Firstly, let me start with full disclosure: I am a Bombers fan, so think what you will about this piece but I write after our demolition at the hands of Carlton.
An inexperienced Essendon side was absolutely towelled by a Carlton side hell-bent on finally winning a final.
For Carlton, they finally advance to a very tough semi-final at Subiaco against West Coast.
For Essendon, they are set for a very long summer. Their season, however, can only be called a success.
As an Essendon fan, I am very proud of the progress the club has made on the field this season. However, with all due respect to the players and coaching staff, this Essendon side overachieved this season.
It was always about development and education, not the results or finals (although that has been very welcome). James Hird has said that throughout the year. Essendon has always been a powerful club off-field even in tough times on-field.
Under Hird, Essendon will be a power club on and off field. This side has developed a game plan that will see it go far.
The forward press has been put in and has added a much needed defensive edge that has been lacking in the Knights era. Add to that the emergence of Michael Hurley as a genuine future star key forward/back, the club looks in great shape for the future.
The only negatives throughout the season for the Dons were the lack of consistency and at times, fitness.
We all know that Essendon started like a house on fire, but then fell away badly to lose five in a row mid-season. That was always going to happen with a young side. It happens, just look at Richmond. Another issue this season is the lack of fitness of the playing group.
The forward press is a high octane, high pressure and high intensity game style. For it to work effectively, a side has to be ripping fit.
Just look at Collingwood and West Coast this year. Both are very fit and strong sides who can run all game. Essendon, at this stage, are not.
That fitness level isn’t there yet, but it needs to be. It has to be a long summer at Windy Hill.
This season has seen the Essendon Football club lay the foundations for a serious challenge at the top four in the coming seasons. They are on the right track and will need to keep improving.
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