It's amazing that with all the doom and gloom, we can be back in the 8 with a reasonably healthy percentage if us and West Coast win or West Coast lose by 3 or 4 goals.

Percentage is always an indication of the competitiveness of a team and the fact that we have a percentage of over 100 with a losing records indicates that we're not far away.

Freo on the other hand have a horrid percentage but a winning record on the back of 2 flukey wins whilst playing poor footy throughout both games.

Watts sustained about 50% quality game time in the ruck against Geelong and Richmond.  I expect similar from Pedersen - they can't ruck as long as proper ruckmen.

It's an absolute certainty that one of Weed or Omac will play.  If Watts and Pedersen take all the ruck then it will be Weed.  If TMac or Frost take some then it will be Omac.

That means 2 of the smalls come out - Salem, Tyson, Stretch, Bugg, Harmes.

14 hours ago, Nasher said:

Extended bench is Salem, Tyson, Stretch, OMac, Bugg, Harmes and Weid.

Can't see Tyson, Stretch or Salem (lol) being dropped. Think one of Weid or OMac (but not both) has to play - Weid for the Pedersen ruck scenario, or OMac for the TMac (Pedersen forward) scenario.

That only leaves a Bugg for Harmes scenario - not a clear upgrade for mine so I wouldn't bother, but don't care one way or the other.

Must have been tired when I posted this. I have one too many players on the bench at conclusion.

I think the likely bench is

Tyson, Stretch, Salem, (Weid/OMac)

with Bugg and Harmes out.

Sunday's match brings back memories of the famous game against the Eagles in Perth.

So famous I forget the year but we took an almost reserves team to Perth against a strong Eagles team. Against all the odds the MFC prevailed and a strong team was born.

14 hours ago, praha said:

Ugly team. But not terrible. There's a lot of talent in every pocket. Hunt along the wing is a good move. I actually think our backline is nicely structured. Lewis, Frost and Vince is a nice half-back line. McDonald worries me on Daniherpes, I assume Jetta will run with McDonald-Tipencantspellit and I think he'll beat him out. Hibbert can go to Goddard.

Our forward line just seems...wrong. It's not that I don't like any of the players, but Watts is far more damaging when playing deeper. Not confident in that half-forward line. I wonder how OMac will be used. 

I would have thought Jetta would take Fantasia.

41 minutes ago, Diamond_Jim said:

Sunday's match brings back memories of the famous game against the Eagles in Perth.

So famous I forget the year but we took an almost reserves team to Perth against a strong Eagles team. Against all the odds the MFC prevailed and a strong team was born.

I remember that game. Sat glued watching it( thinking id fallen down the rabbit hole )

So much is about belief. A few good bounces...etc...funny things happen.

i think we will win. And win well. We are a better side than them and funnily enough i think Ethiad will suit us. 

I predict at a 47 point win, and s such think the $6.50 for over 40 is great value as is the straight out win bet at $2.10.

On the punting tip i reckon Garlett (who has been in great form), Watts and Trac are all good value for most goals for the game ($9.50, $12 and $15 respectively)

1 hour ago, Fifty-5 said:

Watts sustained about 50% quality game time in the ruck against Geelong and Richmond.  I expect similar from Pedersen - they can't ruck as long as proper ruckmen.

It's an absolute certainty that one of Weed or Omac will play.  If Watts and Pedersen take all the ruck then it will be Weed.  If TMac or Frost take some then it will be Omac.

That means 2 of the smalls come out - Salem, Tyson, Stretch, Bugg, Harmes.

Yes we need to share the ruck responsibilities. Shorter ruckman are able to compete when they are fresh but lose their leap as they tire. Pedersen, Watts, T McDonald and Frost may all need to have a turn.

4 minutes ago, binman said:

i think we will win. And win well. We are a better side than them and funnily enough i think Ethiad will suit us. 

I predict at a 47 point win, and s such think the $6.50 for over 40 is great value as is the straight out win bet at $2.10.

On the punting tip i reckon Garlett (who has been in great form), Watts and Trac are all good value for most goals for the game ($9.50, $12 and $15 respectively)

I am afraid that it will be an Essendon madhouse packed full of starving bombers fans and they will trounce us.

1 minute ago, binman said:

i think we will win. And win well. We are a better side than them and funnily enough i think Ethiad will suit us. 

