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4 September 2004. I have memorised this date for the hilarity.
When Rutten takes over as coach, that will make it 11 of Essendon's 12 past coaches who never coached Essendon in a winning final. I think it was 1968 when a non-Sheedy coached Essendon side last won a final.
The Hun has produced this fuzzy logic that Essendon has some finals light at the end of the tunnel
The finals drought will stretch into 2020, but there’s reason for optimism if you’re an Essendon fan.
The Bombers held firm on Joe Daniher’s trade request to Sydney and Orazio Fantasia stayed put at Tullamarine after being linked with a return to South Australia.
If John Worsfold and coach-in-waiting Ben Rutten can get the best out of that oft-injured pair and Dyson Heppell overcomes his foot issues, Essendon will have few excuses if it fails to build on an elimination final appearance.
These are the eight reasons Bombers supporters should be excited about next year.
1. TIME IS NOW
In 2018, leading football commentator David King coined the phrase ‘The Tullamarine Globetrotters’ when referencing Essendon and its premiership chances on the back of being one of the most damaging offensive teams in the competition. King was not the only expert to tip the Bombers to win the flag that year. But since then, Essendon has done little to live up to the hype. The Bombers missed finals in 2018 and finished eighth last season before producing a lacklustre elimination final performance against West Coast and suffering a 55-point humbling. The club simply can’t afford another mediocre mid-table finish. With the sixth-oldest list in the competition, the time to strike is now.
2. DANIHER RETURN
Essendon stood its ground and knocked back Joe Daniher’s bid to join Sydney during the trade period and the Bombers will be hoping the move pays off. A rare talent, Daniher kicked 65 goals in 2017 but has played only 11 of a possible 45 games since due to persistent groin problems. Daniher spoke in November about making the trade request because he wanted a “fresh start” to turn things around with his groin, but the Bombers are confident they can get the injury right and their key forward says he is fully “committed” to the club once again.
3. MORE FANTASIA
He might wear No. 13 on his back, but there is nothing unlucky about Orazio Fantasia. In fact, the forward has proven a good-luck charm for the Bombers in recent years and has often been a team barometer and matchwinner. The problem is that injuries have restricted Fantasia to just 28 of a possible 45 games over the past two years including 15 last season. During that period, Fantasia has ranked second at Essendon for average goals (1.4 a game), equal-fourth for score involvements (5.7 a game) and has averaged 70 SuperCoach ranking points. In his last full season in 2017, Fantasia kicked 39 goals from 20 games. Like Daniher, if he can rediscover that form and fitness it will go a long way to the side climbing the ladder.
4. MORE HEPPELL
Captain Dyson Heppell recorded his fewest Brownlow Medal votes since 2012 last season after a tough year. While the midfielder still bravely managed to play 18 games, he was clearly hampered in some of them by a foot injury which limited his output. Heppell played less than 80 per cent game time in five matches, including just 53 per cent in the Bombers’ elimination final loss. While he still averaged a more than respectable 26.3 disposals for the season, the 27-year-old recorded his fewest SuperCoach ranking points (95 a game) since 2013 and his fewest clearances (3.8 a game) since 2012. Given the Bombers aren’t brimming with midfield depth nor leadership, they could hardly afford to be without Heppell on the park and playing at his best. Fingers will be crossed at Tullamarine to see more of the skipper in 2020.
5. SMITH RETURN
Former Greater Western Sydney midfielder Devon Smith was being hailed one of the recruits of the year in 2018 after winning the best-and-fairest in his first season at the Bombers. But a knee injury did not give him the chance to back it up. Smith only played seven games last season, having been unsighted after Round 8. But it’s worth remembering just what a good 2018 campaign he had. He ranked fourth at Essendon for total disposals that year (22 a game), first for tackles (8.5 a game), third for inside-50s (3.1 a game) and fourth for clearances (3.3 a game). To top it off, Smith also kicked 17 goals. That is a pretty handy virtual recruit for the Bombers in 2020.
6. THE FORMER NO. 1
In his third season, 2016 No. 1 draft pick Andrew McGrath gave a glimpse of what his future holds and it had many Essendon fans salivating. Having spent much of his first two years in defence, McGrath was given greater opportunities up the ground and recorded career-high season averages for disposals (21 a game), metres gained (276 a game), inside-50s (2.3 a game) and clearances (1.6 a game). During brief stints forward, McGrath was also able to impact the scoreboard and he was named in the AFL Players’ Association 22under22 team for a third-straight year. The Bombers expect further improvement from McGrath in 2020 as he continues to build his midfield craft and leadership.
