saladin wrote:i don't have high hopes for round 1. we still don't have our game-plan working properly to combat the congested zoning likely to be employed by a lot of sides. Looking at the preseason, Port are running nicely.
Yes Port seem to have their stars up and running again and their younger players are having an immediate impact. Perhaps Port may be the dark horse this season. Im just annoyed that we had to play them first up on the road... why couldn't we have got WC at the Dome or something.
We wont win the game, its really as simple as that. However, given the inexperienced squad, its important that we lose with dignity - ie between 10-20pts. A 100 point hiding will bring into question Knighta's 'Gameplan' and have a terrible effect on team morale.
Port will win because they are a better team, not because it's over there or because they have a good record against us.
We rely too heavily on a few, and are at more of a development stage than Port. Disregard Port last year, Mark Williams left half of his team on the sidelines for the second half of the year to see where the players on his list stood.
They will play finals for sure, and we will be lucky to win 8 games again.
I find the game hard to pick, i probably lean towards Port for one reason...confidence.
I certainly do not rate port as highly as others and its hard to see how well the essendon team will come up after an experimental pre-season and a lot of players returning from long term injury.
Port will be pumped up, first home game of the season and wanting to put a very disappointing 2008 behind them.
The game will be won(IMO) between the ears.
We have the talent to win, but I think its going to take a few weeks for the team to find its feet. Which is a pity, because I think we have a relatively easy first 5-6 games, but we won't be at our best....still if whatever level knights has the team at is good enough....
This game could go either way as we were pretty good last year R1 beating NM.
By the reports on here Jetta was pretty good for Bendigo in the last game - do we think he will maybe come in for Gus who by the sounds of it is struggling?
I really hope Houli gets a run R1.
Anyway I am always optimistic so heres hoping the Bombers get up!
Western Red wrote:This game could go either way as we were pretty good last year R1 beating NM.
By the reports on here Jetta was pretty good for Bendigo in the last game - do we think he will maybe come in for Gus who by the sounds of it is struggling?
I really hope Houli gets a run R1.
Anyway I am always optimistic so heres hoping the Bombers get up!
Yes and yes(on Jetta and Houli). With a cloud over Mcveigh and Reimers, Woosha out for month our mids just on the fringe will def get a run.
We will struggle. A couple of injuries will hurt us most against teams like Port who have a cracking midfield (the Cornes c***s, Cassisi, the Burgoynes, Pearce, etc)
Would be happy with a 20-odd point loss first up to be honest.
You couldn't fool your own mother on the foolingest day of your life with an electrified fooling machine.
Even as the supreme optimist, I am not confident about this game. The great man himself, Hirdy, predicted with others that P.A would be the "bolters" this season, and I heard Simpson from North state that P.A were the most impressive team they had played pre season.
I have had a sniff at $3.30 head to head but only as it is the opening round and anything can happen.
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
hop wrote:Evidently Chocco wants to coach either us or Collingwont next year.
He could start his 'Year of looking Wantingly' by throwing his first home game.
But not likely!
Also - we don't travel well.
That being the case, he will probably flog us by 100 points, ensuring Knights comes under pressure.
We will go down by 12 or so goals. I think people are under-estimating Port. Reckon they will make it to the finals this year, they have a very well balanced team.
He kicks on the left
He kicks on the riiiiiiiiigggggggggggghhhhhhhhhhttttttttttttt
That boy Hurley
Makes Riewoldt look shite!
I hope the cornes boys stink it up...they are dogs.
Fletch, Ryder and Lloyd and Lucas need to be on top of there games...as does hille. We still have the speed out there to trouble them....Lovett, Davey, Winders, Jetta and Dempsey. Watson and Lonegan for the hard stuff. We should do decent.
McVeigh will def hurt.
andrewb wrote: "I think there will be all australian representation at some stage in their careers for winders and bradley".
We need to draw on some of the form we showed last year in the mini winning streak. The talent is there. It just needs the right focus and a lot of confidence.
Too far for Baker now he's on to it, now he’s got it, OPEN GOAL!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! The Dons are in front by one point at the 8 minute mark
