Captain chaos
Club Legend
- Jul 13, 2016
- 1,383
- 950
- AFL Club
- Geelong
- Banned
- #251
You still doubting our youth capt'n? You're only one saying Richmond are going to fall away. = No ******* idea.
Yes .. we will see wont we.
Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
You still doubting our youth capt'n? You're only one saying Richmond are going to fall away. = No ******* idea.
Would think Langford transitions to fwd line with Smith returning to the middle, plus the additional big bodies of Hibberd and Cutler likely to surpass Clarke...who is a great tagger but his kicking is woeful unless kicking the wrong wayEssendon:
Backline:
Hooker - solid big key defender, can be a great interceptor mark as well if playing CHB.
Hurley - can he get and stay fit and be used as an interceptor? Or is he needed to play full back?
Francis - should be an excellent rebounder, but then Hurley moves to full back, needs to run more!
Ambrose - I like him, but he yoyos between excellent and liability as the main stopper and if he doesn't have a direct match up then Essendon don't need him in the sdie
Saad - great rebounder, but forced to take a man
McKenna - very good rebounder
And then? Redman? McGrath having to play back? Ridley out of favour. Zerk? Gleeson, Zaha?
Overall: Top 8 quality but still some concerns on the fit. It's all big and small. Where's the medium do it all defender like a Vlastuin?
Midfield:
Bellcho - I've always liked him, does the job if healthy. I like Phillips as depth too.
Merrett, Shiel, Smith - yes, yes, yes. Especially if getting games on their terms - fast, open, attacking
McGrath - as above, can he get a chance on ball more?
Heppell - kind of like the way he played wing last year, will he be healthier
Don't mind Guelfi, he's solid, Parish got back on track last year,
Is Clarke a regular as a tagger? Who's next? Ham? Langford?
Overall: Probably fringe top 8 just without the big star or with any confidence that they'll be able to play to their strengths
Forwards:
Daniher - ok, let's go.
Stringer - elite at what he does - 12 touches, some pressure, some goals
AMT - yes.
Orazio - surely he delivers this year
McKernan - probably found a niche, but is he the right partner for Daniher?
Begley? Laverde? Anyone else?
Overall: If Daniher, Stringer, Fantasia and AMT all fire it's a strong group, but add injuries and concerns over depth and it's more fringe top 8
I think Essendon are such a popular pick to missing finals not because they are bad but because there's a sense that even if they do make it, it won't matter.
That said, I'm keen to see how a new coach changes things and if that changes my opinion on their players. Nearly every Richmond player went up a notch when they found their form in 2017. It wouldn't shock me if Essendon do something like that, although it's always more unlikely than likely.
based on not being very good
the window is closing too on the current group
Yes but the Tigers have elite talent Ess have .......and by Elite i mean Dusty/Lynch/Riewoldt/Rance compared to that Ess have at best a few A graderswhat did the Tiges counter get up to? out of interest
You guys broke the drought and within weeks had a flag.
Cutler's a nice option to play wing or half back and provide the kind of big, strong, quick and all round player that Essendon need, but getting so little games at Brisbane is a worry.Would think Langford transitions to fwd line with Smith returning to the middle, plus the additional big bodies of Hibberd and Cutler likely to surpass Clarke...who is a great tagger but his kicking is woeful unless kicking the wrong way
Would be surprised to see Begley or Laverde play many games.
Good summary though.
we need something. Happy for Cutler/Hibberd to be low in our bottom 6, but need the balance in the side. either of those 2, plus Townsend likely to come in, give us that.Cutler's a nice option to play wing or half back and provide the kind of big, strong, quick and all round player that Essendon need, but getting so little games at Brisbane is a worry.
Not so keen on Hibberd as a starting mid, very good in the VFL but not sure he'll win the footy at the same level at AFL level. I think big body mids are overrated in terms of clearances but maybe underrated in having extra marking and strong in the tackle around the ground stuff.
This is very difficult to decipher given how even the competition is. Even though anything is possible I'll start with the cemented groups to stay in.
Definites:
Obviously Richmond, though not THE best list their system is almost impenetrable! System beats talent every day of the week.
WC - such a sublime list - forget the age of Kennedy, Hurn etc. on every line they have the next generation coming through. Waterman, Ryan, Cameron, Barrass, the Gov, Schuey, Yeo, Gaff AND the addition of Kelly. This group will contend for a few years yet, their achilles heel is their uber skillful transition footy, they're exposed on any transition mistake.
GWS - again such a sublime list, if they ever get their system clicking will take the mantle from the tigs.
