The Good, The Bad, The Atkins

[Slippery Pete]

I didn't think Seedsman's kicking was that bad

The Seed did a couple of dumb things last night that were very un-Brett James-esque.

 

[maxlilly]

The Seed did a couple of dumb things last night that were very un-Brett James-esque.

Well he was no Robinson Crusoe there

 

[Mike Smyth]

Of course it matters, we lost 6 games last season (with a draw) and still finished top. I look forward to only losing 5 more games for the rest of the season

No we didn't we finished second to top and were way behind the team that finished top. Unless of course minor round premierships are your priority.

 

[Bicks]

I didn't think Seedsman's kicking was that bad

Yep he's really got on top of that long bomb into the forward line to nobody in particular like a lot of his team-mates who unfortunately don't share his foot skills.

 

[Thetrader15]

Yep he's really got on top of that long bomb into the forward line to nobody in particular like a lot of his team-mates who unfortunately don't share his foot skills.

Or Hampton who decided not to kick even when running into goal all by himself

 

[Bicks]

 

[SellarStardom]

Some perspective needed folks.

We are clearly a few weeks behind in training build up and the players looked heavy, like they have come off a hard slog of training

New forward half - we debuted Fog and Murphy as well as missing Tex, Lynch and Knight. Lynch is our connector and a few times we went forward a missed that link. Tex is the general who commands and Knight is no slouch. First game without Cameron next to Eddie.

Middle - first game with Gibbs, first games back for Hampton and Cey and a side that looked cooked. Sloane was average and looked to be running in mud.

Back - no Smith and Lever, moster forwards and first game for Dude.

Lots of first for the team and a confident Essendon, it wasn't so bad

 

[maxlilly]

Yep he's really got on top of that long bomb into the forward line to nobody in particular like a lot of his team-mates who unfortunately don't share his foot skills.

I guess he thought Eddie was going to fly for it

 

[dylan123]

He’s an impact player, not an accumulator, and that becomes really apparent when the two highest workrate forwards are out of the side.

Too harsh on Mitch in here. Much too harsh.

Don't think it's harsh to want more from him?

I'm not suggesting he become an accumulator, but just get a bit more involved this year as a 24 year old that's been in the system for a few years now.

Just failed to really get going in the pre season games and then the first match of the season last night where I would have been hoping we might see an even better McGovern this year and more of a chance to shine last night without Tex in the side.

It's early days and I'm not putting a line through his name or anything as I love how he competes in the air, I just want to see him compete a bit more and find ways to involve himself in the game more.

 

[CrowBloke]

Somebody please restore my faith because right now I am thinking it’s going to be a long season

Dani, chill --- nil desperandum --- it's a long season for every club/supporter.
We're not doomed by a R1 loss --- put Tex and Lynch alone back in last night's game = we win.
Pyke is level-headed and my guess (read: hope) is he has a plan which will ensure we're playing our best footy in the last 6 games.

 

[CrowBloke]

Not only are you prone to exaggeration:

what's the point of having him in the side when he has the pyhsical presence of a 12 year old. Because of his size he will always be ineffective in finals. What he does in the minor round is totally irrelevant. We need to build a team who can win a GF.

(Size is relative to function. If it was about size alone (an exaggeration) a third of our team wouldn't get a game.
Eddie is built like a skinny, underfed boy, but is far from ineffective due to his size. Murphy, too.),

but you patronise and ridicule contributors who have taken an interest in your thread:

Good morning little fella. Should you really be posting in a thread where grown ups are talking about football. There's a superhero thread in the Children Forum.

Sarcasm unwarranted and unnecessary.
Even so, this is spot on:

I have seen nothing in Hampton or CEY which makes me think they will even be average players at this level.

I was a CEY fan, but not after last night's ineptitude.

 

[Truck25]

Good
Matty Crouch - his inside work is sublime
Gibbs - So happy he is here, when we have a full team + Gibbs it will be scary.
Sloaney - another Sloaney effort, please never leave.
Seed - solid, good signs once he shakes of a bit of rust
Lairdy - took of where he left off last year, another AA coming his way.
The DOOD! - Jake who? may not be the aerialist Jake was but much better all round defender.
Misty! - he's not AFL fit but when he is OMG! The Fog is gunna come down of the AFL! so glad we got him.

