Will Essendon win the Flag ?

[Dwight Schrute]

No, he didn't play well in any of those matches, he just picked up cheap stats.

Heppell doesn't get much contested ball (like Gaff) and also isn't damaging (Gaff is).

Firstly, you still havent told me Heppells bad game/s.
Secondly, round 1, 18 contested possessions, next please.

FUN FACT - Heppell - 6.3 CP per Game
Gaff - 5.7 CP per game

NICE TRY.

 

[TheGreatBarryB]

No, he didn't play well in any of those matches, he just picked up cheap stats.

Heppell doesn't get much contested ball (like Gaff) and also isn't damaging (Gaff is).

You obviously have watched bugger all Essendon games this season.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

Can't tell if trolling or just ignorant... on the Henderson point. Him and Jamo are amongst the best spine players in the comp.

On the Yarran point, he has excellent disposal, speed and smarts.
I watch almost every game of football each weekend.
I suppose uou as a Don supporter believes "Dempsey" is "good" and i as a Carlton supporter believe Yarran is great but i think the majority of the informed public and media would back my point...

Yarran is a better player than Dempsey by miles.

 

[kaiserchief13]

lmach is a school kid. Come on guys

 

[Call Me Cake]

Imach8,

1/10

 

[Drummer_19]

So you think every expert was wrong in 2011? They all had Brichall and Gibson in their top 50s and didn't have Fletcher. Both Birch and Gibbo made the AA squad of 40 in 2011. They have went past Fletcher.

Good to know

I'm sure we'll get a few more new rebounding half back flankers and floating spoilers this year in the AA top 40 being overrated from top 4 teams that get more recognition as a result of being a good team and the ball not coming through with as much pressure as the bottom 8 teams. Carry on though. Happens every year.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

http://www.bigfooty.com/forum/showthread.php?t=926530

Essendon are top 4 chances and I was right about that like always, but Carlton are top 2 certs.

 

[Ambrosia]

Watson = Priddis
Kerr > Stanton
Zaharakis = Shuey
Selwood > Hocking
Gaff > Melksham

I wasnt trying to say we were better. Just saying there isn't a class gap.

My ratings would be.

Watson>Priddis - Only just.
Stanton>Kerr - Just is more consistent than Kerr.
Zaharakis < Shuey - A more complete midfielder
Hocking <Selwood - They were even last year but Selwood has taken his game to a new level.
Gaff>Melksham or whoever our fifth midfielder is.

 

[matty lloyd the champ]

Watson>Priddis
Stanton>Kerr (Kerr has had the better career obviously but Stanton in better form)
Zaharakis<Shuey (Will happily accept this as Shuey is exceptional)
Hocking<Selwood (Scooter has been immense this year and raised his offensive game to new heights)
Gaff>Melksham

 

[The Speaker]

Can we stop with the ten player comparison.

Essendon are top 4 chances and I was right about that like always, but Carlton are top 2 certs.

Wasn't quite the point.

You can't use the argument "we're only six rounds in" if you were willing to make a big call is round one.

 

[kaiserchief13]

Watson=Priddis - Both players great at winning contested ball but have no speed and skills aren't great.
Melksham<Kerr - Melksham is alright but he is merely an average player at the moment. Kerr when on is one of the best midfielders in the game.
Zaharakis < Shuey - Pretty even but Shuey kicks more goals
Hocking <S.Selwood - They were even last year but Selwood has taken his game to a new level. Copied this from above.
Gaff<Stanton - Both outside players. Stanton has taken his game to a new level this year. Gaff is in his 2nd year and will be a superstar in a few years as he is already playing quite well and consistently.

 

[Astro Bomber]

What about Slammin' Sammy Lonergan. Watch out for best on ground if we win.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Watson=Priddis - Both players great at winning contested ball but have no speed and skills aren't great.
Melksham<Kerr - Melksham is alright but he is merely an average player at the moment. Kerr when on is one of the best midfielders in the game.
Zaharakis < Shuey - Pretty even but Shuey kicks more goals
Hocking <S.Selwood - They were even last year but Selwood has taken his game to a new level. Copied this from above.
Gaff<Stanton - Both outside players. Stanton has taken his game to a new level this year. Gaff is in his 2nd year and will be a superstar in a few years as he is already playing quite well and consistently.

I also think that on output probably Shuey>Zaka but Zaka actually kicked more goals last season.

 

[pazza]

These are the known facts about Essendon and why they have to be considered as a possible premiership side any year in the next 5 years:

1. The ruck division. I've been watching footy for a long time, and it's one thing that Essendon premierships have had over that time is a strong division in the ruck. Think Madden, Merrett and Salmon in the 1980s - Salmon, Somerville and Alessio in the 1990's - Alessio and Barnes in 2000. In Ryder, Bellchambers and Hille, you have 3 number 1 ruckmen on the list. I can think of a few clubs, including at least 2 in apparent premiership contention, that would love to have any of those 3. Forget about elite midfielders for a minute. If you can get first use of the pill often enough, you wil win more than you lose.

