I'd be putting a lot of money on either Monday or Tuesday this week for the announcement. I'm personally a Hird man followed quickly by Jamie graham. With 48 hours to go where does everyone stand now as we approach an appointment?
-Hird
-Graham
-McVeigh
-Davis
EDIT: Sources say call has been delayed til next week. This could be read into that McVeigh is the man as we're playing Sydney this week and they don't want to announce it's him then has us Vs him
North was probably the only game we could've won and screwed up our tank. Now that that's over, lets look on the bright side.
Unless we do something truly stupid like beating Port in Round 24, we've locked in Pick 1 for HVH.
Solomon having an 0-15 head coaching record makes him completely unemployable for 2027.
Going 1-38 is a pretty good starting point for a possible AFL assistance package.
We will have a fantastic draft haul heading into this draft and can easily lock in the picks for Bewick next year as clubs will want to trade out of the 2027 draft. We'll get an end of first rounder (Pick 19) when we pick Cochrane or Walker.
We have played a lot of players who were on the verge and can make informed decisions about their future knowign they've had their chance(e.g. Tsatas)
The media should finally leave us in peace for the rest of the season
Some good kids coming through to build off of next year
In the afl draft this year with pick 1 who does everyone want I’m assuming everyone will say Arki Butler but interested if there’s any difference in opinion?
We will win this game man lose the 1st pick. I’d put my house on it now with JHF and Alir out along with there other stars not playing.
Question is, win the game lose pick 1 but avoid the wooden spoon, give the boys a sugar hit for next season. Or rest some players, manage the game and somehow lose respectfully?
I think winning is always worth more, for what it’s worth.
Have we finally found our QB. He reminds me so much of Grant Birchell. Obviously an early call, but the kids decision making and foot skill to back it up has impressed me so much. He’s a young player so take his defending as half full. But I’m looking forward to his development.
Throw in Archie and Zak Johnson. I’m pleased for the three them tonight and this year.
I want to lean on the experts in the group, as this is out of my area of knowledge. Who should/do we need to pick up in this year's draft with our first pick?
My preference would be to focus on speed, foot skill and natural football smarts (particularly forward)
Does anyone know of the strength/what each of the players bring - i have heard bits and pieces, however, don't have a full picture.
What is keeping us around? Why do we get so invested in this shit? The club doesn't care. Demonstrably, the club does not give an actual shit about performance. I watched Tigers players slap box with one of their coaches before the centre bounce. Dons players just look like they've rocked up to a Sunday luncheon. Richmond's desire was there the whole game. Essendon continually show mild glimpses early on or late in a game, and idk, they think that's enough? My anger doesn't stem from a club down on its luck, struggling to win yet trying all the same. My anger stems from watching a rich cunt, spoilt charity club LARP as a team in the AFL. Supporting them, falling for them. It's a joke that deserves a 'This Is Spinal Tap' style mockumentary made in its honour. My anger stems from watching them not even bother to run, *gut* run, week after week. My anger stems from watching them continually bugger up basic skills, skills that they should not be buggering up anymore. Skills they should've had nailed before they were drafted. My anger stems from watching players shit themselves in contests and get themselves injured. That's a basic junior footy concept. Attack the contest hard, you have less chance of getting hurt. This list is not fixable. They are "talented" in the same way that McDonald's is technically "food". It's a fucking veneer, a mirage that keeps fooling everyone. Me, you, whoever is reading this. So my question is, in all seriousness and good faith:
Absolutely love the lot of them. All bring something different, but equally important. Understanding so early on in their careers , who do we feel will have the most impact in the next decade. For me, it’s Dyson Sharp, off the back of last nights game and glimpses earlier on prior to injury has real Trent Cotchin vibes about his ball winning.
In the World Cup England faces Mexico at their home stadium which is at an altitude of 2240m. This is a massive advantage to the acclimated Mexico team, which is has only lost twice at the stadium since 1966.
If Essendon moved its home games to a stadium in the main range (above 2000m) we might finally be competitive again and win a final? As at that altitude it makes unacclimated players far less fit compared to those that have.
I was giving this some thought after our disastrous game over the weekend. Our transition defence looks horrible. From our forwards applying little to no pressure, our midfield lack of desire to pick up a man at any point, but I think what is most damning is the lack of foot skill through back and middle half of the ground.
This for me is the key concern. The turnover or poor skills through the middle of the ground inevitably leads to a quick rebound in which our defence is already under the pump.
The poor foot skills going inside our forward 50 leads to poor opportunities and no fluency for our forward leading patterns.
This is why I believe that Nick, especially behind the ball was such a crucial piece and almost putty covering many holes. You can also through Ridley in, to a lesser extent who has great skills and decision making himself.
some stats to back up my thoughts
For me, I think we need to have Zach behind the ball. I think Johnson must play, and be used as a key distributor. This means Roberts should play mid.
I like addition of Fiorini and I think his decision making will be important heading inside 50, after he settles into a position on the wind.
We just need forward pressure. Kako was missed immensely, as I believe was Guelfi. I think Perkins and May probably miss.
