Comments on: Essendon’s 2010 Season Preview

By: Mike

Mike — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 00:56:18 +0000

I think the bombers have talent, they have a good group and i sense a real belief, the only thing is we have been shown that a team can be only successful to a certain degree without a key forward. While winning a premiership is not impossible without one, it just makes it a whole lot harder. Essendon I think have a better chance at September than Carlton and West Coast. But they will need to fill the gaps in the forward line quite quickly

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 05:35:44 +0000

@Danny, I agree even though it was just one game, it is a good sign for you Bomber fans. However the question must be asked, is the spread of goal kickers a once off or something that will become regular?

By: Danny

Danny — Sun, 14 Mar 2010 03:11:33 +0000

I know it’s only a pre-season game, and it’s “only” against Richmond, but yesterday’s final NAB Challenge game Essendon had 14 individual goal kickers, with Hille and Williams in that spread as well as Neagle, Monfries, Gumbleton and Ryder… all names I expect to be key to Essendon’s 2010 chances of shooting a winning score.

14 goal scorers doesn’t seem “thin”… even against Richmond.
.-= Danny´s last blog ..uncyherb: @Taezar I meant both, not just the SB. But the SB probably is better. =-.

By: aussierulesblog

aussierulesblog — Sat, 13 Mar 2010 03:15:21 +0000

@ Jermayn: Your last statement is nonsense! The Bombers were without a number of key players, most particularly Hille. Bellchambers, who Craig has written off as a benchwarmer (very premature) performed creditably against Naitanui, but Hille’s bigger body would have made a difference. With better midfield supply, perhaps the Bombers could have put the game to bed by half time… I’d be more concerned about how easily the Bombers cut through the WCE defence in that first half.

@ Craig: Bellchambers has a good three or more years of development, and I predict he’ll be a beauty. By that time, Hille will have past his use-by date, as may Laycock (assuming he can get fit and stay that way). Bellchambers is insurance, as is Bock.
.-= aussierulesblog´s last blog ..The comedy of errors rolls on =-.

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:40:54 +0000

Personally if your relying on Hille and Williams, you can kiss the finals good bye. If you want to be successful you need to be praying that Gumbleton and Neagle have good years. I watched the Eagles v Bombers game and at times the midget forward line looked good dangerous but when under pressure and tired, your forward line looks thin.

By: Danny

Danny — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:26:38 +0000

Lloyd kicked 35 goals in 09, Lucas just 22.

Hille will obviously be rested forward a fair bit given he’s coming back from a knee reco, so I think he’s good for 30+ over the journey, and 30 goals is probably a reasonable expectation from Mark Williams. So I think the loss of Lloyd and Lucas is covered. If we were talking about 99-01 Lloyd/Lucas – that would have been impossible to cover… but that’s not what the Bombers have to meet or exceed.

By: Jermayn

Jermayn — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 02:04:47 +0000

Nah sorry Danny (finally got your comments cleared – whew) I just cannot see the Bombers back into the 8. Yes I agree your ruck will be more dynamic with Hille back etc but the question remains….

Who will kick your goals?

By: Danny

Danny — Fri, 12 Mar 2010 00:12:26 +0000

It’s a tough draw, but I’m still hopeful we could make a step or two forward and once again play finals in 2010. 10.5 wins last year with only Paddy Ryder to ruck for almost every minute of every game after round 4, just adding Hille to the team sheet will make a massive difference to the ability of the Dons to remain competitive for longer periods of time.

Also, keep a bigger eye on WInderlich. He was explosive for a good deal of 2009, but did so off the back of practically zero pre-season due to a back injury. 2010 and he has a full pre-season behind him, he could be a big improver – and that’s saying something.
.-= Danny´s last blog ..uncyherb: @fulltimecasual Congrats Uncle Pete. =-.