I predict at a 47 point win, and s such think the $6.50 for over 40 is great value as is the straight out win bet at $2.10.

On the punting tip i reckon Garlett (who has been in great form), Watts and Trac are all good value for most goals for the game ($9.50, $12 and $15 respectively)

That result.... I'll personally buy you a beer.

Happy just to win. I often get a gut feeling....nothing .( Neither for or against)

We've lacked some match winning leadership. Sorry Chunk, Sorry Viney, neither of you are that yet. 

I can recall the likes of Voss, Buckley , Brown, Roo. Players who could take a game at death's throws by it neck and turn it around.

Players like Lewis have this. Pig might be the recruit of the year if he keeps doing what he is.

These types will possibly be that difference come Sunday.

Not game to call it yet, but go Dees

( From whatever crappy seat ive got lol )

2 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

Watts sustained about 50% quality game time in the ruck against Geelong and Richmond.  I expect similar from Pedersen - they can't ruck as long as proper ruckmen.

It's an absolute certainty that one of Weed or Omac will play.  If Watts and Pedersen take all the ruck then it will be Weed.  If TMac or Frost take some then it will be Omac.

That means 2 of the smalls come out - Salem, Tyson, Stretch, Bugg, Harmes.

Love your confidence and like you I would have thought one of O-Mac or Weed was a certainty, but having just been down at training, I now suspect neither.

Firstly Weed did not train with the other 24 so he's no chance of playing - put that down as a certainty.

My logic was that they needed another tall up forward to support Watts, but that's not going to happen - the forward group at training was Trac (he will play FF), Watts, Hannan, ANB, JKH, Harmes and Jeffy. We are going small, small, small and that means lots of switches of play and hopefully high forward pressure in the hope of causing quick turnovers. 

The group training down back included Oscar so he is still an outside chance, but Frost did no ruck work and will start back with T-Mac, Hibberd, Melksham, Vince, Jetta and Hunt. My guess is that because Essendon aren't majorly tall and because they cut us up for speed last year and because the game is indoors, we will go without O-Mac as well - although I personally would play him because why leave yourself so open to issues if say Pedo, Watts or Frost or T-Mac go down.

But it does appear that we may have decided to risk it all again for the sake of pace - hope I am wrong.

Tyson looked the most likely out with Weed - I just felt Dom's body language wasn't quite was upbeat as normal - I may be reading the wrong tea leaves though.

And then it comes down to Bugg or O-Mac. Bugg was doing midfield drills and looked very sharp earlier when practising goalkicking.

 

 

I made mention days ago the 'plan B' of sorts was to go quick up front but present present PRESENT ..lose your minder and negate the height difference.

Means every mark has to be HELD 

It can be done

5 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

Love your confidence and like you I would have thought one of O-Mac or Weed was a certainty, but having just been down at training, I now suspect neither.

 

Cheers, thanks very much for the update - fascinating!

3 hours ago, Fifty-5 said:

Watts sustained about 50% quality game time in the ruck against Geelong and Richmond.  I expect similar from Pedersen - they can't ruck as long as proper ruckmen.

It's an absolute certainty that one of Weed or Omac will play.  If Watts and Pedersen take all the ruck then it will be Weed.  If TMac or Frost take some then it will be Omac.

That means 2 of the smalls come out - Salem, Tyson, Stretch, Bugg, Harmes.

Given the game is at Etihad, if it came down to these 5, Tyson and Bugg are the slowest, so may well miss out.

2 hours ago, Fat Tony said:

Yes we need to share the ruck responsibilities. Shorter ruckman are able to compete when they are fresh but lose their leap as they tire. Pedersen, Watts, T McDonald and Frost may all need to have a turn.

I think Pedersen should ruck the majority of the game as he's too slow to play another position for the majority of the game. Pedersen to ruck 60-70% of the game, with chop outs from Melksham, Lewis, no one, Watts and TMac. Would keep Frost down back on Daniher and he's not the greatest ruckman anyway.

7 minutes ago, Deespicable said:

Love your confidence and like you I would have thought one of O-Mac or Weed was a certainty, but having just been down at training, I now suspect neither.

Firstly Weed did not train with the other 24 so he's no chance of playing - put that down as a certainty.

