I half hope we get smashed against the Cats, so that I can hear Zach tell us that it’s only a practice match.
Can you post the full article?
Nup, I’d rather see a good performance than hear about promises of better performances.
Zach Merrett says fans will get true gauge of pre-season form when Dons face Cats
Essendon captain Zach Merrett has played down fan fears after the club’s pre-season capitulation against St Kilda, urging them not to panic.
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February 28, 2024 - 10:07AM
News Corp Australia Sports Newsroom12 comments
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Zach Merrett has a message for twitchy Essendon supporters who were dismayed by last week’s 66-point loss to St Kilda – “it is called match simulation for a reason”.
The superstar skipper said the Bombers would get a real gauge on their pre-season form in Friday night’s round 1 dress rehearsal against Geelong at GMHBA Stadium.
Best-and-fairest winners Jordan Ridley and Peter Wright are on track to return against the Cats although ruckman Sam Draper is considered less likely to play.
“I must admit I haven’t seen much of the fan reaction, but it is called match simulation for a reason,” Merrett told this masthead.
The Bombers were blasted off the park in their first pre-season clash. Pic: Michael Klein
“For us, and for me personally, it was just about getting a run in the legs to be honest.
“We tried a few things structurally. Some we didn’t execute well, some we did execute well.
“They played well, the scoreboard obviously suited them. But to be honest it wasn’t one of those games where you walk away being disgruntled.
“It was one of those games that I felt like we tried a few things and to get some games into new guys was awesome.
“And now we have to sharpen up and actually have a real crack against Geelong, who are always performing well.
“We’ll get a good understanding this week.”
The Bombers were buoyed by Jayden Davey returning through the VFL last week after two knee constructions and a 922 wait between matches.
Merrett shouted out Zach Reid as a shining light. Pic: Michael Klein
They also ran into a pumped-up Saints outfit that are primed again to hit the ground running.
“I know our fans want to see us win every game, but to see Jayden miss 920 days (and play) was awesome and a bit emotional,” Merrett said.
“And then to have Zach Reid, I was super excited to see him play on ‘Kingy’ (Max King) up forward, who is a super player and a star of St Kilda’s team.
“To play on a guy like that and get exposure after only eight (AFL) games and three injury-riddled years for Zach was awesome.
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“I’ve got no doubt he’ll be better off for the run.”
The Bombers host Hawthorn at the MCG in round 1 when both clubs will be striving to break their home-and-away attendance record of 78,294 (2017).
The clash comes 40 years after the Bombers kicked nine last-quarter goals to defeat the Hawks in the 1984 grand final.
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Nail on head. You should be cracking in every outing…even against each other. Probably an indicator as to why we usually start seasons poorly. Too soft in the offseason.
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The best midfields in the competition have that balance of bigger and smaller statures, and speaking on the eve of their Round 1 clash against Hawthorn, the three-time All-Australian Merrett concedes it’s certainly something the Bombers have been trialling and working on in the summer.
“You always need a balance,” Merrett told SEN.com.au.
“You’ve obviously only got what you’ve got on your list. I feel like Sam Durham and Will Setterfield do fit the mould that’s a bit different to us (Merrett and Parish).
“Darcy and I are more like spill-ball, connect players, whereas those are a bit more inside and have a bit of height.
“Most clubs now have one or two taller mid players. If you look at Brisbane you’ve got Josh Dunkley who has complemented Lachie Neale more so than previously. Jordan De Goey’s size has helped Collingwood.
“Durham is probably the one for me who could really take that step and just be a different dynamic for us.
“He had some good games last year here and there, but I think he’s ready to be a really consistent player.”
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If they are in ‘best 22’ form, can we play setter, durham, hobbs and caldwell in same team?
parish forward pocket
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Judging by that article, I don’t think so, merret said himself you need balance. If we were having difficulty fitting both Caldwell and Hobbs into the midfield last year and now your trying to give Durham midfield minutes too.
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Can’t play them all.
We have Perkins who is a better forward than Hobbs & Caldwell and who ever rotates through will need to offer something in another role.
Two of Setter, Durham and Duursma can only play at the same time as one would need to rotate through the wing.
I can’t see Hobbs or Caldwell playing wing and the only other position that makes sense for them is a FP…and I’d rather have a dedicated, small forward (like Gresham or Menzie) in that position than Hobbs or Caldwell.
Best midfield would be: Merrett (rotating with Gresham in FP or Martin off HBF), Durham (rotating with Duursma/Setterfield on the wing), Parish (rotating with Perkins at HF).
Firstly merrett saying ‘it’s called match simulation for a reason, watch us this week and judge us’, this week too is match simulation, what’s the difference? Fans are meant to know which we need to care about and which not to? Sounds like a convenient excuse.
On the balance in the midfield, finally someone at the club says it. Why didn’t we recruit a guy with size to add depth there in the off season. I would have liked George Stevens, a point of difference who can develop in the twos, it’s been an issue for a while having to pull guys from other positions to address this.
Also I’d trade out Caldwell, he is too similar to hobbs and too much of what we already have.
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This week is an official AFL sanctioned practice match - there won’t be bullshit rotating and resting players at half time etc
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This is so interesting, they both are so close stat wise from last year. If one has to go, it’s hard to seperate them.
I still have Caldwell just ahead because he’s a better kick. He’s also shown more flexibility to used in the forward line.
- but the downside is his injury history.
Keeping Hobbs is a no brainer IMO. He’s much younger and already achieving similar stats. There is more upside for Hobbs.
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Yeah I see that, but I think that upside is perceived more than proven at this point. I keep hearing these comparisons of him being ‘our selwood’ type player, and gosh hope it comes true but I don’t know whether he’s done much to warrant that comparison yet, (other than having the same hair).
On Zach’s comments regarding balance, I think being better kick takes you a long way when it’s a deficit in our current on-ball brigade, especially given its also a weakness for Tstatas’ game, and with his height, you’d hope he’d feature in the near future.
On Hobbs being younger yeah, but they are alot closer on games played.
Merrett is such a different cat, on instagram where they are asking captains what music they are listening to all the others say Taylor swift, Zach Bryan etc and old Zac goes with Micheal Gervais finding mastery podcast
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Why would you try trade out any midfield depth we have? Unless Caldwell wants to leave for more opportunity you keep him. You always want players performing in the VFL that you wouldn’t mind coming in if there is an injury. Its one of the biggest problems we have had. The best 22 can perform but as soon as we lose a couple of players we turn to complete crap.
Even if both aren’t seen in the best 22 this year I would be keeping them.
I’d think the chances of us trading Hobbs, unless he said he wanted out, are very close to zero. I suspect he’s already in the long-term leadership plans at Essendon.
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Hes a bit of a soy boy is Zach
Do you know what soy boy means?