Will Essendon win the Flag ?

[Lifetime ban]

This was the Weagles players that were missing on Saturday againts the Bumbers..

West Coast
Nic Naitanui (hamstring tightness) test
Mark Le Cras (knee) season
Mark Nicoski (hamstring) 6 weeks
Josh Kennedy (ankle) 10 weeks
Bradd Dalziell (knee) 4 weeks
Andrew Embley (shoulder) 8 weeks
Adam Selwood (hand) test
Matt Priddis (concussion) test

If they had of beaten them with these guys in the side then yes they could as well win the flag...but as it was they beat a very depleted Weagles....

Agree they were depleted but ...

Essendon

Michael Hurley
David Hille
Tayte Pears
Michael Hibberd
Mark McVeigh
Jason Winderlich
Brent Prismall
David Myers

as well as Courtney Dempsey & NLM first game back from hamstring, Stewart Crameri bruised knee and was in doubt until Friday.

Maybe you should be saying WC should have been able to beat our depleted team. And Priddis played and did bugger all before being subbed.

Will we win the flag. F*^^%d if I know, it's only frikking May for God's sake. Let's wait until the end of July before even considering this, and even then the question should be "CAN Essendon win the flag?"

 

[Dwight Schrute]

This was the Weagles players that were missing on Saturday againts the Bumbers..

West Coast
Nic Naitanui (hamstring tightness) test
Mark Le Cras (knee) season
Mark Nicoski (hamstring) 6 weeks
Josh Kennedy (ankle) 10 weeks
Bradd Dalziell (knee) 4 weeks
Andrew Embley (shoulder) 8 weeks
Adam Selwood (hand) test
Matt Priddis (concussion) test

If they had of beaten them with these guys in the side then yes they could as well win the flag...but as it was they beat a very depleted Weagles....

Lol Brad Dalziell, most eagles supporters see A.Selwood as a fringe player as well, we were dominating whilst Priddis was on as well, LeCras hasnt played for the whole season so...

 

[Xtreme]

No they will not, the wheels will fall off very soon

 

[Blue and Silver]

3 A grade midfielders may not be enough and we don't have the finals experience. Goal is to get a home final and win one first. Not this year and not the next.

I'm hesitant to go with A grade for all three Watson has earned it undoubtedly, and Stanton looks to be performing well with less pressure/more space but I guess it is Zakaharakis which makes me pause.

I remember last year when Robinson had a burst of excellent form (including several Brownlow votes), but faded a little later. Similiarly Gibbs played really well in patches in his third year and fourth year, but struggled for every week consistency.

I guess what I am saying, is while he is a very good player, A grade for me, means consistently playing A grade football, and I'd like to see several more weeks of high end performances before I comfortably apply that tag.

 

[Wernumberone]

I'm hesitant to go with A grade for all three Watson has earned it undoubtedly, and Stanton looks to be performing well with less pressure/more space but I guess it is Zakaharakis which makes me pause.

I remember last year when Robinson had a burst of excellent form (including several Brownlow votes), but faded a little later. Similiarly Gibbs played really well in patches in his third year and fourth year, but struggled for every week consistency.

I guess what I am saying, is while he is a very good player, A grade for me, means consistently playing A grade football, and I'd like to see several more weeks of high end performances before I comfortably apply that tag.

That's fair enough and i don't class him as A grade yet either but don't forget that he won our B&F last year.

Now that was scoffed at last year by BF 'experts' but of course that form is starting to look more worthwhile now and of course those same BF 'experts' were the ones claiming we had the worst midfield in the league despite our performances proving that we weren't even close to it. This year the midfield has taken another step or two forward again.

We won't win the flag this year of course but we should have a chance at one in the next 1-3 years.

 

[Shadow Hunter]

They have the best midfield in the comp, they are hard at it and have the depth and strength deserve to be massive favs for the flag, have destroyed two teams that are in the top four.

