We're the Great Pretenders?

According to Split Enz, History Never Repeats - not in Essendonia
#afl #essendonbombers #footy #essendonfc #sportscomedy #bombers #funnysports

[@morkusmorkus6040]

Well said guys. Totally agree. It didn't necessarily cost us the game but it certainly didn't help. But as you said, I've never seen anything like it in terms of impact on a game with that many poor decisions in such a short period of time. Just shocking. We still would have lost, most likely but maybe not...momentum and 25pts y'know, but it could have been a more respectable closer game at very least.

[@taxads7791]

Draper would have missed that shot anyway, he can barely nail them from 10 metres out straight in front

[@Littleyeti7]

I’d argue it definitely changed the entire game, Geelong stayed close but Essendon were clearly the stronger looking side for the first half. The run of bad decisions that were inexcusable in a tight contest ruins a teams spirit.

[@taxads7791]

@Littleyeti7 they cannot be bad decisions, how can the same teams always benefit from these so-called "errors" & the same teams are on the receiving end. This is the Italian Serie A all over again, it's match-fixing, criminal behaviour. Laura Kane needs to face an inquiry, who else is leading this, who is behind this illegal behaviour

[@Littleyeti7]

@@taxads7791 oh, I agree, I guarantee the AFL for example is desperate to let Carlton win a flag, the amount of times they get away with holding, ruck infringements, holding the ball, that other teams always get penalised for, then not to mention how insanely soft the free kicks McKay and Curnow constantly get are crazy.

[@taxads7791]

@Littleyeti7 100%, they are umpiring to that particular narrative, have been for a couple of years now & this year they are basically saying it out loud that they're gonna make it happen no matter how blatant it looks

[@SonyCamry]

Most depressed i've been for a while after a loss. I genuinely thought we'd win. I think we got it wrong at selection. I would like us to throw the magnets around. Move martin forward, perkins froward, take out a ruck, play a more dynamic/fast team, in shiel, davey, hobbs, ,robertes etc

[@absolutelyessendon]

Guys like Perkins and Wright need to be put on notice that they will play out their careers in the VFL unless they can work harder.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Good points.

[@jamalnur9790]

We went to tall on the rain and also Peter wright had 2 goals. But Perkins need to be dropped

[@brucejensen3081]

​@@jamalnur9790how many times did they kick it to Wright. How times did Wright lead. How many times was he able to pick it up off the ground. He is seriously out of form and doesn't know what to do

[@jamalnur9790]

We never lower eyes just dump long kick to him every game. We should played caddy vs Geelong .

[@Molegahe1234]

Pretty sure Wright dips his hands in oil, then butter, then bacon grease before each game and in between quarters.

[@justinstringer9217]

I’m not sure he even has fingers!

[@andluc693]

and those mini trampoline things

[@johnbeach6812]

Or cement

[@BTR-xw4of]

ENOUGH !!! We picked Wright up and gave this bloke the amazing opportunity to play for one of 'the' biggest clubs, one of the longest establishment clubs - and Wright is just flighty. Enough - time to deliver or trade him. We fans have had it with players on MASSIVE money just ebbing in and out of play. Wright is on BIG money - play hard, kick goals or get out of our club.

[@petermcculloch4933]

I would do what Sheedy did with his spare ruckman, Roger Merrett and Paul Salmon.Bring Nick Bryan in and play him or Sam Draper at Full Forward instead of Peter Wright.If the club continues to play Bryan in the VFL he will leave.

[@gallicchieftain7562]

Shifted the momentum of the whole match after the draper non call. I think we should have suspensions for umpires the league is a joke sorry 😂

[@absolutelyessendon]

Great idea.

[@damiward]

Silver lining is that Durham and Caldwell have taken great steps forward this year setting us up for several years to come. If those two take the lead, with Merrett and Parish supporting them then we ares well set up for success. We haven’t had 4 top line tough mids for a long time. We just need a couple of others to show similar improvement and we will be contenders. If we can get some improvement out of Perkins, Cox, Hobbs and Tsatas we will be up there next year. The forward line remains a concern. It doesn’t hold up against a quality defense. 16:53 Wright is flakey, and Langford is talented but is not a key forward. Caddy is going to be a player, but he will need time to develop. We need a talented and dangerous small forward. That needs to be a priority. Don’t lose heart Bomber fans we won’t collapse like we did last year, and we will see improvement again next year.

[@kennethreid8632]

Spot on.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Nicely summarised

[@petermcculloch4933]

We have a lot riding on Reid too.At the moment Centre Half Back is a weakness

[@jamesm3723]

Perkins hind wright Goldstein Menzie out next week and bring in tsatas shiel Roberts and caddy please

[@dominicsgro1221]

Setterfield in too.

[@davidrees7319]

Guys Caddy didn’t play VFL. Carried over as emergency so despite the need to get games into him. He sits in the stands, makes absolutely no sense.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Yep, noticed that too. Crazy

[@mack3431]

Scott at his finest.

[@brucejensen3081]

The menzie rushed point, geelong did exactly the same thing prior. Thats what was fucked

[@taxads7791]

Menzie would have turned the ball over anyway, would have gifted them a goal in any event, he just is that kind of player unfortunately

[@brucejensen3081]

@@taxads7791 he is definitely confused down back. Then again when he works out what defenders are trying to do and how hard it is, when he goes forward again he will know what to do, to mess them up, and gradually grind them down. I think that's what good forwards do in the better teams, and they can put it on the scoreboard later on in games

[@brucec7034]

The umpiring standard has gone backwards this year, FOUR umpires is clearly not working, agree with you guys should have been at least 20 points up at half time. Langford has been poor for 4-6 weeks now, a big issue with so many inside 50s but very poor scoring from there, need to improve if we are ever going to be any good. The third quarter was just unbelievable with the number of bad decisions it sucked the life out of us (it ruined the game) and we could never recover. I’m worried for the rest of season now…

[@absolutelyessendon]

It was a horrible performance by the umps but as we said, the problem starts with the vagaries of the rules themselves

[@brucejensen3081]

Langford was good when Wright was suspended and last year when he was injured. Maybe Wright standing still with his hand up in the best space, doesn't help Langford

[@aussiebrewer]

The AFL are supposed to be the guardians of the game. Shame on them. The punishment of this club for the supplements saga continues. Give the umpires the 4 points because they surely won the game!

