vs Essendon (Game Thread)

[31 hard at it]

Back to the game.

On a very positive note the whole team seamed to gain confidence as those last 13 goals were scored.

Running , playing on and accurate passing!!!
They were playing against an undermanned team but we can only hope that the inaccuracy that dogged us over the last few weeks is gone and players have the confidence in themselves and team-mates.

The tackling by all was fantastic in the first half especially.

The loss of Kennelly was a sobering jolt (much like the Weagles game with the Hall downer) and seamed to take a lot out of us watching ... only to finish as a team on such a high.

[gossipcom]

Apart from two brain explosions which led to goals, Leo had his best match in a way. See it's obvious when he doesn't think about the situation and just runs with the flow, he doesn't make as many errors.

Very impressed with Playfair today and Bird, plus Magic was just magical today. As was Goodes and Jolly. Even though we didn't win the initial clearances, some of the goals that Jolly and Spider set up were great.

It'll be interesting to see who they'll bring in for Kennelly. Nick M, it'll take him a few weeks to get use to the pace again, aka testing the knee out, but glad he got through the match unscathed.

Regarding the tackles - Marty Mattner topped the tackle count with 12.

I'd have to say Jude Bolton and Buchanan would be hearing VERY loud footsteps.

Jude definitely. Buchy was a bit better than Jude today, at least he had his hand in a few assists of the goals, so was pressuring, unlike Jude's wayward kicks at times.

Highlight on the match was when the Bombers did the 3 rush behinds in a row. Just great pressure at that point. That and when they showed Hall's face on the big screen and the whole crowd cheered.

[TheMase]

A pretty ordinary first half.

Second half we put the foot down to ensure a win.
Not sure I have seen a 15 goal defeat in a half of footy before.

Moore was brilliant, and is continuing to improve. Getting more and more confident every week.

Bird had his best game for us. Has excellent vision and poise. A couple of times held the ball a bit longer to ensure the handpass out of a pack was timed correctly. Reminds me of Mitchell with his ability to get the ball out of a pack to the advantage of a team mate.

Jolly was fantastic and offered us plenty around the ground.

Everitt was much better this week, his taps brilliant. He will offer more around the ground and up forward in coming weeks.

Playfair was great, although I thought he was pretty good last game (kicking aside). He has strong hands and will only get better. His kicking on goal lets him down on occation, but other than his first shot, it was pretty good today.

Kirk was his usual self, fantastic game.

Malceski with no complications a positive.

I hope Kennellys injury is not as bad as expected.

[Nico]

Not sure what you're talking about, mate. I've barely posted here over the last two weeks and definitely didn't bag Playfair after his initial poor performance, so why would I be eating humble pie?

The point I was making is that you shouldn't be blowing your own horn in regards to Playfair, based on one match, when you're having a go at those who critisised him after one match.

I can only post on what I see. I also don't take time to remember who posted over the past couple of weeks, it was just that your reply was swift and opposing view. Probably a wrong assumption of mine for which I apologise but I have given my reasons why I thought it may not have been a one game wonder.

[Big Al]

How good was the front on tackle from Jack in the last qtr. It wouldn't look out of place at the same venue this Wednesday night

[stellation]

BTW: Anyone see the good looking guy who sent back a brilliant torp back into play after the Jolly goal in the last qtr (the one he sent into the Stadium roof). That guy should seriously be signed up.

Relying on a torp when kicking WITH the wind? Shame!

[DeadlyAkkuret]

I can only post on what I see. I also don't take time to remember who posted over the past couple of weeks, it was just that your reply was swift and opposing view. Probably a wrong assumption of mine for which I apologise but I have given my reasons why I thought it may not have been a one game wonder.

Reasonable reply, let's leave it at that.

[Big Al]

Relying on a torp when kicking WITH the wind? Shame!

But it was a thing of beauty just the same.

[Nico]

A number of people have commented about Bird's game. What I noticed was that in the 5 minutes at the end of the 3rd Q when we kicked 4 on the trot, it was Bird who won a number of hard ball gets, got his hands free and gave off clean handballs or kicks.

He and Moore are showing that they can produce at both ends of the game and don't just rack up stats in junk time. Our future midfield is in great hands and Kirk showed once again how good he is. He rarely has a poor possession even when they are short and scrubby kicks.

We still got done on out of the centre clearances and against good sides this part of game must improve in spades. Thought McVeigh was OK and he was one who started to win centre clearances and around the ground stuff when the game was in the balance.

[Nico]

Hey AL, YOU were cold???!!!

With all those good looking women surrounding you how could that be.

[SCGonasunnyday]

Its nice to put a team to the sword once in a while. It was an ordinary second quarter but a fantastic second half. Its funny that the bombers are being noted for their attacking flair and atrocious defence, yet against us, they score only 3 points in two quarters.

Playfair - I hope he can cement a place in the team. It is great to have a forward who can take good marks consistently. Saying consistently after two games is maybe a bit much, but we are not exactly overachieving in the regularly-taking-contested-marks-in-the-forward-50 stakes.

Bevan - great tackle.

Moore - great game.

Mattner, Goodes, Leo - all took the game on at various times, broke the lines and set up the attack.

Ted - Super.

Jolly - everywhere.

1st quarter - great defensive pressure in the forward 50.

[Big Al]

Hey AL, YOU were cold???!!!

With all those good looking women surrounding you how could that be.

Business before pleasure Nico.

[Lucky Knickers]

Bird was stupendous today. He was in everything, backed himself and things started to come off for him. He didn't ever seem to have an opponent tho'.
I thought LRT would normally have spent the game on the bench after that knock.
Ablett had a good game and Moore outstanding.
Great to see Melcho came through unscathed.
AND finally WHAT A FARAGO the interchange is with the post it notes!


How embarassing was Jetta's goal?

[Nico]

Bird was stupendous today. He was in everything, backed himself and things started to come off for him. He didn't ever seem to have an opponent tho'.
I thought LRT would normally have spent the game on the bench after that knock.
Ablett had a good game and Moore outstanding.
Great to see Melcho came through unscathed.
AND finally WHAT A FARAGO the interchange is with the post it notes!

The interchange rule is very interesting. It is almost as if the AFL has found the magic formula to slowing down or reducing interchanges. Comical as it might be the AFL stooges at HO are probably giggling in their Pink Champagne.
And us the masters of rotations seemingly caused it by having 19 on the ground.

[Nico]

Buchanan may have saved his bacon in the second half with some of his old trademark determination. Before then he was lamentable and mistake ridden. It seems to me he may have got the word at half time.

For Jude, well the best could be said is he got a lot of the ball in junk time so he will keep his spot.