Watch the Pies and Lions etc. They take the first option and kick long and direct and dispose quickly. Their forwards are trained where to go and be. Us, we chip, go backward, let the oppostion fill space and turnover. It doesn’t matter who plays, that crap is not going to win games.
4 Likes
Nah, there were genuine good passages of play in that game against very good opponents. This was a cripple fight and we couldn’t even manage interest.
Like she said… its what you do with it that counts
1 Like
Is this the lowest it can go?
Surely.
Or do we have another level?
1 Like
There is another level
We have reached a turning point as a club.
We have all been bemoaning pointless sub 10 point wins against bottom sides under Scott, in a vain attempt to make the Finals, only to fail in that endeavour and rob ourselves of a higher draft pick in the process.
The club, and the coach, have finally woken up to themselves that that was a pointless strategy. So we dropped an experienced player in Guelfi and debuted a not-really-ready-for AFL-yet Oskar Smarrt. We ruck Blakiston at the start of Q2 and for about half the game from that point (thought he played quite well and it meant Goldy had some run in legs at 3QT to play a reasonable Q4).
Of course, Lady Luck decided we don’t have enough injuries and decided we should lose Martin early and Setterfield at the start of Q4…just to ensure a loss that, in the short term is meaningless but in the longer term provides us with a better draft.
Many Essendon fans have been calling for this, particularly on this site. Well, be careful what you wish for, because you just might get it.
Yes we played horribly tonight despite dominating much of the game (+ 9 I50s) and the Tigers turning the ball over a lot (they had 6 more turnovers). We even dominated centre clearances tonight. As usual under Scott, all to no avail. This has happened repeatedly under his coaching.
Why?
Because Scott insists on a high possession game which means simple goals that should be kicked (e.g. Durham in Q3 steadying well I50 and the deciding to pass instead of kicking the easy goal) end up being turnovers in the corridor because we want to do just one more kick (or handball) instead of keeping things simple. And that was key to the game tonight. Richmond turned the ball over a lot out wide with kicks on the full. Our turnovers were too often in the corridor, in prime football real estate making easy transition for the Tigers. This has been another hallmark of Scott’s coaching.
We are now having the year we needed for a long time - no more meaningless wins against bottom sides and blooding young players (driven by injuries, not Scott’s desire to “rebuild”). That means loss after loss after loss. The only downside is if the younger players become disheartened and leave. I am not fussed if senior players want to leave because our list if senior players have proven themselves either not good enough or too injury prone.
But this leads to a dilemma for the board - if we are in a similar position next year, then they could not possibly extend Scott’s contract unless there are some real, green shoots sprouting.
To be honest, we have finally decided to face reality as a club and not bathe in mediocrity. We have turned the corner but the way ahead is fraught. I think Scott is good for tough times because of his temperament and demeanour. But, like Moses, he is not the coach to lead the Essendon people to the promised land. A different leader will be required.
33 Likes
If Brad stays there is absolutely another level
We’re at Myrtos beach. Bit far.
Hired a boat from Sami yesterday and popped over to Ithaca. Gorgeous.
3 Likes
Only if the opposition supporters took 80% of the tickets
I can’t believe I just went along to watch us kick 4 goals and Martin do an acl 
3 Likes
I miss the games where we would move Hooker forward. Caddy should not have played, 2mp can’t hold a mark and we drop Guelfi who at least has a go.
Playing Vigo and Blakiston in the ruck at least would’ve upset the Tigers planning. Couldn’t have been worse than what we had.
1 Like
We need an Essendon man to takeover.
I have a feeling coach Merrett maybe the way to go.
1 Like
Ridley’s the least of our problems if fit, but Prior I can do without
1 Like
you know, every week i think, well thats rock bottom, then the next week says hold my beer
2 Likes
I was kinda hoping we’d lose.
This is a weird time to be a supporter.
My gut view is that it’s better we lost tonight than won.
7 Likes
You thought last week was rock bottom? Jeez
After watching the game, I need a memory enema.
1 Like
I think I’m riding Vossy and Freo and Jakey boy and GWS.
In both their current shape they would have won us tonight’s game.
1 Like
We’re going to finish 16th, aren’t we meant to be ‘happy’?
2 Likes
I reckon you would be regretting going to the game. I’m glad I stayed home and don’t have pay TV.
The benefit of following the game on Bomber Blitz is that you don’t get to witness the skill errors first hand, so the pain isn’t as bad.
Losing Martin is the worst thing about tonight. We couldn’t afford any more injuries, and especially not to one of our better players.
The only chance we have to win again this year will be St Kilda because they are tanking, so won’t want to win.
Let’s hope we get the draft picks right.
1 Like