[@petermcculloch4933]

Yep.The last couple of years Essendon's fixture was designed to put the Bombers out of contention by mid season.This year, by round 12, 5 of the 6 away games were interstate.It has been obvious to me the AFL are deliberately making a difficult draw for the red and black.

[@brucejensen3081]

Yeah no parish, so they replace him with a 2m player. When we have setterfield, hobbs, roberts, sheil as you say and even tsatas. Caddy over another tall that cant pick the ball up in the wet too. We didnt have one too many talls, we had two

[@absolutelyessendon]

Selection was wrong and we all saw it coming on Thursday night. Scott runs the risk of being to proud and stubborn for his own good. Something that our North Melbourne friends remind us of constantly.

[@brucejensen3081]

@@absolutelyessendon some seemed happy with our selection Thursday night, I guess they are not so happy now

[@Capital.Bomber]

2 things 1st is our mental toughness. The "edge". We were the better team in the 1st half. A few very poor umpiring decisions didn't go our way. We then packed it in like we have done fo 20 years. 2nd: Umpiring professionalism. In an age were players are required to totally step up and lead an AFL lifestyle to be at their best, why aren't umpires also required to do the same? If they are then it wasn't on display at the "G" last night. Whilst we say it's not an excuse for the loss, those decisions sapped our enthusiasm. Come on AFL,, get the our game on a totally professional level!

[@absolutelyessendon]

Yes agreed, the capitulation is a worrying sign.

[@owner-builder]

This will be tough one to overcome. I think you covered it well. No doubt the umpires killed any momentum we had in the third quarter. Now we face Collingwood angry about their loss, I don't feel confident but still live with forlorn hope as we have for close on 20 years. Fix the forward line, it is our biggest problem.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Cheers…and yes, the forward line…and team selection….and rucks

[@TheGunmanChannel]

I've never been sold on the Bombers this season. Sure I've enjoyed the wins when we had them but the ladder position is more funny than anything. We belong in the bottom 4

[@absolutelyessendon]

Bottom 4 is a tough call. But given that we barely manage to beat teams in that area you may be right. Cox would be pleased to be hanging around near or even on the bottom. 😝

[@TheGunmanChannel]

@@absolutelyessendon 😂😂😂

[@brucejensen3081]

The forwards are chasing the defenders. They arent thinking how do i run the defenders off their legs. If its coming in 60 times, the defenders should be knackered. The geelong defenders looked like they could have played another game when the final siren sounded.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Great point

[@Bizza12345]

alarm bells are at like a 4 atm. we wanted 6 of the last 9 to ensure a home final, and starting with an L is a not ideal. rounds 21, 23 and and 24 were the losses i had marked on the calendar to achieve that result so it looks like we might be staring down the barrel of an away final. If the wheels really fall off, we cant rely on percentage to save us with how low it is. i have a feeling 2 rucks was played to give draper a rest, my guess knowing essendons history with groin issues is that they are being ultra conservative with him and thats why they wont admit it was a mistake. when draper went forward, granted it was wet but as usual, he is unable to stick the important marks and even if he did his set shot is dubious at best. his ruck craft and clearance follow up can be amazing at times, but hes not playing basketball anymore hes been playing pro footy for years now and the rest has not gotten much better. as much as i love his personality, it really does feel like its holding the side back. a players personality cant be so important that you compromise selection to include them.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Could have played Craper with Wright stepping up to ruck for five mins a qtr. Goldy is done. Draper is not much better

[@Bizza12345]

@@absolutelyessendon I agree,either or with 2MP as backup. Two rucks was just not it, regardless of who it was in there

[@darrenkoglin3423]

Maybe we should offer Lloydy some big bucks or get him down the hanger as our forwards coach maybe it was the weather that suited the more experienced team in the cats that contributed and 100%the umpiring in the 3rd qtr didnt help our cause facts are facts im ok i suppose for not coming out with a victory but when it partly decided by pathetic umpiring for a constant stretch of time well that snuffs out the energy on the side been dealt a hard blow,lets c what happens against pies then i personally will have a guide on where we really at

[@absolutelyessendon]

Pay anyone if they can help sort out the mess our forward line has become

[@Matthew_Scan]

Twice Geelong players Stewart and Bowes were done holding the ball inside our 50, not free kick shot at goal 🤬

[@absolutelyessendon]

We were raped by the umps

[@owner-builder]

Alarm bell rating is an uncomfortable 9

[@stavio12]

Too many games at Marvel with the roof closed and dry conditions. We have always been sh1t in the wet. Geelong were too good, we cannot take that away from them. Maybe Bombers should train with the sprinklers on at Tullamarine to simulate wet conditions. Hope this is not a repeat of last year, please God NO!!!

[@benmn330]

🎵 Good old Essendon forever, we know how to run out of steam🎵

[@absolutelyessendon]

Oh we sure do!