 

[Wernumberone]

^^^you have rapidly become a bigger pain in the arse than clowns that have been here for years.

Give it a rest ffs.

 

[Haduken]

No they will not, the wheels will fall off very soon

Round 8 : vs Richmond. Win (just)

Will be a much closer game, the tigers are on the up but we should have their measure.

Round 9 : GWS. Win
Round 10 : Melbourne Win
Round 11 : Sydney 50/50

It's at Etihad, will Goodes be back by then? If he isn't I think we'll take it but if not could go either way.

Round 12 : Bye
Round 13 : Fremantle : Loss

Freo are travelling well. This, quite honestly is the bellwether game. If we win this we will be top 4. If we don't, I suspect we won't.

Round 14 : Western Bulldogs Win
Round 15 : St Kilda Win
Round 16 : Port Adelaide Win

So if I'm optimistic, after 16 rounds we sit at 13 wins and 2 losses. If I'm not we're maybe 11 and 4.

Regardless we play finals. That's before we even start in on the Geelong/Hawks/North/Adelaide/Carlton/Richmond/Collingwood run home, of which I think we could snag another 3 wins. so we finish with somewhere between 15 and 17 wins for the year.

I don't even think I'm being especially crazed in my predictions here. So when this 'wheels will come off soon' is due to start I don't know.

 

[GriddleCakes]

I'd like to see the Dons-Eagles game with both sides at full strength. I have made no excuses for West Coast's loss, but injuries do take a toll, especially when three of them contributed over 150 goals last year.

Saying that, the Bombers are without a few as well. Would much rather have the two sides at full strength before saying anything.

Essendon may be a surprise packet and go all the way, although I don't see it happening. West Coast are more convincing to (bias) mine at full strength, although wouldn't be totally surprised at a 0-2 finals series either.

 

[Dwight Schrute]

Round 8 : vs Richmond. Win (just)

Will be a much closer game, the tigers are on the up but we should have their measure.

Round 9 : GWS. Win
Round 10 : Melbourne Win
Round 11 : Sydney 50/50

It's at Etihad, will Goodes be back by then? If he isn't I think we'll take it but if not could go either way.

Round 12 : Bye
Round 13 : Fremantle : Loss

Freo are travelling well. This, quite honestly is the bellwether game. If we win this we will be top 4. If we don't, I suspect we won't.

Round 14 : Western Bulldogs Win
Round 15 : St Kilda Win
Round 16 : Port Adelaide Win

So if I'm optimistic, after 16 rounds we sit at 14 wins and 2 losses. If I'm not we're maybe 12 and 4.

Regardless we play finals. That's before we even start in on the Geelong/Hawks/North/Adelaide/Carlton/Richmond/Collingwood run home, of which I think we could snag another 3 wins. so we finish with somewhere between 15 and 17 wins for the year.

I don't even think I'm being especially crazed in my predictions here. So when this 'wheels will come off soon' is due to start I don't know.

Please dont do that, form changes very quickly.

 

[Haduken]

Please dont do that, form changes very quickly.

I understand the nerves, but honestly I think a tiny ray of optimism is allowed. For the finals however, I predict nothing.

 

[gbatman]

I'm impressed with Essendon but not convinced they are the real deal. they have played three teams that are better than middle of the road. Collingwood are middle of the road and beat them and should have beaten them much easier. They played WCE's who produced a half senior half seconds side and also should have lost to Richmond and nearly to the Roos. They played Carlton and won but almost immediatly had a three player handicap with three players going down in the game, that would undo even the best side against any middle of the road side. To be honest I recon Richmond will push them and maybe even beat them. I would like to see them beat a good team where injuries are not a factor for me to be convinced. I've seen teams to what Essendon have done many times where they are a decent side, have a good run and happen to have luck with injuries to the opposition when they play better sides. Carlton have done it, especially when we came up against geelong a few years back and beat them. Sure we beat Geelong, but we did not beat their best outfit.

