In 2017 when Joe kicked 60+ goals we also had Hooker, Raz and Tippa kick 30+. How is that having a single focal point?
4 Likes
In 2018 we went to joe relentlessly.
you’re relentless
This is the article.
Eight reasons why Essendon can get excited about 2019 season
Chris Cavanagh, Herald Sun
January 7, 2019 11:21am
Subscriber only
A big finish to 2018 followed by the arrival of Dylan Shiel has brought high expectations on Essendon this year.
CHRIS CAVANAGH takes a look how everything is falling into place at the Bombers.
DOGS PREVIEW: TIME IS NOW FOR SCHACHE TO SHINE
POWER PREVIEW: CAN PORT FLOPS REPLAY FAITH?
FREO PREVIEW: FIT FYFE CRUCIAL FOR YOUNG DOCKERS
EIGHT REASONS FOR ESSENDON TO GET EXCITED
1, DYLAN SHIEL
If there was one piece of the puzzle missing from Essendon’s line-up in 2018 it was another proven midfielder. With some handy bookends, the Dons’ backline was strong and the forward line got its job done most weeks but the midfield often came up short. The Bombers won the inside-50 count just 10 times from their 22 games and the clearance count just 11 times. The addition of Greater Western Sydney onballer Dylan Shiel helps bolster both areas significantly. Shiel ranked elite for inside-50s (4.7 a game) and above average for clearances (4.5 a game) at the Giants in 2018, while also averaging 25.9 disposals and 6.3 score involvements. Put simply, the 25-year-old is exactly what the Bombers were looking for.
Dylan Shiel strengthens the Bombers’ midfield. Picture: Michael Klein
2, STRONG FINISH
If you forget about a horrid opening eight rounds in 2018, Essendon was one of the best teams in the competition. From Rounds 9 to 23, the Bombers went on a 10-4 charge, claiming the scalps of Sydney, Geelong, West Coast and Greater Western Sydney along the way. Intriguingly, only Richmond and Collingwood (both 11-3) performed better in the final 14 rounds. During that period, Essendon also averaged 91 points a game and conceded just 76 points against, giving it a percentage of 120.4. If John Worsfold’s men can take such form into 2019, watch out.
3, DANGEROUS DANIHER
Essendon great Tim Watson questioned midway through last season if the Bombers were more dangerous in attack without Joe Daniher? The answer is no. Daniher played only the first seven games of 2018 before being sidelined with early onset osteitis pubis following a breakout season the previous year in which he kicked 65 goals from 23 games. In 2017, Essendon was ranked best in the competition for scoring once inside 50, doing so from 50.4 per cent of entries. In 2018, the Bombers dropped to seventh in that ranking with a percentage of 45.3, while also kicking 31 fewer goals during the home-and-away season. Daniher is a key pillar in the side’s attack and his return will be very much welcomed.
Joe Daniher’s 2018 campaign ended after seven games. Picture: Getty Images
4, FIXTURE WINS
Champion Data ranks Essendon’s 2019 fixture the sixth-hardest of any side but on paper it doesn’t look that bad. The Bombers face double-up matches against Anzac Day foe Collingwood, Greater Western Sydney, Sydney, North Melbourne and Fremantle. Against those sides last year, Essendon went 4-3, beating all of them once except for the Magpies. There are a number of short breaks early in the season but from Rounds 2 to 13, the Bombers have 10 of 11 games in Melbourne in another fixturing win. That’s not a bad start.
5, STRINGING IT TOGETHER
Premiership Bulldog Jake Stringer had his moments in 2018, but he wasn’t quite able to string them together in his first season at Tullamarine. Spending significant time in the midfield early in the year was an experiment that didn’t quite work, the forward line proving to be where he did his best work. He kicked 30 goals from 20 games while also averaging a career-high 14.6 disposals and 3.7 marks. But “The Package” has more to give. Stringer booted three or more goals in seven games but went goalless in seven others. The Bombers will be hoping he can find a little more consistency in his second season at the club.
