Thompson tells Chapman he could win a premiership at Essendon

[specky92]

Bomber (Thompson) said he sees Essendon not too far off where Geelong was when the Cats were ready to go. - Chapman

A comment like that makes me very excited about the next stage of my career. - Chapman

And the way I feel is I can play for 2-3 years still. I feel like I did all those years ago at Geelong. - Chapman

I have joined a great club with great supporters and I feel like I did all those years ago at Geelong. - Chapman



http://www.heraldsun.com.au/sport/afl/mark-thompson-tells-paul-chapman-he-could-win-a-premiership-at-essendon/story-fni5f6kv-1226748486955

[silloc]

it's good to dream

[specky92]

Here's what I think needs to happen before we're a shot at the premiership

1. Hurley needs to take the next step and kick 40+ goals a season
2. Two of Zaharakis, Melksham, Myers and Howlett need to join the ranks of Watson, Goddard and Stanton
3. Heppell needs to become elite
4. Ryder needs to be more consistent
5. We need a tackling small forward eg. Zorko
6. We need an outside mid

I think no.3 is inevitable and the rest could go either way, not sure who our small forward will be, Howlett and Hocking are our elite tag gets, no way hocking could be a small forward

[silloc]

1. Hurley needs to take the next step and kick 40+ goals a season (he needs to play an uninterrupted season, the rest will follow)
2. Two of Zaharakis, Melksham, Myers and Howlett need to join the ranks of Watson, Goddard and Stanton
This is an interesting one, I think it might be an idea to give hibbo some midfield time to see if he can be one of those players. If Melksham can play like he did at the end of last year, look out. Myers has an X factor, but i'm not sure if he'll ever be a super star. Howlett, i dunno one of the only players to take a backwards step this year IMO. Zaka is a bees-dick off it.

3. Heppell needs to become elite (true)
4. Ryder needs to be more consistent (true)
5. We need a tackling small forward (dell'ollio, merret, colyer)
6. We need an outside mid (stanton or myers? or develope maybe one of hams, kav, edwards)

[AFEV]

Don't like the idea of moving Hibberd out of the backline. He can/will be an AA HBF/BP player, he's much more damaging rebounding from defence than he would be in the middle I think.
Zaharakis, Heppell and Melksham would be the ones that have to take the next step up and give us that core of 5-6 midfielders that contribute heavily I think. Myers seems like the sort that will always be a bit player, damaging and worth having in the rotation but you wouldn't want him to be a top 3 mid at your club.

Ryder will never be more consistent.

Kavanagh and Merrett I think will be those tackling small forwards. Kavanagh in particular tackles a lot. Once their bodies get bigger expect them to play that role well.

As for the outside mid, I would have to agree and I'm not even sure we have strong prospects that would actually be great in the role.

[silloc]

Personally i think we are missing another extractor, i think thats more a weak point than an outside mid.

My interest this season will be:
Browne, Alex         21yr 2mth
Merrett, Jackson    20yr 8mth
Kavanagh, Elliott    20yr 5mth
Dalgleish, Lauchlan 20yr 4mth
O'Brien, Nicholas    20yr 4mth

This is the 3rd season which is do or die for them, they're not boys anymore. That beeing said, they've all shown enough to suggest possible breakout seasons. I'd say 2 or 3 will make a massive leap. It's a crop i'm really licking my lips about.

[specky92]

Lol I've never heard of the bees dick expression but I imagine a bees dick is very small?  ;D Stanton's disposal efficiency just isn't good enough, tends to just pump it long every time he gets it, Myers is interesting, not sure how he is for pace though, definitely has the kicking efficiency. I also really like Hibberd on a flank, has a really good knack for floating off his man and making incept marks. How would Dalgleish go as an outside mid I'm wondering?  I've barely seen him but from what I have, he has the pace and effiency, apparently his tank is rubbish so hopefully we take him to Colorado

[specky92]

Also here's some of our weaknesses

Ranked 4th for inside 50's yet 11th for marks inside forward 50 and we don't currently have the small forward for that to be okay.

Ranked 12th for 1%'s

Ranked 4th for total opponent contested possessions

Ranked 12th for Tackles per game

[silloc]

Also here's some of our weaknesses

Ranked 4th for inside 50's yet 11th for marks inside forward 50 and we don't currently have the small forward for that to be okay.

Ranked 12th for 1%'s

Ranked 4th for total opponent contested possessions

Ranked 12th for Tackles per game

yes, that would suggest we don't have enough talent in the contests. Thats why i think we need A tommy libba in our squad (matt crouch, James Tsitas, Trent Dumont, Luke dunstan). get me some contested fewty

i think once we find continuity in our fwrd 50 we will see results. I find outsiders think our forward line is in ruins, but bomber fans and people who know footy are all aware that isn't our (main) issue.

I'm actually surprised our 1% are so low, thought having fletch on the park would average 20% :P

And finally i want to ask the questioin; who's on the chopping block this season???

[kilbluff1985]

would love to see those stats just for the first half of the season