Not sure:
Collingwood, probably the most system reliant team in the whole comp - although moving away from what was almost successful in their system they still managed a prelim. The list as good as it is, is not the likes of WC or GWS. Will have to get back to grunt swarm and spread footy - if they do that they're in the premiership conversation. Continue with the "controlling transition" rubbish then they'll fail.
Dogs, a dangerous dangerous opponent their best footy is irresistible but their worst is mid table stuff. Another system based team with absolute elite in the Bont with a very good if not under rated support cast - not sure
The lions, on paper probably as a good a list as the Pies riding a wave of positivity. Finals experience will hold them in good stead - not sure.
Geelong, their best is good enough to win the cup, just need to put it together at the right time of year. Get a run on like the dogs did near the end then look out! - not sure.
Likely to fall out:
Essendon, dynamic when they're on and cut you to ribbons! That run off HB when Saad and McKenna are on give them a plethora of forward transition options. Question marks on their list which I think is a little over the top. Again the comp is so even it is hard to guage. In saying that they'll need to be playing at ten tenths for the year to be a flag threat. That is highly unlikely to sustain. - Likely to fall out IMO.
Essendon:
Backline:
Hooker - solid big key defender, can be a great interceptor mark as well if playing CHB.
Hurley - can he get and stay fit and be used as an interceptor? Or is he needed to play full back?
Francis - should be an excellent rebounder, but then Hurley moves to full back, needs to run more!
Ambrose - I like him, but he yoyos between excellent and liability as the main stopper and if he doesn't have a direct match up then Essendon don't need him in the sdie
Saad - great rebounder, but forced to take a man
McKenna - very good rebounder
And then? Redman? McGrath having to play back? Ridley out of favour. Zerk? Gleeson, Zaha?
Overall: Top 8 quality but still some concerns on the fit. It's all big and small. Where's the medium do it all defender like a Vlastuin?
Midfield:
Bellcho - I've always liked him, does the job if healthy. I like Phillips as depth too.
Merrett, Shiel, Smith - yes, yes, yes. Especially if getting games on their terms - fast, open, attacking
McGrath - as above, can he get a chance on ball more?
Heppell - kind of like the way he played wing last year, will he be healthier
Don't mind Guelfi, he's solid, Parish got back on track last year,
Is Clarke a regular as a tagger? Who's next? Ham? Langford?
Overall: Probably fringe top 8 just without the big star or with any confidence that they'll be able to play to their strengths
Forwards:
Daniher - ok, let's go.
Stringer - elite at what he does - 12 touches, some pressure, some goals
AMT - yes.
Orazio - surely he delivers this year
McKernan - probably found a niche, but is he the right partner for Daniher?
Begley? Laverde? Anyone else?
Overall: If Daniher, Stringer, Fantasia and AMT all fire it's a strong group, but add injuries and concerns over depth and it's more fringe top 8
I think Essendon are such a popular pick to missing finals not because they are bad but because there's a sense that even if they do make it, it won't matter.
That said, I'm keen to see how a new coach changes things and if that changes my opinion on their players. Nearly every Richmond player went up a notch when they found their form in 2017. It wouldn't shock me if Essendon do something like that, although it's always more unlikely than likely.
Bad luck for the other 10 clubs but the same 8 clubs will make the 8 in 2020.
Why Melbourne? (genuine Q - general wisdom seems to suggest 2018 was an anomaly now)Brisbane Essendon out
St Kilda and Melbourne In
Players will actually have a pre-season and be available to play in 2020 unlike 2019.Why Melbourne? (genuine Q - general wisdom seems to suggest 2018 was an anomaly now)
I am worried about my team i hope JK can stay fit for the year. Need a big year from him. Need Barras to lift from last year. A fully fit Nic Nat
If Collingwood drop out of contention or even the top 8 as a whole, it will most likely be due to the departure of Justin Longmuir as defensive coach. Our back line was solely responsible for at least half of our wins in 2019 and in his two seasons at the club, he made our defence one of the strongest and most consistent going around. The importance of a great assistant coach can never be underestimated. Sydney were a defensive juggernaut until Stewy Dew left and they've been on the decline since. Port Adelaide looked like being strong contenders for many years until Walsh and Richo left after 2014. Having no Longmuir at the helm is my biggest concern heading into 2020 because I thought he was the best coach at the club, and undoubtedly the best assistant.
Are Essendon players having a stop start pre season?we need something. Happy for Cutler/Hibberd to be low in our bottom 6, but need the balance in the side. either of those 2, plus Townsend likely to come in, give us that.