Until the start of the 2009 season on 26th March 2009, we will preview each clubs chances for the 2009 season. Other clubs already reviewed are: Western Bulldogs, Richmond Tigers, Geelong Cats, Fremantle Dockers, Melbourne Demons & Carlton Blues.
After Kick2Kick reviews each club, the writers will give their full season 2009 predictions. If you would like to preview a team, please contact us.
Knights has proven that Essendon do have hope outside Sheedy and Hird.
Last Season
In 2008, the Bombers saw the beginning of a new era when Matthew Knights took over the coaching role & legend James Hird had retired.
The critics had the poison pens at the ready, but were momentarily silenced when they belted the Kangaroos in what punters thought would be a loss, but a well contested loss.
Things quickly changed the following week, & in the course of the season, with injuries & 8 straight losses through round 4 to 11, the armchair critics started to get ugly.
Only 2 players had full seasons, the 2nd worst after Melbourne didn’t have any player play 22 games. Teams need quality to win games & when their best 22 in this season is ranked 6th in the competition, it shows what luck injuries can play in your season. The Bombers were forced to put 8 players on debut last season.
This Season
Matthew Knights has stated a new game plan will be put into place. A more defensive game is the order for 2009 as Knights took last season to find out “who can play”.
One move Knights can make is the ruck structure. David Hille isn’t a top 10 ruckman. More suited to winning the ball than tapping it to advantage, Knights may be better suited to trying the big man up forward & giving Jason Laycock & Tom Bellchambers a better run.
Likely finish: 11th spot judging on last years form with some improvement
Players To Watch
Brent Stanton – I expect him to have another great year. With fellow midfielders on the outer or injured, Stanton had to cope with the pressures of the “tag” at the age of 22. It was the second half of the season that he statistically stood out, where the Bombers were at one stage on a 6-1 winning run. He recorded 92 inside & rebound 50’s combined (No1 in the AFL) & No 2 in run/kick metres.
Andrew Welsh – To me, Andrew Welsh virtually dusted for the season, this shows he’s matured early enough from that “tag” placed on him early in the season to take that momentum into this season.
Patrick Ryder – Continues to be the best bet to replace Dustin Fletcher as the defensive general. He was the leagues best mark from opposition kicks & finished 2nd in spoils, opposition pick offs & groundball-gets in the defensive 50. May have lost the battles against Lance Franklin & Jonathan Brown, but eventually he’ll win the war.
Llyod winds the clock back with a big mark & he will need to continue as the whole forward line for Essendon needs to lift.
Michael Hurley – On the debut side (2008 draft picks only players on list not to debut yet). Michael Hurley smashed them in 3 games for Vic Metro & can play at both ends of the ground. Expect him to shine like the rings on his namesakes (Jade) fingers.
Need To Improve
Essendon’s forward line – What the Bombers need to capitalize on their No1 ranking of 54% of inside 50’s through the corridor is more forward line assistance. Relying on veterans Matthew Lloyd, Adam McPhee & an unstable Andrew Lovett isn’t going to cut it. It was obvious that Scott Lucas was missed during those very lean times of last season, but more game time from Kyle Reimers & an injury free Jay Neagle may help.
List Cloggers
Leroy Jetta – Excitement doesn’t always mean excellence. In a list that’s hard to analyse for this section due to injuries & the removal of the deadwood, Jetta’s had 2 seasons now & has been surpassed by many of last years debutants that played far less. By just averaging 11 disposals per game with 54 tackles shows me their more exhaustion in his game than exuberance.
Your Views on Essendon this year?
What do you think of the Bombers in season 2009? Did they recruit well? Could they squeeze into the top 8 this year? Will Knights new game plan make a difference and can their forward line function this year?
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March 14th, 2009 at 1:21 pm
“Stanton had to cope with the pressures of the “tag” at the age of 22.”
Oh me, Oh my would you like a box of tissues. Cooney has had to cope with being a no# 1 draft pick in a struggling team and then wins a well deserved Brownlow at the age of 23. All with the pressures of the tag from day one.
“Andrew Welsh – To me, Andrew Welsh virtually dusted for the season, this shows he’s matured early enough from that “tag” placed on him early in the season to take that momentum into this season.” I don’t even know what this means… English please
“Michael Hurley smashed them in 3 games for Vic Metro & can play at both ends of the ground.” Hope he has a lot of improvement in him ‘cos he got smashed by a third string forward in Jack Anthony. Might have to be content with ‘smashing’ them in the seconds.
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March 14th, 2009 at 3:31 pm
1st, John Anthony plays the game of his life in a DRAB Cup game. Big whoop. Does that mean of the 3rd string forward can’t perform, Pies are shot? Oh, that explains the final.
2nd, Cooney now has to cope with being the luckiest current player ever to win a Brownlow. I wouldn’t have given him a 1/3 of those votes.
