The Premiership Window

[Lance Uppercut]

All teams are aiming to build their lists the way you describe. Just because they are trying to do it, doesnt mean its going to happen as planned.

right. And my point was that I think Essendon have done it in a way that it will. Glad we finally got there

Essendons recent list of failed young talls a case in point - Daniher, Johns, Bradley...etc etc etc. They have tried many times over to develop a spine. Theres no clear evidence that they are going to do any better this time around. In the meantime they midfield becomes older and heavier and slower, not aided by the addition of Goddard, another barrel chest late aged player...the last thing they need.

How does Goddard improve your demographics?

because he fills out one of the areas we were lacking. But that's completely irrelevant. We got Goddard because he's a good player. He's not the "last thing we need", he's the cream on the cake.

 

[Dave06]

Based on last years form and acquisitions over the pre-season, it would be a fair stretch to say either Richmond or Essendon (even with Goddard) are genuine chances at making the top 4. Either team would be considered a bolter if that happened.

I see the genuine top 4 chances being (in no particular order) Hawks, Swans, Pies and Eagles. Adelaide and Freo fall just outside this group (the loss of Tippett will have a huge impact on the Crows). Geelong, Essendon, Richmond, Blues and Saints after them.

It wouldn't surprise me if any of the second group made the top 4, just the way I see things based on exposed form and pre-season pick-ups and losses.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Always seem to come across your deluded view of your team and your own opinion.

that's nice, but I can't really recall a single thing you've written, personally. Sorry.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

In other words, you've picked some KPP and waiting for them to develop. Hardly canny.

well, it is canny if it works.

Well, every teams aims to play in finals, so that's a given. Gale and the club are actually on track to achieve the membership and debt goals, or come mighty close. Brendon outlined some very specific and measurable goals, rather than gobbledygook like age demographic and 'window'.

rather than?

 

[Whispering_Jack]

Fair enough good scalp against a medium to improving team. I was referring to who you had played to get you INTO the top four though.

You only need one good win in rd1 to make it "INTO" the top 4, we beat Freo away whilst STILL in the top 4. It was a relevant post. We also smashed the dogs the following week but injuries started to really take it's toll. I don't see a top 4 as a target, I see 5/6 is a realistic expectation of where we will finish. Anyone who thinks we can't improve on last year when we were in the top 4 until half way through the year (when injuries wrecked us - a non bias opinion industry wide) is kidding themselves.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

right. And my point was that I think Essendon have done it in a way that it will. Glad we finally got there.

So youre talking your team up. Fair enough. youre allowed to. Why didnt you say that in the first place?

 

[lihei]

that's nice, but I can't really recall a single thing you've written personally. Sorry.

...and that's just great! Never have I seen an idiotic avatar match the person. Classic!

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

You only need one good win in rd1 to make it "INTO" the top 4, we beat Freo away whilst STILL in the top 4.

Fair enough, I didnt look past the round prior when you dropped out of the four due to the bye.

Add the Freo win but also add another win against another bottom four side.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

So youre talking your team up. Fair enough. youre allowed to. Why didnt you say that in the first place?

because it was obvious?

What I'm actually doing, and this might be a bit out there, is giving my opinion in response to questions posed. I'm using words to paint a picture about the way I see the world.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

...and that's just great! Never have I seen an idiotic avatar match the person. Classic!

have you really been here since 2003?

 

[EasternTiger]

rather than?

rather than waiting for windows to open up. He was proactive, set some difficult goals and announced they would be achieved or the club would die trying. I'd prefer 3-0-75 to 'We are Essendon' or whatever your current marketing slogan is.

 

[Timmy from Thomastown]

because it was obvious?

What I'm actually doing, and this might be a bit out there, is giving my opinion in response to questions posed. I'm using words to paint a picture about the way I see the world.

So you hope your team improves.

Ok then.

 

[loki04]

I disagree on the talent side of things. Yes Cotchin, Martin and Deledio are good, but so are Watson, Goddard, Zaharakis and Heppell etc. Who do you think in Richmond's young players eclipses Essendon for talent?

Watson (Feb, 1985) and Goddard (May 1985) are senior players.

Delidio mid aged bracket hitting his peak turns 26 in may and really is now becoming a senior player.

Zaharakis isn't on the same level as Cotchin and Martin.

Heppell looks to be a gun in the making.

CBF going through everyone but they also have Conca, Ellis, Reiwoldt, Vickery, Rance, Jackson ect

Also I don't think Richmond will make top 4 but head to head they have more young talent then Essendon, they have also recruited well to plug holes none are stars but will give a solid contest.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

rather than waiting for windows to open up. He was proactive, set some difficult goals and announced they would be achieved or the club would die trying. I'd prefer 3-0-75 to 'We are Essendon' or whatever your current marketing slogan is.

great post mate, but it has nothing to do with the thread.

Frankly, 3-0-75 is the epitome of corporate buzz speak, and not only that, but it was ludicrous in it's scope and correct me if I'm wrong, but it's failing miserably isn't it? What's the point of setting unachievable goals?

 

[Lance Uppercut]

So you hope your team improves.

Ok then.

not only do I hope we do, but I think we will as well.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

Watson (Feb, 1985) and Goddard (May 1985) are senior players.

