Snuck into finals and got smashed… what’s your point?
Stringer reminds me of chopper read, the Eric Bana version.
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If Kelly is best 22 then we are cooked
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This place doesn’t have enough arguments for you?
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so slightly better than last year?
I’m pumped for Andy, I think he’s going to shine.
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Whether they work or not, I can’t say. But I can say that they are used not only with the intention to improve stability, but also in recovery of…ankles and knees.
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Reminds me of Ronny Dahl.
Yeah im not 100% sure on the specifics of why they were doing what they were,
But thats what happened to Jones.
Pffft…next you’ll be telling us there is no “d” in Shield
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BOMBERS TRACK WATCH
LIVEWIRES
Father-son draftee Alwyn Davey, Jye Menzie and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will be given golden opportunities to press for a round 1 berth when the practice matches ramp up next month.
Davey has impressed in recent weeks with his silky moves in attack and could be on track for some early game time to help bolster the club’s forward options and tackling pressure.
McDonald-Tipungwuti could also be in the frame early on after dropping a considerable amount of weight in his return to the club.
The Bombers struggled to apply pressure in the forward half of the ground last year but would have been encouraged by Menzie’s showing, kicking a couple of clever goals on Wednesday.
McDonald-Tipungwuti briefly retired last year but has worked hard on improving his fitness and could yet make a quick return to the senior side in the early part of the season.
He shone at times in match simulation on Wednesday with his precise field kicking and deft touch helping set up scoring opportunities for teammates.
McDonald-Tipungwuti remains one of the most accurate set shots for goal in the game.
The Bombers have been pleased with the small forward’s application to training after struggling with the demands of the game at the top level last year, leading to his decision to briefly step away.
LOCKED IN
Essendon’s senior core players are locked in to Brad Scott’s vision to help the club rise up the ladder after a tumultuous end to the 2022 season.
Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Jordan Ridley, Darcy Parish and Andrew McGrath are buoyed by the changes and have been among the most impressive performers over summer.
Heppell considered leaving Essendon last year after carrying a huge load on and off the field through another difficult year.
But the veteran defender, who may still be Essendon’s best leader, could again be given the captaincy after a strong summer.
Merrett was outstanding in match simulation on Wednesday, hitting targets on the run from the centre square, and is the other leading candidate, alongside McGrath.
McGrath has been moved into a defensive position after settling there toward the back end of last season.
Parish is one of the leading free agents in this year’s pool but has been commended for his buy-in and performance over summer.
Essendon sacked coach Ben Rutten last year after club chiefs became frustrated with the club’s lack of on-field progress in the back half of last season.
Scott has been determined to improve the defence and provide clearer direction for the players since his appointment.
MAGIC MARTIN
Nic Martin looks set to take his game to a new level this year in his role as a goalkicking wingman/half-forward.
Martin stormed on to the AFL scene last year after being picked up in the pre-season and has again turned heads over summer with his hard running and smarts inside 50m.
Martin finished fifth in the Rising Star award last year but did not receive any votes from new coach Scott.
There are high hopes he could develop into an elite wing-forward.
PERKING UP
Archie Perkins is expected to be given more midfield minutes this year.
The explosive ballwinner has spent the bulk of his first two years in a forward role but will be swung through the engine room more often this season.
The Bombers have been bolstered in the small forward department and are keen to inject Perkins in the centre square at times in 2023 to make the most of his speed, creativity and power.
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He’s not that bad, he just needs to be quicker with the ball, imo.
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And no D in Draper
I have to say the reports on Al Davey this pre-season have been the most exciting for me thus far. I was not expecting him to be as progressed and it sounds like he legitimately could play this year. He has rapidly developed physically compared to photos even last year too - I’m sure some is natural growth, but he must have been putting in some serious work too.
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I seriously hope I am wrong here, but I think we will end up being a bottom 2 side this year.
We have no depth up forward but I rate our young lads highly. Just a development year, be good to get a Reid type into the team aswell. The forward line KPP depth along with our undersized defenders scare me. I think our midfield group will improve.
IF Reid and H.Jones come up big this year then I reckon we will be a smokey. But thats a big If
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I honestly cannot possibly see how we could be worse than last year.
I’d be very surprised if we’re bottom 2.
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Yep.
Can’t see us being any lower than about 14th.
Mid table with a chance for an upside surprise the most likely.
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I don’t think much will change in the win/loss ratio. Just North coming up strong and WCE coming good.
I don’t think we’ll be bottom 2, but we’re definitely bottom 4 or 5.
I am surprised that Laverde and Kelly are our reliable defenders. But once you look at the the age & experience gap to the next options, you can understand why they will be in our best 22.
I don’t think we have that defensive small forward settled which is a bit concerning. Menzie was good yesterday, but he has to back that up.
I’m not confident whatever we are working on will work against a half decent opposition. I also think the team and players are still very fragile. Once things go backwards, it may just snowball and our confidence will be shot.
I just don’t see enough players that have that competitive fire to stay in the contest when things get tough. It’ll take longer than a pre-season to flush out the Essington in us.