[@joebran5413]

6.8/10 alarmed score. If it wasn't for the umpires the score would be 8+. Our inability to take advantage and convert forward 50 entries is killing us. Also we don't have another gear to go to when challenged and are 4-5 goals down like Collingwood do. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, going by memory which isn't the best but I think that the kick by Zac Merrett (of all people!) inside 50m was a "sliding doors" moment of the game. It was rebounded Geelong scored, and directly after the umpires put on Geelong jumpers...game over. Which brings me back to the point we don't have that extra gear to take back momentum of a game or for that matter to put away the opposition when we do have play on ou terms and this is reflected in our poor percentage.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Noticed a few bullet like daisy cutter foot passes in the wet. Never a smart play

[@taxads7791]

That game last night was exactly like the Freo game last season, a shocking display against a completely out of form team, confirming why we are missing finals again in 2024. Absolutely putrid performamce, & unless im horribly wrong & things turn around quickly, we are in for a world of pain in the next few weeks

[@absolutelyessendon]

Missing finals may be better than making them only to be smashed in a road trip interstate

[@JohnWooly]

No one in the media talked about Geelong running over the goal line earlier. Essendon players were further away holding arms up

[@absolutelyessendon]

They hate Essendon too

[@andrewforbes146]

in the first half they had there eyes low second half they just long licked inside 50 gave them time to get to the ball i dont get this to why

[@absolutelyessendon]

Agree, it comes with panic

[@Sbock86]

I think Geelong's pressure around the ball increased which forces you to make quicker decisions aka long, high, hacks into the forward line.

[@ASKWITH100]

We are a soft side,pretenders,there are players there who shouldn,t be,what a joke we are,

[@absolutelyessendon]

Definitely need to get more out of several players.

[@ASKWITH100]

Why even bother turning up?

[@johninguanti2051]

Did everyone see that push in the back free kick last night…Honestly that’s the first one I’ve seen paid in over 12months.

[@absolutelyessendon]

And at least three were not paid to Essendon players

[@Sbock86]

@@absolutelyessendon Zach Merrett just inside the forward 50 in the 4th quarter near the boundary. Got shoved right in the back as he went to kick the ball...no whistle.

[@mrhypobaric2532]

Have got to play Caddy!!

[@absolutelyessendon]

Tell Brad

[@johninguanti2051]

Believe what everybody wants to believe. I too, I’m sick of losing to that mob, same as the other mob across the border with Teal colours. Back to last night, We were badly coached, the system going to the forward line was non existent. A few of our top players would admit, that would be a game to forget. And to add to the dismissal second half, some of the umpires decisions did not help.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Need more from half that team. VFL time should be a mandatory outcome to three poor games in a row. Time to get ruthless

[@peterorpen3249]

watching the game I felt the 10 minutes of incredible umpiring did change the game & we could have won otherwise. On reflection it assumes Draper would have scored and our conversion rate probably says he misses. On the point of inside 50 dominance - there are a lot of those that are blocking out defenders exiting with turnover possession and dumping it back in to 50. In these scenarios, we got to see that if we score a goal on one of these the ball goes back to the centre rather than being dumped in again...and we are losing a lot our of the centre. So we have a good blocking mechanism of blocking guys getting our of our forward line.....and give a lot of goals away when they get past that hard press also...stats are performing better than reality.

[@brucejensen3081]

Shouldn't be losing centre clearance when we win hitouts 500 to 5.

[@absolutelyessendon]

It’s a good point but no matter how you slice it and dice it, we utterly wasted opportunities

[@brucejensen3081]

Another 60 inside 50's. 15 scoring shots. We are really working out how not to score. Going in tall and not being able to mark the ball and less chance of picking up the ball off the ground really rooted us. Umpires were terrible, but so was our selection and our ability from many to take the ball clean

[@ideaphile]

inside 50 can be a deceiving stat. if 20 of the 60 were shallow and on the boundary they are of no benefot.

[@brucejensen3081]

@@ideaphile until you average over 60 inside 50's over the last 10 weeks and the entries have all been shallow or wide. Or to the goal line and it gets rushed.

[@arsjth]

Gotta stop bombing it long

[@ideaphile]

@@arsjth Or .......... get some forwards who can mark the long kick and not drop it?

[@brucejensen3081]

@@arsjth yeah, also need to move it faster and the forwards need to be less stagnant

[@taxads7791]

Drop 2mp & only 1 out of Goldy/Draper plays. Play Caddy instead, & bring back ADJ, he doesnt do enough offensively, but we really need his pressure. And please, no more Menzie, no more Heppell, & possibly time to drop Lav as well

[@Matthew_Scan]

Fingers crossed for Caddy as the key forward in the future, yes we desperately need a Papley Stengle Bobby Hill Jamie Elliott type

[@phillipwinning2935]

Why wasn’t Maynard fined for staging ?wat a fucking embarrassing moment for the so called tough man of the AFL ,the new candle kid

[@vk3fbab]

Umpiring system needs to be as predictable as possible. Make it so you cannot stuff it up. It's an AFL branding issue and it will also help improve the feelings of the umpires.

[@MickSchwager-gu5wp]

Don't worry you guys will bounce back, look at Freo then we won the 2024 Grand Final

[@absolutelyessendon]

Freo could well be the dark horse this year. Thought they were fantastic against the Swans

[@damiward]

Please Paul Salmon or Simon Madden spend some time with Peter Wright and sort out his marking technique.

[@absolutelyessendon]

I’m afraid with 2MP, what you see is all you’ll ever get

[@flip8702]

Here we go again. Another slide when the season is on the line. 😩 Why did Scott play 2 rucks on a wet windy night. Surely this was a mistake that he can't admit.

[@absolutelyessendon]

The 2 ruck thing was insanity and Scott brushed it off as not important in his press conference

[@brucejensen3081]

It takes about 2 months of Scott getting it wrong before he can see it

[@flip8702]

@absolutelyessendon I really like Brad as a coach but I get the feeling there is some arrogance creeping in here. One question I ask will he not leave goldy out because of loyalty surely he can't drop Draper our future in the ruck so he feels he has to play 2. I feel he is torn but coaches need to make the tough decisions.

