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The same people who were kicking them for the first 6 rounds maybe?

I don't really understand why Brown was dropped in the first place & a bit disappointed to not see him in, Game 1: 2 goals Game 2: 3 goals Game 3: 0 goals, with Brown, Weid, McDonald, Fristch all in the same forward line I understand the fitness perspective but surely his output while underdone was more than good enough to persist?

I like it ✔

Hard to argue. Great to see Jack back.

Viney IN Weed OUT Playing with TMac, Fritsch and Jackson up forward. Essendon are playing well, and while we were disappointing against Collingwood, lets be a bit more calm and put it all in perspective. We are 11-2 and we are a bloody good team. If we lose the next couple of games, then I will start getting worried, but until that time, I have faith in our players and coaching committee, given what they have done so far this year. Some supporter rang up SEN yesterday and was going off about how bad the Weed has played (and rightly so) but he was going off about the selection committee and was really annoyed. The radio hosts started laughing when he got off and were wondering how upset the guy would be if we were down the bottom, not on TOP OF THE LADDER! We of course need to stop their better players, but can they stop Trac, Oliver, Viney and Gawn if we are on top? Can they stop TMac, Jacko and Fritsch if we win the clearances? They need to be worrying about us. Last time I was worried about a team spreading and out running us we made the dogs look second rate, lets hope we do it again.

Not the craziest....(sorry if there's a designated DL-er who starts these - didn't mean to cut your lunch). Via BomberBlitz. Must bring in Snelling. Give him a role to tag Salem. So much of Melbourne’s ball movement goes through him. Hooker needs to be better than what he showed today; May will give him a bath otherwise. Stringer will probably get tagged by Hibberd. Can see Oliver and Petracca v Merrett and parish unfolding with not much defensive attention. Hope Draper is able to back up today’s superb performance. Hope the Dees give Weideman another game, and either Laverde or Francis can give him a towelling up. Give Redman the job on Fritsch. Great test against the Dees on Saturday. Send these snooty twats to the ski fields. Playing Melbourne is a great opportunity to see where we’re really at. I’m looking forward to it. They’re the top of the ladder team at virtually full strength (minus Tomlinson?). I’m pretty sure they’ll get Viney back this week. They’re also fresh off the bye vs us on 6 day break coming back from Tassie (not that it’s a huge trip at all). We can win one, or even both [Ed other being Geelong next round]. Melbourne are more likely, and l see signs of the beginnings of their brittle self doubt emerging. It is a common affliction every season, and is very apparent when the ski season opens. We’re so winning this match. No bombing forward otherwise May and Lever will have a field day interceptingLow/scrubber type kicks when entering forward I don’t rate Melbourne. I think we are a huge chance I just worry about their midfield contested beasts that will push Merrett and Parish to the side Melbourne still have it in them to completely Essington their season. I’d love for us to get the ball rolling. Melbourne are slowly showing signs of going full Melbourne… it’s winnable but need to be cleaner than tonight. I back us in Pies were able to beat them We always think we’re a chance against the Dees.We got close last year and we were rubbish.I’m looking at this game as a free hit. No expectations. Just try and protect the %. The problem we will potentially have against Melbourne is how well they are defending the field when not in possession. If Melbourne can so easily stop the Bulldogs from playing their preferred game, how are we going to go ? Personally, I don’t rate Melbourne as a Flag Favourite. Would have four other teams ahead of them on that count. Take out May and Lever’s influence and they will struggle. A lot of Dollar Shop forwards should not bother our defenders and we can match their mids even with the likes of Shiel, McGrath and Caldwell missing. I’m usually quite lid-off but we are probably kidding ourselves to think we can win this one. I think we’ll do ourselves proud with effort and we might even go close, but more likely there will be a couple of periods where they score a few quick ones against us and we just can’t recover.

Selwood ... 0 kicks, 0 handballs, 0 eye gouges, 0 stomps on opponents' heads ... Well, perhaps he's had a kick or handball ...

