Round Eighteen Match Review! (Essendon v Melbourne)

[@ozlxfts]

I saw a great comment on an Instagram post, it said “call us the itsy bitsy spiders the way the rain washes us out. Every single time.” Could not be more accurate

[@rampers3585]

Lining up with 4-5 players over 200CM tall in the wet is pure coaching incompetency

[@Littleyeti7]

Exactly, a lot of people complaining about random things that were irrelevant. There was two main issues. Selecting someone like Cox in that weather to play a wing was crazy. Especially against a team that plays guys like Langdon on their wings. The other issue was the style of play, there was no lack of effort but the decision making an options taken in the wet were stupid. Short passes, backwards handballs, reckless switches, then fumbling the wet ball.

[@kennethreid8632]

100% correct.

[@ryanmueck832]

Thought it was the perfect night for a Ben Hobbs type: bit of grunt, in and under, does the dirty work. Martin has to stay forward of centre.

[@kyalking1313]

Agreed

[@Casanova-Frankenstein_93]

I'm not an Essendon supporter, but the decision to not play Hobbs and sub Hind and play Cox instead...

[@mus31]

Like Shiel, spots need to be earned not given. its time to rest Perkins, Cox and maybe Wright as well

[@your_uncle_telly]

Yep couldn't agree more. Well overdue add Draper to that list and give Bryan a run.

[@UptheDONS-v7i]

@@your_uncle_telly Nah drapers been good

[@josephfailla3955]

​@@UptheDONS-v7iDude was horrible against melb, couldn't mark to save his life

[@UptheDONS-v7i]

@@josephfailla3955 you got to remember it was in the wet, also he dominated in the ruck with no gawn, as soon as wright came in ruck it was a guarantee melbourne win

[@Ageofredemption]

Draper was saving us I thought it would have been a a bigger blow out without him​@@UptheDONS-v7i

[@glendagravis8783]

Marvel does us such a diservice. We need to play outside in the wet. Training more often at Windy Hill. Also, as I have said before, we need to be able to put teams away. ❤️🖤❤️🖤

[@ideaphile]

A beyond-dumb playing and coaching group who somehow thought over-possession and kicking short in the wet would be a good idea in spite of a 150 years of history that has said the exact opposite. Those final goals were dead time and irrelevant - the game was over 5 mins into the last quarter. 4 losses out of 6 (75% loss rate) is tracking worse than last year's capitulation of 7 out of 10 (70% loss rate). The slide has not only begun, it is in full swing.

[@Healinghikesaustralia]

Gresham out setterfield in Should of played setterfield and Hobbs in the wet Votes Ridley McKay Duursma

[@droquet6961]

Perkins though. Has to come out once Parish is ready. Definitely agree on Gresh though, has been so disappointing the last couple months.

[@Healinghikesaustralia]

@droquet6961 Parish gets in yeah perkins sounds right he's a tease

[@tyrus_76]

Fucking devastated

[@Troyski.G]

It's a rollercoaster supporting the Dons, has been for years but most of us can accept it as long as we're improving our footy to be the team that can stand up in September. Nothing good to say about that game as a team, we let ourselves down and there were some individuals that stood out. McKay, Martin, Caldwell all deserve a mention. Wet weather football. It's about the fundamentals, get them right and the result takes care of itself. Ball handling, hitting open targets and taking territory not blind kicks straight to the opposition. Have to identify those areas we were poor in and put time into correcting them. Was reported that Melbourne had trained with wet soapy footballs prior and what happened? They adjusted to the conditions better. It isn't rocket science. Every game from hear is an elimination final for us if we are still aiming to feature in finals. What a missed opportunity. That's footy.

[@kennethreid8632]

We absolutely need to start training with wet soapy football's. Similar thing happened against Geelong in the wet.