[@lynfletcher7744]

i thought goldstein was the backup ruckman .. shouldve gotten xerri from north instead

[@brucejensen3081]

@@lynfletcher7744 maybe even grundy

[@andrewforbes146]

Is was a game we needed to win what i want to know is ..How can Dangerfield can stand up and handball away when there was 3or more bombers did not take him down why why why his arms was free for ages i dont get it they kick a goal from that play

[@absolutelyessendon]

Our tackling was poor in general

[@andrewforbes146]

@@absolutelyessendon Yes indeed it was

[@Troyski.G]

100% boys. We have to move on and address the issues of arresting the momentum in game when it's not on our terms, an area we have been good in since we got belted by Port in Adelaide. Brad said as much in his presser. That's football isn't it? Players are maturing before our eyes, not throwing the baby out with the bath water. Cheers legends.

[@absolutelyessendon]

We’re not a lost cause but all year we’ve been terrible at converting F50s and putting away lesser teams or building upon periods of dominance. We never look like a side that could kick 5 in a row yet it happens to us time and time again

[@Troyski.G]

@@absolutelyessendon absolutely right about that. Maybe I'm just too much of an optimist but seeing the development of our boys since Brad has been at the club, that part of our game is coming. Unfortunately we all want it now and that's the part we've always been missing hence why we always get knocked out of every finals game we've played post Sheedy.

[@christophersimons128]

Great to have you back! Loving your content. In my opinion the afl has never been as dysfunctional as right now, in so many ways. They are mismanaging every aspect of the game. I'm sick of seeing Laura Kane smiling and towing the party line on every issue like a political hack. Still think bombers can win a final.

[@absolutelyessendon]

I hate to say this but LK is going nowhere. Dillon would be too scared to sack a senior female executive. So far she seems way out of her depth

[@planenerd9]

@@absolutelyessendon they will make her the next CEO.....

[@krismiitel2301]

Apology accepted! I rioted in my kitchen ! Peter stinks direct swap for caddy!

[@absolutelyessendon]

Haha, it won’t happen again, we promise. Thanks for your support

[@zingleraster9124]

Big reality check. We can’t wallop the bottom four teams & fail to beat the top 8 teams. Yet on their day, teams outside the 8 beat top 8 teams. On social media supporters have been bagging the backline. Issue is our efficiency from clearances & delivery into F50 which leads to turnovers & then our backs getting caught out. It has been trending down since the first 3rd of the season.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Pretty much nailed it!

[@pavementpounder7502]

I agree with Joe that momentum etc play a factor, but it's not as if Essendon gave mich of a welp in the last, or lost by less than 3 or 4 goals either. I didnt see any 'edge' last night, just a mentally fragile team unfortunately. Im not even an Essendon fan tbh, Im an Eagles fan, but Im tired of you guys and Carlton being crap. I want to go back to hating you rather than pitying you haha. And i really hate Geelong too...

[@absolutelyessendon]

The Edge is RIP

[@brucejensen3081]

When we couldnt mark the ball and couldnt pick it up off the ground, players from the wall come in to try to pick it up. Then the wall breaks down, and penetrated.

[@Leigh-nj6mt]

Hi DT a& Smokin Joe , I missed not seeing the show the week before .You guys by far are the most competent , and honest analysts . I was spot on with my win and amount vs WestCoast , but I must say this was our week to shut the critics down . Great show and breakdown as usual .We severely missed , Hobbs , Setterfield , and we should have left Caddy in , as he can’t get experience into him , and he was good the week before . Precise explanation and accurate on the umpiring decisions on horrific 12 minute run in third quarter , I was right in front of the spot where it happened all 4 incidents which was “ the series of unfortunate incidents “ which pulled the boys confidence and concentration down including a few very bad missed holding the ball tackles . We need some like “ lethal Leigh Matthew’s in our forward line / the tipper of old ? Speed …. Need fast good smalls on the wet days , and again our forwards inside 50 s not enough conversion . Bring back Darren Bewick Essendon vs Geelong comeback game round 7 1996 9 goal haul ……accurate , fast , and deadly …… We must win next week vs Collingwood or who have we beaten in the 8 ……. Keep up the good work boys on the analysis Lethal Leigh .

[@absolutelyessendon]

Hey Lethal, thanks as always for your comments and support. Oh to have Darren Bewick in the team!

[@gallactorme]

I turned it off after 2nd qtr, had a bad feeling. Geelong just seem to have a spell over the Dons, needs to stop. Umpires were pathetic in the 3rd quarter (having watched the clips)

[@absolutelyessendon]

Pathetic is putting it politely

[@gallactorme]

@@absolutelyessendon indeed :(

[@PeteWebster-e5i]

Nailed it lads. The selection sat was the stuff of rookieism.( it's a word). Cox 100% should of had a spell. Umpiring worthy of a Netflix documentary. I nodded my head during your vid more than an Elvis bobblehead glued to the dashboard of a F1 car driving accross a Vic road after rain. Keep punching.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Thanks Pete!! Love the Elvis bobble head imagery!

[@whatupyo7260]

Essendon backline looks average and the same for the forward line we have a Greta centre pack

[@marklavell6534]

🤬🤬🤬Yes gentleman alarm bells a 8.5 😮 , changes need to be made!!! Now I've said in the past , I've been following VFL and AFL for the last 50 old years and that third Quarter was the worst in the all time in Football by the Muppets who umpire the game , there should be enquire into they performance . it was like a movie or a TV show ,where someone has gone into the umpires rooms and give them a brown envelope full of cash to throw the game into the bloody cats favour . It was that bad that I didn't watch a single game on Sunday. It HURT big time , even more then how Drug years and at saying something, it was that bad it was worse then Joe Biden facing off against Trump in the American Debate on Friday. I'm to go to a function on Friday night here in perth ,with the Essendon WA fun club, it a paid event and I'm think of not going now ,because I think the team is shot Duck and we are going the way of last year's end of the season 😢 I don't like saying that but the red flag is go white and throwing in the towel is showing it ugly head .😢

[@absolutelyessendon]

Very concerning observations, many thanks for sharing

[@Sbock86]

My Dad came to visit and after discussing how we had barely watched a game of AFL at all this season we decided to switch on the Bombers game at half time. The first quarter of football I watched all year was the third quarter (no, I am not joking!). Some of the worst officiating I have ever watched and didn't exactly fill me with major levels of excitement to watch more football. In summary - Peter Wright can't catch. I wouldn't trust him to catch a taxi right now, let alone a football.