Bad
Jenkins - where is the desire son, looked despondent and still had an impact but...somebody needs to get his head right.
Talia - Is he injured? no run and hesitant.
Hampton - Man I wish he would get the ball and go, stop trying to be clever and just take the game on.
CEY - I'm sorry, I've always questioned if he is AFL material. That performance just adds more questions, don't think he is.
Atkins - so much skill, just needs to find a way to get involved when it isn't working

Ugly
Our growing list of injuries, Are we paying the piper for the last few years?
General fitness, Does that extra few weeks really make that much difference?
Umps, Shit as usual playing across the border. another class effort by Pannell.
We are so missing Smith off the 1/2 back line, I hope Jnr is ready soon.
It looked like we have regressed back to our stoppage set up from a few years ago, once we loose possession got opened up.
Has Campo taken back control of the stoppages again?

General impression was that we looked slower and tired. I wonder if they have changed the program. Normally we drop off mid year as they ramp up training and push the boys to the limit. With the number of injuries and the tired look of the team it almost looks like they are pushing early. then again that might just be me looking for hope.

 

[CrowBloke]

Read JJ's lips --- it's obvious:
"Eeek!!".

 

[Mike Smyth]

Not only are you prone to exaggeration:

(Size is relative to function. If it was about size alone (an exaggeration) a third of our team wouldn't get a game.
Eddie is built like a skinny, underfed boy, but is far from ineffective due to his size. Murphy, too.),

but you patronise and ridicule contributors who have taken an interest in your thread:

Sarcasm unwarranted and unnecessary.
Even so, this is spot on:


I was a CEY fan, but not after last night's ineptitude.

Not that I just should have to justify myself but I will anyway. Here's the post I was directing my comment at.

"""hey shorty, post: 54730675, member: 18061"]Overreaction is Mikes speciality.""

If you are going to take pot shots make sure you have thick skin and you're wearing your big boy pants.

 

[Southerntakeover]

Essendon have not gone past us. What a shit thing to say. Essendon were better on the night only because they had 3 more weeks pre-season than we did and weren't missing 3 of their highest goal scorers from last season. Us supporters have been crying out for kids to be played. We debuted 3 young blokes last night all in which had good/great games and yet we still have uproar from the supporters saying the season is over. Give me a ******* break. 1 game doesn't defy a season, sit back and watch us smack Richmond around next week and we'll automatically (according to our supporters) be premiership favs

Essendon comprehensively outplayed us when it mattered.

I know some of our fans insist on living in a fantasy world, but generally speaking when two teams play and one humiliates another, that team is considered better. Crazy, right? Results based assessment?

 

[Mike Smyth]

For those in the pro-McKay camp would you say his almost 200 game career has been successful?

 

[Southerntakeover]

By the way: Jenkins lost me with one moment last night and I don't think he'll ever get me back after it.

His failure to put any effort into defending the Fog when the Essendon players decided to rough him up was an embarrassment, and an absolute disgrace. He should be dropped for that alone.

A man his size who leaves a rookie player to get mauled has no place on the football field.

 

[Ramify]

For those in the pro-McKay camp would you say his almost 200 game career has been successful?

He is just starting to blossom mate. Look forward to watching his next 300 game 8 year contract unfold.

 

[dogs105]

For those in the pro-McKay camp would you say his almost 200 game career has been successful?

Well he certainly doesn't seem to have played well enough to have people knowing how to spell his name.

 

[Mike Smyth]

He is just starting to blossom mate. Look forward to watching his next 300 game 8 year contract unfold.

he will break the games record but he wont play 500 games - surely

 

[Mike Smyth]

Brilliant. You've outdone yourself this time Wayne.

 

[Mike Smyth]

I think CEY is overawed when playing real games - his brain goes foggy and he panics - he has had multiple chances I think he is done.

I would hate to rely on CEY's lack of skill and composure in a final, especially in a GF. I really like the kid but we are not a charity. Although, then again.....

 

[hey shorty]

Good morning little fella. Should you really be posting in a thread where grown ups are talking about football. There's a superhero thread in the Children Forum.

I've got you covered sunshine, then again my 4yo cousin does too.

 

[Southerntakeover]

And just to follow up my Jenkins post:

Can you imagine what Tex would have done? Can you ever imagine him doing what Jenkins did? Not being in the centre of that, taking the heat off the rookie?

That's why he's massive to us, even out of form. That's why he's our captain.

 

[hey shorty]

And just to follow up my Jenkins post:

Can you imagine what Tex would have done? Can you ever imagine him doing what Jenkins did? Not being in the centre of that, taking the heat off the rookie?

That's why he's massive to us, even out of form. That's why he's our captain.

Tex before captaincy yes