Delidio mid aged bracket hitting his peak turns 26 in may and really is now becoming a senior player.

Zaharakis isn't on the same level as Cotchin and Martin.

Heppell looks to be a gun in the making.

CBF going through everyone but they also have Conca, Ellis, Reiwoldt, Vickery, Rance, Jackson ect

Also I don't think Richmond will make top 4 but head to head they have more young talent then Essendon, they have also recruited well to plug holes none are stars but will give a solid contest.

well you're entitled to your opinion of course, but you haven't exactly illustrated it here. Agree that Cotchin and Martin are guns, but I also stated that in the original post. Reeling off Conca, Ellis, Riewoldt, Vikerty, Rance, Jackson etc certainly doesn't convince me. I'm biased but I could reel off a list of Essendon youngsters who I think are the equal or better of that lot. But again, you're entitled to your opinion on the matter.

 

[Suma Magic]

How I rank the teams heading into this year:

Wiqid good:
Swans
Hawks
Pies

Pretty sick:
Crows
Eagles
Dockers
Cats

Not bad:
Blues
Tigers
Bombers

Struggling to make the 8:
Kangaroos
Saints

No chance in hell:
Everyone else

 

[EasternTiger]

great post mate, but it has nothing to do with the thread.

Frankly, 3-0-75 is the epitome of corporate buzz speak, and not only that, but it was ludicrous in it's scope and correct me if I'm wrong, but it's failing miserably isn't it? What's the point of setting unachievable goals?

I answered a few posts ago. We have cleared a significant amount of debt, and I don't think anyone will be jumping off bridges if we only get to 65,000 members.

The point I was making is Essendon are nowhere near top 4 material. Clearly they are a chance to make the 8, if 2013 is a year where 11-12 wins gets you in.

 

[loki04]

not only do I hope we do, but I think we will as well.

You think you will what?

Make top 4? lmao.

IMO there are 7 teams in the running and Essendon aren't one of them.

Pies, Hawks, Swans, Crows, WC, Freo and Geelong.

Essendon are in the next bracket chasing the pack with Nth, Rich, Carlton.

This is not to say 1 of those teams can't break away and take the next step but from where I sit it seems unlikely and would need injury and a lot of upsets for Essendon to finish top 4.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

I answered a few posts ago. We have cleared a significant amount of debt, and I don't think anyone will be jumping off bridges if we only get to 65,000 members.

The point I was making is Essendon are nowhere near top 4 material. Clearly they are a chance to make the 8, if 2013 is a year where 11-12 wins gets you in.

it's a very unusual year when the top 4 doesn't change. Essendon are not certainties to make it, but a very long way, but neither are they "nowhere near". That argument could only be made by someone who's surprised when a rainy day follows a sunny one

 

[AusTerran]

Based on last years form and acquisitions over the pre-season, it would be a fair stretch to say either Richmond or Essendon (even with Goddard) are genuine chances at making the top 4. Either team would be considered a bolter if that happened.

I see the genuine top 4 chances being (in no particular order) Hawks, Swans, Pies and Eagles. Adelaide and Freo fall just outside this group (the loss of Tippett will have a huge impact on the Crows). Geelong, Essendon, Richmond, Blues and Saints after them.

It wouldn't surprise me if any of the second group made the top 4, just the way I see things based on exposed form and pre-season pick-ups and losses.

Collingwood would surely be in the same bracket with the huge impact of lossing Dawes...
Apart from a few games last season, Tippet had little impact, we also have Jenkins and McKernan fighting over with place in the side. If your referring to Walker, Walker did better when Tippet wasn't in the side last year. The main key to our side last season, and this season is our midfield, not our forward line.

 

[Lance Uppercut]

You think you will what?

Make top 4? lmao.

IMO there are 7 teams in the running and Essendon aren't one of them.

Pies, Hawks, Swans, Crows, WC, Freo and Geelong.

Essendon are in the next bracket chasing the pack with Nth, Rich, Carlton.

This is not to say 1 of those teams can't break away and take the next step but from where I sit it seems unlikely and would need injury and a lot of upsets for Essendon to finish top 4.

No, I think we will improve. I think we can certainly make the top 4, but I think it's more likely than not we will be in the ranges of 4-8.

 

[EasternTiger]

it's a very unusual year when the top 4 doesn't change. Essendon are not certainties to make it, but a very long way, but neither are they "nowhere near". That argument could only be made by someone who's surprised when a rainy day follows a sunny one

If I wasn't banned from the Essendon board I would post all your top 4 nonsense in the delusional pearler thread. I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to Gate 3 you at some stage this year

 

[Lance Uppercut]

If I wasn't banned from the Essendon board I would post all your top 4 nonsense in the delusional pearler thread. I have a sneaking suspicion I am going to Gate 3 you at some stage this year

send me your pic, etc

 

[loki04]

well you're entitled to your opinion of course, but you haven't exactly illustrated it here. Agree that Cotchin and Martin are guns, but I also stated that in the original post. Reeling off Conca, Ellis, Riewoldt, Vikerty, Rance, Jackson etc certainly doesn't convince me. I'm biased but I could reel off a list of Essendon youngsters who I think are the equal or better of that lot. But again, you're entitled to your opinion on the matter.

Never said they were all guns but that they were better collective talent then the equivalent bomber players in those ages.