[@absolutelyessendon]

That’s a good summary

[@mattcristino9804]

Welcome back guys Saturday night was a disaster. I had the same fears as you both and simply, we didn't want it. Over the years we have been in similar positions where winning a game would secure our spot in the eight only to lose. Last night was the same. We have a habit of playing teams into form. Geelong on last Saturday, Collingwood next Friday night and then Melbourne the week after. We can blame the umpires for the poor decisions, but we train and plan to win and not make concessions for poor umpiring decisions. The game is in a poor position with Dillon and Kane. Both look like puppets from the Thunderbirds. Finally on Peter Wright, he is a liability in our side. A bad night if you're a Bombers fan and follow Italy in the EUROS

[@absolutelyessendon]

Thank you for your great comment

[@jimmycastellano5316]

So on point lads on all facets of the game with the universe throwing all it can to disrupt Essendon's week of making a statement, some of which was self inflicted by Scott selecting way to many talls: Goldstein, Draper, Wright, McKay and finally Cox on the bench as the Sub 🤦. Then the tribunal lets Dangerfield off and then the umpires decide what can we do to totally f..k this game up for the bombers. The hope is fading fast with the pies next week on the big stage of Friday night. Oh wait maybe Scott was right on the balance because Menzie cancels out the height factor by being so short 🙄

[@absolutelyessendon]

We’d like to think that there will be a response against the Pies, and there probably will be one but the problem is we simply don’t have the weapons to beat top teams.

[@AdamRowlands-hk7lp]

Hey guys.. Carlton supporter here.. Love your work, analysis & comedic timing! Obviously we have been through all this frustrating shit, but come to the conclusion that as fans we all seem to think its all easy from the stands, but if we were all out there we would all come back with a totally different perspective! Sometimes seems like the boys don't give a shit, but can assure you that its not!

[@absolutelyessendon]

Cheers mate, non Essendon opinions always welcome and as a Blues fan you know better than most the frustrations of being on a never ending cycle of mediocrity. At least you now have some light at the end of the tunnel

[@michaelbeamish-jh7pp]

Lads l love you and l love the show. But may l respectfully suggest that our issues are with our horrible wasteful forays/connection inside our forward 50 - that is the pimple on the arse of Essendon 2024 - not the umpiring

[@absolutelyessendon]

You indeed may suggest that. Thanks for watching.

[@crunchygusset]

I knew ... even though we looked a better team in first half ... those lack of conversions would get us again. We always seem to have players paired up with each other rather than creating the space to kick a goal. Geelong (and other teams) always have options in and around goal. No crumbing players. Hindy fumbles too often. Why have Menzie in the backline on a wet night? And rather than tsunami type football we over possess and chip around ... on a wet night! 99.5 decibels on the alarm scale!

[@brucejensen3081]

Menzie looked really out of place when he tapped it directly out the back to a Geelong player standing alone 10m out on a slight angle. Good if he is in the forward line. But as a defender you have to keep the ball in sight

[@absolutelyessendon]

Yep, over use of handball at critical times in the wet is madness

[@kennethreid8632]

The Umpiring changed the whole course of this match despite our inefficiency inside forward 50. Our lack of connection inside forward 50 cost is against Carlton and now again against the Cats. Maybe the Cats handled the greasy conditions better than us as well. Very interested to see our response against Magpies on Friday hopefully in less rainy & greasy conditions.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Everything now comes down to the response against the Pies. Nothing less than a super competitive effort is expected, preferably a win

[@barrybevis7028]

We have been fooling ourselves this year believing we were a top team, but we have struggled against bottom teams. We have our good moments but cannot put teams away hence our terrible percentage, it's now 99. We should get a new team song and change it to, The Great Pretender. So disappointing and I fear we will fall in a heap like last year. You have to be really, really strong to be an Essendon supporter.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Yep, they really test our mental health.

[@carlositaliankitchen]

Looking like a mirror image of last season.. Scott defends the AFL instead of his own players. It actually makes me sick

[@absolutelyessendon]

He does doesn’t he. Maybe keeping the door open for another gig at HQ when the axe inevitable falls on his coaching career

[@carlositaliankitchen]

100% .. We know AFL coaching is a Temp job at best 😂

[@your_uncle_telly]

Will we see a few changes at the selection table? FB: RIDLEY - McKAY - LAVERDE HB: HEPPELL - REDMAN - McGRATH C: MARTIN - DURHAM - DUURSMA HF: LANGFORD - JONES - CADDY FF: GRESHAM - STRINGER - GUELFI FOL: BRYAN - CALDWELL - MERRETT IC: WRIGHT - TSATAS - SHIELD - DAVEY JNR

[@absolutelyessendon]

Scotty will never drop both rucks. Would be interesting if he did.

[@your_uncle_telly]

@@absolutelyessendon I reckon you're right on the both rucks front. Cox and Hind are too hit and miss for me give Tsatas a full game. Rest Perkins. IC: Shield or Setterfield, SUB: Davey Jnr or Kelly. I know Davey Jnr hasn't done too much, but fresh legs as a substitute he should really be able to run amuck.

[@PMAFL]

I was one of the three people waiting and I knew a fourth. I hope everything is okay.

