Well… I like beating North especially, if only because there was a period 15 years or so ago when we lost to them every year and usually because we played poorly, and one of the worst encounters I’ve ever had with opposing fans were some of theirs, believe it or not?
Not saying it’s a rivalry… but I do have strong feelings about them, if only because the few amount of fans they have seem to really have chips on their shoulders.
Today was a big relief because my concern has always been with us that we don’t play well with any expectation. A step in the right direction big time.
King has a term term “McMerrish” - the new midfield that’s coming at a rate of knots!
Said it’s the first time for a long time that Essendon actually has a midfield.
Odd thing is we haven’t changed the personnel.
Zerrett, Parish, Pidge, Snelling, Langford, Zakka, Guelfi were all there last year.
Cox and Perkins are doing some nice things, but the bulk of our improvement has been from getting the most from the guys we already had.
And perhaps Parish getting more midfield time.
Hard to believe if we beat the hawks we’d be in the 8.
Crazy stuff.
How good is it to have forwards that don’t sook, don’t get injured and kick straight.
Hawks, Swans or GWS. So many opportunities there. But those close losses probably would assist our players in developing further I suppose.
Still a bit ■■■■■■ on those results though.
Just finished watching the game. Very good game. Love beating up on the little annoying brother!
13 different goalkickers
fkng hell
Stupid bastards tagged Tippa and they lost by 72 and he kicked three.
“Should we tag Merrett?”
“Nah”
“Parish then?”
“Nope”
“Really? Okay McGrath it is then”
“Not likely. Let’s tag Tippa. That should sort them out”
I don’t really hate on any teams.
I do really think David Koch is a ■■■■■■■■ in terms of personality, so the fact he is celebrated perturbs me.
But I really don’t care for the football team he presides over.
I just wanna see Essendon win footy matches
I guess there’s a case to say we lost mckenna but filled the hole adequately with redman coming back into good form this year.
saad out for hind and we’re probably ahead there.
Hurley out with a LTI but we’ve rejigged the backline to add laverde who has excelled as well as franga, stewart and ridley doing their thing to cover.
fantasia went out and instead of replacing him with another softck sook, walla and stringer have easily covered for any goals he might have added.
lastly judas out (even though he did fk all for us the last 2 years) but the forwardline is back ahead ( at least for now) with hooker, stringer, walla, jones and 2mP.
add the midfieldiest midfielder to ever midfield in the middle, zerrett playing well and mcgrath doing his thing.
not to mention we have some serious talent still on the sidelines….
it’s possible we should actually be a tad higher on the ladder right now.
pretty incredible really.
You’d have to say it has a lot to do with Worsfold departing.
I actually think Worsfold was a positive guy and probably he right man to bring in in 2016. Last couple of years we’re ordinary though and Rutten just feels right now.
We seem happy campers for the first time in a loooong time.
I love that when we turned the ball over there was 100% desperation in defence, from everyone, fwds included. To me this means everything. Of course I’m excited about the future for this side but we’re beginning to be able to rely on that desperate effort, even when we lose…and THAT puts a spring in my step.
The defence is turning into a pretty close knit unit.
Before the game and the team huddle, the defence all got together for their own huddle. They’re really supporting each other.
Truck backs his players in and it’s paying dividends.
I picked in pre season that Essendon would have a top 4 midfield and blitzers laughed.
Was being optimistic yeah, but now I’m feeling more and more like a realist.
I think that same energy is spreading throughout the team. For the first time in at least 20 years it feels like a common, unshakeable purpose. Win or lose, that makes me look forward to the weekend!
And celebrating like millionaires when someone goes forward for a goal.
