Goodwin finally moved loose players back behind the Essendon forwards in the second half. That stopped them scoring out the back. Would like to see him react quicker.

 

PJ get out the check book and secure the Mac brothers - so critical to our structure.

25 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Stayed out of the game day thread today.  Enjoyed the game way more.

It was a fantastic performance... after half time.  The first half was a disgrace to football as a whole.  The less said about it the better.

However, in the second half everything just... clicked.  Gawn was in sync with the midfield and we waltzed it out of the centre with ease.  Many player who had underperformed began to regain some confidence and impact the contest in a positive way.  We stopped bombing it long to contests and actually looked to hit targets inside 50.  Our backline, which was left exposed in the second term when we went back to our old ways of allowing sides to run it easily out of defence, came together and repelled almost everything that came at the them.  The third term was what our side CAN look like when we worked together as a unit.  

There were some real positive performances today.  Hannan and Fritsch, in the same side together for only the second time this year, worked perfectly alongside each other.  Spargo had a ripping little debut and gave us a spark that Garlett hasn't really given us all year.  Gawn continues to have an amazing season.  O Mac killed Daniher to add yet another scalp to his ever growing list, while Jetta and Hibberd were also excellent.  James Harmes also played his best game for the season and our tackling and hunting of the footy was terrific.  Jake Melksham was also sensational - had a hand in a heap of goals and kick a couple of rippers to go with it.

There is still plenty to work on.  The first half was awful stuff and we let ourselves be brought down to their level and we couldn't find a way to stop it.  We ran out of legs a little bit in the last 6 minutes to cough up goals, and I know some will whinge about it until they are blue in the face, but we only played 5 days ago.  We went hard when it mattered and put the game to rest early in the last so when we ran out of petrol tickets it didn't matter.

It's great to be back on the winners list and even better to beat the Druggies.  Enjoy every minute of it and be happy that our season is now back on track!!

this

Fritsch reminds me of Cameron Bruce - just appears to have a lot of time. Love the way he floats across packs. 

I will take Spargo's intensity and 2 goals any day of the week over Garlett's pathetic efforts since the Brisbane match. 

Thought out backline stood up - and jesus, O McDonald. I have been calling for his head for however many years, he is playing really well. 

I will be interested to see how Weid, T Mac and Hoges all play in the one forward line - but I wouldn't be dropping Weid. Based on today, one of Tyson or ANB needs to go for Trac. Most likely ANB surely. 

24 minutes ago, Flemo56 said:

A great debut and show of how too stick up for your team mate Spargo, we need more of his attitude pls.

His dad said to him before the game something like play hard for the ball and play hard for your team. 

7 minutes ago, billyblanks29 said:

Goodwin finally moved loose players back behind the Essendon forwards in the second half. That stopped them scoring out the back. Would like to see him react quicker.

 

Or just not do it in the first place?

Had Gawn BOG and Dee's by 37 in the opening game day thread, I'm claiming that.

Also had Melksham for 2 goals and Hibberd for 25 disposals @10:1 unfortunately can't claim that, missed by 1 disposal

6 minutes ago, lucifer said:

Fritsch reminds me of Cameron Bruce - just appears to have a lot of time. Love the way he floats across packs.

I was thinking more Brad Green as they have similar kicking styles and both lefties.

32 minutes ago, dazzledavey36 said:

The big positive from today for me was Angus Brayshaw effort in the midfield.

We moved Salem out and Brayshaw in. I thought Salem looked better down back, and actually hits targets when he kicks out - unlike some others that kick out, and Brayshaw helped with our pressure in the midfield. No doubt Brayshaw adds a lot to the midfield, but he still needs to lift. We bat deep in our midfield.

3 minutes ago, Micksdemons said:

Weids is having a crack clunking a few and improving each week - we must persist with him 

Was unsighted in the first half Mick with about zero kicks and 2 handballs.  You need to impact somehow at this level.  After 4 quarters he had 6 effective disposal, 2 turnovers and just the 2 marks.

Pedders was dropped immediately after a similar output against Brissy.

We can't risk experimenting with players who aren't performing / impacting at AFL level.  If he gets another game then we have no standards whatsoever and may as well give a game to any tall athletic type who walks in off the street and can take a few marks.

We are also bereft of tall forwards who worry the scoreboard.   Zip goals in 2 games.

 

Nothing typified Essendons day more than McGrath playing on at the 3 qtr time siren. 

Loved Levers reaction. I snorted coffee out my nose.

5 minutes ago, small but forward said:

Nothing typified Essendons day more than McGrath playing on at the 3 qtr time siren. 

Loved Levers reaction. I snorted coffee out my nose.

Or Daniher spoiling a marking contest right into the hands of Mitch Hannan for the first goal of the last term.  I knew we were home when that happened!

Maxy should have handed the mini footy after the game to that Essendon clown in the front row and the rest of the players JW bottles to the adults. 

Edited April 29, 20187 yr by Dee Zephyr

34 minutes ago, Bitter but optimistic said:

FMD! This team  drives me to distraction.

We'll make a mess of someone if ever we play four quarters.

 

Romsey ?? Uncle!

5 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Or Daniher spoiling a marking contest right into the hands of Mitch Hannan for the first goal of the last term.  I knew we were home when that happened!

That was melbournish 

27 minutes ago, Petraccattack said:

Tyson, Oliver and Lewis all had under 20 possessions, which must be very rare for all three in the same game..  doubt its ever happened before actually.

Harmes, Salem and Brayshaw really stepped up in the midfield.

Big tick for Salem

Ugly, ugly game to start with. We found some run and managed to come away with the W. Great to have T-Mac back. Melksham has his radar again and Jetta has his best game of the season.

One step at a time 

One change, Dr Doolitle,  dog handler extraordinaire for either ANB or Harmes take your pick!

Salem had a good game with exception of that horrendous kick out to give up a goal. We just need him to string games together without interruption, as he seems to take a few weeks to find form again even after small niggles or decent hits in games.

Great to get the win today with our midfield missing Viney and Petracca, and Oliver struggling to find ball. Brayshaw and Salem stepped up, and Jones had another good game crashing in. He appears to be finding form again which is good considering Viney is still out for a few weeks yet.

Just now, picket fence said:

One change, Dr Doolitle,  dog handler extraordinaire for either ANB or Harmes take your pick!

Harmes looks to have saved his bacon.

I like Weid as the 2nd or 3rd tall up forward. He's growing in size and confidence. His 2 big marks in second half were great to see. He tired as the game went on. Worth persisting with in the seniors

Melksham is so efficient with his kicking. Brilliant field kicking and great shot at goal too (first few weeks of this season aside). He always makes something happen when he gets it, we just need to get the ball to him more often!

1 minute ago, wizardinoz said:

Harmes looks to have saved his bacon.

And he’s a StKilda specialist.

It makes a huge difference when you're clean with the football and kick the goals you should. 

Our three most reliable set shots for goal (Fritsch, Hogan and Tom McDonald - apologies Melksham) all nailed goals in a short time and when Gawn finally kicked true, we were away.

Can't wait to get Viney and Petracca back into this side. ANB and Harmes should make way.

Fritsch ,Hannan and Spargo were terrific and make us more lively.

ANB, and Weeds and Vince probably don’t impact enough , so room for Garlett, Viney and Petracca to make us go to another level.