[@wenisman]

Bombers have been terrible in wet weather since before Rutton was coach. Think its time we give Bryan a run and manage Draper, Perkins needs to be managed as well and give Tsatas|Roberts|Hobbs a run. And shake up the forward line, either Wright or Langford needs a bit of management. Langford hasnt kicked a bag and generally only gets a goal or two from frees late in the match 3 - mckay 2 - martin 1 - ridley RP - Kelly

[@user-mw5pv1ml9u]

We were a disgrace. Stringer must be the worst wet weather player in the comp. Why does Draper thump the ball in the ruck without any direction? We are simply a low IQ side.

[@Conflictz]

Draper is so overrated his been in the system for 7 YEARS and has NO RUCK CRAFT if the crows want so bad let them have him he does one good thing for 100 bad things

[@npd6225]

Looking at Adelaide’s 2nd half and the way St Kilda set up I honestly think we’re going to struggle for the rest of the season because we clearly don’t have the mental resolve to fight back when it counts.

[@thomes7318]

What an absolute disaster. Played 10 minutes at the start and end of the game and did absolutely nothing for an hour in between. Could have been 2nd on the ladder. Tragic.

[@the_venomous_viper1234]

We haven’t had a dangerous small forward since prime Tippa, we desperately need Menzie and the Davey twins to develop into consistent threats or starting trading for one

[@peterzhou2567]

None of them are going to get to the level we need

[@jasminelaw6296]

Out worked, outplayed and outcoached and we seriously suk in wet weather. It's been a problem for a long time

[@vtaq6811]

How many times this year have we dominated a quarter/half yet only had a small lead? I think we have some serious forward issues

[@howiecourt3445]

When I turned the game on and the commentators said "it's raining heavy out there", I knew we were cooked. I know we will get better in the wet eventually but this game was always going to be a write off the moment they came onto the field. Votes: 3 - RIdley 2 - Martin 1 - Duursma RP - Langford

[@peterhipwell4632]

Thanks for an honest review Absolutely right and we were out coached by a long way

[@zahreel3103]

I was particularly disappointed by the total breakdown in the 4th quarter. No matter what happens, you can't give up like that and allow the opposition to score almost unchecked. Glad the boys had a reaction in the finale, and I do wonder what would have happened if they had at least contained that outpouring of goals they suffered. Add to that at least 3 crucial misses (2 from Jones, who I'm tired of, and the other from Perkins) in the 1st / 2nd quarter, and you have the narrative of the match. With those 3 goals, the Dons would have been in control of the game still even when it was raining, and the game would have unfolded differently.

[@78wikk]

Played like the side we really are and sliding out of the 8 rapidly

[@gppmgppm]

Agree with everything you said. Excellent analysis. In addition to your comments... 1. Essendon's current game style of high-possession chaining hand-balls/kicks doesn't work in the wet. This has to be corrected as the bombers are consistently being found-out there over the past two years. 2. In a game where Draper should have had a field-day, his assumed "advantage" was completely nullified by a center team who where expecting to lose the ruck but win the clearance. Draper isn't an effective ruckman as he seems to lack an overall Aussie Rules football mind. 3. Jake Kelly works hard, but he makes poor decisions with his ball use that mostly lead to turn-overs. 4. Time to try some changes in the line-up, as others have noted. 5. This is the closest season I have seen (and I've seem more than 60) across all teams, so we need to be conscious of the fact that even the best of teams are going to have some down days and it doesn't take much to lose a match when things are this close. The future is still bright for the Bombers!

[@paulm6324]

Why on earth rest Goldy and Laverde? Might have swung the game, even with the underperformers

[@zingleraster9124]

I’ve offically tapped out for the season. If we stay in the 8 I will be pleasantly surprised. If so it will straight out of the finals with a first up loss. We need to drop & trade Wright & Draper. Cox & Perkins also to be dropped. Also we desperately need a sharp small forward. I thought Gresham was the answer however not doing it. Guelfi & Davey twins will not fill the hole.

