Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

[Bornadog]

They have beaten:

Freo, Carlton (twice) Collingwood (early in the season), Hawthorn, Richmond, Melbourne and Sydney.

Lost to:

Collingwood, Port, North, Brisbane, Saints, Geelong, Adelaide,


This week I feel is a danger game, and we really need to win.

[Missing Dog]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

It IS a danger game. They play a very fast quick slick brand of footy, and on their day are a huge threat. I don't think they're ready this year to challenge for a top 4 place, but next year will be thereabouts. Lose this one and we're in trouble for a top 4 spot.

[The Coon Dog]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

I just have a feeling that we will comfortably, so no, not worried.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Lets see how we start the game this week!!

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

This week I feel is a danger game, and we really need to win.

Same here BAD, I don't take any team lightly. Must win game for us, we need to get a jump on the pack below us, Collingwood, Adelaide and Brisbane.

[BulldogBelle]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Lets see how we start the game this week!!

Yes, we need to get off the blocks early, the Bombers move the ball very quickly and we wouldn't want to give them a big headstart.

[Mantis]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

If we apply good defensive pressure we will have no problems, but if we allow a free passage for the Essendon runners through the middle of the ground (like we did against Collingwood) we may find a tough opponent.

Really it is our game to lose.

[Remi Moses]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Off to a good start would be rather handy i'd imagine. Put up a stat last night that we've averaged a24 pt defecit after 20 min on average this season! Need to improve that

[Mofra]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

They'll beat us for leg speed if we allow players to be forward of the ball as we did last week & vs North Melbourne.

I think we'll beat them out of the centre (and smash them in the ruck) & I'd expect our forward set-up to be much tighter this week.

[Go_Dogs]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Essendon aren't a bad side. With Welsh back playing as a tagger they are better equipt to shut down opposition midfields, which is helping them a lot.

I noticed on the weekend just gone that the Bombers had something like 20+ marks inside F50 - very impressive stat. We need to be aware of this, and not allow them to set up easier shots and find space to take uncontested marks in the F50.

I think it should be a good game - but hopefully we don't wear ourselves out too much, because I'm coming over next week and am expecting a big win over St Kilda

[DOG GOD]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

I'm also flying over for the saints game and wouldnt want to be playing them after losing to essendon, knowing that 2 losses there could mean the end to top 4, with also geel and coll to come.

So yeah, its a HUGE game this week...we need to bounce back and really make an impression to the the other top 4 sides.

[Sedat]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Because of our loss on Friday night, we now have no margin for error with regard to the rest of the season and claiming a top 4 berth. We simply have to beat all of Essendon, West Coast, Freo and Brisbane - if we do so, I think our superior percentage will ensure we keep our noses in front of both Adelaide and Brisbane. I'm confident that we can win all of those matches if we approach the contest with the right collective mindset. We are not without claims in any of the other matches against St Kilda, Geelong or Collingwood, but I would not be wanting to rely on these results to get us into the top 4.

[The Bulldogs Bite]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

I noticed on the weekend just gone that the Bombers had something like 20+ marks inside F50 - very impressive stat. We need to be aware of this, and not allow them to set up easier shots and find space to take uncontested marks in the F50.

That's actually a very good point raised.

I'm not sure on the stats for the season, but Essendon have certainly improved in this area. They are prepared to share the ball around a little more than they used to. Whilst their game plan is still primarily based on running and carrying (ala Dogs of 05/06) I think they've been able to add a few other strings to their bow.

Realistically we should win comfortably, but in recent times we haven't shaken them off easily. We'll need to play better than we have against them over the last year or two, as they've troubled us with their run every time. Fortunately for us, they had a few injuries in the early game last season and we had a little more 'experience' in getting the win. They've improved though, so we'll need to be mindful of their strength.

It'll be interesting to see if we close them down in the middle of the ground. Last week against Collingwood, it didn't work too well, as they play the wings and then bring it in board. Essendon, however, are always looking to run it through the middle of the ground. If we apply enough pressure, we should be able to punish them on the turnovers.

[LostDoggy]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

Pretty much every game from now is a danger game. If we drop 1 we should'nt we may not make top 4.

[The Pie Man]

Re: Anyone rate Essendon? Are you worried?

If we turn the ball over and let the likes of Lovett (who is easy the most improved footballer in the leage this year for mine) to run and carry, like last week, we'll struggle. I'm confident the spray they wiped off at half time last Friday will still be in their ears and the extra day's break should also help.

Not to be taken lightly by any stretch, we would be a big get for them.

Speaking of Lovett, he's really important IMO - have we had a player profile yet this week?