Don’t like the 2nd fact, take it to “BigFooty” with the other Doggie la-la’s.
We all have opinions, & I welcome all, but that’s mine.
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March 14th, 2009 at 5:28 pm
“David Hille isn’t a top 10 ruckman.”
Didn’t read past this nonsense.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..What is it with mouthguards and kicking for goal?
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March 14th, 2009 at 5:29 pm
perhaps you are just upset at the fact that Cooney has torched your blokes and their lack of midfield speed for the last 4 years. last 3 games against Bombers; 31touches 7tackles and 3goals(3 Brownlow Votes), 24touches and 1goal, 28touches 8marks and 1goal(3 Brownlow Votes). I can’t wait to watch him against you this season so he can expose all your deficiencies once more…
May have only been a NAB Cup game but i can guarantee you Hurley was trying his heart out and dying to make an impression, not saying he won’t be a decent player in time but people need to stop expecting young key position players to impact a sides fortunes straight away. if a third stringer can do that to him again, he will spend the majority of his year in the seconds
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March 14th, 2009 at 7:02 pm
re deano
it’s the only thing you Doggies can actually support the umpires for…Brownlow votes. The team has been in the red more than Michael Jacksons bank account when it comes to free kicks.
Besides, what the hell Cooney has to do with a “Bombers review” only God knows. What are you, his damn agent or his Uncle??
What should we do?? Maybe a “2009 Cooney Review”?? Build a bloody stand out at Whitten Oval after him??
Fine then here’s a brief one: “The 2009 Brownlow poster boy of the patheitc will carry that Medal around his neck like a millstones, considering Ablett played 4 less games…” How much more lucky do you want it??
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March 14th, 2009 at 7:06 pm
re aussierulesblog.
just stating that Hille was more effective clearing his own contests & gathering the ball at ground level rather than a “tap” ruckman.
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March 15th, 2009 at 9:09 am
Wow looks like Craigs second post has caused some issues hear…
I have to admit that I also was surprised to see Cooney’s Brownlow win last year, not saying he was not worthy of the midfielders medal. I guess I was more caught up in the Ablett media hype. Not saying he was or was not lucky, just surprised…
I agree he is not a good tapper of the ball but gone are the days when a ruckman can just tap the ball and thats the end of their job requirement. Hence why I personally believe Hille is a top 5 AFL ruckman, not based on his ruck work but more his ‘complete game’.
Clarke, McDonald, King etc would all struggle getting recruited today as the clubs all look for Cox-like players.
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March 15th, 2009 at 9:31 am
Good to see a bit of good old fashioned “debate”. No hard feelings, Deano, but if only the G20 was as passionate as the Australian football supporter.
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March 17th, 2009 at 7:41 am
re; defence of Cooney. i took offence in your dream team section to your call of “luckiest brownlow winner breathing” and then whinging about Stanton having to cope with a tag at his age.
re: brownlow. Was he lucky that Ablett missed 4 games or maybe he was just fitter?? i fully expected the winner to either come from Cooney, Black or Harvey; standout midfielders in teams that won more than they lost. Sure Ablett had a great year but so did Corey, Bartel, Selwood, Ling, Johnson, Enright, Mackie etc, they can’t all win it and therefore take votes off each other. No more Cooney talk…
Jer, please post my Essendon preview so we can get a balnced view without any prejudice or bias.
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March 17th, 2009 at 8:40 am
The Bombers were ultra impressive last year, taking on the game with a run and gun style of play that caught a lot of teams by surprise. The elite teams however, were able to destroy this type of play with tough, hard and accountable football. Essendon were smashed by top 4 teams, Geelong, Hawthorn, St.Kilda and the Dogs. To any team that wishes to have a shootout with the Dons; do so at your own peril. They are lethal when playing unaccountable footy. ‘downhill skiers’ I think was a term once used. Put a bit of pressure on however, and they will buckle.
The Melbourne Demons side of 2008 was one of the worst sides I have ever seen and the Bombers conceded more points last season then the hapless Dees. This should really ring some alarm bells. We have all seen that a good defence is paramount to any teams chances of a Premiership win. Essendon’s defence is last by a long, long way. With the improvement in the midfield of teams like Richmond, Carlton, Brisbane and Port it is hard to see the Bombers finishing anywhere above 14th or 15th. Their senior core in Fletcher, Lloyd, Lucas, McVeigh and Hille are still relied upon to do too much and there is not enough consistent young talent coming through, especially through the vital midfield section.
Last season not a single Bomber collected 500 possessions and only Watson and Stanton had more than 400. Compare this with Geelong who had 10 players over 400 possessions, Hawthorn who had 10 and the Dogs who had 12 and it becomes quite clear that there is not nearly enough depth or cover in the most important part of the ground. Prismall will help in this area but not enough to lift the Bombers towards September. Welcome to the second year blues Mr.Knights.