[@absolutelyessendon]

All good. Don’t worry about the jail thing….just an inside gag

[@Dan262626]

My main disappointment about not having the West Coast game dissected was the lost opportunity to honour Essendon hero, the great Dom Sheed who sadly didn’t play last week. So on behalf of all Essendon supporters … Thankyou for your services to football Dom in 2018.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Haha, we see what you did!!! Nice

[@roboticalJ]

After games like these I’ll always watch your video before Felix’s lol

[@absolutelyessendon]

Hahaha. I think you are not alone there.

[@johninguanti2051]

At present the way the game has been umpired, they might as well play the game without them.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Perhaps that’s the answer, or an AI logarithm from Spider Cam

[@taxads7791]

In all seriousness, this side cannot play finals this year, it will be another almighty embarrassment. Just not up to it, just miles off it, will categorically sh.. the bed big time in a final

[@absolutelyessendon]

You may be right

[@thegame4690]

You two guys are Absolute legends geez I really want us too do what we should have done on Anzac Day and that's beat those flogs pies Essendon should get their own umpires for our games

[@absolutelyessendon]

Thanks mate, appreciate your support

[@xxmight450]

The problem I have is with the mental fragility of our team, in response to the 3rd quarter umpiring.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Soft and mentally weak. So much for the Edge

[@78wikk]

First half we looked like a premiership side, second half we looked like essendon.....😅

[@absolutelyessendon]

Nice

[@Birdman_18]

I just don't know what to think about us after last night. What's nuts is that we're now 1 and a half games from 13th, so it's going to either be a tight ending to the season or we're going to drop out of the race completely.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Yep the fall will be steep - lets hope we can stop it.

[@arsjth]

Dangerfield should have got off. Walsh drove his own head into the ground. If we cant beat geelong with him then we are not up to it.

[@absolutelyessendon]

No arguments but the fact remains that assessment of these charges remain arbitrary

[@peterflynn2111]

Hoodoo side .Cats have won 22 out of 26 matches since 2004 against Dons

[@absolutelyessendon]

Very tired of it. Those hoops have control over us.

[@jeffhunkin9638]

Essendon supporters have given up hope after ONE fricking game! ❤️🖤

[@absolutelyessendon]

Just lost 3 out of 4 and only managed to beat easy beats Richmond and West Coast the weeks prior to that. Play Collingwood this week. Pop back into the comments if we beat them.

[@jeffhunkin9638]

@@absolutelyessendon I see your point! And looking at the ladder positions of the teams that we have beaten, it is less flattering.

[@TonyMackky]

Draper is a victim of his own idiocy. He made the unpires look like idiots against the Adelaide game when he dived on the ball and then clowned around after the siren. Well they made him pay this time with no whistle on his chopped arms marking contest. A big lesson to be learned by the mulleted fool!!

[@absolutelyessendon]

Umpires should not be vindictive

[@TonyMackky]

@@absolutelyessendon agree but they are. Just ask Ginniven

[@storm4743]

The loss to Geelong sat night was the final straw for me after following them since 1984 and seeing them now and knowing that this club is stuffed due to what James Hird done given the fact he put the club back by 8 to 10 years it has now been a total of 24 years since our last flag and 20 years without a finals win it also has been almost 12 years since Wada handed down penalty I am at this point of not caring any more whether they win or loss now I could not understand how others can smash the bottom teams but for some weird reason Essendon struggle week to week even against the bottom sides this club has never been the same since James Hird walked in as coach. Here are my thoughts I think they won't even make the 8 now the run home is tough they also struggle to put away the bottom teams take WCE as an example that should have been a 70 to 90 point win while Hawthorn yesterday smashed WCE in Perth we struggle we just got over the line our Percentage is the worse in the competition sitting at 99% in the 8 good teams are around 120% to 125% great teams are well above that great teams are like 135% + we would struggle to beat the under 16's right now we have not beating anyone above us all year. We are the same old Essendon and I call it the James Hird Curse, ever since he walked in as coach the club has been FUCKED.

[@absolutelyessendon]

We get it, you hate Hird. But to blame him for the performance on Saturday is a stretch. Think there are many more reasons for this club’s mediocre performance over the last 20 years than James Hird

[@TonyMackky]

Well said

[@storm4743]

@@absolutelyessendon I don't blame Hird for sat' loss to Geelong I blame Hird for taken the club back by 8 to10 years if not for him this club might have done something rather sitting at the bottom like the Titanic, James Hird is the real reason this club has done nothing in 12 years ever since the drug saga. Jobe Watson losing his Brownlow then2 million dollars in fines then stripped for 2 years of draft picks how can anyone thank this guy for what he did. As far as sat game goes well the umpires done there bit to ruin a good game of footy thanks to them ASSHOLES I have lost passion for the game the men in charge of the AFL have turned the game into a joke it is now like watching 3 sports in 1 the center square is like Basket Ball throwing it up because they can't bounce the ball , Soccer as all players run from one end to the ground to the other end and Cricket with score review I don't know which sport I am watching these days any more nor can I keep up with the ever changing of the rules, you take a look at the 70's 80's and 90's the game was pure and great to watch

[@wenisman]

the midfield did some good work, the backline was just not up to it... but unless the forwards can actually score the bombers are just lame ducks. You said a few weeks ago that you couldnt see the bombers scoring and you are spot on in that assessment. but so far they have beaten one team and tied with one team in the top 8, however we have lost to 4 other teams and i cant see us beating brisbane. So unless we can start scoring it will just be another finals run with a first round loss

[@absolutelyessendon]

Can’t score because 2MP offers very little and we got away with that when Langford suddenly became elite. Sadly he’s now Kyle of old and maybe last year his 50 goal season was a fluke?

