Thoughts On The Essendon Game

[WaynesWorld19]

Wow what a game.....the most sustained hard running precision footy for a long while.

This one will be one the shorter reports but just a few observations:

Reilly has arrived as an elite footballer...22 years old which is about the normal timing for a player to start producing.

Hard at it, great hands....definately leadership material.


Van Berlo just gets better each week....his confidence is sky high, he's showing amazing leadership skills at such a young age......he has surpassed all expectations.

Knights looked lost again in the first half, hesitant, bit slow but really gained valuable confidence in the second half.

Maric....For Craig to say Maric will be a very very good AFL player for the club is a BIG statement. He's not prone to those sort of comments.

Great game....one for the memory banks....fantastic effort Crows!!

 

[Macca19]

Looks like my tip of Crows by 97 points was conservative in the end.

Good win. Must feel good to compeltely bury and demoralise a football club like that.

 

[- PC -]

Looks like my tip of Crows by 97 points was conservative in the end.

Good win. Must feel good to compeltely bury and demoralise a football club like that.

Thanks Macca, I was happy to go past 43 points but never thought that much

It does feel good to see it happen. I was concerned about any dropping off

 

[Drummond]

Van Berlo is just a superb footballer, at such a young age to look so composed is a sign of how good he will become. His skills tonight were extremely good, always hitting a target and showing plenty of courage yet again. Played another great game tonight, adding to last week’s performance. He is going to be one heck of a player.

 

[spell_check]

Looks like my tip of Crows by 97 points was conservative in the end.

Good win. Must feel good to compeltely bury and demoralise a football club like that.

Should have been 32.8. Then I would have been satisfied.

 

[-VC-]

Thoroughly impressive performance. Nearly everyone on the ground was better than good. The only guys that didn't catch my eye at any time (for a prolonged period) were Massie and Rutten, but the ball wasn't really down their end much. When he was in a contest though, I gotta say Rutten didn't have a good night. Fair to say he was beaten actually. Only inaccurate goal kicking from his opponents kept his record clean. Also, Mattner spent a decent amount of time on the bench too and was quiet when he was on.

First of all, I'd just like to say that I think I felt a bit of movement down below when Knights kicked that goal.

Loved EEEE-VARN'S work tonight. Got some great taps and amongst everything I thought he was timing his leaps really well most of the time. Some great second and third efforts too.

VB - next captain. Lock it in. Deadset gun, brilliant leader by example and as he matures will no doubt command the respect of his team mates in a similar fashion to the way Bicks did.

Macca was great in his 250th. Some of that run up the wing really wound the clock back a few years. And how about that speccie?! He would be really stiff if someone takes a better mark than that this week.

Speaking of stiff, the Stiffmeister himself took a beauty hanger too. These guys do everything together on the field now. They have an amazing awareness of one another and the AA team would look very nice with these two on each flank.

Reilly was awesome. Like PC said, he's really arrived as an elite midfielder. The club have copped a bit for letting Dal Santo slide, but I honestly think we've got ourselves a winner. Only time will tell who ultimately did the best out of the two clubs but Radar is having a fantastic year.

So awesome was our game that it has taken me this long to get to Trent Hentschel! What a bag of goals. Eight of the finest in the best game of his career. He kicked them from everywhere...even lying down in the goalsquare.

Roo probably had his best game of the season. It was hard to tell on TV but the commentators were commenting that the way he took Fletcher up the ground really benefited our set-up. 31 touches and a few goals on top of that.

Burton and McGregor were also fantastic up forward. Top games from those guys.

Thommo was a tackling machine. Doughty and Bode had awesome starts but faded as the game went on. Scared the hell out of my parrot (who was sitting on my shoulder at the time) when Doughty put his body on the line and attacked a head high loose ball to punch it forward which resulted in a Reilly goal in the first. Inspirational.

