Essendon 2007 In Retrospect
06/10/07 19:58
Good evening,
As this is BomberBoy's Blog and we have come to the end of the season, it is an appropriate time to pen some thoughts on the 2007 season and prospects for 2008.
I am disappointed in 2007 for several reasons. The retirement of our 'mastercoach' Kevin Sheedy just leaves an empty feeling and a hole that desperately needs to be filled (more on this later). My sadness is not generated by nature of Sheedy's removal. He is a cagey old bugger as everyone knows, so getting him out would always be difficult whatever the timing and age. I will just miss his words of wisdom, press conference ambiguities, ultra-positive promotion of AFL and the mighty Essendon Football Club. Thanks for a lifetime of dedication and success Kevin.
Second, the retirement of James Hird creates more sadness. Our legendary 'No 5' graces the wall of my living room and I have delighted in his performances throughout his career. When they talk about footballers being role models, could there actually be a better one? Thanks for the memories James and I look forward to watching your career continue to blossom in it;s next phases.
On field, the season was mixed. The positives were the overall quality and consistent high performance of Hirdy when he was on the park; the immediate impact of Alwyn Davey who will excite Bomber fans for years to come; the emergence and maturity of Paddy Ryder; the win over West Coast at the 'Dome' coming back after an extremely sluggish start being the 'highs' that quickly come to mind.
But the outstanding highlight for me for 2007 was Scott Lucas's individual performance against West Coast in Round 22 when he kicked seven goals in the final quarter to nearly bring off an Essendon win and a fairy tale finish to Kevin and James career with the club.
The negatives were again a slow and mediocre midfield which placed too much stress on a back line which could hold up only so long. Also I was confused why some available speed wasn't injected given strong performances by some at the Bendigo Bombers and bemused why a game plan to exploit a fit Matthew Lloyd (along with the new hands in the back rule) wasn't developed. A big disappointment was James and Alwyn going down together in the Geelong game while we were in a very competitive position in that game and for the season.
So with the retirements of Hird, Camporeale, Heffernan and Bolton and the departure of Sheedy, where to in 2008?
I will be honest and admit Matthew Knights would not have been my first choice as senior coach. But his decision to release Gary Ayres and Dean Wallis from the coaching panel is one I agree with. They were part of the past regime which made some strange decisions and it was time to clean the leadership out. I understand that Knights will be focusing on youth, injecting a higher skill base and offer a more 'teaching' style to develop the players and associated game plan. While it may have been more prudent offer a two year not three year deal, now the decision has been made it is time for some solidarity and good luck Matthew. Take us forward!
As for the playing list, I think there is promise if improvements are made in the midfield set ups, rotations and they play with more accountably than in prior seasons. I look forward to seeing more game time from Gumbleton, Jetta, Dempsey and Houli. This in itself will be exciting. However it is make or break for Johns, Bradley and Lee, with Michael, Mark J and JJ likely to find 2008 being the end of their careers.
My prediction is for a finish in the range 8 - 12. I can't really see us being much better than a 50/50 win loss ratio for next year as the new coach and playing group develop and mature.
But as ever, Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
As this is BomberBoy's Blog and we have come to the end of the season, it is an appropriate time to pen some thoughts on the 2007 season and prospects for 2008.
I am disappointed in 2007 for several reasons. The retirement of our 'mastercoach' Kevin Sheedy just leaves an empty feeling and a hole that desperately needs to be filled (more on this later). My sadness is not generated by nature of Sheedy's removal. He is a cagey old bugger as everyone knows, so getting him out would always be difficult whatever the timing and age. I will just miss his words of wisdom, press conference ambiguities, ultra-positive promotion of AFL and the mighty Essendon Football Club. Thanks for a lifetime of dedication and success Kevin.
Second, the retirement of James Hird creates more sadness. Our legendary 'No 5' graces the wall of my living room and I have delighted in his performances throughout his career. When they talk about footballers being role models, could there actually be a better one? Thanks for the memories James and I look forward to watching your career continue to blossom in it;s next phases.
On field, the season was mixed. The positives were the overall quality and consistent high performance of Hirdy when he was on the park; the immediate impact of Alwyn Davey who will excite Bomber fans for years to come; the emergence and maturity of Paddy Ryder; the win over West Coast at the 'Dome' coming back after an extremely sluggish start being the 'highs' that quickly come to mind.
But the outstanding highlight for me for 2007 was Scott Lucas's individual performance against West Coast in Round 22 when he kicked seven goals in the final quarter to nearly bring off an Essendon win and a fairy tale finish to Kevin and James career with the club.
The negatives were again a slow and mediocre midfield which placed too much stress on a back line which could hold up only so long. Also I was confused why some available speed wasn't injected given strong performances by some at the Bendigo Bombers and bemused why a game plan to exploit a fit Matthew Lloyd (along with the new hands in the back rule) wasn't developed. A big disappointment was James and Alwyn going down together in the Geelong game while we were in a very competitive position in that game and for the season.
So with the retirements of Hird, Camporeale, Heffernan and Bolton and the departure of Sheedy, where to in 2008?
I will be honest and admit Matthew Knights would not have been my first choice as senior coach. But his decision to release Gary Ayres and Dean Wallis from the coaching panel is one I agree with. They were part of the past regime which made some strange decisions and it was time to clean the leadership out. I understand that Knights will be focusing on youth, injecting a higher skill base and offer a more 'teaching' style to develop the players and associated game plan. While it may have been more prudent offer a two year not three year deal, now the decision has been made it is time for some solidarity and good luck Matthew. Take us forward!
As for the playing list, I think there is promise if improvements are made in the midfield set ups, rotations and they play with more accountably than in prior seasons. I look forward to seeing more game time from Gumbleton, Jetta, Dempsey and Houli. This in itself will be exciting. However it is make or break for Johns, Bradley and Lee, with Michael, Mark J and JJ likely to find 2008 being the end of their careers.
My prediction is for a finish in the range 8 - 12. I can't really see us being much better than a 50/50 win loss ratio for next year as the new coach and playing group develop and mature.
But as ever, Go Bombers!
Bye for now, BomberBoy