—coach—

Watts showing typical Melbourne form after re-signing?

Come on jack get in there!

Umps evening up the frees so they don't get bashed by the fans at half time

M. Jones is having a ripper!

Wow two from deep in the forward line, great stuff!

That's the spirit lads!

Most cherished moment: The week leading up to the 2000 grand final

Most despised moment: The 2000 grand final

1 minute ago, ArtificialWisdom said:

I think most here could have told you that without GPS data. 

Probably not really the main point of my comment, more that people have been talking about defensive players but perhaps the club will surprise us and pick up a mid. But thanks for the super witty reply anyway ?

Do we really want Hibberd?:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/victoria/dyson-heppell-posts-picture-on-instagram-of-jobe-watson-and-other-banned-essendon-players-in-croatia/news-story/0e230a761ce620bf37a890a32b7e2444

Dont seem to be preparing themselves for a great year of footy next year!

46 minutes ago, --coach-- said:

Was talking to somebody within the club who suggested that our gps data suggests we are a seriously slow side compared to others, lacking in players with REAL speed.

Perhaps we might surprise a few and go for some quick midfielders?

35 minutes ago, mo64 said:

God help us if we go down the route of drafting or trading for athletes. I wonder if the players use a gps on the ground when setting up their defensive zone. Or maybe it should have been used to locate the St. Kilda forwards.

The Hawthorn and Geelong dynasties have not been noted for REAL speed. Football nous and kicking skill goes a long way.

Hehehe, definitely agree with your kicking skill comment! Would love to see us learn to kick to somebody wearing the same colours as us!

Was talking to somebody within the club who suggested that our gps data suggests we are a seriously slow side compared to others, lacking in players with REAL speed.

Perhaps we might surprise a few and go for some quick midfielders?

2 hours ago, Chris said:

Players bought in in Roos' first 2 years and where they are:

2013:

- Cross - Is now the runner after a good couple of years. Still teaching the kids.

- Riley - delisted

- Mitchie - Playing VFL. Who knows if he will make it. 

- Vince - Playing AFL at a high standard. 

- Tyson - Playing AFL to a good standard after a poor 2nd year with us (injury didn't help)

- Salem - Sick but is a very good user of the ball and should make a good wing/HFF int eh years to come

- JKH - Struggling with injury. Who knows if he makes it, I think depth at best

- Hunt - Now playing some very good footy and showing signs of a promising future. 

- Harmes - Has the potential, is getting regular AFL games, needs to work on his consistency.

- Max King - Knee in pieces. Who knows.

- Alexis Georgiou - Played one year, played OK, was never going to make it long term, was delisted. 

- Jetta (put back to Rookie list), best thing to ever happen to Nev, has been a different player since, and a very good one at that.

2014:

- Newton - Playing VFL - Depth at best

- Garlett - Playing AFL and is very good when he is on. Seems to have fallen into a very inconsistent patch of late. 

- Lumumba - Could provide leadership and run off half back but is struggling with injuries. How many years he has left is the big question

- Frost - Has shown glimpses of being a more than serviceable back man. His height and speed were sorely missed on the weekend. 

- Petracca - Missed year one with a knee and has shown glimpses this year of what is hopefully to come. Hasn't burst onto the scene as many thought he would but the talent is there.

- Brayshaw - Had a great first year but was run into the ground. Has struggles with injury this year and from the sound of Roos on the weekend he has struggled with listening to what is required and implementing it, but he has seemed to have worked it out now. Should have a good career as a very good player. 

 - ANB - Playing VFL but must be banging down the door for an AFL call up. Who knows if he makes it or not.

- Stretch - Has shown he has what it takes at AFL level. I don't think he will be a star but he should be a good role player in future. 

- O Mac - Has been getting a game in the AFL and has done reasonably well considering where he is at on the development timeline. The fact he is playing ahead of seasoned veterans either says a lot about Oscar or more about those veterans. He has the talent to make it, he just needs time.

- AVB - Had a good first year but has struggled this year due to injury and form. Hopefully just second year blues.

- M White - Has played 3 games, won 2 of them and played well and then had an off day. People on here have called that he isn't good enough and should be delisted. He has played 3 games people, and done well in 2 of them!

 

I have put in bold the players who will make it and are either playing in best 22 or aren't due to injury. That is 14 of our best 22 who have come in in Roos' first 2 years, you asked where those players were, there is your answer, they are right in front of you. Even better is there are only 9 players bought in over this time who aren't best 22 at the minute and 1 has retired and 2 have already been judged and have been delisted, leaving 6 either on the long term injured list or trying their guts out int eh VFL, and showing some good form there too.