Players to Watch:
Bachar Houli: This bloke has exquisite skills and seems to have the right frame of mind and discipline to become a quality player. The Dons need him to step into the midfield and have a super second season. He is all class.
Heath Hocking: Built like a ton of bricks and knows how to find the footy. Showed enough in his 3 games last year to suggest that he could push for a more permanent role this year. Is part of a young midfield that needs supporters to have plenty of patience. Has all the tools to be a good player for a long time.
Need To Improve:
Paddy Ryder: Am I the only one that thinks this guy is seriously over rated?? Bombers fans seem to think of him as the defensive version of Buddy yet Lance always seems to have a day out against the Dons. I think he needs to get a bit fitter and push towards becoming Hille’s second in charge, roaming the midfield with his great agility and athleticism.
Ricky Dyson: He should have cemented a spot in the middle by now. Can be a damaging and useful midfielder but lacks hardness and consistency. Really needs to step up this year and become an important link man in the Bombers outfit.
List Cloggers:
Jason Laycock: Yes I know that ruckman take longer to develop and yes I acknowledge that the guy has an abundance of talent but to me there is just something not quite right. He is an absolute space cadet out on the field. He always looks as if he is in slow motion and gets lost so easily out there, he continually jumps at the wrong time and often wastes the football once he does get it. One wonders if the Bombers should just cut their losses and send him to Freo.
Jason Winderlich: Another bloke who should be Docker-bound. Has pace to burn and can, on occasion, influence the contest but those moments are few and far between. Has been at the club for a long time now and is in very real danger of losing his spot to a hungry, up and coming youngster. Now or never.
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March 17th, 2009 at 8:42 am
Done…
If anyone would like to leave a detailed preview like above. They can, more input more than welcomed.
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March 17th, 2009 at 8:45 am
In regards to Cooney’s brownlow I think if Ablett did not miss the 4 games he would have won it but at the end of the day, Cooney did have to poll the most Brownlow votes to win his first Brownlow and he did that. He did indeed have a great year and these days if you want to win it, you need to play a full season.
It would be interesting to see when the last winner did not play a chunk of the season. I would not think from the top of my head it has happened in the last 10+ years.
Did not stop Black and Akermanis when they won in Brisbanes 2001-2004 dominance…
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March 17th, 2009 at 9:58 am
the Lions didn’t have ten all australians, the cats do…
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March 17th, 2009 at 2:33 pm
“One wonders if the Bombers should just cut their losses and send him to Freo.” ROFL Very good get, Deano! Good review of where the Bombers are at too. Disagree on Winderlich, and Ryder will be a 200-game plus bona fide star — he’s only just turned 21.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..What is it with mouthguards and kicking for goal?
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March 18th, 2009 at 7:49 am
@AussieRulesBlog – agree that yes Ryder is only 21 but agree with deano that he simply gets too many goals kicked on him and for such a talented player he needs to play more defensively. Maybe just maybe he would be better to play in a different role were he can play to his strengths…
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March 18th, 2009 at 8:56 am
Jermayn, Ryder has taken Jonathan Brown (admittedly injured) apart playing as CHB. Who has kicked all these goals on him? His strength is to play as an attacking CHB. He’s not a close-checking type and never will be. He will leak some goals occasionally, but he’ll also provide great rebound from HB.
aussierulesblogs last blog post..What is it with mouthguards and kicking for goal?
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March 18th, 2009 at 12:48 pm
If Ryder is going to be an attacking backman like you suggest and I am not doubting his ability then his position in the Dons team may best be served as the 3rd defender rather than the main defender who takes the best backman. Like instead of taking Jon Brown, Buddy or Roughead he takes Mark Williams (for Hawthorn) or a lesser forward. This will allow him to keep his attacking game style but not get exposed by the power forwards (Buddy has kicked 8+ last two times against Essendon).
Even though he is an attacking CHB, he still needs to learn that at times, he needs to play defensively and stop his opponent kicking bags, As goals are what win games…
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March 18th, 2009 at 3:54 pm
i don’t doubt ryder has talent, i think he needs to improve, the first reviewer rattled off all different stats about groundball gets and marks from opposition kicks etc, but here is the most damning stat of all. of players that played all 22 games last season only Nathan Brown of C/Wood and Dan Merrett of Bris had less of the ball then ryder. 10 possesions 4 marks and 2 tackles a game is not enough if he is going to be your so called ‘rebounder’. Even loping ruckman in Mark Blake and Robert Campbell got more of the footy than him. his output needs to match his talent, hopefully he can do it this season…
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July 1st, 2009 at 7:39 pm
I think Angus Monfries will win the brownlow
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