3 Things Learned - R10, 2025 vs Essendon

[GVGjr]

Welcome to the 3 things learned thread

Please list 3 things you learned from our Round 10 clash against Essendon at Marvel

[ledge]

Last week wasn’t a one off for O’Donnell
Our team desperation is up with 2016 levels maybe even better.
Essendoom are going nowhere and it’s heaven to see.

[comrade]

I love it when the ball is in West's vicinity. Absolute chad.

Freijah is a jet but isn't the messiah, needs to simplify a little and take the first option more often. He's young and can't blame him for drinking some bath water but time to knuckle down again.

Loving the trajectory of JOD. He's our number 1 key defender in the making.

[BontlowSzn]

Opposition coaches who put zero time into Dale should hand in their coaching licence. We struggle with ball movement when he gets tagged.

Bont, Libba, Richards and Kennedy are working as well as I've seen from a core midfield unit. It's a pleasure to watch them go about it. Who do you tag?

Never thought we would need to worry about Naughtons marking, what on earth is going on with his hands!?

[Bornadog]

1. Kennedy is better than I thought he was and was an astute trade

2. I thought West at one stage wouldn't make it but he has worked hard to get to where he is.

3. Buku is coming along nicely and I prefer him up forward.

[Mantis]

Never thought we would need to worry about Naughtons marking, what on earth is going on with his hands!?

Based on some signs on Saturday night I don’t think he’s 100% fit… He’s carrying a big load with not much aerial support and I think the bye and the return of Sam can’t come soon enough.

[Mantis]

1/ Can you walk out of a 15 goal win a tad disappointed? Our ball use in the 2nd quarter was really poor and we burnt so many chances, and we didn’t convert as we should have. You could tell in the presser that Bevo wasn’t totally satisfied which is a good sign.

2/ Our midfield depth, as previously mentioned would be the envy of the competition. Hard to control them all.

3/ Lobb’s ability to close space when out of position is quite remarkable for a player who is 6’9”.

[angelopetraglia]

1. This time last year, the media lost their mind when Dale was made a sub. Since then he has restablished his AA form. He went to another level on the weekend. With the benefit of hindsight, another perfect call from Bevo.

2. Brad Scott is delusional. He was happy their plan on Astro and Bont worked. Astro has been completely out of form and he still kicked 1.3 and had 9 score involvements. If he marked the balls he would normally swallow he would have had a field day. Bont kicked two goals and was one of the most effective players on the ground.

3. Buku is developing nicely as a forward target. Sensational grab and nice goal kicking too. It would be nice to see him get a sustained run at it to cement his spot.

[Angak]

1. Bevo’s been vindicated
This time last year, Draper was on a podcast saying Bevo might get sacked for not picking Daniel and Macrae. Fast forward to now and we’re flying the team’s playing better footy, the mix is working, and Bevo’s long term calls are being justified.

2. Arty’s injury came at the worst time
Devastated for Arty, but in that 30-minute burst he showed why he’s rated internally. He was clean, dangerous and brought energy. If the hammy isn’t serious, he’s still every chance of cracking the best 22 by season’s end.

3. Top four is well and truly alive
Win one of the next two and we’re in a strong spot. With a favourable run home full of Melbourne games, we should bank enough wins to push hard for a top four finish.

[Rusty12]

1 - Pre-season matters. We lost a few troops, but the improvement in 10-26 on the list is clear to see

2 - It is time to consider AA - 40 squad for West a possibility. He has become far more than a solid role player.

3 - Are you supposed to win by 15 goals, when your only established key forward can't mark sodas, or kick straight?

[Mantis]

1 - Pre-season matters. We lost a few troops, but the improvement in 10-26 on the list is clear to see

2 - It is time to consider AA - 40 squad for West a possibility. He has become far more than a solid role player.

3 - Are you supposed to win by 15 goals, when your only established key forward can't mark sodas, or kick straight?

I guess it depends on how many small/medium forwards are in the 40.

At present I would have all of Higgins, Elliott, Long & Curtis ahead of him... but if he can perform like he did on Saturday night on a regular basis he will quickly close the gap.

[Dry Rot]

1. We have found ways to kick many goals without just bombing the ball onto the heads of Naughton and Darcy. I hope this can be maintained when Darcy returns.

2. Many probably thought that we would have problems with small forwards after Weightman got injured. West, VDM and McNeil are working surprisingly well together.

3. I had forgotten what a fit and in form JJ brings to the side.

[Willow18]

1. I hated Khamis as a key defender, I absolutely adore him as a key forward, hope he keeps competing.

2. Kane Cornes called Vandermeer the most hated player in the league and he’s absolutely right, and I absolutely love him for it. Pest.

3. Our bottom 6 players has improved drastically. And a huge shout out needs to go to the coaches.

[Dry Rot]

1. I hated Khamis as a key defender, I absolutely adore him as a key forward, hope he keeps competing.

Agreed. Kharmis is becoming a very useful forward ruck.

[soupman]

I love it when the ball is in West's vicinity. Absolute chad.

His stats this week did do him justice, but i think they typically don't highlight how he is such a great moments player.

So consistently wins a couple of crucial contests a game that require aggression, a bit of skill and executes the finish.

Reminds me of 2016 Clay Smith as a forward. I've always been sceptical of him but this season he has been undeniable.