We continue our look at the AFL season 2011 judging the hopes of the Essendon Bombers.
Team: Essendon Bombers
Homeground: Etihad Stadium (53,000)
Coach: James Hird
Season 2010: 14th (P-22 W-7 L-15 28pts 80.35%)
2011 squad: Tom Bellchambers, Alex Browne, Jake Carlisle, Travis Colyer, Darcy Daniher, Alwyn Davey, Luke Davis, Courtenay Dempsey, Ricky Dyson, Dustin Fletcher, Scott Gumbleton, Kyle Hardingham, Dyson Heppell, Michael Hibberd, David Hille, Heath Hocking, Cale Hooker, Ben Howlett, Michael Hurley, Leroy Jetta, Sam Lonergan, Anthony Long, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Mark McVeigh, Jake Melksham, Angus Monfries, David Myers, Tayte Pears, Brent Prismall, Kyle Reimers, Michael Ross, Patrick Ryder, Henry Slattery, Brent Stanton, Ariel Steinberg, Jobe Watson, Andrew Welsh, Mark Williams, Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis. Rookie list: Stewart Crameri, Joshua Jenkins, Jay Neagle, Michael Quinn, Taite, Silverlock, Tyson Slattery, James Webster.
Ins: Alex Brown (2010 AFL Draft), Luke Davis (2010 AFL Draft), Dyson Heppell (2010 AFL Draft), Michael Hibberd (2010 Pre-Season Draft), Ben Howlett (rookie elevation), Michael Ross (2010 AFL Draft), Ariel Steinberg (2010 AFL Draft).
Outs: Jarrod Atkinson (delisted), Bachar Houli (delisted), Jason Laycock (delisted), Jay Neagle (delisted-redrafted in rookie draft), Tyson Slattery (delisted redrafted in rookie draft), Michael Still (delisted).
Season preview: After a stunning pre-season campaign by a club that seemed unenthusiastic last year, Essendon fans will be salivating about the club’s finals chances. New coach and Bombers legend, James Hird has urged supporters to keep a lid on it, repeating that ‘improvement’ is all the club is working on.
And improve they will. You can already tell the inclusion of Hird and Bomber Thompson has had an effect on the way the Bombers are going about their football.
After conceding an average of 109 points a game last year, Essendon’s coaching staff will focus on intensity, defence and winning the hard-ball.
Although they slumped to 14th place last year, the Bombers will be happy with the young players added to their list. New kids on the block, Dyson Heppell and Michael Hibberd look like they’re ready to make an impact in the Bombers backline straight away, after sensational performances in the NAB Cup.
Defender, Cale Hooker has continued to develop alongside experienced heads, Mark McVeigh and Dustin Fletcher. And with Tatye Pears (foot) and Darcy Daniher (groin) to come back into the team in the coming weeks, the Bombers defence starts to look like it will be hard to penetrate.
Michael Hurley is brilliant at either end of the ground but prefer seeing him in the forward line. The 22-year-old rookie, Stewart Crameri starred up forward in the NAB Cup and the tough left-footer would compliment the Essendon forwardline. Angus Monfries was the club’s leading goalkicker with 24 last year, but is capable of much more. Mark Williams needs a big year after he played only four games and kicked five goals in 2010.
Brent Stanton had another amazing year. He led club for marks, inside 50’s, was second for rebounds from 50, kicked 13 goals and notched the third highest Brownlow votes.
The club would look better if David Hille can get through the entire season without injury and Patrick Ryder can reproduce his 2009 season.
The Bombers will need to keep up the aggressive style of play that they exhibited in the NAB Cup if they are any chance of making finals this year. Although we predict they will start with a bang, we can’t see the Bombers sustaining that intensity all season.
Main man: In his first year as captain, Jobe Watson, like his father, showed how capable he is as a leader at Essendon. He notched back-to-back best and fairests last year, led the club in disposals, finished fourth in the AFL for hard-ball gets and scored the Bombers most Brownlow votes (16). Watson is a smart midfielder who adds grit and fervor to the Bombers line-up. Expect another big year from Jobe.
X-Factor: Courtenay Dempsey looks set to explode for the Bombers this year. The 23-year-old has shown flair running off half-back and looks to be up and about after a solid pre-season campaign. Could be moved onto the wing to use his talents in attack.
Predicted 2011 finish: 10th
AussieRulesBlog
Guest
A few comments on this preview: Cale Hooker's decision-making and disposal has always been rather problematic, but he has looked slow and lumbering coming back from a hamstring late in 2010. Darcy Daniher hasn't yet played even a handful of games, so it's a big call that he's going to make the defence impenetrable. Brent Stanton's best is wonderful, but he looks to struggle to run out games too often. Ryder's best was in the few weeks after Hille's 2009 ACL injury. He doesn't look to have the drive and personality to fulfil the potential we all see in him. A bit player only. Bellchambers could be the standout. He has probably gone past Ryder for overall consistency and effectiveness. Cautious optimism is probably the best attitude to have with the Dons for 2011.
MyLeftFoot
Roar Guru
I can't recall the last time a team's fortunes rested almost exclusively with the recruitment action off the field.
Dave from Dubai
Guest
10th is about right for the Dons this year but higher would not surprise. Plenty of 'potential' but frankly players like Winderlich, Dempsey, Jetta, Dyson, Slattery, Welsh, McVeigh, Lovett-Murray and Ryder have to all play to their best far more consistently to achieve a higher ladder position. Like the look of new boys Heppell and Hibberd. Other young players who are poised for bigger things include, Zaharakis, Colyer, Melksham and Bellchambers. Quality players in Hurley, Watson, Hocking, Hille , Fletcher and injury prone Pears will hopefully provide on field inspiration
The belief instilled in the Essendon players, stemming from the huge respect for James Hird, Bomber Thompson and the rest of the coaching panel, along with a new game plan has given them the opportunity to play with skill and confidence. I saw that confidence dented in Friday night's NAB Cup Final and at times they looked lost, a predicament fans noticed many times last season. I think the way they fought back in the second half shows they will overcome this setback and continue to improve. Unfortunately it seems Mark Williams confidence is shot and I doubt he will be a regular inclusion in this years' team (I hope he proves me wrong!) Stanton is a brilliant player but he made a lot of mistakes and appeared indecisive in the last game. Dempsey is one of my favourite players but he needs to learn to take a mark with one grab and Zaharakis needs to improve on his first half effort last week. I find our list exciting and believe we will finish eighth or higher .
Redb
Roar Guru
At this stage I have us between 8-10th given a reasonable run with injuries. Look for major improvement from Bell-Chambers, Hurley & Zaharakis, Jetta. Some suprises in the form of Heppell, Hibberd, Crameri (who should get promoted off the rookie list due to the injury to Anthony Long), Howlett. Bombers need a solid and injury free year from Watson, Hille, Ryder & Fletcher. A promising start, better game plan, defence and desire back again - loving the Dons.