Essendon v Western Bulldogs Pre-Match Discussion Thread

[paddyl90]

HUGE HUGE GAME!!! Haven't been so excited for a game in a long time! Think we are a huge chance! Yes I know, you think I am every week but I'm honestly not haha.

First to changes. Who do we all think will be ins and outs?

Potential Ins - NLM, Colyer, Reimers,
Potential Outs - Atkinson, Lonergan (fringe players who didn't light the world on fire on the weekend) and Melksham (inj) Prismall won't go even though I believe he should have a spell.

Secondly key men to watch from the Bulldogs:

1 - Mitch Hahn towels us up every single time, well at least the last 3 times we've played
2 - Hall because I don't think Pears is right and if he goes to him...watch out. Fletch for me.
3 - Higgins is an opportunist
4 - Lake is in great form at the moment...might keep Gumby quiet.

There are heaps of Bulldogs players who are capable of cutting us up but just to mention a few.

Last game we were murdered by the Umps. I remember it well..where Fletch got a 50 paid against him for being demonstrative. About 3/4 of WB goals were free kicks inside 50 for shithouse decisions. If we get McBurney this week then we're screwed or McLaren. And seeing this on the AFL website "Hall deserved more frees: AFL" then watch out this week and prepare yourself for another week of umpire crap.

History repeating? Lets hope not. Midfield will be key to winning the game and maintaining our impressive tackling pressure. Hille and Ryder too. My mind is going a million miles an hour, I'm sure I've missed some things but lets get some discussions going. Excited.

[Gimps]

I don't think we can pinpoint one of two umps, they all do it.. Any time we play what people perceive as a genuine "flag contender", we gent bent over.

Agee on a few of the match ups..

Mitch Hahn, pain in the arse, I'm hoping Fletch plays on him and runs off on him on the rebound.
Higgins, hopefully won't play!
Lake, hopefully won't get the easy touches, Jetta and Davey have to put pressure on him.

Cooney has been playing really well lately, must shut him down.
And let's not forget Griffin, he'll have a field day if we focus too much on the other guys.

[robrulz5]

Boyd is one player that never gets the credit he deserves and either Jetta or Davey will need to make sure Harbrow is accountable.

[robrulz5]

4 - Lake is in great form at the moment...might keep Gumby quiet.

I think Lake will go to Hurley as the Bulldogs will believe he will be easier to run off as Gumby has such a big tank. Williams will go to Gumbleton.

[robbie67]

Cooney, Griffin, Boyd, Higgins, Murphy, Harbrow, Cross, Giansiracusa, Gilbee....if that isnt enough they have under-rated blokes like Cross, Picken, Addison, Stack to go with hardcore veterans like Hahn, Lake, Hall, Aker, and Eagleton. Say what you like about Geelong, Collingwood etc, I think we play the real flag favourites this week, and we are in deep pooh pooh.

[robrulz5]

I don't think the words "hard" and "Eagleton" have ever been in the same sentence before!

[Mrs Mercuri]

Not overly confident this week.... just hoping the boys put up a hell of a fight and the young guys keep impressing.

2 changes for me...

IN: L-Murray, Welsh
Out: Melksham (inj), Atkinson

[DC2]

Last season the Dogs were very good and very impressive in the finals too. They were very formidable.

This year however is a different story. I thought with the addition of Hall they would be flag favs and after the NAB Cup they were.

But the Dogs look anything but formidable now and I think they are a very beatable team. On paper they should always beat us, but they havent exactly set the world on fire this season. Melbourne who have been playing pretty well and bascially no tall forward option *should* have beat the Dogs. I think we are a better side than the Dee's. I cant see why if we bring our A game we cant beat them.

[robrulz5]

Welsh still has one more week doesn't he?

[Gimps]

Cooney, Griffin, Boyd, Higgins, Murphy, Harbrow, Cross, Giansiracusa, Gilbee....if that isnt enough they have under-rated blokes like Cross, Picken, Addison, Stack to go with hardcore veterans like Hahn, Lake, Hall, Aker, and Eagleton. Say what you like about Geelong, Collingwood etc, I think we play the real flag favourites this week, and we are in deep pooh pooh.

Have they cloned Cross??

Doubt Murphy will play, and would be nice if Higgins misses again.

[robrulz5]

Murphy is no chance, he only injured his knee last week and will probably miss another 2 or 3 weeks.

[j-mac31]

Lonergan won't be dropped.

[Doctor Fish]

Is Fletch out? Has back spasms apparently...

[Jazz_84]

Is Fletch out? Has back spasms apparently...

EFC have said he should be fine for Friday night

[Gimps]

Agree 100% with JP about the maggots last time.

Will miss Hooksey for Hall massively but if we tackle (1st in AFL) and win contested ball (2nd in AFL) and keep it down our end more than their's we are half a chance.

When was the last time we beat them......early oughties.

They always beat us and the maggots love them. At least Mr "Stagger Flop Artist" Johnson is not playing so there's 5 frees they won't get

My mate calls Johnson 'Autumn leaf', as he is always falling to the ground..

[Jazz_84]

ive tipped the doggies but wont be surprised if we get up in a close one, i said this morning i hope it's a goal for goal shootout, with us kicking the first and last of course

[little_ripper]

I read somewhere the club is hoping NLM will be fit this week and to go straigh back in if so. I also read that Reimers is likely to come back via the VFL.

I think it will be very difficult to contain the dogs, they have heaps of scoring opportunities. I also think their backline is looking pretty handy as well and will probably more than cover Gumbleton and Hurls.

We are going to need to win the game again in the middle and need a good return from Ryder and Hille.

Just as a side note.

If essendon win on friday night and Hawthorn beat Sydney(likely) & Geelong beat Melbourne(likely).

We will be in 8th.

[Sismis]

Big test. Our toughest opponent since round 1.

Don't care about the result, all i care about is accountability and confidence. We need to chase and tackle as well as take them on at every opportunity.

For me tackle count matters more than the score.

[little_ripper]

Big test. Our toughest opponent since round 1.

Don't care about the result, all i care about is accountability and confidence. We need to chase and tackle as well as take them on at every opportunity.

For me tackle count matters more than the score.

I care about the result. I want a WIN damn it. Winning is everything. Essendon winning makes the week so much better.

[Sismis]

Winning a flag is everything. ATM We need to develop consistency. That is our no 1 priority.

I will take the win though!