So much good stuff. I honestly can't take a serious negative from tonight's game apart from Scott Stevens simply lacking the strength to play on a big forward. Looked good when he had the ball. In fact, has used it quite well when over the last few weeks but just looks as though he couldn't fight his way out of a wet paper bag. Starting to look like he has a place in the team (as a back-up) but it's probably not standing shoulder to shoulder with a big opponent. Hopefully Craigy can find his niche or Stevens can beef up because I'm starting to see some positives from him.

Overall, awesome effort by the club. Thoroughly enjoyed the FOUR QUARTER PERFORMANCE.

 

[- PC -]

Reilly was awesome. Like PC said, :

No that would be WW

I just nominated him at the start of the year as the improver...(brushes tickets off )

 

[-VC-]

No that would be WW

I just nominated him at the start of the year as the improver...(brushes tickets off )

Oh.......ummm, that's what I meant. Yeah, that's the ticket.

 

[Drummond]

Thoroughly impressive performance. Nearly everyone on the ground was better than good. The only guys that didn't catch my eye at any time (for a prolonged period) were Massie and Rutten, but the ball wasn't really down their end much.

Watch the replay as I just did, Massie was very good. His spoiling was brilliant, and was rarely beaten. Other than that I agree with all you said.

 

[CrowTwig]

Van Berlo was fantastic tonight. Sure hands and accurate kicking. Didn't slouch on contesting the footy either.

 

[Punchy Bassett]

OK this is coming from way way way left field but after tonight and what happened with Richmond a few weeks back I take my hat off to Sheedy. Remember we got ripped a new one like this with the Lions about 18 months ago and have not looked back. I think the Bombers team learnt a hell of a lot more by losing like that tonight than Wallets team did by winning a few weeks back.

Having said that damn that was nice to watch!

 

[maccas_no1]

Nothing short of Sensational, I thought we would win comfortably but to rip the heart out of Essendon like that is just a dream.

The contested marks in our forwardline is what impressed me the most, usually we struggle in this area but tonight it all came together tonight.

Van berlo: What a gun, throw as much coin as we can afford at him the kid is a gun.

Reilly: What a game sensational.

Stevens: Gotta give the guy some credit I think he was only out marked a couple of times tonight, but he delivered the ball well and took a few good contested marks.

Mcleod: Vintage Mcleod tonight and that mark WOW

Johncock: Legend very bright future AA form, What a mark also.

McGregor: has been under the pump the last few week but geez he turned it on tonight

Ruccito: Wow what a game, if there was doubt over him during the week Im not sure what it was about.

I could go one excellent team effort tonight, very proud of this club and what where we are at the minute.

The scary thing is we played without:

Hart, Bock, Torney, Welsh and Perrie

Well Done Crows

 

[bigman]

Its amazing what a mix of experience, youth and good team balance can produce.

The inclusion of Maric, Van Berlo, and Knights, the improvement of our 50-80game players - Doughty, Hentschell, Mattner, Reilly etc. , the experience of Goodwin, Edwards, Macca and Bassett etc and the reinvention of Massie, Macca (back to his best)a magnificent defence, a well drilled midfield and an improving and innovative forward line has enabled the Crows to play like they did last night.

Very few players did not show their wares. Mattner had long rests on the bench which will not do him any harm. Knights looked off the pace again last night, particularly in the first half, but his form improved after half time. His defensive work in close is improving, but he still lets his oponent get goal side of him when they have the ball (Johnson got two balls in the last quarter in this way). His kicking for goal seems to be getting better - he did not panic as much tonight when he got the ball.

I would make few changes for next week - under pressure - Knights and Mattner - although I could not derail the train at this stage.

I would leave Ivan in the side - against Charman (arguably the second best ruckman in the league) and McDonald this will be a great test and learning curve for the yuong man.

 

[- PC -]

The inclusion of Maric, Van Berlo, and Knights, the improvement of our 50-80game players - Doughty, Hentschell, Mattner, Reilly etc. , the experience of Goodwin, Edwards, Macca and Bassett etc and the reinvention of Massie, Macca (back to his best)a magnificent defence, a well drilled midfield and an improving and innovative forward line has enabled the Crows to play like they did last night.