[@Capital.Bomber]

I've been so pissed off for days now. We had a golden opportunity to go out there and get the job done. Gawn and Petracca missing and results up to the start of the game going our way. Well how soft was it. Grandma's feather bed that's how soft it was! Forget blaming wet weather. We don't need a game plan to include wet weather. We need 2 separate game plans. Wet and Dry. What do they do on rainy days at training? Go inside and practice dry footy under the roof? Geeeez.... Good teams with the year on the line just do that sort of business no matter what. Melbourne are a good team. Forget about thinking we were better. Ridley 3 McKay 2 Martin 1 RP Langford

[@pasti3697]

I’m a big fan of the managing of players. Rotate out cox, Perkins, Gresham, stringer and give them a rest. Put in Hobbs, Tsatas, Roberts and Setterfield

[@richardbehan8118]

3-Martin 2-McKay 1-Duursma RP- Draper

[@brad2064]

We have won 2 from the last 6. Everyone needs to reset their expectations on what we will achieve this year. If things go well we make the finals, but we don’t win one. We should be getting more excited about 2025 when all the younger players have another year behind them.

[@user-vq3qu5zx3n]

Great decision to bring the liability heppell back.

[@mrhypobaric2532]

Soul Destroying!!!!

[@MJ.2223]

The team miss read the location and had this one as Marvel stadium, game style was champagne football not a wet weather game !

[@ppatil300]

"Not time to swing the axe hard"!? It is the 4th loss in 6 games, the kind of losses that are not unfamiliar to us.

[@digazryan3557]

Honestly I’m happy where the clubs going. Need to stop talking about this top 4 talk. We were meant to finish between 8-14. I’m happy to see us finally playing a brand of footy that looks to be consistent in the future. UP THE DONS

[@4rtay]

We're not making top 4 or any finals wins if we cant play in wet or cold weather lol.

[@gallicchieftain7562]

Sorry for being the broken record on your channel but Draper is poo poo 😂 we need Parish badly. Opposition just tag Merret and we are cooked. Caldwell tries hard but we are toothless with the mullet in the middle having no idea how to ruck after 6 years at the club.

[@aaronsalmon1376]

Hopefully we don't put all our money on Draper, only to lose Bryan, then Draper either gets injured, or is happier being the clown. We have good mids, to do their job, I don't get why Draper needs to take on the world. That goal of the year is the worst thing to happen to him.

[@gallicchieftain7562]

Agreed. I've been praying for Bryan to get a consistent string of games all season..

[@ruckus1142]

3 Martin 2 Caldwell 1 McKay RP Redman We went into the last qtr 17 points down, the game was there to be won and it wasn't raining. We've been terrible in the wet since we left windy hill

[@Ytf2024]

Love the give Perkins a rest comments. The guy has done sofa for about 6 weeks, so hardly needs a “rest”. Dropping him is the correct term.

[@stevescott8566]

3: MacKay 2: Ridley 1:Martin RP: Shiel Our onballers way too soft at the contest. Wright, Perkins, Gresham and Cox passengers too often in big pressure games.

[@matthewwhitbourne4117]

Hey Felix, if you could go back in time and consider the wet weather, what personnel changes would you make?

[@themaxpowerway]

3- Martin 2- Caldwell 1- Durham RP- McKay My full ratings: Andrew McGrath 3 Sam Draper 7 Kyle Langford 8 Jye Caldwell 10 Zach Merrett 5 Dylan Shiel 8 Jade Gresham 3 Nik Cox 0 Jordan Ridley 6 Archie Perkins 4 Nick Hind (on) 1 Peter Wright (off) 4 Dyson Heppell 8 Sam Durham 10 Harrison Jones 1 Jake Stringer 9 Mason Redman 2 Xavier Duursma 5 Jake Kelly 2 Nate Caddy 4 Ben McKay 9 Matt Guelfi 2 Nic Martin 15

[@ASKWITH100]

Cox should be in the reserves at the moment he is useless.

[@neilrogers2231]

All year..