 

[Roby]

Well form will dictate that of course.

Hurley and Hibberd are best 22 without question. Whilst it would depend on circumstances at the time, Carlisle and Colyer would be two players under pressure to hold them out.

What is really encouraging, is that as little as three months ago Myers, Hille, McVeigh, Prismall, Winderlich would have all been best 22. They all have to fight for a spot now - that is substantial depth.

All those should have a question mark except Winderlich. Winderlich is your fastest player, and you don't just drop him. If he is 100% he is still ahead of at least a few players who played on the weekend.

Hurley obviously is there but the question would be up forward or centre half-back. Hibberd has a question mark.

My point obviously stands. The injuries have forced your match committee to make changes which in turn have turned to be a positive. I don't think you would have improved as much if those injured players were still in the team.

 

[Tbone McGraw]

I think a lot of bombers supporters are confident about making the finals and that will be touch and go.

However as the thread asks, bombers won't win the flag this year. Too many weaknesses on their list, like midfield depth and key positions at both ends.

 

[footscore]

Richmond will beat Essendon this weekend and that's something they failed to do against West Coast and Geelong so no, Essendon will not win the 2012 premiership.

Perhaps if the flag was won in April, then yeh' they may have won it but still another 4 and a bit months to go.

 

[Zephyr Effekt]

Richmond will beat Essendon this weekend and that's something they failed to do against West Coast and Geelong so no, Essendon will not win the 2012 premiership.

Perhaps if the flag was won in April, then yeh' they may have won it but still another 4 and a bit months to go.

Strangest logic ever!!

 

[Eastern Rangers]

Lol Brad Dalziell, most eagles supporters see A.Selwood as a fringe player as well, we were dominating whilst Priddis was on as well, LeCras hasnt played for the whole season so...

A.Selwood is as fringe as players from our best 22 get.

Ill Give you Dalziell and add these two.

West Coast
Nic Naitanui (hamstring tightness) test
Mark Le Cras (knee) season
Mark Nicoski (hamstring) 6 weeks
Josh Kennedy (ankle) 10 weeks
Andrew Embley (shoulder) 8 weeks
Adam Selwood (hand) test
Matt Priddis (concussion) test
Ashley Smith (Hamstring) 1-2 weeks
Will Schofield (Suspension) 1 week.

That's nine players from 22. Sub LeCras for Hams given he's out for the season.

Answer to the OP, Essendon are a chance. Just like another five or six clubs at the moment.

 

[footscore]

Strangest logic ever!!

Just feel as though the forward line can be contained by the better sides. Hurley is going to be a gun but hardly plays close to goal, Crameri is getting more and more attention every week, I do like the speedsters in Jetta, Reimers, Davey but like Carlton...finals footy demands more contested footy than ever and those little blokes get put under more pressure in finals footy than the bigger bodies.

I know the emphasis was to bulk up over pre-season but it doesn't mean instant results and I think Essendon will hit a brick wall very shortly. The good part is that they have won the games many didn't expect them too (apart from the Bomber fans) so that means when that mini-form slump does eventuate, you are still a couple up on the big guns of the comp.

Hocking, Lovett-Murray are two of the most underrated players in that team along with Howlett but teams know that if you can contain Stanton and Jobe, who are the two best users of the pill then the forward line is impacted which causes Hurley, Davey & Jetta upto the wings.
Ryder is huge though.....if he fires, you guys look a completely different unit.
Unfortunately his best is as sporadic as it gets and it's going to be a real test for Essendon with some of those injuries to try and stop the Richmond midfield which have Essendon covered for pace.

 

[spark12]

Round 8 : vs Richmond. Win (just)

Will be a much closer game, the tigers are on the up but we should have their measure.

Round 9 : GWS. Win
Round 10 : Melbourne Win
Round 11 : Sydney 50/50

It's at Etihad, will Goodes be back by then? If he isn't I think we'll take it but if not could go either way.