Brilliant synopsis Chris.

I like everyone else here is bitterly disappointed with the team yesterday, but this puts things into perspective for me. The issue really is the recruiting prior to our current staff, who recruited the wrong players and then underdeveloped those they did recruit. We have paid a hard price for that, but the upside is that the recruiting since then has been well above par.

Appreciate your effort on this.

48 minutes ago, Wiseblood said:

Spot on Akum.  In the last quarter they stopped us getting it into the corridor, and what happened?  We went long to a contest and they just picked it off, got it forward and scored.  Right now we have no plan B when this happens.

Will be a tough finish to the season if we play like this more often, but I'm keen for Goodwin to take the reins for 2017 and see what he's made of.

It could be argued that now the seasons done for us Goodwin should take over reins now. This would give him the opportunity to try a few things his way to give us a jump at next year. Thoughts everyone?

Just now, DemonLad5 said:

Can we just not play the Saints next year

Can we play Richmond 4 times instead?

When does the tanking start?

Oh wait, it started today...

Hogan can be an absolute dick sometimes. Game over.

2 minutes ago, deanox said:

Anyone playing at home? How touched was that?

One finger

I can't believe they just did that ?

Looks like we're got some life after all. Come on DEMONS!!!!!!!

13 minutes ago, martin said:

Will the roof be open on a perfect day? That would help in our quest. Not sure on the policy any more but it has been open for one or two games this season.

THE AFL has made a concession with its Etihad Stadium roof policy, declaring the roof will be shut for day games if the contrast between the sun and shade inside the ground is deemed to be a problem for players, coaches and spectators. 

afl.com

3 hours ago, Lucifer's Hero said:

I think it was my post that suggested that could be the case so I shall elaborate a little.  I heard an interview with Goodwin during last year's trade period and our interest in Melksham.  Goodwin was asked whether this was his 'captains choice' (a phrase somewhat in vogue last year).  He deftly side-stepped the question and waffled on about the need for a backman etc.  I had the impression it was his 'captains choice' hence my phrase about 'pulling rank'. 

Didn't mean to start a rumour so clarifying how he sounded to me.

Realistically, tho it wouldn't be the first time a coach has exercised his 'captains choice' - it happens all the time. 

Neild - Toumpas - Wines, let us never speak of that day again! And don't mention it around Todd Viney!

3 minutes ago, stuie said:

I like how on social media Essendon supporters are saying "he's slow and a bad kick, we'll replace him easily...... we should get a first round pick for him"...

 

Shows the average intelligence of a bummers supporter

7 minutes ago, Bring-Back-Powell said:

I think they only open the roof for the early afternoon games.

Couldn't work out why they closed it for our first meeting. It was 24 and beautiful.

THE AFL has made a concession with its Etihad Stadium roof policy, declaring the roof will be shut for day games if the contrast between the sun and shade inside the ground is deemed to be a problem for players, coaches and spectators. 

afl.com.au

1 hour ago, Macca said:

But many won't go to the Docklands for reasons other than the 'soulless' argument ... people not going to watch their team because the stadium is supposedly 'soulless' is not a good enough reason.  I've heard all that stuff before about Docklands and I'm not buying it. 

We start winning again and our supporters will even go to Docklands.  Same deal for the supporters of other clubs who have a similar view of the ground. 

Docklands is inconvenient because it's not the MCG - now that I can believe.

 

I'm not talking about anyone else, I was talking about me. It's actually easier for me to get to Docklands and I can park for free much closer than I can at the MCG. We could win every game of the season (wouldn't that be awesome) and you will see me at Kardinia Park long before you see me at Docklands. Same as when Victoria Park, Waverley and Whitten Oval were operational, I went to them more often than I go to Docklands now. Each to their own.

29 minutes ago, Macca said:

I've never had a problem with Docklands either ... the modern day supporter is a little spoilt.  Go there early is the key.  Much like it was previously at the suburban grounds we had to frequent.

Standing up on sludge with poor amenities at various suburban grounds was the way it was for most away games ... by contrast, Docklands is pure luxury.  I've never understood the angst.

Not on topic I know, but that's why I dislike Docklands, no soul. For me, Footy is not meant to be luxurious.

10 hours ago, Biffen said:

I wonder if they will let Reiwoldt run around by himself and let Jack Stevens run amok in the last half.

I was wondering the same thing, same thing happens every time. Hopefully Roos stays true to his word and picks the best team for eat-your-head stadium (or shitty-head stadium depending on how the game went).