Carlton... acid test.

[andrewb]

This game against Carlton is going to be the real acid test for where we're at. North start slowly and Geelong are miles ahead of us. A top 8 team this year will comfortably beat Carlton and clearly be the better team.

Three key tests:

1. Midfield: Need to at least match the Carlton midfield next week. Watson, Stanton, McVeigh need to prove that they're at least equivalent to Judd, Stevens, Murphy. Hille and Laycock have to SMASH Hampson / Kreuzer / whoever. Houli, Dyson, Davey, Lonergan, Jetta etc. need to have real impact to show we have the depth.

2. Forward Line: Without Lucas we need to prove that we still have the structure and quality to kick winning scores. Lloyd and McPhee need to stand up and we need at least two goals from our resting ruckmen. This is the worst backline in the league - we should kick at least 15 goals.

3. Backline: Big weakness has been our inability to curb power forwards like Fev due to a lack of midfield accountability / pressure and the lack of a fit "gorilla" in Pagan terms. Need to hold Fev under 4 goals.

If we pass those three tests I think we'll challenge for a spot in september. If not, we're more likely 10-14th material.

[Windy_Hill]

I hate to be pessimistic but they have lost 2 in a row and are now desperate to make an impact. We just had our confidence belted to kingdom come. They lift 50% when they see a red and black jumper, we drop about the same at the sight of a navy blue one.

At best, we are maybe an even chance.

[swoodley]

Beating Carlton does not in any way make us a top eight proposition.

We should beat them because we are better but no top eight predictions please until we start beating teams who finished above us last year.

[jimmyc1985]

We should beat them because we are better but no top eight predictions please until we start beating teams who finished above us last year.

Essendon 19.8 (122) def. North Melbourne 9.13 (67).

Anything less than a preliminary final berth will be a massive disappointment !

[swoodley]

We should beat them because we are better but no top eight predictions please until we start beating teams who finished above us last year.

Essendon 19.8 (122) def. North Melbourne 9.13 (67).

Anything less than a preliminary final berth will be a massive disappointment !

Ah....the inescapable logic of it all

[MH_Bomber]

I guarantee that Carlton will have set themselves to be hitting their straps for this upcoming game. They just love beating us no matter what else the year brings for them. So I hope Knighta et al are ready to have everything and the kitchen sink thrown at us. This is their annual grand final of late. After last year's debacle (48 points up in 2nd) and losing we better be ready.

[Rotorog]

I hate to be pessimistic but they have lost 2 in a row and are now desperate to make an impact. We just had our confidence belted to kingdom come. They lift 50% when they see a red and black jumper, we drop about the same at the sight of a navy blue one.

At best, we are maybe an even chance.

WH We will beat the Bjesus out of them. Footy is won on skill not on the colour of the team jumper. We are streets ahead of them in the skill and fitness level. Judd is a dud and Stevens is a "has been". Watch our mid-field step up for this game. Every team is likely to have a downer in the season. Luckily we have had ours. Be optimistic ole' son. Remember "one swallow does not a summer make"
The oracle has spoken.

[Rossoneri]

I hate to be pessimistic but they have lost 2 in a row and are now desperate to make an impact. We just had our confidence belted to kingdom come. They lift 50% when they see a red and black jumper, we drop about the same at the sight of a navy blue one.

At best, we are maybe an even chance.

WH We will beat the Bjesus out of them. Footy is won on skill not on the colour of the team jumper. We are streets ahead of them in the skill and fitness level. Judd is a dud and Stevens is a "has been". Watch our mid-field step up for this game. Every team is likely to have a downer in the season. Luckily we have had ours. Be optimistic ole' son. Remember "one swallow does not a summer make"
The oracle has spoken.

Having some deja vu.

[robrulz5]

Very nervous about this week as always. We know we should have belted them everytime for most of the last decade but have somehow dropped off against them, we owe them a few beltings for the times they beat us when they shouldn't have.

[Rotorog]

Very nervous about this week as always. We know we should have belted them everytime for most of the last decade but have somehow dropped off against them, we owe them a few beltings for the times they beat us when they shouldn't have.

That's because we had a coach called Kevin Sheedy, who talked marsh mellows , martians, sea gulls and all that crap, while his team was being beaten by bottom sides ala Carlscum and Nithnomd. This is a different team, people, give them some respect. Essendon will beat the crap out of the Scum on Sunday.
Keep the faith!!!!

[robrulz5]

Very nervous about this week as always. We know we should have belted them everytime for most of the last decade but have somehow dropped off against them, we owe them a few beltings for the times they beat us when they shouldn't have.

That's because we had a coach called Kevin Sheedy, who talked marsh mellows , martians, sea gulls and all that crap, while his team was being beaten by bottom sides ala Carlscum and Nithnomd. This is a different team, people, give them some respect. Essendon will beat the crap out of the Scum on Sunday.
Keep the faith!!!!

Don't worry I always have faith!!!

[Rotorog]

Very nervous about this week as always. We know we should have belted them everytime for most of the last decade but have somehow dropped off against them, we owe them a few beltings for the times they beat us when they shouldn't have.

That's because we had a coach called Kevin Sheedy, who talked marsh mellows , martians, sea gulls and all that crap, while his team was being beaten by bottom sides ala Carlscum and Nithnomd. This is a different team, people, give them some respect. Essendon will beat the crap out of the Scum on Sunday.
Keep the faith!!!!

Don't worry I always have faith!!!

Good on ya!!!
Bombers rule!!!

[Mrs Mercuri]

Very nervous about this week as always. We know we should have belted them everytime for most of the last decade but have somehow dropped off against them, we owe them a few beltings for the times they beat us when they shouldn't have.

I always feel that way when we play carlton, i know we should beat them comfortably this week but whether we do is another matter altogether. Hopefully the guys really put their heads down and bums up at training this week and give the supporters more to cheer about on sat night (im also a lil worried that its at the mcg as well, we havent really played good footy there in recent years).

[andrewb]

Beating Carlton does not in any way make us a top eight proposition.

We should beat them because we are better but no top eight predictions please until we start beating teams who finished above us last year.

Agree... but I'm less interested in the result than those three tests. If we can match them in the middle (their strength), hold Fev (which we haven't been able to do in the past) and kick a winning score without Lucas we are going to challenge for Finals. If we win but we get flogged in the middle, can't hold Fev and can't kick a big score against the worst defense in the league then we're fighting for 10-14th.

[boncer34]

We should beat them because we are better but no top eight predictions please until we start beating teams who finished above us last year.

Essendon 19.8 (122) def. North Melbourne 9.13 (67).

Anything less than a preliminary final berth will be a massive disappointment !

Ah....the inescapable logic of it all

Following the logic dont forget what happened the last time Geelong played North.