Essendon 2010

[hearts on fire]

The don's another improving side, i can see them sneaking into the eight this year.

[Dirko]

The don's another improving side, i can see them sneaking into the eight this year.

Whadda bout the loss of Monga and Lucas ?

[dedja]

The don's another improving side, i can see them sneaking into the eight this year.

Whadda bout the loss of Monga and Lucas ?

He didn't clarify if it is the top or bottom eight ...

[Turbo]

Bottom 8 for me

[The Sleeping Giant]

Good sides have a power forward (or 2), and midfield depth. This side has neither. Just outside the 8 .

[Mr66]

Anywhere between 6th and 10th

[stan]

The midfield will rely alot on Jobe Watson and Stanton. Although since Watson will get the number 1 tag each week, stanton is likely to have a good year.

Throw in Dyson, Winderlich and hocking and they have some good ball winners through the middle. How the ruck combo of Ryder and Hillie will go, will be interesting.

The forward line is a problem, however, it may be surprising at times. Jay Neagle is the key now , he goes alright and being the focus may help him a bit. Hurley if he stays out of trouble is a good young player, definitly one for the future and with support form Gumbleton at times they may go alright in some games. However that said they are still raw and un proven at the moment.

for me, I reckon 10 - 14 th this year.

[WestIndiesWonder24]

Yeah as A bombers supporter I unfortunately cannot see them making the 8 this year....

Lack Forward Depth and Will be tested in the back half.

If they could find a power forward or someone to help Mark Williams who would be double teamed a lot, may sneak in but 8-12 for me

[Turbo]

Yeah as A bombers supporter I unfortunately cannot see them making the 8 this year....

Lack Forward Depth and Will be tested in the back half.

If they could find a power forward or someone to help Mark Williams who would be double teamed a lot, may sneak in but 8-12 for me

I'm thinking that Williams will be average at best

[Farbs]

The midfield will rely alot on Jobe Watson and Stanton. Although since Watson will get the number 1 tag each week, stanton is likely to have a good year.

Throw in Dyson, Winderlich and hocking and they have some good ball winners through the middle. How the ruck combo of Ryder and Hillie will go, will be interesting.

The forward line is a problem, however, it may be surprising at times. Jay Neagle is the key now , he goes alright and being the focus may help him a bit. Hurley if he stays out of trouble is a good young player, definitly one for the future and with support form Gumbleton at times they may go alright in some games. However that said they are still raw and un proven at the moment.

for me, I reckon 10 - 14 th this year.

I agree, not enough depth through their midfield and have developing list - think 10-14 also.

[gothebombers]

5th to 8th...with no injuries and a home final....you never know..gothebombers

[hearts on fire]

SNAPSHOT
Coach: Matthew Knights
Captain: Jobe Watson
Finished 2009: eighth (10 wins, 12 losses, one draw)
Best and fairest: Jobe Watson
Leading goalkicker: Matthew Lloyd (35 goals)
Leading possession winner: Brent Stanton (572)

NEW PERSONNEL
On-field: Mark Williams(traded from Hawthorn), Jake Melksham, Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer, Anthony Long (NAB AFL Draft), Kyle Hardingham (NAB AFL Pre-Season Draft), Taite Silverlock, Ben Howlett, Stewart Crameri, Marcus Marigliani, John Williams (NAB AFL Rookie Draft)
Off-field: Ian Robson (managing director and chief executive officer), Shannon Grant (Bendigo Bombers coach)

BEST 22
B: Dustin Fletcher, Tayte Pears, Henry Slattery
HB: Nathan Lovett-Murray, Cale Hooker, Courtenay Dempsey
C: Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, Brent Stanton
HF: Angus Monfries, Michael Hurley, Kyle Reimers
F: Mark Williams, David Hille, Alwyn Davey
Foll: Patrick Ryder, Andrew Welsh, Brent Prismall
I/C: Mark McVeigh, Scott Gumbleton, Ricky Dyson, Heath Hocking

MOST IMPORTANT PLAYER
In the absence of David Hille, Patrick Ryder had a standout 2009. With athletic consistency, he made the No.1 ruck spot his own while showing his versatility as the club's leading tackler. With Hille to resume from a knee reconstruction, Ryder's importance as the dominant big man will continue.