2. The spine. If having a good ruck division is your starting point, then having a good spine of KPPs gives you a lot of coverage in marking both in defence to stop attacks coming in..and up forward to have good conversion in front of goals. The hallmark of the recruiting of Adrian Dodoro and Merv Keane is to get depth at both ends of the ground. Team structure is something Essendon does pride itself on and just like any structure, you have to have the best foundations.

3. Midfield depth. I'll concede that Essendon perhapps may not have the Elite midfield depth of some clubs. And I'm cool with that. Why? Because I know my club's midfield group is very deep and very consistent across the board. It's very much a team midfield based on everyone doing their equal share of gut running and hard work in the packs. Again that was a highlight of Essendon premiership sides over the last 30 years. Even in 1984 and 1985, you could only really say that Watson was truly elite, but, Sheedy assembled a group of great and equal players in Baker, Elshaug, Williams, Neagle, Wood etc. The 1993 midfield had even less elite midfielders in it, but, they were all equals - Calthorpe, Olarenshaw, O'Donnell, Long, Bewick. Come 2000 it was probably a mix of both with Johnson, Misiti, Caracella, Blumfield and Long still.

4. Player size. The thing Hird and his coaching staff identified that we needed to do was bulk up so we can last longer in matches, that our tackles stick and that we don't get over-run. It is a noticeable change across the playing group.

5. Pace. I'm sure many here would have seen it by now, but Essendon would have one of the fastest teams in the game right now..and if they are all ever on the park at the same time look out. Between the likes of Colyer, Dempsey, Davey and Jetta, it's like watching a sprint at times.

 

[kaiserchief13]

I also think that on output probably Shuey>Zaka but Zaka actually kicked more goals last season.

Didn't know that. Hard to say then make them equal.

 

[Call Me Cake]

I suppose uou as a Don supporter believes "Dempsey" is "good" and i as a Carlton supporter believe Yarran is great

Great on what grounds?

He's been disappointing. Anyone who isn't out to prove a point against the Bombers would agree.

I've never said anything about Dempsey being "good", I just believe he's in better form and offers far more to our backline than Yarran does for Carlton.

You asked me for "evidence", yet when I provide a comprehensive reasoning and even provide footage, all you do is accuse me of "trolling" and spit some hard-nosed fanboy rubbish. In fact, I even give you a clear point on why I believe Henderson is a downhill skier, I reference a game in which this was the case... but all you do is keep bleating out a carbon copy of HAD's sad attempt at a troll.

I'm happy to agree to disagree, but don't put words in my mouth.

I would take Demps over Hendo in a heartbeat, and he isn't even considered a KPP like Hooker is. Early last year, Henderson was fighting to keep his spot in the team, and suddenly he's Carlton's answer to a proper spine. Hilarious. Hendo is the perfect definition of Vanilla.

 

[Necromancer Beth]

Wasn't quite the point.

You can't use the argument "we're only six rounds in" if you were willing to make a big call is round one.

I understood your point. I was trying to divert the attention away from my hypocrisy

 

[CarltonKid07]

What about Slammin' Sammy Lonergan. Watch out for best on ground if we win.

Rank Player

 

[Necromancer Beth]

I would take Dempsey over Henderson in a heart beat, and he isn't even considered a KPP. Early last year he was fighting to keep his spot in the team, and suddenly he's Carlton's answer to a proper spine. Hilarious. Hendo is the perfect definition of Vanilla.

Lol. You are always so negative about other teams players.

 

[Astro Bomber]

Rank Player

He'll slam soft players in soft teams but is the first to go head first into any contest without regards for his own safety.

 

[Ambrosia]

Didn't know that. Hard to say then make them equal.

I put Shuey ahead because Zaharakis still spends a lot of time on the flank in comparison to Shuey.

 

[Sector 7G]

Firstly, you still havent told me Heppells bad game/s.

How about the second game against Carlton last year where he went to the midfield onto Murphy and Murphy gave him a masterclass on what is is like to play midfield..

 

[King Of The Hille]

I hate the fact that opposition supporters continue to believe that Watson's kicking is awful.

His kicking has improved dramatically and I would almost call it in the top 5 at the club over 20 metres. Very underrated kicking.

 

[CarltonKid07]

He'll slam soft players in soft teams but is the first to go head first into any contest without regards for his own safety.

What about Collingwood there a soft team.

 

[Astro Bomber]

How about the second game against Carlton last year where he went to the midfield onto Murphy and gave him a masterclass on what is is like to play midfield..

You mean his first year in afl? Get rid of him now... spud </end sarcasm>