All clear. https://www.instagram.com/p/CQM3kBXht83/

Fair. There was always a debate to be had about whether we go in with another tall or not. I was of the view we should have put B Brown in, but I can understand going without. I'd make Jones the sub to give Chandler a full game at Casey.

1 : Lions win ✅ 2 : Dees win 3 : Eagles win = Dees 2 games clear on top.

Clearly we’re looking for speed and legs against the Bombers. They are coming off a six day break so this should allow us to break them open in the second half with Burgess Ball….if we come to play. Still disappointed Ben Brown doesn’t get a game. Clearly there’s something still not right with him (knee) or you’d play him. Really need big games from Kozzi, Fritta and TMac on Saturday.

To be fair we have only lost to bad teams this year. This is a danger game! (Hello to anyone from Bomberblitz reading this, I hate your club!)

Oh come on. In the last six matches we've played, and beaten, three top 8 sides (Sydney, the Dogs and Brisbane). We may not have scored 100 but we put 87 against the Dogs and 97 against the Lions, as well as 94 against Carlton and 95 against Adelaide. Four of our last six scores have been 87+. In Essendon's last six matches Essendon has played two top 8 sides (which happen to be the worst two, sitting 7th and 8th), and lost to one of them. The 140+ score you mention was against the bottom side sporting a 1-12 record. They've also in that time conceded 100 points twice, including 123 vs Richmond. Their highest score against a top 8 side all season has been 87 vs West Coast. If we've been "worked out to a degree", but that degree means we conceded 80 points to Collingwood (our second highest score against all year), I'm not sure that's something to be drastically worried about.

Was told this is the most likely scenario. Was trying to get more but didn't want to push my luck. Hopefully my record stays correct later tonight (for my sake)

This is very much a ‘horses.for courses’ team …….. a winning team! I really like it!

I reckon the footy dept. disagrees with you and so do I. As far as Ben goes there is no rush at the moment.

Brown's first year was always going to be a bit hit and miss after his injury, he has 3 more after this one so settle. I thought Sparrow would miss this week, but I don't mind the idea of ramping up the pressure in the forward half with him and Viney both rotating through there.

With all due respect, its waaaaaay too early for this type of discussion. Perhaps after prelim week I reckon Chunk would probably hate this concept anyway. He's 100% selfless. GFs are for best 22 only. If he is, great. But at this stage, no.

too early to say he’s been scrap heaped. a few injuries and he’s back . and if so i reckon he’ll be ok too.

Every member of the team should get a medal, similar to the NBA where everyone gets a ring. I know it seems a bit tokenistic but there does seem to be a real mentality in the NBA that you're still apart of it all even if you're not out there in the end.

What was said at Windy Hill was the bowls club telling them to [censored] off. Hopefully the boys smash the confidence out of their supporters.

? love their overconfidence. Very Essendon. As I said on another thread, would love to [censored] this mob.

2 things: 1. Geelong won't do anything in September 2. Joe Daniher is a spud

Just me or does it feel like a loooong 2 weeks Viney was missing for?!

The conditions from memory for the Sydney game were wet and greasy too but TMac and BBB played really well together. BBB and TMac are for mine our best forward combination going into the back end of the season. Hopefully they’ll get a chance against the Giants… Gassed about Viney - he’s a huge IN and will bring us a lot of energy and leadership on field.

Interesting not replacing the tall....I guess we did go 6-0 with the Tmac and Jackson as the only talls and Fritsch the hybrid. Max will play more forward in this setup and Jackson more time in the ruck. Arguably this may be our best setup. Glad Sparrow has been kept in. Was good against the Lions. Interesting to see Jordon named in starting 18 on wing. Gus on bench. Love Jack back in. He just brings intensity. He will crunch a few. Bombers won't be thrilled to see his name. You would expect our tackle count to be high this week. Go Dees

Seems like the club is aware it’s a night game in Melbourne in late June. ?

I like this change and I like the forward structure that is named. Viney in is a big plus in my opinion a is the retention of Sparrow. Gawn and Jackson to spend time in the forward 50 as will Petracca.