Aaron Francis emerged late in the season. Picture: AFL Media
6, FANCY FRANCIS
There was a lot to like about Aaron Francis’ final five rounds of the 2018 season. The No.6 pick from the 2015 national draft had managed just five AFL games across the 2016 and 2017 seasons and battled some personal issues early last year but returned with a bang late in the season in a new role in defence. Francis averaged 13.2 disposals and 6.4 marks from those final five games, including a stunning Round 23 match against Port Adelaide in which he had 19 disposals and 11 marks (six contested). Francis received a Rising Star nomination in Round 22 and rising the 21-year-old most certainly is.
7, UP AND COMERS
It’s not just Aaron Francis who impressed in the second half of the season. There are a host of other young Bombers who are also seemingly on the rise. Midfielder Darcy Parish found career-best form after returning from a thumb injury in Round 17, Conor McKenna continues to grow in defence, 2016 No.1 draft pick Andrew McGrath is only getting better, Matt Guelfi showed plenty in his debut season and 2014 draftees Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford look ready to take the next step. All six players are under 23, proving the Bombers have plenty of young talent in their wings.
Orazio Fantasia provides excitement for the Bombers. Picture: Michael Klein
8, MORE ORAZIO
Livewire small Orazio Fantasia gives Essendon’s forward line a whole different look. In 2017, Fantasia kicked 39 goals from 20 games, while also averaging almost one goal assist a game. In 2018, hamstring injuries restricted his to just 13 matches, in which he kicked 20 goals. At 23, a fully-fit Fantasia is more than capable of producing a 40-plus goal season and providing the Bombers with a major spark in 2019.
THE NUMBER: 17
The Bombers have built this list nicely and have so much talent coming through, with their under 25 year-olds rating No.1 in the competition. One thing that will surprise people is that Essendon is the second-least experienced side in 2019.
TAB ODDS
Premiership: $9
Top-8: $1.65
Most losses: $151
TRAJECTORY
2014: 7th (12-1-9, elimination final)
2015: 15th (6-16)
2016: 18th (3-19)
2017: 7th (12-10, elimination final)
2018: 11th (12-10)
6 Likes
JoeDan. Please bring us a flag.
3 Likes
Can you back that up with some stats?
I recall seeing the 2017 stats for times used and we shared it around a lot compared to most other sides.
North for example went to Brown a hell of a lot more than we went to Joe yet they ended with similar amounts of goals.
I cant see why it would have changed for 2018.
Still wears his Samsung training guernsey at the local gym, it’s a bit sad TBH
I’m sure we did go to him a bit. I just don’t think there’s really anything in that nugget.
Cast your mind back to the start of last year.
Hooker had moved back. Stewart hit a wall, and eventually got dropped. We hadn’t quite figured out Stringer’s role. Raz was in and out with injury.
Daniher was still there, and of course he is actually our ■■■■■■ spearhead after all.
So I’m sure we did go to him more than anyone else. That’s not the issue as much as what happened when we did go to him.
Which nugget are you talking about?
Nugget of info, Factoid.
That we went to Joe a lot.
I don’t believe we went to him any more than 2017 but I would be curious to see the stats for it.
As you say, we had Stewart leading our goal kicking at the time Joe went out injured and Hooker was still down there.
The only huge difference was Fantasia missing for 5 of the 7 games that Joe was there but we had Stringer.
A lot like to heap all our losses on Joe at the beginning of last year but the reality is we were sh/t across the board and looked like we didn’t want to be out there.
Its very strange watching those games. no pressure or defensive efforts and hardly any numbers around the ball. Very strange tactics by senior coach Mark Neeld
2 Likes
Personally I just thought the players were showing no heart. We do have a history of it.
Most likely a combination of coaching and players though.
i would disagree with that. round 1 showed there was a ton of momentum going into the season.
3 Likes
Neeld was there in Round 1
1 Like
A lot of little things went wrong. Joe was just one of them.
1 Like
I agree.
that game was won in the last quarter when the players decided to play some strong contested footy. lots of marks, Hooker taking some great ones from memory. definitely wasnt the players having no heart.
things just got worse over the next few games though…
1 Like
No excuses this year in my opinion.
Top 4 or bust.
6 Likes
Go easy on someone who loves his Bombers. I’d prefer this passion over the “it’s just a job” approach to a club.
Wouldn’t mind wearing my guernsey to work, weddings and Court if I ever had the honour.
3 Likes