James Hird may wish that the events of the last few years could have been as quick and forgettable as yesterday’s first quarter.
According to Champion Data it was the shortest quarter since they first began taking stats in 1999.
Incredibly, this is one of only five quarters, out of nearly 13,000, that have run under 24 minutes.
Once the Bulldogs came out of the shadows of this ugly one-goal term, inspired by former Bomber Stuart Crameri they bolstered their top eight claims (even an outside sniff at a top four spot) with an emphatic win and a decent percentage booster to boot.
The match itself is a wonderful contrast of the plight of the two teams, where it would be fair to say many experts may have had switched around in their pre-season analysis of ladder positions.
Considering the number of players the Bulldogs have lost over the last couple of years, coach Luke Beveridge must also be extremely close to having one hand on coach of the year honours.
The Dogs have lost the likes of Lake, Griffin, Cooney, Ward, Higgins and Jones over the last couple of years (not to mention the retirement of Giansiracusa).
On top of their backroom board and CEO dramas, and it looked like in 2015 they would be on a similar trajectory to clubs such as Carlton and Saint Kilda in heading south down the ladder.
However, the inspiring decision to name the club’s heart and soul Bob Murphy as skipper, invigorating the game plan with an attacking style that takes the game on through the centre, the Doggies have amazed many and have a bright future. The Saints, while not quite as successful, have also pleased with progress.
Conversely, it is time to talk about Essendon – and thankfully not about supplements. They have now been touched up badly by the Bullies and also the Saints in recent weeks and the game-plan looks sick.
James Hird seemed to extract something more positive coming out of the match against Port a week ago – an entertaining game where, despite the loss, the team unearthed some exciting young talent (examples being Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford ending the night with two goals each), while also kicking their highest score of the season.
From a coaching perspective, why return to a defensive mind-set this week when so many positives?
Next, Hird all season has looked lost in how to treat his key posts – particularly with such a talented defensive group.
Instead of building a defensive structure around Hurley, Hooker and Carlilse – Hird does not know where to play them back or forward, and without continuity their development has significantly stifled over 2014-15.
Tayte Pears is another in this category – although he is struggling for first-team football and appears to be on the outer.
As a left-field idea, 2015 could have been the opportunity to have thrown Dustin Fletcher forward as a key target and mentor to young Daniher, and begin afresh with a new mindset.
The recruiting strategies must also be called into question.
The Bombers have deliberately targeted seasoned veterans such as Goddard, Chapman and Cooney – each have played roles without being game-changers, and all are beyond their prime.
While it could be argued that they have certainly plugged holes, why bring them in when they should have invested in youth? James Gwilt could not get a game in a struggling St Kilda team – why he is still playing beyond his early-season role where he was brought in to cover in the wake of the pre-season hearings associated with ASADA?
I would suggest Hird has over-valued his existing talent, particularly midfield depth.
Finally, why wait until Round 18 to play Jonathon Giles when the ruck has been a disaster all season? Losing Paddy Ryder to Port was significant, but with Bellchambers and McKernan either injured or ineffective, it is a perplexing decision particularly when he was recruited deliberately to play the second ruck/key forward role.
Ironically, although Ryder walked out and the Dogs paid ‘overs’ for Crameri, it must have hurt that they both have kicked 11 goals between them against the Dons the last fortnight.
It is time that James Hird needs to see the writing on the wall for his coaching career – from a footballing sense the team needs a fresh start.
Often when a young team struggles fans at least can see some hope with passionate players who have a crack but are let down by poor skills or rash decision-making.
However this Bombers team is listless. The supplements scandal has no doubt drained the players, but any ‘backs to the wall’ sense of competitiveness Hird got out his group in the wake of the process has dissipated over the last few months.
The message that we can get through this together no longer is cutting the mark.
While there is a another year on a lucrative contract to go, the Essendon legend must make what is the toughest call of his career, and hand the reigns over to someone fresh outside the Bombers inner sanctum.
