Pre-match Discussion: Round 4 V Bombers @SCG

[SwanSand]

Their defence is circumspect but midfield and forwards are good and they do play with an attacking flair. So getting on top in the middle of the field would be important. And keeping the lid on the young team would be important - agree it is a danger game.

[TheBloods]

No one is saying McInerney is not a special talent. But special talent does not mean they will always get there or get the spot in 22 just because of potential. Team balance, opposition and ground also play a part in deciding who gets into the 22. Also we do need more than 22 players if we want to be there in September.

If one player can be put in the corner of NonPerformance, so does every other player as we create a culture of Performance based team. Not saying that the performance has to be judged by us spectators but performance as assessed by the coaching group.

Sometimes the team needs a player to play a role by introducing doubt in the direct opponent (as Papley did with Liam Baker - resulting in Chad Warner goal) or by dragging the player out of the center square or by harrassing them. None of these would qualify as being defensive efforts by spectators but I am sure would be highly valued internally by the coaches.

Mcinerney was elite the match before last , that's what i call performing.

[O'Reilly Boy]

Just watching the replay for the second time and Reid played a really good game. Keeps his spot.

I agree. I watched the game again and had the same response. He presented well, and got a long way up the ground. Didn't necessarily clunk marks, but brought the ball to ground, where the smalls were all over it. I think that he is a better retain than McLean at this stage, although McLean doesn't really deserve to be dropped.

On McInerney—I worry that again we are falling into the trap of relying too much on disposal stats to measure the value of his game. In the past Rohan, Cunningham, Jetta, and even, for a period, Lloyd, were punished on this forum because they were playing low-possession outside games, where much of the work they do goes unregistered. Running up and down the fatside wing can be pretty thankless, but simply taking up the space and denying an easy exit, for example, is part of team play.

FLorent's game was terrific on the weekend. A couple of outstanding flat, bullet-like passes, and lots of great link play. He must be loving the new style.

And props to Harry Cunningham. The new Nick Smith, with extra added speed.

[snajik]

i may have a couple of spare tix for tomorrow (Ladies Concourse). PM me if you are interested. Not looking for anything in exchange.

[Rod_]

Is it just me or does this have Danger Game written all over it?

Based on weekend results - yes (And Bombers usually play strong against us. Surge late in the game)

Will need a strong home crowd to keep us on top. All game

[Thunder Shaker]

Is it just me or does this have Danger Game written all over it?

It's Essendon. That's a danger game no matter where both sides are on the ladder, though not as bad as Richmond games.

[Thunder Shaker]

Based on weekend results - yes (And Bombers usually play strong against us. Surge late in the game)

Will need a strong home crowd to keep us on top. All game

Sometimes the Bombers' late-game surge isn't the last one in the game ...

[Ludwig]

Sometimes the Bombers' late-game surge isn't the last one in the game ...

It was only 4 years ago, but half the team has changed since then. 11 Swans who played in that comeback win won't be playing this week. My rough count is 16 for the Essendon players who played in 2017 and will not be playing Thursday.

[Thunder Shaker]

It was only 4 years ago, but half the team has changed since then. 11 Swans who played in that comeback win won't be playing this week. My rough count is 16 for the Essendon players who played in 2017 and will not be playing Thursday.

Going back a couple more years, there's hardly a player left in both sides. That's what tends to happen when players retire or get traded and rebuilds are needed.

[southsideswan]

I remember the elimination final in 2017. 2nd quarter .. we kicked 10 goals. It was breathtaking!!!

[The Runner]

Mcinerney was elite the match before last , that's what i call performing.

20 touches at 60%, 0 tackles, 2 one percenters, is hardly elite. He was good, but settle down

[TheBloods]

20 touches at 60%, 0 tackles, 2 one percenters, is hardly elite. He was good, but settle down

It was his run off HB, exciting to watch. If others had done what he was doing people would be giving him the Skilton already

[SwanSand]

James Rowbottom in week 1 - 22 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 8 tackles, 11 score involvements, 6 intercepts, strapped knee.

[SwanSand]

Interestingly looking at the stats, for a hot day last week and lot of running and cramping, we did not use the full quota of interchanges - 71/75.

[SwanSand]

I was watching the OTC vision on our defensive structure of pushing hard and leaving your man and going forward and manning up. I don’t know if this was specifically designed for Richmond or its ever present in all games.
But this will be exploited by opposition at some stage as this will result in some mismatch in the defensive half and maybe teams will start switching play through the corridor with a hard running HB.
Will be interesting to see if we have subtle change in plan for Essendon.