[@wenisman]

@@absolutelyessendon well wright takes the main defender away and should at least bring the ball to ground (which he does effectively because he cant mark). Trouble is we then have no one like a papley, shai bolton etc who can crumb and kick goals. But the forwards are stagnant, they just stand there and hopefully the ball falls in their chest, they rarely make leads.. Harry Jones needs a spell in the VFL, how a "key forward" scores 11 goals for the year and keeps his position i will never know... langford has been lucky to get a goal in each of his last few games, and they usually come in the last 5 mins of the game too. But i will also correct my last comment, bombers have tied with a top 8 team, lost to 4 and I cant seem them beating freo or brisbane in the coming weeks

[@McWhatevs]

Blown out of proportion. The deliberate behind call was there imo. Yeah, I guess you could say its not enforced at other times, but it was just too obvious. Could say it was harsh however. As for the so-called chopping of the arms I just don't get it. If awarded, those are the sorts of decisions we all decry as being the death of football. Totally comfortable with it. Not saying there weren't some dodgy calls, there always are, but that didn't impact the result.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Fair comment but the rule states that you are allowed to take the ball over the goal line if under pressure inside the 9 metres. Menzie had two Geelong players within a metre when he walked the ball over the line. Just because they chose to not tackle does not remove the concept of pressure. It was the wrong decision based on the actual rules

[@Sbock86]

It's not called a deliberate behind call - all rushed behinds are deliberate. The rule was established because instead of kicking the ball back in to play after a behind, Joel Bowden, under no pressure turned around and handballed the ball back through the goals due to lack of a good option and therefore gaining another kick in and another 15-20 seconds to do so. The Geelong players stopped playing the game and were rewarded with a free kick which is not a good look. In a normal course of events they are looking to tackle or apply pressure (which they were - right before they stopped). Maybe next time the Dons player should have looked and stopped right before the goal line and waited for the Geelong players to approach him and we could have had a standoff for a couple of minutes. Because of the pressure applied originally that forced him to concede it was an incorrect decision all day.

[@McWhatevs]

@@absolutelyessendon They weren't within a metre. Granted, they were closer than 9 metres, but I guess they pulled back, hence the 'pressure' bit. Regardless, one goal did not decide the game. Perhaps helped with momentum but that's football. It's like the commentators in the Carlton / Richmond game talking about a potential fingernail on a ball fifty metres from goal for seven minutes. Meanwhile Carlton slammed on four or five goals in that time. Some decisions are game killers (the "non" 50 against Collingwood against North for example), others are just the sort of so-so decisions that are made or not made a dozen times in a game, and you can move past it or use it as an excuse.

[@kokmuncher6702]

Worst umpired game of footy I’ve ever seen

[@absolutelyessendon]

It’s the rules to be fair. So vague

[@GentlemanJamesWin]

We completely dominated the ruck...

[@ASKWITH100]

what good did that do?

[@absolutelyessendon]

And how did that work out?

[@JanGabriel-b3r]

Like a shizen carters hat boyz

[@everythingessendon548]

I don’t think I like footy

[@absolutelyessendon]

You should be impartial being in the media. Win lose or draw!!! 😉

[@andluc693]

As Essendon supporters you just want to believe it’s changing.After the quarter of unfortunate events our response in the last quarter was weak.We remain brittle until we prove otherwise

[@lynfletcher7744]

still havent beaten any team in the top 8

[@absolutelyessendon]

That is true. Unfortunately

[@TonyMackky]

I stated that EFC was not good enough and won against nobody until this round. And again proven right. You consistently overrate your players and expect ultimate success with no real points on the board. Imposters!! Again!

[@fademan77]

Agreed. Going to get spanked by Collingwood, then Melbourne playing for a possible top 8 spot

[@zwski396]

Essendon fans are actually very realistic. The media is the one that comes up with all the hype. If you read any comments on EFC pages/forums, you'd see about 80% of fans realize our spot in the top 4 was not a reflection of our actual level. We're a 6-10th team, but definitely moving in the right direction.

[@TheEthNick]

This channel is much more realistic than other fan podcasts….Some of them are pretty delirious & as a result, their listeners respond with ridiculous smugness as they predict Essendon will genuinely contest the premiership….

[@berkvzn]

@@zwski396 Yeah I'd say most Essendon fans are realistic about where the team is at, but I've spoken to some that are just deluded and watch the games with their eyes closed. And they tell you to support another team if you don't agree with their insane opinions.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Looks that way

[@dougkercher3364]

Was I one of the three?

[@absolutelyessendon]

Most probably 😛

[@Dan262626]

To quote Confucius: “Real knowledge is to know the extent of one's ignorance.” That’s how I feel about Essendon’s imploding season.

[@absolutelyessendon]

We need Confucius across the half forward line! Wonder if he’s a free agent this year?

[@Gragra-mm3uk]

You should rename the podcast to "Back to the draft again version 24"😢

[@absolutelyessendon]

Might as well except the draft ain’t gonna save us with Dodoro floating around

[@markwethereld8943]

Great review Guys. That Lemony Snicket's 3rd quarter was the worst umpiring I've seen since following Essendon and that's 1965...🙄. Dangerfield and 4 umpires were brought in to help Geelong get over the line. We are improving but there will be ups and downs. Though Nick Martin was good in the wet, surprisingly. Go Bombers

[@absolutelyessendon]

Since 1965!!! We need to get a banner for you to run (walking frame) through… cheers

[@markwethereld8943]

I was only 9 yo at the time so no walking frame needed yet..😎

[@petermcculloch4933]

​@@markwethereld8943I remember '62

[@michaelbeamish-jh7pp]

Agree with questioning of Cox selection - Hobbs was our man

[@absolutelyessendon]

Big time.

[@ruivenkamp]

Thanks lads. Let’s hit the snooze button on the alarm until next week plays out.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Please do

[@HLsab]

My heart has been broken (again) , the slide is real. I need to back away from the Dons this year to avoid more disappointment.

