Post 2019 and Pre 2020

[s'dreams]

An accurate article from JAke Niall that kinda leaves one saying "yeah naaa". It also overdoes the stockmarket analogy

Culture and coaching the Bombers' big issues
By Jake Niall
February 12, 2020 — 7.58pm

Joe Daniher went to Ireland to treat his troublesome groin. Conor McKenna has just gone to Ireland to alleviate a bout of homesickness.

It is unclear when Daniher and McKenna will next don the sash, though the Bombers are confident that the running Irishman will return, and hopeful that Daniher will be ready to play earlier than the pessimistic scenario of the season's mid-point.
On the injury list: Joe Daniher.

Michael Hurley and Cale Hooker are recovering from hip and shoulder surgeries. Dyson Heppell is coming back from a sore foot. Tom Bellchambers (knee arthriscope) and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti (calf) have had small setbacks.

Zach Merrett is nursing, not an injury but disappointment that his peers did not deem him worthy of a position in the leadership group, some 12 months after he was viewed as a prospective successor to Heppell.

So, as the above litany suggests, Essendon has had a challenging post and pre-season period. There is less optimism about the club externally than there was in 2019. Back then, everyone wanted to buy shares in the Bombers, who had just acquired Dylan Shiel and were hyped - unrealistically - as a possible premiership contender.

Today, Essendon shares are in a slump. Market expectations are modest. The Dons aren't a boom stock like the Bulldogs.

But before you dump those red and black stocks, bear this in mind: that, while the injury/availability prospectus isn't blue chip, February's injury list won't be the critical factor in Essendon's 2020 campaign.

Rather, it will be culture, cohesion and the how the club manages the final year of John Worsfold's tenure and Ben Rutten's stint as understudy that will shape Essendon's season.

The most significant surgery at Tullamarine over the post-season wasn't Hurley or Hooker's. It was the revamping of the football department, which saw Blake Caracella arrive from Richmond and Sean Murphy, the new head of strength and conditioning, from the Hawks.

There were quite a number of new roles among existing staff, too, the most critical of which, of course, was the coaching handover arrangement.
Ben Rutten directs a training session.

Worsfold will oversee the team performance, with heavy delegation. Rutten and Caracella will be responsible for the game plan, and for educating the players and coaches in that method.

Caracella, instrumental in Richmond's less constipated ball movement from 2017, will have the same portfolio at his first club, and a say in the midfield function.

Essendon's failure to win finals was not due to insufficient talent, though the list has some potholes. The shortfall has been in system and cohesion. Unlike Richmond and (moderately talented) Hawthorn, the Bombers have not been difficult to play against. They have not displayed a consistent, coherent and well-executed brand.

Their team defence improved last year, but is a long way from the best sides. The renovation of the leadership group, meanwhile, pointed to the reality that they erred last year by leaving Hurley out of the group, while electing two players - Daniher and Orazio Fantasia - who subsequently either wanted out (Daniher) or explored that option (Fantasia). Merrett's omission was the result of a new voting system among the players, who were given different criteria to nominate their preferred leaders.

Internally, the view is that there is a clearer understanding of game plan, roles and an improved morale among the coaches, compared with this time last year.

Last year, Essendon was overhyped. This year, there's a chance that they'll be under-sold, on the basis of these pre-season setbacks. We shouldn't forget that, while Daniher's groin is a concern, they've effectively been without him for the bulk of two years.

Richmond and Collingwood's rises in 2017 and 2018 showed that coaching and culture can count for more than a missing key forward or burst runner. Don't sell those Essendon shares just yet.

[Windy_Hill]

Ok, so where is the real Jake Niall?

[Windy_Hill]

In terms of the article, it’s a pretty damning indictment on Worsfold’s tenure as head coach. It’s been obvious to fans that the game plan has not worked when most needed. Opposition know exactly what to do when playing Essendon and our deploring lack of spine results in humiliation a la the 20 odd unanswered goals piled on by the Dogs late last year.

Yet then in patches, we are unbelievably good.

I would settle for less unbelievably good for more consistently ok.

That is the job of the coach to instill such an approach.

Worsfold has been an abject failure and quoting the loss of Daniher as an excuse does not hide the harsh reality that in the main, his team has been bog average under his guidance.

[grassy1]

John Worsfold has The Club’s 100% Complete Support.

Right up to the Day we Sack ‘im!

