13 hours ago, jnrmac said:

Did the dogs no harm!

The issue is when to handball and its effectiveness. Too many times we handball to a stationary target or at the players feet etc. Skills that the dogs have shown can be improved rapidly

I hope the dogs 'handball' technique to be put under intense scrutiny by the umpiring department over the off season.  I personally haven't seen enough to form an opinion one way or the other, but something tells me that where there is smoke, there is fire.  Either way, I think it needs to be put to bed and addressed.

 It wouldn't need any rule changes to bring it under control, just some better attention to the current rules of the game.

18 hours ago, La Dee-vina Comedia said:

Just to supplement this thread, I have some individualised homework for some players as follows:

• Hogan - set shot goal kicking practice
• Petracca - as above and improve fitness
• Viney, Kent, Tyson - improve kicking on the non-preferred side so you don't fear turning on to the right
• O McDonald - eat a lot

 

Yep, it was at about this age that Tommy started to really fill out and with a bit more strength to Oscar, our backline will start to look like it has some real backbone.  Add to that a good preseason for Frosty, Wagner, Hunt, Jetta, Melksem, Hibbard and we should have a pretty solid defense.  A lot has been made of the dogs ability to attack, but for most of this year I was hearing about that it was their defensive game which had improved.  I think there is a lot of truth in that old adage that defense wins premiereships.

With the defensive stocks we have, it would be great if Salem can get properly fit and be allowed more time in the midfield and forward half to improve our delivery into the forward line and forward half defensive pressure.

I really think that Bernie's value to the side into the future is going to be as a forward who can inject himself into the midfield every now and then for a bit of impact.

On 10/9/2016 at 4:48 AM, DubDee said:

Don't understand people thinking bombers will be good next season. I'm tipping bottom four.  Half the team haven't even seen the other half all year!

stanton and Jobe (32 by start of season) are getting on and the lack of continuity will not help them. They have 6 or so good players and struggle after that. Poor ruck, no forwards aside from Daniher. Not much speed and spread. Missed the draft for 2 years. Not many kids coming through. 

I may be clouded by my rampant hatred for them however. 

Im the same.

While they had a few things going on off field they did only win 6 games last season with all their players available.

I think it's hard to judge until the trade period is complete and the draw is released.

1 hour ago, Rodney (Balls) Grinter said:

I hope the dogs 'handball' technique to be put under intense scrutiny by the umpiring department over the off season.  I personally haven't seen enough to form an opinion one way or the other, but something tells me that where there is smoke, there is fire.  Either way, I think it needs to be put to bed and addressed.

 It wouldn't need any rule changes to bring it under control, just some better attention to the current rules of the game.

Why..... it got the result everyone including the  AFL wanted and moreover it keeps the game flowing which is the "cardinal rule."

The " overhead out the back handball" together with the "palm off" is here to stay.... or until Collingwood complain !!!

On 08/10/2016 at 8:30 PM, Demonised said:

I think it's too early for us to start talking back to back premierships just yet.

Bah......I seem to remember pessimists saying the same thing on Demonland in 1954 ?

On 08/10/2016 at 9:59 PM, DeeSpencer said:

I'm a pessimist too and I think the season will be really even. Brisbane can improve quickly and Richmond can too. Essendon will be decent, GC improved, Freo the same. 

...... 

 

 

Poor use of words there, DeeS.     One thing Essendon never has been and never will be is decent.   Sometimes have succeeded but never decent   

On 08/10/2016 at 11:46 PM, M_9 said:

Our inability to play Etihad will again, more than likely, cost us wins against Saints, Dons, Carlton and Norf. Every chance we'll get a home game against one of these teams ( a la the Saints this year) meaning 5 losses.

IMHO we need, or all teams need, a different game plan for that p**ck of a place. A training venue with the same dimensions as Etihad may help, although Gosch's Paddock probably is just that.

There is absolutely no reason other than mental that we don't succeed at Doglands.   With success elsewhere belief can build.   Other teams win there, why not the new MFC?

On 09/10/2016 at 7:55 PM, willmoy said:

Ninety one extra free kicks can do amazing things for game confidence in tight situations. Handing the ball back to the Central Umpire. Inviting them to the rooms after games etc, etc.

I can see now why Max failed to poll better in the Downlow.