Tom Dyson

Max and Brodie being given a bath by a vfl ruckman.

Our defence is just not the same one we built 2021 off, not even close.

We just can’t defend quick handball chains through the corridor. And in true demons fashion, we make some no name vfl player like Cumberland look like prime Cyril Rioli.

Umpires have got their Richmond jumpers on.

I praised T'Mac last week and i think rightfully so, but his game today was just a shell of that one over in the west. Of course difficult conditions to mark the ball in and Essendon's defence was pretty good but just didn't seem to compete as effectively as he did against the Eagles. Maybe i'm being too harsh as most of our talls had a shocker today.

Essendon used the blueprint that worked for Collingwood and Sydney last year. Not only were we thoroughly beaten at the contest but their transition from d50 is so effective against our backline which looks all over the ship when the ball's coming in quick as it was today. Speed on the ball through the corridor is our worst enemy and we look powerless to stop it when teams get a run on. The only way I can think to defend such a gameplan is immense forward half pressure, tackling etc. whilst simultaneously structuring up in such a way that cuts off the corridor. None of those things were apparent today. not sure if its being tired after another road trip or not but the endeavour was sorely lacking. Always a range of factors to consider after a loss especially this one, but we have to start working on a structure/system which can negate fast ball movement through the corridor or else we're really going to struggle this year.

Brad Scott has given goody an absolute bath, has showed everyone else very simply how to beat us.

5 uncontested marks to go from end to end, this is 2019 esque.

Gee we look really bad, this is a pathetic display.

Absolutely agree, would have thought steven would have stepped up in Jake's absence, to be fair to the backline the ball is coming in pretty hot from the centre too which always makes it harder.

Grundy needs to lift as well, has looked second rate defensively against two ruckmen who have kicked half of their goals.

When Steven and co are fumbly and out of position, its usually not a great sign. I can't remember the last time i havent seen us not take an intercept mark or even more simply, get utterly dominated in contested marking in our own d 50 in a while. If we all didn't know it already, Rick is clearly crucial to having an organised back 6.

these umpires are clueless, incompetence personified.

Noah anderson just about the only suns player showing a bit of fight in the last, those were two excellent goals.

Tmac's game was superb, crashing the contest and ripping down some contested marks with 4 to go along with it. Thats the tmac we all know and love.

Love Chandler's efforts, works hard in the forward 50 but runs back just as hard in defence. He doesn't want to give up that spot any time soon by the looks.

That looked like a goal to me.

You can’t overturn a decision just because the crowd gets loud.

Eagles fan yawning on screen 😂😂😂

If we ratchet up our own pressure and really crack in and win contested footy, we’ll do much better from stoppage and that should hopefully clear up transition from d50.

They already are in my books.

If we were playing even a half decent team we would be getting killed, could it be the heat that isn’t agreeing with us, nibblers jumper looks soaked in sweat.

This umpiring is genuinely atrocious.

2nd time in my life I have seen us beat the Swans live at the G, gee that was a lot of fun to watch!

It was doom and gloom but that last 8 minutes proves we can play good football when our transition from d50 and entry into the forward line has bit of courage. It was a horrendous performance but theres something there to keep us hopeful and moving forwards.