The Bombers Season Review 2009
13/09/09 19:24
Good evening,
So, an eighth place finish for us in 2009. Flatters to deceive I'm afraid. We won 10.5 games out of 23 for the year, after only eight wins in 2008. Not what you would call dominant and the signs from the coach and his high-handed treatment of senior players does not augur well for harmony and cohesion going into 2010. He seems to have a problem with experience, surrounds himself with junior coaches (almost solely) and doesn't appear to have gotten over the nature of his exit from Punt Road a decade ago. I wouldn't be at all disappointed if the Bombers didn't re-sign Matthew Knights at the end of his current three year deal in 2010. Going into next season with a 18.5 out of 45 record, and should we have another losing season I would hope that the new President and new CEO (fortunately neither of whom were involved in Knight's initial hiring) don't fall for the Knights-speak and judge his performance solely by our on-field results.
On the plus side, like most supporters I was delighted with the emergence of Pears, Hooker and Hurley as an exciting 'spine' for the future. It was great to see Andrew Lovett settle down and play exciting and disciplined footy (Update: Another Knights victim, gone.....). And unlike many fans I quite liked the efforts of Monfries, Henry Slattery, Dyson, McPhee and Hocking across the season often in difficult circumstances.
Disappointments? Serious injuries to Hille, Laycock, Welsh and Gumbleton of course, coaching / selection blunders (how can you not play a ruckman in any game, let alone a final?), Jay Neagle's aerobic fitness, the playing treatment of David Zaharakis, Bendigo Bombers losing all 20 games this year (can you spell 'development'?) and a one-dimensional game plan to name a few.
But to end on some more positives, congratulations to Jobe Watson and Patrick Ryder for their commitment and on-field leadership (after David Hille went down) and to our captain, Matthew Lloyd in maintaining his grace and focus under enemy, and allegedly friendly, fire. And where would we be without 'Fletch'. Just a joy to watch him run around spoiling opponents and kicking the long bomb! And finally, thanks to Scott Lucas for a superb career, and keeping the stereotype of the one-sided player alive!
Looking forward, albeit with some trepidation, to season 2010. To paraphrase an ancient Chinese proverb - 'May your team play in interesting times'!
Bye for now, BomberBoy
On the plus side, like most supporters I was delighted with the emergence of Pears, Hooker and Hurley as an exciting 'spine' for the future. It was great to see Andrew Lovett settle down and play exciting and disciplined footy (Update: Another Knights victim, gone.....). And unlike many fans I quite liked the efforts of Monfries, Henry Slattery, Dyson, McPhee and Hocking across the season often in difficult circumstances.
Disappointments? Serious injuries to Hille, Laycock, Welsh and Gumbleton of course, coaching / selection blunders (how can you not play a ruckman in any game, let alone a final?), Jay Neagle's aerobic fitness, the playing treatment of David Zaharakis, Bendigo Bombers losing all 20 games this year (can you spell 'development'?) and a one-dimensional game plan to name a few.
But to end on some more positives, congratulations to Jobe Watson and Patrick Ryder for their commitment and on-field leadership (after David Hille went down) and to our captain, Matthew Lloyd in maintaining his grace and focus under enemy, and allegedly friendly, fire. And where would we be without 'Fletch'. Just a joy to watch him run around spoiling opponents and kicking the long bomb! And finally, thanks to Scott Lucas for a superb career, and keeping the stereotype of the one-sided player alive!
Looking forward, albeit with some trepidation, to season 2010. To paraphrase an ancient Chinese proverb - 'May your team play in interesting times'!
Bye for now, BomberBoy