[@absolutelyessendon]

We hear you. It’s not knowing when the pain will end that’s so hard to deal with. Looks like another season down the drain unless we pull of a miracle in the next two games

[@HLsab]

@@absolutelyessendon I’m glad you blokes picked up on Draper acting like a spoilt child after that free kick was not awarded , I have been scratching my head as to why the club is not putting more senior time into Bryan ? Even though Draper seems to be a cult hero at the Dons I don’t rate him , he is seriously injury prone , his a loose unit that doesn’t exhibit the mental ability for AFL and for me his footy skills are sub par . For those reasons I think we need to pay more attention to Bryan and move Draper on at seasons end while he still has some currency.

[@BTR-xw4of]

WTF is going on out at the soulless 'Hanger'? I did not watch the game so my subjective opinions are from media reports. Again we see EFC get themselves into a strong position at the main break only to fold like a wet tent? But hard decisions need to be made about which players need to be chopped. Brad Scott to me remains a brilliant 'get'. When we are 'on', we really are 'on'. But we have too many pedestrians on big money, and NO club 'coddles' their players like we do - the players have facilities many clubs would die for. Peter Wright [am NOT bashing him] is too sporadic, until we can get consistent output from our players we're being treated as suckers as supporters. Once again it 'looks' like we'll stumble into the 8 only to be obliterated in a final. If Dodoro is anywhere still near recruiting I want answers - and I will say this - if EFC members/supporters knew 'how' Dodoro actually 'came' to EFC - well you would be comprehensively blown away. The day Eddie poached the legendary Noel Judkins was the day we allowed someone with 0 football knowledge into EFC.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Some damning truths amongst all that!

[@ASKWITH100]

How does Cox,Laverde and others keep getting games?

[@brucejensen3081]

We can drop players, replace them, if everyone isn't on board with the game plan, and it's a good game plan, is anything going to change. Teams have like 20 injuries and find a way to win. It's the direction. But we can't go that tall in the wet.

[@azzaprime7257]

I agree with the Umpires. Spot on., They can't read the play during the heat of the game, and they always like to even out free kicks in almost all games. Umpires should have some sort of football experience rather than just running.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Correct. I can only remember one former AFL player who went on to umpire, was it Mark Whatshisname from Ess &Coll?

[@azzaprime7257]

@@absolutelyessendon Was it Jordan Banister who played for both Essendon and Carlton?

[@petermcculloch4933]

Fraser.His dad, Ken, captained the '65 premiership team.

[@Reactiverse22]

I was one of the 3 waiting for the pedi side boys I was hitting that refresh button a lot 😂

[@absolutelyessendon]

Thanks for your enthusiasm!

[@MrWhitmen1981]

Go footy 😂

[@Studat]

let's face it, we are just no good. Imagine actually making the finals and delivering this rubbish performance.

[@absolutelyessendon]

That is the fear

[@Studat]

​@@absolutelyessendon this will happen, mark my words

[@matthewfinis6723]

Was a shame to not have an episode but we all understand, real life absolutely always comes first.

[@absolutelyessendon]

Our sincere apologies for that

[@matthewfinis6723]

@@absolutelyessendon no apology needed

[@andrewforbes146]

8 OUT OF TEN

[@berkvzn]

Might be an overreaction, but I reckon we might need to start questioning whether Brad Scott is the right person for this club, been outcoached against superior sides numerous times, questionable lineup selections, and failing to make mid-game adjustments with the hopes to put away sides or swing momentum our way. Probably just me, but I'm not liking what I've seen from him so far.

[@absolutelyessendon]

He benefits from being a highly articulate coach but his selection decisions are curious. Definitely gets a third year but after that…

[@berkvzn]

@@absolutelyessendon personally, if we don't see monumental improvement next season, such as winning a final or two, I think it'll be time for him to go. Not getting my hopes up until we see consistent and sustainable development from the club.

[@zingleraster9124]

@@berkvzndare I say it…..Hirdy?

[@berkvzn]

@@zingleraster9124 before Scott was hired, I really wanted the club to get him back, was treated like absolute crap when the club used him as the scapegoat during the saga.

[@brucejensen3081]

I have been questioning this the whole time. He is the same as he was at North. It's a worry how he can't develop young players. He needs to drop his guard and be open to more experimentation. If he can't evolve, it doesn't look good. Maybe we get 3 or 4 good already made players at the end of the year and we do ok for the next couple. He needs to start thinking outside the box. Needs to get some of the basics worked out

[@The123fiona]

Massimo D'Ambrosio "After playing eight games last year - he was the sub in his final four outings - for a total of 16 games after being selected by Essendon with pick No.3 in the 2022 Mid-Season Rookie Draft, D'Ambrosio has made a stunning start to life at Waverley Park, playing 13 of the first 14 games of 2024. The 21-year-old reaches Hawthorn's mid-season bye rated by Champion Data as the No.2 wingman in the AFL behind Sydney star Errol Gulden, and ahead of Josh Daicos, who won the Copeland Trophy in a premiership season last year, as well as a maiden All-Australian ." But he wasn't good enough for Essendon. It seems like we are going to treat Archie Roberts ( who I reckon has significantly more ability) in the same way. And it's not just Roberts. Caddy is knocking the door down compared to Wright and Jones. Give the non performers a rest and give these skilled kids a chance. We don't seem to have the courage to change a failing system.

[@absolutelyessendon]

D’Ambrosio leaving because we wouldn’t offer him a two year deal should be a sackable offence for who ever rubber stamped the decision. Was already in our best 3 kicks of the footy after just a handful of games

[@andrewforbes146]

I so agree we have a long way to go

[@absolutelyessendon]

Maybe not too long, a couple of key players off the pace perhaps?