[@jackm4404]

3 McKay 2 Ridley 1 Martin Rp McGrath

[@kyalking1313]

When I saw it raining I knew they were fk’d

[@paulm6324]

Cant wait for Parish to return

[@dennisgreen6222]

Draper's "clearances" are worthless when our mids have no idea what he's doing - because drapes himself has no idea - and the opposition can just feed off the general chaos.

[@roboboro3641]

3. Martin 2. Caldwell 1. McKay Role. Duursma

[@Blake19]

3 Martin 2 Duursma 1 Draper RP McKay

[@BillJTimeSpace]

3 Martin 2 McKay 1 Ridley RP Langford

[@rustyhobbzy1973]

3- marto 2- ridley 1- mckay rp- 🤷‍♀️

[@glendagravis8783]

Martin Ridley Mckay RP Mc Grath

[@helicoptermn1463]

Cox was bad he didn’t wanna tackle at all Votes 3 Martin 2 Duursma 1 McKay RP Langford

[@ASKWITH100]

Cox is useless.

[@TheGunmanChannel]

No more edge

[@BrettBomberTempleton]

3 VOTES NICO MARTO 2 VOTES BIG SAMMY DAPPER 1 VOTE RIDDLER ROLE PLAYER JC

[@AceAussie77]

Rest Perkins, Cox and Wright for sure. Bring back Laverde and move Nic Martin to the wing where he was Elite. Bring in Menzie to be in the forward and bring backs Hobbs for god sake!

[@Cooperfriends1856]

If we don’t beat Adelaide on Friday, we might not make finals

[@placey1009]

3. McKay 2. Martin 1. Ridley RP: Duursma

[@kyalking1313]

They need to train with the sprinklers on ffs and learn to play in the wet that’s embarrassing I’d be so embarrassed if I was them

[@dylanplayzroblox5307]

3 Mckay 2 Martin 1 Ridley RP Duursma

[@gjsvidz]

Just an awful performance.

[@THEHUNTINGGURRU]

1. Nic Martin 2. Ben McKay 3. Caldwell Rp. ? So disappointed

[@jasminelaw6296]

Q - does anyone know why Hobbs isn't paying? We're not finals ready, we might make it up but we're not ready to seriously compete and go deep. #morewaiting 😂

[@piledrive]

The boys do no know how to play wet weather football. IT was disappointing to watch. Hopefully we can do better next week against the Crows

[@user-zh1cy4bs6s]

I don't know about others but we need to get rid off that useless Lavarde this year. He just plays one good game in between but on average he is so horrible player to watch.

[@aaronsalmon1376]

Carrying so many, 'senior' players, it's ridiculous. We are going to lose good players that aren't being given opportunity, because we want to stick with players that haven't played good in months. NO selection integrity.

[@kyalking1313]

It’s not about smarts Essendon always overcomplicate everything when it comes to playing wet weather footy Draper can’t ruck properly all they had to do were the basics that is it and you keep doing them until you score that’s all Melbourne did nothing to do with there age or the game plan.

[@lukeanthony3609]

The most mediocre footy team I’ve ever seen. Never terrible but never good. Just another standard year for these blokes

[@Lmclean89]

Get archie perkins out of the team and make him fight for it

[@dazza8389]

Ess en gone

[@BingChilling-qq5nx]

3 martin 2 ridley 1 mckay rp duursmaa

[@michaels2846]

Mindlessly bombing the ball into F50 all night was terrible to see. U14's stuff. Surprised Lever & May didn't take a break due to laughing so much. Stupid football. How Cox gets a game is completely beyond me.... shirked the contest more than once in this game. Why Hobbs & Setterfield weren't playing in those conditions was just idiotic.

[@indusrocks32]

Bunch of frauds

[@alaman321]

3 Ridley 2 McKay 1 Martin RP: Jones Terrible game

[@trent7893]

You’re spot on this week felix 3 Martin 2 McKay 1 Ridley RP: duursma

[@BomberHighlights-cm3uv]

3 Martin 2 Durham 1 McKay RP Duursma