading that skills will be a main focus of knights

 

[carmi99]

Spot on. All Essendon need is confidence and to take risks and Essendon would be one the forces in the AFL. The skill is right there, they just need to use it.

I noticed on many occasion this year that Essendon played some great footy when we were behind and the games were just about dead. Whenever Sheedy gave them a license to back themselves they tended to look alot better. We are such a young team now and you have to let kids play. If i was Knights that would be the thing i would try and instill in them. I am not sure if they are so unskillful, i would put it more down to confidence. The skills will come with the confidence but it is still a good idea to focus on the skills training over the summer as Knights has indicated he will do.

I was shattered when Knights was appointed but so far i am really impressed with everything he has done (although its still very early in the scene)

 

[The Donners]

I noticed on many occasion this year that Essendon played some great footy when we were behind and the games were just about dead. Whenever Sheedy gave them a license to back themselves they tended to look alot better. We are such a young team now and you have to let kids play. If i was Knights that would be the thing i would try and instill in them. I am not sure if they are so unskillful, i would put it more down to confidence. The skills will come with the confidence but it is still a good idea to focus on the skills training over the summer as Knights has indicated he will do.

I was shattered when Knights was appointed but so far i am really impressed with everything he has done (although its still very early in the scene)

I agree! I was shocked at his apointment, took me a couple of days to calm down, but after that... he WILL take Essendon to the next level!

 

[Budda 230]

skill is whats really lacking down there...they have the run. they have the smarts and they have the abilty....we saw that last year....if he can get them beleiving in them selves and there skill...we will be a major force....confidence is another factor...look at how geelong bought the ball outta defence this year....with ease because they knew there capabilitys....same as essendons 2000 team....we have the neuclius...we now have to put it together...i believe we can....go dons

Yeah, I would have to agree with the lack of skill. Confidence will come as the team develops. But I think there is more to it than that.

They need some serious midfield pace and also an extra clearance player. I'm sure you guys will be looking at Masten with your first pick who would be a welcome inclusion. Last years great batch of kids will also be better after their first seasons.

The clubs depth is also a big issue. Yeah, you have Houli, Gumbleton, Hislop, Jetta etc coming through, but with Hird gone and Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher all coming to the end of their careers, these young blokes are going to be required to fill the gaps immediately. It will be a tough gig for them.

I think there is going to have to be some tough years ahead for the Dons. They should have traded for some higher picks in the draft which they need to help further develop the squad. Also need to draft a young developing defender.

 

[Couch Potato]

Yeah, I would have to agree with the lack of skill. Confidence will come as the team develops. But I think there is more to it than that.

They need some serious midfield pace and also an extra clearance player. I'm sure you guys will be looking at Masten with your first pick who would be a welcome inclusion. Last years great batch of kids will also be better after their first seasons.

The clubs depth is also a big issue. Yeah, you have Houli, Gumbleton, Hislop, Jetta etc coming through, but with Hird gone and Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher all coming to the end of their careers, these young blokes are going to be required to fill the gaps immediately. It will be a tough gig for them.

I think there is going to have to be some tough years ahead for the Dons. They should have traded for some higher picks in the draft which they need to help further develop the squad. Also need to draft a young developing defender.

Well, we are so thankful for your doomsday address...
Certainly won't take us to 40+ years between flags.

 

[Budda 230]

Well, we are so thankful for your doomsday address...
Certainly won't take us to 40+ years between flags.

God mate, it was only an opinion. No need to get cut about it. Especially to a supporter of the Premiership team? Come on.

This should be an exciting time for Essendon to rebuild the list. You'll have to think again if you reckin the current list can have success. To many gaps at the moment.

 

[tristo]

Yeah, I would have to agree with the lack of skill. Confidence will come as the team develops. But I think there is more to it than that.

They need some serious midfield pace and also an extra clearance player. I'm sure you guys will be looking at Masten with your first pick who would be a welcome inclusion. Last years great batch of kids will also be better after their first seasons.

The clubs depth is also a big issue. Yeah, you have Houli, Gumbleton, Hislop, Jetta, Houli etc coming through, but with Hird gone and Lloyd, Lucas, Fletcher all coming to the end of their careers, these young blokes are going to be required to fill the gaps immediately. It will be a tough gig for them.

I think there is going to have to be some tough years ahead for the Dons. They should have traded for some higher picks in the draft which they need to help further develop the squad. Also need to draft a young developing defender.

With this draft being a perceived "weak draft" clubs were more reluctant to give up early picks. With pick 6 we should get a quality player (Mastern) and 23 is reasonably good as well, should still get a quality player there. Would of have to give up to much for another lower pick.
Darcy Daniher with pick 39 is / was a bargain, and fits the second part, young developing defender.

With the likes of Ryder, Gumbleton, Hislop, Reimers, Jetta, Nash, Hocking all getting another season under their belt the future is looking better then 12 months ago. We have Neagle still developing as forward prospect to replace Lloyd in the near future as well. My only concern is the lack of depth in the ruck area, only in the event of injury. Laycock should continue his development and hopefully make some real progress this season.

Whilst it is ambitious to think Essendon will be a threat in 2008, you can easily see why Knights is happy with the list, and is looking at 2009/2010 as the years when the Essendon Football Club re-emerges as a finals contender.