UP AND COMER
Tayte Pears' second year saw him place third in the NAB AFL Rising Star, with his performances against some of the league's most dangerous forwards attracting attention. With Dustin Fletcher likely to play more of a loose role, Pears should receive more tough assignments in his development as the Dons' future full-back.

NEEDS A BIG YEAR
Has there ever been as much interest in a player as inexperienced at AFL level as Scott Gumbleton? A cruel injury streak has kept him to just five games in three years. For Essendon supporters, the No.2 draft pick needs to show something - anything - this year as he's been touted as the great white hope for too long now.

CHANGING TACK
Last year, the Bombers became renowned for their fearless and fast ball movement even though it didn't always produce positive results. Matthew Knights is entering his third year but he won't stop encouraging his players to be adventurous. If anything, the Bombers need to improve their defensive skills. Conceding nearly 100 points each week, they were rated 12th overall in the league in 2009. Michael Hurley will serve a club suspension for the first three rounds of the season, but it will be interesting to see which end of the ground he spends more time at upon his return.

INJURY LIST
Travis Colyer (hand) - 1 week
Leroy Jetta (dislocated thumb) - 4-6 weeks

WHAT THE CLUB SAYS
"We don't want to be known as just an exciting, young team. We are a group of men playing against other groups of men and we want to be seen in that light.

"We played well against the top sides [in 2009] and we need to play that way consistently and that is what we will be focusing on." - vice-captain Andrew Welsh

CRYSTAL BALL
Mark McVeigh and Michael Hurley are suspended early but the Bombers will field close to a full-strength side in round one, with David Hille likely to play. Fixture wise, things look tough: three finalists in the opening five rounds and then every weekend from round 18. They'll also need to make up for the loss of Matthew Lloyd, Scott Lucas and Andrew Lovett, who kicked 78 goals between them last year. Expect a finish from ninth to 12th.

SEASON OPENER
March 26 v Geelong at the MCG.

http://www.afl.com.au/news/newsarticle/ ... fault.aspx

[Gozu]

Essendon season preview, "Essendon, a Baby Bombers redux":

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/sports/2010/ ... ers-redux/

[The Dark Knight]

I reckon they will finish either in the top half of the bottom 8 or the bottom half of the top 8. It's going to be a hard year for them goal scoring wise with no Lloyd or Lucas. Jobe Watson is a gun, a good choice for captain and a dark horse for the Brownlow.

[McAlmanac]

A side scrapes into the eight and loses Lloyd, Lucas, Lovett and McPhee. Doesn't sound good: 9-12.

[NO-MERCY]

A side scrapes into the eight and loses Lloyd, Lucas, Lovett and McPhee. Doesn't sound good: 9-12.

I'm with you McAlmanac.

[NO-MERCY]

.

[stan]

A side scrapes into the eight and loses Lloyd, Lucas, Lovett and McPhee. Doesn't sound good: 9-12.

Cant argue with that logic.

Still you just dont know what Neagle and Hurley are going to dish up this year. Anyway my predication was 10 -14 and im sticking with it.

[Turbo]

A side scrapes into the eight and loses Lloyd, Lucas, Lovett and McPhee. Doesn't sound good: 9-12.

Cant argue with that logic.

Still you just dont know what Neagle and Hurley are going to dish up this year. Anyway my predication was 10 -14 and im sticking with it.

Think they may get belted tonight against Geelong

[jackpot jim]

Think they may get belted tonight against Geelong

After Leading by 12 points just b4 3/4 time, Essendon conceded 7 - 3 without reply. GAME OVER.