Ya know… in some ways Luke is the best candidate. Not because he has any obvious attributes… he doesn’t… more because he is unencumbered by any connections to the Essendon network and so is uncompromised.
He’s not mates with Barham.
He doesn’t sip red wine with Sheedy.
He doesn’t own land with Dodo.
He didn’t once play for the club.
That’s long been the problem with club. Everyone’s in bed with someone, and it’s just been one big circle jerk. Most of these candidates are more of the same.
I don’t have confidence in anyone who had anything to do with The Thorburn Affair, and I don’t have confidence in anyone who is compromised by their associations with Sheedy or Dodo. It’s quite the conundrum…
Our end of year fade outs continued. We showed no resolve to stand up when the tide turned in games, we dropped the lip and whimped out.
Teams ran us off our legs and killed us on the spread.
I’d say we’re exactly where we were under Rutten in both areas.
Perhaps more accurate to say our injuries are decreasing. I agree we don’t have the results regarding psychological problems, I am just glad they identified the problem and addressed it.
I fear for the future of BB if EFC eventually wins a premiership. I just can’t see much traffic for the forum as there would be nothing to complain about.
The usual ‘we’ve been ■■■■ for 21 years’ crew find an angle, run with it and they all pile in.
It’s quite possible the boys could play some pretty decent footy next year, there’s good energy.
The ultimate target could very well be slowly unfolding before their eyes but they can’t allow themselves to derive any enjoyment out of the club, especially the journey, until a flag is won.
Poor decisions, and good decisions have been made by the Board since the coup, but they haven’t resiled from the ethos of installing an improved footy program.
Not sure if it’ll make you vote for Barham and MVG but we conceded 90 points, the 7th lowest total in the league, in 2024 from kick-ins. Only three matches did we concede more than 6 points from kick-ins, even Hawthorn who conceded the lowest amount across the season had more matches than us where they let through more than a goal.
“ranked bottom five in the competition in points against, score per inside 50 against percentage, points against from turnover and defensive 50 to inside 50 against percentage. They also rated 15th in goals conceded to key forwards and 16th in goals conceded to small forwards.”
There is always something to complain about.
That’s what drives a high majority of sports conversations.
I’ve quickly scanned the Collingwood Bigfooty forum.
The first comment about memberships is about a 25% rise in price for their reserved seat package. Sound familiar?
Go to the Markov thread and there were concerns over rushing to sign him. A year ago he was a great role player in a Grand Final team, then becomes a fringe player and a weakness as the team struggles through the early part of 2024.
I’m sure if I had the thirst to dig deeper, I’d find list management issues and coulda, shoulda, wouldas that are as clear as day and would have won a back to back premiership.
A premiership for us would be great for about 5 months. Firstly, we wouldn’t ‘enjoy’ the ride as it’ll look like every other failed season. Until around round 18 to 20. Then there’d be the trepidation during finals to break the drought. If we’re lucky, we get a Richmond path after their first finals win and ride it to the premiership. Or we have Geelong like failures on semi finals and prelims and a premiership is delayed even further. Any loss would prod the doomers into action again.
When we finally do win a premiership, it would be great for about 5 months. Until the next injury or loss. When the gloom will set back in and the repeatable habits come back. Then it’ll be back to ■■■■ measuring between the happy clappers and doomers.
These discussions were had in the 80s and 90s. But there wasn’t a forum to vent and media generally didn’t feed of it. Social media flipped that all on its head.
And we’re reverting back from it anytime soon.
I’ve been working in my day job so working to answer as many Q’s when I can. As for Andrew Welsh, He is a past player, well known and connected with our Club community, understands football and is a successful business person. We need a past player on our board, especially to lead football governance. We were looking to replace this key role after the departures of Wellman and Madden.
He put his hand up - he thought we were heading in the right direction by standing for an external review. To put an action plan and investment into our Club, to get it back on track for Premiership winning success.
Can you make a comment on the clear and obvious fact that Barham and yourself are essentially copying each other verbatim re this stability nonsense? Why doesnt Barham stick his own neck out and peddle the stability line on this wasteland of a forum? Are you happy to be his lackey?
I’d advocate for keeping the two current incumbents. The club needs the stability that these two have presided over in the last two years. Don’t need two ex-players or an unknown replacing them.