Sure the coach didnt have anything at all to do with it?

Knights looked off the pace again last night, particularly in the first half, but his form improved after half time. His defensive work in close is improving, but he still lets his oponent get goal side of him when they have the ball (Johnson got two balls in the last quarter in this way). His kicking for goal seems to be getting better - he did not panic as much tonight when he got the ball.

I dont think he looks''off the pace'' I think he looks ''lost for ideas'' . He has either got too many instructions and has lost some instinct..or he is putting way too much pressure on himself.

I tend to think the latter , I dont know the team dynamics out there and whether he has been labelled a figjam amongst the players or not ,but it seems from tv ( where all things are known ) that he is second guessing..whether that is from pressure from coaches , senior players or himself. Bah I am going round in circles. Message for CK ... play the game like you did when you were 16 ...

I would make few changes for next week - under pressure - Knights and Mattner - although I could not derail the train at this stage.

Lets see what happens Wednesday

I would leave Ivan in the side - against Charman (arguably the second best ruckman in the league) and McDonald this will be a great test and learning curve for the yuong man.

Glad I dont have to make this decision. Tough one . Was Clarke rested so his body is fine to travel a la Lynch? Is his ''injury'' sufficient to keep him off the plane and eased back into a home game? Can we afford to lose his tap work and not be first at the ball?

I like EEvarn and think he has a bright future for the Crows. I just dont know if we can afford an extra big man against the Lions

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Van Berlo is just a superb footballer, at such a young age to look so composed is a sign of how good he will become. His skills tonight were extremely good, always hitting a target and showing plenty of courage yet again. Played another great game tonight, adding to last week’s performance. He is going to be one heck of a player.

That's a very good point...last year he rushed his kicks more often under the pressure of AFL bringing criticisms of his poor disposal.

Now in a matter of half a season his composure out there is superb and his disposal have improved dramatically .......well played AFC coaching committee for spotting talent and continually playing the guy!

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Reilly was awesome. Like PC said, he's really arrived as an elite midfielder. The club have copped a bit for letting Dal Santo slide, but I honestly think we've got ourselves a winner. Only time will tell who ultimately did the best out of the two clubs but Radar is having a fantastic year.

:

Del Santo is a fine footballer with great evasion and touch BUT he has been accussed of being soft and unaccountable being prone to disappear in the heat of a tight game.

Reilly has been moulded into an inside player hard tackling who will IMO be there when the tight game needs players to stand up.

IMO a difference in each clubs development programs as Del Santo has stagnated in development terms.

 

[bigman]

Sure the coach didnt have anything at all to do with it?

I dont think he looks''off the pace'' I think he looks ''lost for ideas'' . He has either got too many instructions and has lost some instinct..or he is putting way too much pressure on himself.

You may be right!!!

Lets see what happens Wednesday

Glad I dont have to make this decision. Tough one . Was Clarke rested so his body is fine to travel a la Lynch? Is his ''injury'' sufficient to keep him off the plane and eased back into a home game? Can we afford to lose his tap work and not be first at the ball?

I like EEvarn and think he has a bright future for the Crows. I just dont know if we can afford an extra big man against the Lions

Of course he has and the other coaches - I thought that was implicit in some of my comments - well drilled and innovative

Are you saying you would put Clarkey back in and Ivan would still stay in the side. I do not think this will happen. It will either be Ivan or the Doc.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Sure the coach didnt have anything at all to do with it?

I dont think he looks''off the pace'' I think he looks ''lost for ideas'' . He has either got too many instructions and has lost some instinct..or he is putting way too much pressure on himself.

Looking at Knights last night he looked like I do at Golf......too many thoughts going thru my head....keep arm straight, keep head down.....so many thoughts I forget to hit the bloody ball.