Sadly, but understandably, it appears that Jonesy has been gently placed on the football scrap heap. In view of his magnificent contribution to his beloved Demons, I would hope, that IF we make the Grand Final, he will be named as medical sub. Then, in the last 10 minutes with us safely in front(knowing Melbourne it would have to be at least 8 goals!), one of our boys would be "concussed" and Jonesy given a free run to be on the field when the final siren sounded. What a fitting end this would be to a wonderful career. Thoughts?

Let’s focus on one week at time, all games will be tough regardless of ladder position as both the crows& pies proved to be

Doghouse?? How does he get a game? Rohan terrible player and as a bloke?? Loving this

I know his brother. Handy tennis player

Eric Hipwood has the high cheek bones of a young Michelle Pfeiffer.

Lost. One plot. If found please return to Tom Stewart. ?

Uh, we have Jack Viney in this week.

Averaged 90.7 points per game with this kinda setup. Averaged 86.6 with the three talls.

BUMP Watching ‘To Hell and Back’ after 12 rounds, it all makes sense, you can see so many links between what was documented in the series and the way we have played this year. My biggest takeaway is that there are elements you cannot control, like COVID and luck will always be a factor. But after watching it again and comparing to what we have seen this year, it has improved with age. (-; Watching episode #2 with the recruiting and the post match Roos practice game definitely gave chills - have a watch again, you will definitely enjoy it more a second time. The only sad bit is that Bennell didn’t work out…

not sure who's kicking the winning score wouldn't have been surprised if they used Mitch Brown to give them some firepower. He did kick a relative bag in the last VFL game against Geelong Anyway fingers crossed the Pies game was an aberration

With regard to B. Brown, how long is it since he has had a game? I did read somewhere that he was having a mini 6 week pre-season as far as fitness goes. In My opinion, this is a good thing. Give him a run or two at Casey and we have a chance to look at his form. Would love to see a fit in form BBB in our forward 50.

I am told bub arrived earlier this week, all healthy :-)

Great to see Viney back, finally!!! We've been a man down with Weid the last few weeks (I still think he presents promise and am hoping this is the rocket he needs to fire up and perform, but also appreciate that there are many who think he has had enough rockets), so Viney and Sparrow both in really adds more pressure against the Bombers, although I think Sparrow has a lot to do to keep his spot in finals. TMac, Fritter, Kossie and co will need to bring the goods, and take their opportunities. Viney will add more defensive run, and we'll need it (collectively) given the Bombers are #2 for points scored. Expecting a relatively high scoring game, so we need to take our chances, and be accountable.

I don't know why we picked Ben Brown in the first place. Waste of a pick. I think it's a mistake Sparrow doesn't deserve his spot in the team.

IN: Viney OUT: Weid https://www.melbournefc.com.au/news/963535/round-15-team-viney-returns

Jones is still clearly ahead of Melksham and Sparrow in my eyes and, if we ever revert back to 2 tall forwards, there is a further spot available. Spargo's goals have dried up and it would be a big effort for Jordon to play every game. I'm sure Jones could step in for either if required. There are plenty of opportunities for Nathan if we can get some consistent VFL games into him.

Huge game at the Gabba tonight. Hoping the Lions can get it done. Tough game for the dogs v the eagles. I reckon home ground advantage swings it. We need to account for the dons. If we do there's a good chance we're 2 games clear by the end of the round

The constant references to the ski season is reflective of their lack of creativity However I particularly liked this one No bombing forward otherwise May and Lever will have a field day intercepting Low/scrubber type kicks when entering forward What mental giant came up with that - one can only hope its one of their coaching staff

Well... they have terribly handled their salary cap and jettisoned good players in their prime and apparently may need to do so again. They have an old playing list with most of their better players 27 years old with a heap of others over 30. Their coach just quit. The board are infighting with a large spill on the cards. He is 24 and probably doesn't want to play his prime in a rebuilding side.

If they don't play Ben Brown I'll be wondering why they recruited him. Essendon have no key defenders and Brown has a good record against them it would be madness not to play him considering they haven't given him an extended run while they gave Weideman an extended run.