Training at Tullamarine in sunny, mild, windy conditions.
Training has been tapering off for some time, particularly with many of the top ups who know the end is near but today was pretty much the shortest session of the year as players recover from their win on Sunday and are doing just enough to get through the next game. As a result there is not much to report about the session but quite a lot to say from the experts in the Sheedy Cafe.
I will begin with comments of a major club official on Fantasia who gleefully told me that Fantasia has had more shots at goal than Cyril Rioli this year despite playing a number of games away from the forward line. Naturally this comparison to Rioli is a bit simplistic on its own but certainly provides an interesting context to evaluate his progress.
Hibberd and his intentions is a talking point at present and I have it confirmed from two sources that his father was in the rooms after the game hugging the coach and saying that Hibbo will be back with us next season. We all remember the conversations with McPhee’s dad that were on this site a few years ago and I cannot say if Hibbo’s dad speaks for his son or is just expressing his personal wish but I’m inclined to give this story a great deal of credence.
On a lighter note I bring you the observations of the two BJ’s and their leadership approaches this year. Brendan Goddard has become a lot less demonstrative on the field this year since being made captain and this has worked pretty well in his relationship with the players as far as I can tell. Barnaby Joyce as the Deputy PM has also pulled his head in and made fewer outrageous statements and is shaping as the best of the major political leaders. (Obviously a personal view.)
I heard quite a lot about the suspended players training at St Bernard’s - all of it very positive. From all reports the group is very fit and tight knit. The expression that I heard was “jumping out of their skins” and speaking of skins apparently they are very well tanned with Bellchambers being completely recovered from his ankle problems being ever ready to take his shirt off.
When the September deadline is up for them to return to the club I’m told that they will continue to train at St Bernard’s and return to Tullamarine in October with the new draftees. I’m a little surprised by this but more than happy for them to work out what they want.
Apparently the club is keen for Kelly to play on and I was told that in the year that he was drafted Essendon intended to take him with pick nine but Geelong jumped in first. I suspect he will retire as will Cooney who made his announcement today in the Hangar. I think he gave it everything and he was well liked around the club.
It’s a strange atmosphere here at present as training is winding down as excitement is ramping up with the draft and the return of the suspended players. This said I think we can expect some fireworks in the final game against Carlton and with seventeen or eighteen changes to this year’s list we are set for interesting times.
It certainly would be weird at the moment. The end of a few things the coming of a new era. The club and people can smell the freedom that will be 2017.
I also reackon the group would be chomping at the bit for the next two weeks.
Firstly to provide Cooney with a real send off, have one last crack at supporting a true legend of football. Added to that would be the opportunity to send a message to Hurley. Even with half a side in we can almost knock of there puppies. I’m expecting fireworks on Sunday and a real scare for the dogs.
Secondly is the chance to really stick it up faark Carlton in the last game of the year. To show the AFL world that the Essendon kids have developed immensely and are going to roll the Chairmans love child. A game that we will win-marginally and still take home the spoon.
Right now, I sense the team is buoyed by the future and raring to go. Which is the complete opposite to the other bottom teams begging for the season to end.
When the September deadline is up for them to return to the club I'm told that they will continue to train at St Bernard's and return to Tullamarine in October with the new draftees. I'm a little surprised by this but more than happy for them to work out what they want.
They clearly can’t get enough of the snakepit! Have been enjoying a few stories about more than the odd delinquent timing their being kicked out of the classroom so that they can get a sneak a look of the boys in action for a few minutes.
When the September deadline is up for them to return to the club I'm told that they will continue to train at St Bernard's and return to Tullamarine in October with the new draftees. I'm a little surprised by this but more than happy for them to work out what they want.
They clearly can’t get enough of the snakepit! Have been enjoying a few stories about more than the odd delinquent timing their being kicked out of the classroom so that they can get a sneak a look of the boys in action for a few minutes.
Your right Jackie but it may even be early November till they come back and re-join main group. Most fans I know want the club to host an open training session when players can visit and train mid Sept however the WADA rules are still in place which states the club cannot promote such type events. They are allowed to come back early only to transition to full time athletes again within the club premises. Frustrating for the club I have heard personally as they also can’t show any new vision or video of them.
There will be a HUGE training session I believe promoted November when the ban is released and the club will not be shy in getting all fans down and having a everyone back as one type feel training session. Membership I believe will kick start also much earlier this year and club is building to promote 2017 very early.
Well jackie, I do respect you and all you say, but having met Barnaby often and broken bread with him on one occasion, I have to say he is the biggest dipstick I have ever met in Politics from any Party.
Absolutely if he keeps his mouth shut, he will be a much better Leader, as every-time he opened it in my presence, he either made no sense or was so negative about the entire Nation that he had the National party members that were with me looking for a razor blade to slash their wrists.
Well jackie, I do respect you and all you say, but having met Barnaby often and broken bread with him on one occasion, I have to say he is the biggest dipstick I have ever met in Politics from any Party.
Absolutely if he keeps his mouth shut, he will be a much better Leader, as every-time he opened it in my presence, he either made no sense or was so negative about the entire Nation that he had the National party members that were with me looking for a razor blade to slash their wrists.
Well jackie, I do respect you and all you say, but having met Barnaby often and broken bread with him on one occasion, I have to say he is the biggest dipstick I have ever met in Politics from any Party.
Absolutely if he keeps his mouth shut, he will be a much better Leader, as every-time he opened it in my presence, he either made no sense or was so negative about the entire Nation that he had the National party members that were with me looking for a razor blade to slash their wrists.
I don’t really have any political views I just saw an opportunity to make light of two leaders sharing the B.J. initials. I never said I liked Barnaly Joyce just that he was the best of the major leaders. Really I feel that Donald Trump is the man we should be following…
What is the consensus on Nick Kommer? How has he performed in the two’s? Is he still being hampered by injuries? He (along with others) must be very conscious of being contracted Essendon players who have been unable to get a game.
