2008 bombers- wheres the improvement?

[cormick]

I was talking with an arrogant essendon supporter mate raving about their high 2008 prospects, and it got me thinking...
i think the bombers are in quite a bad position...
theyre two tall defenders are both over 30, theyre two key forwards next year will be 29 and 30 (i think), and they rely on hille for their ruck...and he was dropped towards the end of the season.
Their midfield is slow, and, take out their aboriginal boys, then its pretty un skillful.

Theyll be relying on fletcher, lucas and lloyd next year, and, you would expect these three to be past their peak as top line players.
Have a look at round 21 for proof- Sheedy used Michael and Lucas on richo (fletcher was injured), and richo killed them, picking up 23 possesions, 16 marks and 3 brownlow votes.

could any dons fans around please post back to tell me of their young up and comers.
and could any non-bombers fans please tell me their thoughts.

Ive tipped bombers to come last for 2008...

[The Optimist]

Essendon will be relying on their new coach (whoever that may be) to review and cull their list.

The Essendon list needs an overhaul and they are probably (along with Melbourne if no Judd) 5 years away from a Premiership tilt as long as the cull starts now.

Essendon will need to go back to the beginning and that is about where their list is at.

No chance for a finals berth in 2008 and probably bottom 4.

[GreaT SourcE]

I think the bombers will finish around the 9th mark next year, and if we get Judd, we can possibly sneak into the eight.
All the good teams over the years had a great spine, and I think our spine isn't all that bad.

FF : Lloyd CHF : Lucas C : Stanton, Judd??? CHB : Fletcher FB : Michael

I might be a little buyest, but that spine looks pretty good to me!!

[cormick]

Originally Posted by GreaT SourcE

I think the bombers will finish around the 9th mark next year, and if we get Judd, we can possibly sneak into the eight.
All the good teams over the years had a great spine, and I think our spine isn't all that bad.

FF : Lloyd CHF : Lucas C : Stanton, Judd??? CHB : Fletcher FB : Michael

I might be a little buyest, but that spine looks pretty good to me!!

Ill give ya stanton and judd, but the others are past their best.

[GreaT SourcE]

Originally Posted by cormick

Ill give ya stanton and judd, but the others are past their best.

I wrecken they have all got another great year ahead of them. Michael was just fitting in to the team last year, and he should come into his own next year. Fletcher is just the ever reliable inspector gadget, that still looks like he has got some life in him. Lucas is 30 and he was gonna win the Coleman medal this year but Sheedy kept on shifting him back on fourth from the forwardline to the backline. Why?? I wouldn't have a clue. We needed a couple of tall marking options that can kick goals. And Lloydy, Brad Johnson is 31 and he had another cracker of a year, why can't Lloydy do the same??

[cormick]

Originally Posted by GreaT SourcE

I wrecken they have all got another great year ahead of them. Michael was just fitting in to the team last year, and he should come into his own next year. Fletcher is just the ever reliable inspector gadget, that still looks like he has got some life in him. Lucas is 30 and he was gonna win the Coleman medal this year but Sheedy kept on shifting him back on fourth from the forwardline to the backline. Why?? I wouldn't have a clue. We needed a couple of tall marking options that can kick goals. And Lloydy, Brad Johnson is 31 and he had another cracker of a year, why can't Lloydy do the same??

I didnt say they wouldnt be good...their best is great, but thyre on the downward spiral now
you cant rely on emm like you used to.
And Michaels last season at brissy was no good either...i think hes finished

[GreaT SourcE]

Originally Posted by cormick

I didnt say they wouldnt be good...their best is great, but thyre on the downward spiral now
you cant rely on emm like you used to.
And Michaels last season at brissy was no good either...i think hes finished

I think Michael will bounce back this year, and he will come into his own at full-back. But I agree, we can't rely on them like we used to.

[Tippaz]

my team for next year:
B - Welsh, Michael, Fletcher
HB - L-Murray, Ryder, Nash
C - Winderlich, Watson, Peverill
HF - Monfries, Lucas, McVeigh
F - Davey, Lloyd, Lovett
R - Hille, McPhee, Stanton

i want to see Adam McPhee move into the midfield.
we know he gets a lot possessions across halfback, but he just doesn't hurt the opposition.
if Chad Cornes can do it, why not try McPhee.
Nash is a good player now.
Monfries needs to push into the midfield.
Peverill needs to go back to tagging.
Welsh should go back to the backline.
L-Murray can be the new McPhee.

[GreaT SourcE]

Originally Posted by Tippaz

...i want to see Adam McPhee move into the midfield.
we know he gets a lot possessions across halfback, but he just doesn't hurt the opposition. Monfries needs to push into the midfield.
Welsh should go back to the backline.
L-Murray can be the new McPhee.

I agree with all of that. I think Monfries could be a real surprise packet next year, he could turn into a gutsy goal - kicking midfiedler. McPhee has to start hurting the opposition with his posessions, so moving him into the midfield could be the answer. Stanton, Monfries, Winderlich - Midfield. That young brigade of midfielders looks pretty good. We have got some hope for next year, don't yous write us off yet.