My logic was that they needed another tall up forward to support Watts, but that's not going to happen - the forward group at training was Trac (he will play FF), Watts, Hannan, ANB, JKH, Harmes and Jeffy. We are going small, small, small and that means lots of switches of play and hopefully high forward pressure in the hope of causing quick turnovers. 

The group training down back included Oscar so he is still an outside chance, but Frost did no ruck work and will start back with T-Mac, Hibberd, Melksham, Vince, Jetta and Hunt. My guess is that because Essendon aren't majorly tall and because they cut us up for speed last year and because the game is indoors, we will go without O-Mac as well - although I personally would play him because why leave yourself so open to issues if say Pedo, Watts or Frost or T-Mac go down.

But it does appear that we may have decided to risk it all again for the sake of pace - hope I am wrong.

Tyson looked the most likely out with Weed - I just felt Dom's body language wasn't quite was upbeat as normal - I may be reading the wrong tea leaves though.

And then it comes down to Bugg or O-Mac. Bugg was doing midfield drills and looked very sharp earlier when practising goalkicking.

 

 

Note to any Essendon spies reading the above report:

It is a furphy. We are going tall, tall, tall. Will have multiple tall forwards to assist Watts, Weed and Omac will play, Bugg looking out of sorts and Tyson looking ready to explode. 

or maybe it's not a furphy..........

3 hours ago, poita said:

Difference being that Hibberd won the football and used it well. It is hard to lay a tackle when you have the ball.

Not only does Melksham not tackle, but he doesn't get many possessions and gives half of those straight back to the opposition.

Exactly. He beat his man pretty much every time so didn't need to tackle all that much.

Tom McDonald to ruck I think 

From an article on AFL website:

Nathan Schmook reports from Essendon training earlier this morning:

• ESSENDON'S five-day turnaround has already claimed three scalps, with James Kelly, Matthew Leuenberger and Aaron Francis rested. 
• So how will the rest of the 22 from Anzac Day fare? And will the Bombers make any more changes for their Sunday clash against Melbourne, with James Stewart, Kyle Langford and Conor McKenna named on the extended bench? 
• One thing is for sure, the Bombers are protecting their prized assets, with Zach Merrett, Brendon Goddard and Michael Hurley on light duties during yesterday's session in Tullamarine. 
• The trio walked laps while the rest of the squad got into drills during a light session, with the Bombers taking no risks on a short five-day turnaround.

The game may be a lot closer than some pundits think

 

Pedersen and Watts were the only two who seemed to be rucking today.

Expect some chop outs from others very occasionally.

Not really sure where the 'play Tom McDonald in the ruck' came from, but it doesn't seem likely, unless it's for a moment or two during the match.

I amn starting to feel confident about this match after a week of gloom -  its a great feeling to have Lewis and Hibberds decision making and kicking skills out of the back half.  Will add a whole new dimension to the team.

5 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

I amn starting to feel confident about this match after a week of gloom -  its a great feeling to have Lewis and Hibberds decision making and kicking skills out of the back half.  Will add a whole new dimension to the team.

Agreed, although I still think we will lose.

Up until an hour ago, I had a forlorn feeling about this game, but after reading Deespicable's post (161) and listening to Goody's Friday presser (words about "trying some new things" in relation to our rucks and mids;  his "confidence at ground level"; and his excitement to have Lewis back, in part because of the leadership he brings), my confidence is being rejuvenated.  For the first time since last Monday evening, I'm starting to look forward to this game. 

The thing I don't mind about Bugg is that he was a back-pocket in his time at GWS.

So he adds a bit of versatility.  Essendon are strong in the small forwards department so if Fantasia or Green got a hold of Jetta or Melksham, at least Bugg could provide another option down back.

4 minutes ago, Clint Bizkit said:

Agreed, although I still think we will lose.

 

1 minute ago, Deeoldfart said:

Up until an hour ago, I had a forlorn feeling about this game, but after reading Deespicable's post (161) and listening to Goody's Friday presser (words about "trying some new things" in relation to our rucks and mids;  his "confidence at ground level"; and his excitement to have Lewis back, in part because of the leadership he brings), my confidence is being rejuvenated.  This is the first time since Monday evening that I've looked forward to the game. 

 

Our back 6 on paper is the best we have assembled in many, many years.  And that is without Hunt and Salem in it.  Those two guys playing up the ground are so dangerous.

No more negativity.   We will annihilate the druggos.