7. COACHING REFRESH
It has been proven time and time again that coaching changes can make a significant difference and Essendon has had two big ones over the off-season. John Worsfold has taken a step back for what will be his final year at Tullamarine and will delegate much of the responsibility around game plan to Ben Rutten, who will officially take the senior coach title in 2021. The Bombers also poached assistant coach Blake Caracella from Richmond, who joined the Tigers in 2017 and was said to be one of the masterminds of their breakthrough premiership that year due to being in charge of the team’s ball movement. Caracella also played a key role in Geelong’s 2011 premiership success. Can success follow him to Essendon?
Essendon draftees Lachlan Johnson, Ned Cahill, Mitch Hibberd, Harrison Jones and Nick Bryan are welcomed to the club.
8. THE RECRUITS
Essendon did not have a lot to work with during the trade and draft period, having traded its first-round pick to GWS as part of the deal to secure Dylan Shiel at the end of 2018. However, the Bombers did add a couple of handy players to their list. Former Brisbane wingman Tom Cutler was secured during the trade period, the Bombers liking the run and speed the 24-year-old can provide on the outside of the contest. Harrison Jones was the club’s first draft pick at No. 30 and is an exciting 194cm tall forward likened to former St Kilda champion Nick Riewoldt.
CHAMPION DATA SAYS
So much reliance will land on the Bombers defensive unit heading into 2020. Their defence is rated as the sixth best in the competition, they also have the sixth oldest defensive group. Conor McKenna is rated elite in his position while Aaron Francis and Adam Saad are rated above average.
I don't believe Essendon are in for a good season. There will be coaching changes regardless with hos they perform and that will be a distraction for them. Does Joe Daniher actually want to be there and they are running a significant injury list
If Daniher wants to be there and overcomes his injuries then they're a chance but I think they finish at best 10th
Pretty average bunch of reaaons to get excited.
One says they'll be better because people said they'd be good two seasons ago.
The next two talk about two injury prone players who both wanted out as being difference makers, with neither having been able to make them a good side in the last two years.
The next talls about their mediocre captain.
The next is legit, as Smith dpes improve them.
The McGrath one is also promising, but it is alarming that it is the only point of the eight that even mentions a young player with scope for imrpovement actually having a positive impact.
The coaching one is fine but is more of a rejig at this stage.
And the last one is a joke, imagine havinv so few reasons to get excited that Tom Cutler and a pick 30 key forward that probably wont even play till 2022 make your top 8.
Essendon is a Ponzi Scheme that just fraudulently lures new investors for the benefit of older investors, namely the media that gets a shit tonne of mileage out of talking about them regularly.
For years we've been hearing about why they will be the next big thing, with their fans getting excited and it's all been for naught. And I actually blame the Kool-Aide drinking tosser fans themselves by and by, they are getting what they deserve for their arrogance and self entitled attitudes.
The only substantive change they've made to their team from last year is the possible addition of a guy who is both certain to get injured and to leave at the end of the year.
Essendon have no outstanding talent across any line with the exception of Daniher, who might not get on the field and who they were still rubbish with anyway. I can't see how anyone could conclude they will improve on last season especially considering not 4 games ago they conceded 21 consecutive goals.
Essendon do better than just about every other team in Melbourne with the media pumping up their chances. They know they will get a heap of praise by the supporter base. I just can't see how they can perform well with the distraction of the planned coaching changes and the current injury list. The playing list lacks quality and depth anyway
They will need a lot of things to go right for them
Agree GVGjr.
They lack depth and class, their injury list means they will struggle early and they have a number of distractions (both with coaches and players). I think they'll finish in the bottom third of the ladder.
They won so many tight games that could have easily gone the other way. They're set for a decent fall in 2020.
Bottom would be niceQuote:
Originally Posted by comrade
Great post Jee. You've hit the nail right on the head mate.Quote:
Originally Posted by jeemak
Just reading on twitter that Jake Stringer has smashed his time trail and Essendon are looking for him to spend more time in the midfield. If the penny has finally dropped for Stringer then that's good news for the Bombers, the reality is that we have heard this for a few seasons now
Yeah, yeah Robbo, sorry Jakey, I've heard it all before son.Quote:
Originally Posted by GVGjr
Walk the walk and we will listen.
No way! Is he training the house down too?Quote:
Originally Posted by GVGjr
It's great that Jake is running well. But why would Essendon move a potential 3 goal per game forward into the mids.Quote:
Originally Posted by GVGjr
The obsession first Bevo and now Worsfold have with moving him into the mids is driving me nuts. 3-4 CBD's per game.
If you want to get the best out of him, stick him inside 50m and kick the ball in his direction. Watch and enjoy what happens next.
Essendon will be a dangerous side next year and are a threat in every game due to their scoring potential. I get the frustration with all of the positive press they get despite poor on-field performances but if Hawthorn and Melbourne supporters are thinking Top 4 why wouldn't Essendon fans be thinking the same? I think we are going to win it so it isn't like I am any better!
