The Tony Mac Attack! Early second round for sure.
I thought four or five, but revised down to 2-3 after the first game.
Just on the Long vs McKenna running patterns things, I wish there was more of this in football commentary and writing. Modern football is a pretty complicated game but it gets talked about like it’s just U10s played by adults, and I feel like I have no idea about the nuance of what teams are trying to do. It’s all just “he cracks in hard at the ball” and “such a hard runner.”
Thanks as always for the report.
I thought zero wins. When we beat Melbourne I thought we might have had a chance to win 2-3 more if luck went our way. I would be content with two wins given my expectations and the development in a number of the younger players.
I would agree that McKenna is a third round pick and Walla a second round pick. Given Conor’s physical attributes you might even give up a second round pick based on potential. Would depend on the draft year I guess.
I’ve been really impressed with how Long has fitted into the team. It’s so obvious when you watch him that he has a good football brain.
I thought a legit chance to win 4 or 5. And we were in positions to do that actually.
The Brisbane game was the really the only low point for me. Our goal kicking a recurring frustration. But ive enjoyed this year quite a bit.
In some ways this year has been more enjoyable than recent years (for me at least). Very low expectations has lead to much less disappointment. Sure, certain games/plays(/shots for goal!) have been disappointing but there has been a joy in watching guys like Parish, Tippa, Fanta, Hartley, Francis, etc develop without the expectation of winning (and the let down when we don’t).
One thing we can likely say for certain is that - largely but not exclusively as a result of our circumstances - we have unearthed and given opportunities to more upcoming talent than any other team in the competition. And while that has not always translated to winning games of football (this year at least) I think that as a result we can consider the year a success. Add to that the probability of retaining 10/12 banned players (a feat that I don’t think anyone thought possible when the decision was announced) and a pick in the first couple and I think that there are genuine reasons for some optimism around the place.
I thought we’d win 2 or 3.
I thought we’d snag one win from a team who ‘rested’ too many players against us. So two is good…
… but I won’t be content unless we Fark Carlton.
I thought 4 or 5, provided the top-ups stayed fit. They didn’t, so I’m ok with the 2. We were in front or very close in a few others and might have pinched them with some experience.
McKenna would be an early second round pick given his age and background and improvement to date, Walla a late second round.
I note a lot of our players who run to space have much to learn about moving into the right area to give the kicker an easier job. Running away in to space on the wings we do pretty poorly, though some guys are doing ok at running to space back to the forward 50 we could do this better all over the ground.
Long shows a lot of small signs that are good, which is almost the opposite of Walla in a way. Walls does some remarkable things and has good skills, but also some big gaps. Long looks to have a very good basis to build a strong game, but doesn’t have the stand out attributes to really impact as yet.
McKenna’s weakness is he plays a bit stop start, when he can really flow with a game he will be first round quality. And I think he can get there.
Thought we’d win 4-5. I tell you what I didn’t know at the time… I didn’t realise we’d get Crowley in as a top-up player, and then not use him to shut-down the oppositions best midfielder. Reckon that cost us some games?
Brisbane… our coaching box did not do everything that they could’ve to win that game.
Carlton this week, it is really hard to say. The boys are tiring. Carlton probably couldn’t give a rats. Here’s hoping our pride and constant effort holds out and we finish the season off as winners.
I thought we’d sneak a couple. So the fact that we’re going to finish with three is a plus.
Wins? I thought zero or maybe one TBH. It wasn’t so much the personnel, I thought we had the talent to pinch 2-3 games, it was the fact that they had hardly played together. It’s an enormous achievement to integrate 10 guys into a system halfway through pre-season in a professional, highly competitive sport, and find a way to win games. When we beat Melbourne I was shocked.
Re: the draft positions, for mine Tippa would go late first round, not sure McKenna would slip past second round given the way that he can kick the ball. So much to work with there.
Thanks again for all your great training updates CJ
I watched us beat Fark Carlton at Princes Park and thought we’d get about 6 for the season. By the time we got belted by GC in Round 1 I dropped to about one win. After we beat the Dees I went up to 8. After the next round back down to 3. I’m easily persuaded and emotionally led like that.
I thought we would win them all. But I am an optimist when it comes to footy and the EFC. We fell a bit short but ah…wasn’t for want of trying.
Thanks Jackie and all the others who have contributed to the training reports throughout the year, and the photos from Paul Warlock and karma I believe. It is great when you live interstate to hear how the players are training. And to David J and others for the VFL reports. To be able to read something meaningful about the club rather than the MSM’s dribble (and drivel) is really inspiring.
Thank you for your contribution Jackie as always, a wonderful asset to BB.
I had no idea how many games we would win this and neither do I next year but I do hope we have seen the end of sides pushing us around. I really hope next year we can be a strong competitive side and push for finals. As fans we deserve a good year.
How many wins? It depends on which day I was asked. Some days it was zero, some it was 8-10. It depended on whether I was despondent or delusional. All in all it was a good year under the circumstances.
Thanks for the training reports. They have been a highlight.
Jackie - did you guys discuss Zach Merretts development? If there anything he needs to work on? He seems to have got his game to such a high level so quick.
We didn’t but I think he is doing everything right for a first year player and overcame a short period where his disposal wavered.
Things to work on would be to kick more goals and with a stronger midfield next year he might get more opportunity forward.
The most important is to build a better understanding with Leuenberger to get more advantage when he gets the tap but I have difficulty in working out if this is the ruckman’s fault or the midfielder’s fault when the hit outs are sharked. I heard a story today about a midfielder who complained to Simon Madden that he wasn’t getting the ball. Madden replied “You’re standing at 3 o’clock and I’m hitting it to nine o’clock.”
Wins? I thought zero or maybe one TBH. It wasn't so much the personnel, I thought we had the talent to pinch 2-3 games, it was the fact that they had hardly played together. It's an enormous achievement to integrate 10 guys into a system halfway through pre-season in a professional, highly competitive sport, and find a way to win games. When we beat Melbourne I was shocked.Re: the draft positions, for mine Tippa would go late first round, not sure McKenna would slip past second round given the way that he can kick the ball. So much to work with there.
Thanks again for all your great training updates CJ
CJ?
BJ shows how to throw an oversized tennis ball into a net!
Bags shows how NOT to stop BJ’s ball going in the net and in fact, all the way through the net!!
“The idea of this exercise Zaka, is to tackle the p[layer who’s got the ball. I think you’ll find that’s Darcy, not Wilbur!”
“No Tippa, we’re NOT playing Tug-o-War!!!”
“Look what I found Sam.” “Are these yours?”
“Now about that new contract you were looking for Nathan. We’ve decided it will need to be substantially BACK ended!”
“I see it, I see it! Damn, I’ve gotta mark it!”
“No ya don’t Tommy, just make out like ya know where the ball is!”
“Fellas, just leave all this tricky stuff to SMACK. I’ve got the knack!!”
No matter where they looked, the boys could find something to smile about. 
Wins? I thought zero or maybe one TBH. It wasn't so much the personnel, I thought we had the talent to pinch 2-3 games, it was the fact that they had hardly played together. It's an enormous achievement to integrate 10 guys into a system halfway through pre-season in a professional, highly competitive sport, and find a way to win games. When we beat Melbourne I was shocked.Re: the draft positions, for mine Tippa would go late first round, not sure McKenna would slip past second round given the way that he can kick the ball. So much to work with there.
Thanks again for all your great training updates CJ
CJ?
JM duhhhhhhhhhh