We are missing Parish badly
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Setterfield warrants a starting position. His frequent injuries however are distancing him, which really sucks cause heâs a gun.
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Or an opportunity for a cheap shot to hurt someone
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He leaned from Grimes
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True but most of the shoving was full on not paid frees for in the back. They got three goals by not having free kicks paid against them, including Dustyâs first goal when Merret should have got a free before the ball got out to Dusty.
Also the main difference in umpiring now between the AFL and NRL is that in the NRL you can only throw the ball in one direction.
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If only everyone saw it my way!
I think weâre missing the second ruck role more.
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Hadnât thought of this. Good point. I really doubt Brad debuts Roberts though.
Early on he threw an elbow into Guelfiâs guts while they were both on the ground. Matt hit him back. Vlauston later copped another elbow to the head later on from Durham, getting what he deserved.
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Yep was nice (as was listening to the Richmond peanut behind me begging or comlaining about frees for the 100th time)
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Just watching the game now after reading everything and not having watched it yet.
Game was won from an amazing defense, Rids back was immense and with him and Redman playing that way as the rebounders and linking from half back surely we can move Martin to the wing now. Kelly is a great back pocket, not a winger, credit though where it is due.
Goldy was destroyed, Wright was actually better in the ruck and around the ground. This contributed but not the only reason we lost clearances with Perkins invisible, and less output from Caldwell. Tsatas should have been given a run, but this was the second game in a row where we looked to be physically moved off the ball quite easily. Merret was again superb, especially with tap ons, and the little things he does when not in possession.
Two really big negatives stand out, our forward structure and leading patterns, and even more so is the lack of players that can deliver clean ball into the F50. Far too many entries in to a 2 on 1, or as Davey or a small ad the target. Davey is improving but still struggles to get to the right spot at the drop of the ball.
Overall effort was pretty good, and our sprints, tackle count and defensive pressure was what won us the game. Also dont discount how much better the tigers were than previous weeks.
We improve by keeping Kelly in the backline, moving Martin to the wing, Byran comes in for Cox or Goldy as we need two rucks and 2MP should stay forward to keep the structure. I dont think it was as negative as i have read in here.
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99 points⌠it is a joke.
I think the issue for Essendon fans is we havenât yet ticked the Bury Sides box.
And especially for sides that are way down.
I get that as Iâd like to see us have that hunger and ability too. Maybe we have to accept thatâs itâs still a part of our development and that itâll come.
Until then, we should be very happy if instead we are a team that can find a way to stay in the contest and get the win - regardless of who and when we are playing.
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Guelfi seems to be able to make one big bone jarring hit a game
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Finding a different way to win is very important, i was concerned early in the season that we were only winning due to centre bounce dominance, this has vanished, but we are still winning. Itâs not as sexy or entertaining, but defence wins finals and thatâs what we are winning with at the moment.
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The last quarter on second viewing was much more enjoyable. At the ground I was just waiting for us to lose the game. We seemed to have it in control - even counting for Guelfiâs howler at the end. The backline was just so solid.
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Youâve got that right.
We can win a game everywhere and there, but to expect it and deliver it consistently, weâre just mot there yet.
Iâm fine playing defensive scraps when things arenât going our way (for whatever reason). We need it as part of our own development as well. Collingwood were known as high octane offensive style of footy, but when finals came along they had to learn how to hold back teams for extended periods of time when they couldnât get the game âon their termsâ.
I think progress / improvement will come from doing better for longer. So the final six rounds of the season will be the best sign to see if we have improved on last season.
I think weâre realistically a few years away at best to be able to confidently challenge for a top 4 spot. And that allows for the inevitable âlet downâ year that occurs along the way with any team thatâs been crap as long as we have. Unfortunately, improvement isnât linear but it definitely should be trending up across a three year time period.
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It IS a bit concerning that our midfield has been struggling against North and Richmond.
But even given that, itâs the kick from 80-70 meters out into the forward 50 that is becoming a problem. We had kicks from players under no pressure go to Richmond defenders.
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Anybody looking forward to us losing should delete their account. Who are these people?
Sitting second after round 11 is foreign territory for us as supporters and puts you firmly in the box seat to play finals. And a better than usual chance to actually host one.
Are you sure youâre not confusing people who might discuss areas of concern or express doubts, with wanting their own team to lose?
The only circumstance I could understand a supporter being indifferent to the result or even hoping we lose would be if we were a non-factor in the later stages of the season and the draft was around the corner.
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