[desmondo]

In terms of the article, it’s a pretty damning indictment on Worsfold’s tenure as head coach. It’s been obvious to fans that the game plan has not worked when most needed. Opposition know exactly what to do when playing Essendon and our deploring lack of spine results in humiliation a la the 20 odd unanswered goals piled on by the Dogs late last year.

Yet then in patches, we are unbelievably good.

I would settle for less unbelievably good for more consistently ok.

That is the job of the coach to instill such an approach.

Worsfold has been an abject failure and quoting the loss of Daniher as an excuse does not hide the harsh reality that in the main, his team has been bog average under his guidance.

I`m pretty sure that Worsfold inherited a team that was mentally and physically f***** (more mentally than physically). Post saga, club turmoil, (the likes never before seen), draft sanctions etc...

I`m not sure ANY coach in the land could have done much with them to be honest...

[F111]

Culture and coaching the Bombers' big issues
By Jake Niall
February 12, 2020 — 7.58pm

....

Last year, Essendon was overhyped. This year, there's a chance that they'll be under-sold, on the basis of these pre-season setbacks. We shouldn't forget that, while Daniher's groin is a concern, they've effectively been without him for the bulk of two years.

Richmond and Collingwood's rises in 2017 and 2018 showed that coaching and culture can count for more than a missing key forward or burst runner. Don't sell those Essendon shares just yet.

I'd much rather us be seen as plodders and underdogs. I want the players to feel that too.

Make them prove some people wrong.

[Windy_Hill]

I am not a Worsfold fan...but credit where it’s due. His stabilizing influence at the club in its darkest hour was indeed commendable. But, we need to move on and Woosha, beyond baby sitting, was never the right man for the job ahead.

[Windy Hille]

Praccy games start soon. I hope we enter these games with good intentions. Got to stop out lethergic starts to seasons. Get into a winning groove before round 1.

[Crazyman]

Praccy games start soon. I hope we enter these games with good intentions. Got to stop out lethergic starts to seasons. Get into a winning groove before round 1.

You’re funny

[mdso]

To win and keep winning requires a hell of a lot of hard work to keep the brain in the right click. Stay interested enough to keep learning and to keep doing what is known to work over and over repetitiously well. Focus or mindfulness becomes the practice. Its not easy. It is a state of mind that just is. If our players are able to learn this - we will once again be champions of the AFL. If not, we won't be. KISS.

[grassy1]

Well,it”s not often a team Wins 29 out of 30 Games and the way the season is structured now,it’s Impossible!

But 20 Years ago,our Players representing ESSENDON FOOTBALL CLUB Did!

[Windy_Hill]

Only the one Essendon player selected amongst the two State of Origin squads. Happy with that but strangely dismayed at the same time.

[grassy1]

Well,this is a one off for quite some time,so lap it up whomever represents The Big White Vee!

All of a sudden,sworn enemies become Pals,for one day at least.

I don’t take it as a slight,Western Australia aren’t there playing Victoria.If anthing,New South Wales should get the nod in a game for a good cause.

Our Real State Team have the job of knocking off the Croweaters on May 9th,at Adelaide Oval after dropping our Home Game to them last season.

[s'dreams]

Geez there are some ugly buggers in those squads. https://www.afl.com.au/news/374161/stat ... your-club-

Is it just me, or do those new style "Big V" jumpers look, well, strange. The V is thinner and has moved down the jersey to make extra space for logos.

[Windy_Hill]

Geez there are some ugly buggers in those squads. https://www.afl.com.au/news/374161/stat ... your-club-

Is it just me, or do those new style "Big V" jumpers look, well, strange. The V is thinner and has moved down the jersey to make extra space for logos.

Noticed the same thing....looks ridiculous. The two prongs of the V should touch just under each collar bone. Moved it for the logo which to be honest is entirely unnecessary. The Bushfire Appeal logo is pointless given it’s a one off and the fact that everyone knows what the game is for.

[Windy_Hill]

1980s. Big V


The prongs of the V touch the Collar Bone.....Current guernsey, the Prongs barely touch Dusty’s pierced nipples.

[s'dreams]

It does make it look like Dusty has boobs

[mdso]

Only the one Essendon player selected amongst the two State of Origin squads. Happy with that but strangely dismayed at the same time.

Could be a good thing to fly well under the radar this year. And who knows what will happen this year with this virus thingy?
Close my eyes and I imagine I can see Gill wringing his hands and pulling his hair out. Love it!