I don't think he will ever have the tank to be mainly a midfielder so if I was at Essendon I would be be hoping for him to play 85% in forward line. They'd be happy with anything close to a 50 goal season. Jake's a talented player but coaches should be content with using him as a 3rd tall forwardQuote:
Originally Posted by mjp
Essendon is still reeling from its poor Club management during its drugs saga. The Sheedy influence similar to Clarkson at Hawthorn has never been adequately replaced. The Hird/ Thompson coaching saga proved to be a disaster which still hangs over a Club that was one of the powerhouses of the League.Quote:
Originally Posted by GVGjr
I 100% agree with your first point. The spot that Jake can play when he's at his peak is the hardest spot to fill on the ground, so of course the brains trust at Essendon are trying to move him out of it in the hope that he might do something else half as well.Quote:
Originally Posted by mjp
Dangerous side next year though? Really doubt it. They have a piss poor midfield and have made no improvements to it short of moving their best player from their forward line into it, in spite of all evidence suggesting its a bad idea. Joe Daniher has more property interests in Sydney than functioning legs. They will be terrible next year and it will be beautiful.
I wouldn’t mind kicking 20+ goals straight against them again. That was crazily fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Days
I am a big subscriber to some teams seasons almost being make or break in the first few rounds. If they get a few wins on the boards the place builds huge belief, but they are pretty fragile and have trouble backing up the truck if it goes the other way. I think Essendon is one such team and the opening three relatively ‘soft’ games against Freo (home), Sydney, and Carlton will likely define their year.
They did finally address their glaring weakness with inside mids by taking Mitch Hibberd from Willy.Quote:
Originally Posted by Happy Days
I'm not convinced with their ruck division but getting Smith back and having an actual big bodied inside mid makes them far more competitive.
A lot rests on Daniher getting fit because I just don't see a viable plan B as a KPF that doesn't rob their backline.
Don't misjudge yourself. You and I are on the same page on that one. Realism surely!!Quote:
Originally Posted by mjp
Essendon will struggle so long as Dyson Heppell is the captain. He's a decent player but he's a shithouse captain IMO. I recall him missing goals or not even making the distance last year in tight games. Good captains kick the important goals when they get the chance.
I hope the Bont is reading this.
I have seen Dyson Heppell twice in the last two weeks. Once at the zoo when I was working a shift and on Saturday when I was on my home from work he was standing at an intersection (it was a roundabout actually-the one outside 7-11 just down from Windy Hill) in Essendon with his partner-I'm assuming they were on their way to get some dinner.Quote:
Originally Posted by ratsmac
I don't mind Dyson. He runs hard - how difficult it is to gut-run late in a game is underrated by your average (non running) footy fan.
I watched him at the zoo and kids were flocking to him to talk and get an autograph but Heppell was cool with it. Every kid got a bit of his time and attention-even the kids in jumpers or shirts that werent EFC branded got an autograph and some time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mofra
The person I was working with asked who he was and when I told them she said "I thought that all footballers were stuck up arseholes-good for him"
It’s amazing how you can genuinely hate a player on the field and then they turn out to be the best blokes. I remember reading how Tex Walker went above and beyond for a young girl who ran out onto the field with the team to make her feel safe and confident.Quote:
Originally Posted by Twodogs
Are you one of the exhibits Twodogs? :DQuote:
Originally Posted by Twodogs
Joe is off to Ireland to try and sort out his groin.
Poor guy, but it makes the Dodoro trade demands to Sydney even stranger.
Nah, I've just got the best job in the world.Quote:
Originally Posted by Axe Man
Actually Sheedy and his enormous ego are a big factor in their decline over the last 20 years. The years from 2003-2006 were the lost years, where the club got comfortable and Sheedy was phoning it in. He stayed on 3 years too long and the playing list was not refreshed anywhere near enough in that time.Quote:
Originally Posted by Nuggety Back Pocket
They were arrogant enough to think that the salary cap didn't apply to them too. Up until they lost those three players in the early 200s. They flat out cheated their way to the 2000 premiership and the '93 premiership is tainted too.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedat
Long may they struggle. A stain on the league and the game more broadly.
And a shit stain at that.Quote:
Originally Posted by SonofScray
Why is the 93’ flag tainted?Quote:
Originally Posted by Twodogs
Found guilty of cheating the cap. They also cheated the cap in 2000 with the Lloyd and Hird domain names fiasco, so their last legitimate premiership was 35 years ago.Quote:
Originally Posted by AshMac
AFL too gutless to take away premierships for cheating, unlike the NRLQuote:
Originally Posted by Sedat
Even then they had Merrett running around whacking blokes when the ball was 50 metres away.Quote:
Originally Posted by Sedat
So now they have Hibberd in for surgery and Danaher still can’t get right , with a coach that has no future at the club I can only see them sliding.