Adam The God

Not really sure why we abandoned our first quarter game plan to move it side ways and lower our eyes to hit up one on ones inside forward 50. Goodwin said we were gonna go longer at quarter time and in the end I think that cost us. We needed to hold our nerve and keep playing smart footy that we played during the first quarter. We managed a number of one on ones. Ultimately, either way our poor skills and decision making would have brought unstuck, but at least we'd be sticking to a plan that if executed correctly would have beaten the Eagles. I think we tried to minimise damage, but we predictably ran out of legs and this game plan readjustment backfired. As rjay and others said all week, we probably went in too tall to this game.

Thought he was one of our best tonight. I can't remember him making an error. Meanwhile, I wouldn't be surprised to see us try the Spencer/Gawn combination again and try to stretch Essendon for height. It may depend on the weather conditions though.

It'll be about how we back up after the exhausting, energy sapping NT conditions. I'm a little worried about the effective 6 day turnaround off the back of all that. We really should win our next three though. If we're talking about Jimmy Toumpas here, in the first quarter, he was constantly in the wrong position or second guessing himself. It's not just about ineffective disposals, it's the ones that he doesn't create because his mind is behind the game. Fortunately, each time he came off, McCartney seemed to be in his ear. Couldn't have a better bloke guiding him. I just hope he starts to take that first decision soon. I think we'll all see that his instinct is the right option.

I reckon the most bafflng decision was the free against Hogan with a minute to play. Two Eagles collided and the free was given against Hogan. Absolute joke. The commentators said nothing about it. Dermie was too busy prattling on about something insignificant.

McDonald's a backman, but wouldn't be against throwing him forward for a week to get a bit of confidence back.

Yeah, I hope my man Gus is okay.

After an utterly appalling first term, Toumpas eradicated his errors, but struggled to have much impact on the game. He still struggles to take that first option. Almost all of his errors were because he failed to take that early option. I would play him next week though. I'd bring in JKH for Bail though. Lumumba probably comes in for Matt Jones. Can we somehow drop Howe and call it general soreness, so as not to drop his trade value? Don't think Spencer will play next week either.

Agree with the first part. Disagree on McDonald and Garland. Both were ordinary. McDonald was beyond ordinary.

You've gotta be trolling with a post like that...

Gawn was killed by a good ruckman. He might do alright against very mediocre opposition but I'm yet to see him dominate a good opponent. The second half of the season will tell us a lot about our ruck stocks.

I thought Tyson and Watts were just about our best tonight. Tyson ran out of legs a bit, but he was important when the game was in the balance.

The umpiring has beem disgracefully one sided.

It was McDonald last match.

Well done Vice Captain. Just killed the game.

When Matt Jones and Rohan Bail don't have good games they regularly cost us multiple goals. The sooner they are off the list, the better.

What a shocking game Jesse is having.

You are a disgrace to the jumper Jeremy Howe.

Gawn is having a bath.

We need to work out our midfield rotations.

Too many errors. And Gawn, that's why you frustrate people. Drops an uncontested mark, which results in a goal to the opposition.

Horrible Tom McDonald. Taking a step back every week. We won't get within 10 goals with these turn overs.

It was very Howe-like. Undisciplined, poor decision. West Coast run it out.

What is Jesse doing? You don't try taking speccies on half forward.

Look at Howe. As soon as the ball hits the ground he's done.

Hopeless kick, Jesse. Two goal turn around.