The only coach we’ve had in the last 20 years who was genuinely concerned with our contested football, was Hird.
He had the players wrestling at the start and end of training. And we had wrestling coaches.
Not one coach or List manager has addressed it since.
I went today and I’m genuinely shocked at how bad we are. It’s the midfield - we probably have the 17th best midfield in the competition and will be lucky to win 6 games this year. We’ve had a terrible midfield for a decade ……North will destroy us this year. I admire our attempts to improve via FT- but we need 5 genuine classy mids to even get close to making the 8 ……our mids don’t chase, fumble, can’t kick and hand no system
St kilda looked far more ready and far more organized positionally, they expected and preyed on the backward hand pass in successive waves of pressure. We need to spread the ball far better, and preferably take it out the front of the contest more often.
This time of year is not indicative of footy later in the year, hardened bodies and intensity still count in finals , but we look too slow in defence with Hepp and Lav. Roberts might get a run earlier than expected.
Anyway, it’s a February scratch match. Get minutes into all the legs and look to improve the systems next week.
Essendon for years have struggled to cope against sides who bring the heat (2) and physically challenge us. We traditionally haven’t coped as well as possible with intense pressure. I think that’s a watch this year with so many new faces and roles. A lack of cohesion and chemistry gets shown up against teams who make our life difficult.
2 Grand Finals back-to-back with names like:
Jason Blake
Zac Dawson
Sam Gilbert
Farren Ray
Andrew McQualter
Clint Jones
Raph Clarke
Robert Eddy
Brett Peake
James Gwilt
The sad part is Lawry, I reckon if you were assessing us today in terms of how we went in each third of the ground, our midfield was probably the best of the three 
. And that’s not even saying they were great.
There was just no execuses after how they finished the season last year they shoiuld have been hungry and ready to go give us fans a sign that things will be diffrent this year
Instead we got the complete opossite a reapeat of the Pies game
We can ruin them too!
Good half backers need to be at least one of three things, fast, tall, or good above their head. Martin is none.
McKay, Reid, Heppell, Laverde & McGrath is too slow a backline.
is this not what you prolly said exactly the same time, against exactly the same opposition last year ?
If it keeps happening, it kinda is you know indicative of how we are, merely in general
I’ve seen him miss tough kicks over pre season and last year, he’s a very good kick, he thinks he’s an elite kick. He bites off a bit, is all im saying.
Shank kick for goal aside, I thought Durham showed a bit today as an on-baller.
That’s all I got.
Live in Tassie so largely shielded from the sFgt this mob role out regularly. Was in Melbourne last weekend and caught the last 45min of the training on the family day, didn’t impress me much. Then all I hear over the loudspeaker is come and have a look at the 2000 premiership cup……talk about living in the past, I’d be locking those away until we win our next one in 50 years time
Half the team listen to Taylor Swift and know her songs
Just show what type of players they are haha
Christ Nino that may be the sickest burn you have ever made on the team.
My salutations.
karma is the guy in the jackets
They should listen to the richmond song on repeat, over and over again
A nuffie response to a comment telling your team you can get ■■■■■■? are you a moron?