Is James Hird the Messiah or is he just a very naughty boy!

[Maca24]

eski is just a jealous tigers fan ;)

[bomberboy0618]

Last thing I'll say is-
If a struggling team beats collingwood  when they are not that good consistently  and then beat them now, would you say that it's nothing to be excited over?

[Fletch74]

Last thing I'll say is-
If a struggling team beats collingwood  when they are not that good consistently  and then beat them now, would you say that it's nothing to be excited over?

Maybe BB, but we haven't done that yet... ;) So lets not get that far ahead yet.

[eski_liddr]

So basically what your are saying is that there is no such thing as improvement. It is so flowering obvious that the improvement of spirit, belief and game plan has heralded in a better team. Add to that all the new additions and improvers it is so obvious we have improved.
Also eski, when would you say its time to go nuts? When we beat one of the grand finalists? Oh wait we already did that. The third best team in the league atm? Oh wait we did that too. You are in denial sir. Get over it.

i really dont think you understand mate (I did say they were improving you dill!) so I'll leave you with this.... the Dons beat St Kilda the last 4 times (under knights and showing poor form throughout the season) and had beaten dogs under knights. (yet lost to all the "bad" teams.... in previous years and consistently on the road) thats not consistency mate 3 games and the same 3 results as usual....(as expected) Their is a new belief but there's also a new pressure and a new season that we haven't seen as yet..

The real test is on the road (which you should know of all people) that Essendon are shocking at... lived in WA for 2 years with the misses dragging me along and didnt win a game... consistency... also how is it that the tigers and sub par sides can beat the dons yet they get up in all the big games? I know this as i do enjoy watching most dons games throughout the years.

Go nuts when you beat collingwood..cause their the team to beat..that is all..

Ok I got crucified for having an opnion that differed amoung you guys. I hope you can see what I was getting at a few months back.
the dons (and supporters) have to keep their eyes on improvement. This current form is exactly what Essendon has done in the past. For some reason Essendon falters on the "easy" teams....Although you guys do have injuries they cannot rely on jobe and hurls. (and I acknowledge that pears, dempsy and winders is a BIG blow)
What has been displayed the last 2 games is a lack of form and metal strength. In 2-3 years we'll see a strong team. Very very strong team.

It's just a strong building stage, an exciting one at that.

[Justin Bieber]

Indeed Eski. Team has a ton of improvement needed to be a contender, even with a full strength team. Potential is there with midfielders and KPP. We have the runners, we have the in and unders and we have the talls and crumbers. Just need it all to come together and get some experience into the lads.

Alot of pressure is put on them after a very fast start. Sad to say they might have run out of steam a tad early :-\. I like the looks of a few guys who have stepped up like Howlett! With or without Watson/Hocking, he's done a great job with the clearances and assists from the middle. Last year I didn't even think much of him! I didn't expect the Dons to finish in the 8 this season with an inexperienced coach and an inexperienced team. Great to see them with wins on the board but with half the season to go, have to hope they can battle it out to maintain a spot they have in the 8. Can't wait to see them in 2-3 seasons like you said as consistent performances are a major problem.

[bomberboy0618]

So basically what your are saying is that there is no such thing as improvement. It is so flowering obvious that the improvement of spirit, belief and game plan has heralded in a better team. Add to that all the new additions and improvers it is so obvious we have improved.
Also eski, when would you say its time to go nuts? When we beat one of the grand finalists? Oh wait we already did that. The third best team in the league atm? Oh wait we did that too. You are in denial sir. Get over it.

i really dont think you understand mate (I did say they were improving you dill!) so I'll leave you with this.... the Dons beat St Kilda the last 4 times (under knights and showing poor form throughout the season) and had beaten dogs under knights. (yet lost to all the "bad" teams.... in previous years and consistently on the road) thats not consistency mate 3 games and the same 3 results as usual....(as expected) Their is a new belief but there's also a new pressure and a new season that we haven't seen as yet..

The real test is on the road (which you should know of all people) that Essendon are shocking at... lived in WA for 2 years with the misses dragging me along and didnt win a game... consistency... also how is it that the tigers and sub par sides can beat the dons yet they get up in all the big games? I know this as i do enjoy watching most dons games throughout the years.

Go nuts when you beat collingwood..cause their the team to beat..that is all..

Ok I got crucified for having an opnion that differed amoung you guys. I hope you can see what I was getting at a few months back.
the dons (and supporters) have to keep their eyes on improvement. This current form is exactly what Essendon has done in the past. For some reason Essendon falters on the "easy" teams....Although you guys do have injuries they cannot rely on jobe and hurls. (and I acknowledge that pears, dempsy and winders is a BIG blow)
What has been displayed the last 2 games is a lack of form and metal strength. In 2-3 years we'll see a strong team. Very very strong team.

It's just a strong building stage, an exciting one at that.

That sir I agree with. I was ashamed at the fact that we played so well, yet lost to richmond and melbourne, which should be gimme games.

[karicta]

All this talk, and I agree with much of the knights/hird discussion, particularly those that note the similarities in the teams' performance under each

Having said that, who has been going to the games?  It is patently obvious that we can't kick goals because WE ARE NOT PLAYING A FORWARD LINE, indeed I reckon at least half the game is spent without anyone inside the 50m line.  I cannot understand why Hille or Ryder do not stay deep fwd, probably one out, so there is someone to kick to.  All those fwd entries for no reward for mainly this reason.

Is it just me, or is this frustrating others as well?

[bunyip]

It would be frustrating for you, but, Essendon players have to learn to play a complete new game plan under Hird/Bomber. They are trying to play that way, but it takes time. This is one problem with having a new coach. I think that, given that, they have done extremely well to be in the 8. All the other teams have the same coaches from last season (except for us) or are not radically changing their game plan ie. Geelong and Sydney.
Considering this, I think the Dons are doing OK. You should make the 8, and maybe win 1 or 2 finals.

[AFEV]

I think if we can manage to get into the 8 we need Hurley and Watson back in the team. They are crucial to our setup and without them on the park we look lost.
I agree that we can make the 8, but for me, being a supporter, that is enough. I will be delighted with anything from there.
Same names as last year so they can't be expected to just come out and become a top 4-6 team with one pre-season.

[Cookie Monster]

exactly, sid.


James Hird was inducted to the AFL Hall of Fame last night. :claps



but against melbourne, we were playing the footy we were playing last year, annoyed me.