Round 12 : Bye
Round 13 : Fremantle : Loss

Freo are travelling well. This, quite honestly is the bellwether game. If we win this we will be top 4. If we don't, I suspect we won't.

Round 14 : Western Bulldogs Win
Round 15 : St Kilda Win
Round 16 : Port Adelaide Win

So if I'm optimistic, after 16 rounds we sit at 13 wins and 2 losses. If I'm not we're maybe 11 and 4.

Regardless we play finals. That's before we even start in on the Geelong/Hawks/North/Adelaide/Carlton/Richmond/Collingwood run home, of which I think we could snag another 3 wins. so we finish with somewhere between 15 and 17 wins for the year.

I don't even think I'm being especially crazed in my predictions here. So when this 'wheels will come off soon' is due to start I don't know.

Well you have a good platform to launch for a top 4 spot now, 100 % finals anyway. Must say good effort so far by Bombers.

 

[Betty Reeves]

It's actually quite amazing to see the change in the Bombers since Hirdy took over. Maybe "the weapon" has something to do with it, but they seem a lot more confident in their strength and abilities.

I'd love to see a good old fashion Hawks V Bombers final!

Betty

 

[Zephyr Effekt]

Just feel as though the forward line can be contained by the better sides. Hurley is going to be a gun but hardly plays close to goal, Crameri is getting more and more attention every week, I do like the speedsters in Jetta, Reimers, Davey but like Carlton...finals footy demands more contested footy than ever and those little blokes get put under more pressure in finals footy than the bigger bodies.

I know the emphasis was to bulk up over pre-season but it doesn't mean instant results and I think Essendon will hit a brick wall very shortly. The good part is that they have won the games many didn't expect them too (apart from the Bomber fans) so that means when that mini-form slump does eventuate, you are still a couple up on the big guns of the comp.

Hocking, Lovett-Murray are two of the most underrated players in that team along with Howlett but teams know that if you can contain Stanton and Jobe, who are the two best users of the pill then the forward line is impacted which causes Hurley, Davey & Jetta upto the wings.
Ryder is huge though.....if he fires, you guys look a completely different unit.
Unfortunately his best is as sporadic as it gets and it's going to be a real test for Essendon with some of those injuries to try and stop the Richmond midfield which have Essendon covered for pace.

No probs, agree with most of what you have to say. Wasn't having a go at you, just the logic of Essendon not winning the flag based on Richmond beating them but then stating flags are not given out in april/may, had me a little confused.

I will back Essendon against Richmond though, i think they have done enough to have me confident of a win.

Dont think the flag's a possibility this year, i would still back Coll, Carl, Haw, Geel & WC (at subi) to get the job done against us in a final. Winning a final should be the goal.

 

[theboxmike]

Richmond will beat Essendon this weekend and that's something they failed to do against West Coast and Geelong so no, Essendon will not win the 2012 premiership.

Perhaps if the flag was won in April, then yeh' they may have won it but still another 4 and a bit months to go.

How about we revisit this thread after this weekend hey? might have some better insight.

 

[UpTheGuts]

Not sure that the result of Saturday's game will decide this, but at 7-1 they'd be perfectly set up to rest and rotate players leading into finals. That's a luxury few others will have.

At their best, they are simply scintillating. Looking forward to watching them close up this weekend.

I'd expect to beat us, but they have been "up" for some time now. If we could win, that would logically demand a reconsideration of how we are tracking and turn finals from an aspiration into a pass mark

 

[LongBomb]

Winning a final should be the goal.

Are you ****ing kidding?

This year's flag is absolutely there for the taking. Essendon can win it and should be going for it, all guns blazing.

 

[bacon buster]

Saying that, the Bombers are without a few as well. Would much rather have the two sides at full strength before saying anything.

when can we organise this 'full strength v full strength' game?