This appears the case with Knights....he's trying to change his game from purely offensive to a mixture of defence and offence...AP he's got all these instructions in his head which has impacted his offensive game and made him hesitant.

This is part of the "moulding" and development process of the AFC....next season it will be all natural and instinctive...he'll be a good player as the AFC have talent spotted him and are trying to maximize his gametime

 

[WaynesWorld19]

Of course he has and the other coaches - I thought that was implicit in some of my comments - well drilled and innovative

Are you saying you would put Clarkey back in and Ivan would still stay in the side. I do not think this will happen. It will either be Ivan or the Doc.

Bigman I wouldn't be so sure - Brisbane are a tall side....I think they willl play the 3 ruckmen with Biglands helping out as a KPP.

Why?....Iam not confident in Stevens ability to match it with the physical strength of the Brisbane talls.

 

[WaynesWorld19]

I was always going to make a comment about Hentschell tonight BEFORE he kicked his 8th goal which now makes my comment the bleeding obvious but I''ll make it anyway.

Hentschell has lawys IMO had a poor self image and his footy has reflected his lack of self confidence.

Tonight though (early) I noticed that he was "strutting" around the park...seemingly walking taller and I remember saying to myself "he looks a footballer" .....this wasn't alawys the case.

And wow didn't his footy reflect his new self confidence!!!

 

[Mad Dog]

There's no question (in my mind) that Knights will develop into a damn fine player - but I agree with WW's comments about the fact that you can almost see his mind ticking over - analysing each option - second guessing them - then selecting the least risky...then being too timid in the execution.

I'm sure Obi-Neil will point out a couple of occasions last night where his head dropped just a few mls when his first effort didn't quite come off. To his credit he launched into a second effort but that initial 3 or 4 seconds of reflection on his error put him out of the contest.

Some younglings come through looking very instinctive - but I'd put Knights almost in the Reilly mold in terms of first needing to silence the little man in his head that whispers to him not to stuff up ...

 

[Mad Dog]

I was always going to make a comment about Hentschell tonight BEFORE he kicked his 8th goal which now makes my comment the bleeding obvious but I''ll make it anyway.

Hentschell has lawys IMO had a poor self image and his footy has reflected his lack of self confidence.

Tonight though (early) I noticed that he was "strutting" around the park...seemingly walking taller and I remember saying to myself "he looks a footballer" .....this wasn't alawys the case.

And wow didn't his footy reflect his new self confidence!!!

I noticed this....also The Count is developing the same attitude....

 

[CaptainDangerfield]

There's no question (in my mind) that Knights will develop into a damn fine player - but I agree with WW's comments about the fact that you can almost see his mind ticking over - analysing each option - second guessing them - then selecting the least risky...then being too timid in the execution.

I'm sure Obi-Neil will point out a couple of occasions last night where his head dropped just a few mls when his first effort didn't quite come off. To his credit he launched into a second effort but that initial 3 or 4 seconds of reflection on his error put him out of the contest.

Some younglings come through looking very instinctive - but I'd put Knights almost in the Reilly mold in terms of first needing to silence the little man in his head that whispers to him not to stuff up ...

Good points Md. Although, at the same age, Knights is a fair way ahead of where Reilly was. Look where Reilly is now, gets the mouth watering thinking where Knights could be at 22/23.

 

[Truck Rutten]

Hopefully Craigy can find his niche or Stevens can beef up because I'm starting to see some positives from him.

Scotty is 24 and is still built like a matchstick with the wood scraped off, after 5 or 6 AFL pre-seasons. The only way he is going to beef up is with a serious regimen of steroids.

I read in one of the reports on last night's game that Bocky has been cleared to resume running and increase his training. Very good news for the boy and the club.

 

[snakebite01]

Van Berlo was great...reminds me very much of Kane Johnson the way he has come into the team as a youngster and doesn't look out of place. Hard at it, clean skills but sometimes prone to drill the ball to a teammate when he should just pop it up for them to run on to - much like Sugar was when he first started out.