Great write up. As a bomber fan i agree the approach at the last draft was a good signal that the new recruiting department understood where our list is really at ie previous rebuild wasn’t going to cut it. Whilst I hope for your optimistic case I’m persuaded by your pessimistic case and think the jump won’t happen this year.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment, Matt. I appreciate it.
There really was improvement, even if by the end of the season, it didn't feel like it. I was actually at both the Crows and Suns games late in the season, and could feel how deflating and disappointing they were. I agree you with 2025 might not be the year they jump up the ladder, but at least the trajectory seems to be correct.
As a bomber supporter (and supercoach player) your assessment of the bombers ring true.
Tsatis looks like he will kick on as does Harry Jones. Cox has been disappointing. Hobbs strikes me as a hard worker who lacks the necessary composure to be effective at AFL level. Draper is frustrating as he is capable of more than he is delivering. Our defence should improve again this year and yes Kako adds both attacking and defensive skills to the forwards.
Overall I feel we will improve again this year. A change in attitude and increased defensive pressure in transition would be great to see.
First time I have been on your site Mateo and impressed with your thoughts and efforts. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Wayne, really appreciate the comment! I think the pre-season game against Geelong is probably cause for optimism – it definitely looks like a more sustainable style – but, of course, Essendon fans have been down this optimism/disappointment path a few times before.
Their draw was almost unfair on Essendon fans last year, giving them their best run in the first rounds and then seemingly getting progressively harder as the year went on. Perfect recipe for false hope.
Great write up. As a bomber fan i agree the approach at the last draft was a good signal that the new recruiting department understood where our list is really at ie previous rebuild wasn’t going to cut it. Whilst I hope for your optimistic case I’m persuaded by your pessimistic case and think the jump won’t happen this year.
Thanks for taking the time to read and leave a comment, Matt. I appreciate it.
There really was improvement, even if by the end of the season, it didn't feel like it. I was actually at both the Crows and Suns games late in the season, and could feel how deflating and disappointing they were. I agree you with 2025 might not be the year they jump up the ladder, but at least the trajectory seems to be correct.
As a bomber supporter (and supercoach player) your assessment of the bombers ring true.
Tsatis looks like he will kick on as does Harry Jones. Cox has been disappointing. Hobbs strikes me as a hard worker who lacks the necessary composure to be effective at AFL level. Draper is frustrating as he is capable of more than he is delivering. Our defence should improve again this year and yes Kako adds both attacking and defensive skills to the forwards.
Overall I feel we will improve again this year. A change in attitude and increased defensive pressure in transition would be great to see.
First time I have been on your site Mateo and impressed with your thoughts and efforts. Keep up the great work.
Thanks Wayne, really appreciate the comment! I think the pre-season game against Geelong is probably cause for optimism – it definitely looks like a more sustainable style – but, of course, Essendon fans have been down this optimism/disappointment path a few times before.
Fantastic article. Clever, insightful, balanced and well articulated. Thanks
Thanks very much, Jeff! Really appreciate you taking the time to read and comment.
Their draw was almost unfair on Essendon fans last year, giving them their best run in the first rounds and then seemingly getting progressively harder as the year went on. Perfect recipe for false hope.
Not really true - lost to 4 of the the bottom 6 on the run home (Dees, Suns, Crows, Saints). All at home.
Was no real excuse to fade away like we did.
Suns away were effectively a top 8 side, and Crows/ Dees were unpredictable. Saints unforgivable.