However unlikely this notion at present, the club will benefit from the fresh start with an opportunity to regenerate a list and give fans a sense of optimism – much like Messrs Beveridge and Richardson have achieved with their clubs so well in 2015.
jax
Guest
I agree. It's a big call to sack a favourite son just because the media and public thinks you should. I don't think he's had a clean run at being he coach so it's too early to tell. The players are over it and I am sure that the fans and Hird is as well.
jax
Guest
Hird was factual when he spoke about Ryder. It might have come across as sour grapes to some but it was the truth,
jax
Guest
No matter what your feelings about Hird and the supplements scandal it's clear that there has been a smear campaign against him. There was a smear campaign against booers last week so it isn't an isolated phenomenon. Read Damian Barrets piece on afl.com.au today and note the language he uses to discredit Hird which I believe was the aim of the article. The AFL and the media work together to manipulate the story to suit their desired outcomes. Hird has often said that he wants the truth to come out and that he has no respect for some people at AFL House. I can't prove it but I'm quite sure that there a number of things that we haven't been told. History tells us that we rarely see both sides of a story so why this should this one be any different? Richard Colless came out today and gave us all an insight into how Mike Fitzpatrick operates. I wouldn't trust him as far as I could throw him. Hird said that Demerriou called the home of David Evans the night before the supplements scandal broke. I tend to believe him but I can't prove it just like no one can prove that he didn't. Is there a reason that Hird hasn't subpoenaed the phone records? Bottom line - I don't trust the AFL or the media which is why I remain suspicious.
Sharon Kirk
Guest
If it keeps going into next yr half the players would be retired so it won't make any difference for them as they won't be playing a game it's Hird that's put this club into financial trouble no one else now he wants Essendon insurance to pay for the lawyers he used don't think so Hird there going to need all the money they can get if these players have any health problems further down the track and Hird better have a good one as well for putting dank and his other partners in crime to inject these guys still think they knew what was getting injected as we can't prove anything yet the paper trail went missing no one knows where mummmm funny that
Sharon Kirk
Guest
Three monkeys making the afl a joke Hird sueing the insurance company of Essendon football club is a joke he is the one that got these. Players into the injection program no one else he tried twice in court only to be rejected now he what's the Essendon insurance company to pay his bill is the biggest joke go pay it out of your million dollar holiday fun you had for twelve months $600.000 thousand is yrs alone no one else's you were told with last court case to forget it you did not listen now suffer get out of coaching before the club gets damaged anymore slowly sinking in the mud from you
Sharon Kirk
Guest
Read in the paper he is sueing Essendon insurance company for $600.000 for not paying his lawyers bill for him over his court cases he lost not once but twice he lost these cases now he trying to get essendons insurance company to pay hope he gets another lost case it's a joke if he thinks there going to pay his bill divot was told he wouldn't win any of the cases idiot took no notice haha joke
Bobbo7
Guest
No, on an ethical standing Hird should be sacked - he was involved in this drug scandal and any other coach in any other sport would have stood aside for the good of the club and competition. The lack of results is a further issue for Essendon but they have made their own bed there
Pumping Dougie
Roar Guru
I agree with you AR. The media comments from Burnside have been bizarre and the decision to challenge ASADA's authority to collaborate with the AFL, and rule evidence inadmissable, then appeal, all seem very poor judgement by Hird and bad legal advice. We've all seen how big Hird's ego is, but there is a lot of illustration to suggest that he's not as smart as portrayed and is quite naiive. Clearly his refusal to accept he has done anything wrong has blinded his judgement, but his legal advisers should have enlightened him. I guess the income they stood to derive from Hird was too attractive to them.
Shaw
Roar Rookie
The short lived success of recent series such as "Who's the weakest Malthouse" and "Everybody boos Adam" only rate short term. Like letterman or the Simpson's people will still tune in to "the James of our lives " as a default position when it's easier to flap on and on over the same rubbish than conjour up an original thought.
conchie
Roar Rookie
When you say 'yes Conchie WE are as thick as bricks' you should probably just talk for yourself, i am pretty sure most people understand that retired judges or practicing barristers etc would not compromise themselves or their career for the sake of a few footballers who may get a couple of weeks suspension.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
30 goals as a ruck/forward in a season is an elite performance is it not? Probably a good enough performance to better any ruckman at the club you support.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
30 goals as a ruck/forward in a season is an elite performance is it not?
Col from Brissie
Guest
Tom Bellchambers one of the top ruckman when fit - wow!!!
conchie
Roar Rookie
Thats a fair point, it could be argued that at times the team has performed above itself, maybe as a bonding of us against them scenario, but since WADA appealed the team has been in a downward spiral, the wind knocked out of the sails. You cant judge the player or the coaching staff on this, a clear run is the only way.
slane
Guest
Yes Conchie, we are thick as bricks. Meanwhile you continue to use the word 'judge' to describe an ex-judge, a fashion mogul and a footy player who get paid to sit on the AFL tribunal.
conchie
Roar Rookie
No judge found Hird guilty of anything JAX, go back to watching SOA
conchie
Roar Rookie
They are not employed by AFL house Slane, where do you get this info from, they are independent judges. Lazza ..... those judges took a legalistic POV. Seriously this site needs a roll eyes icon. To state the bleeding obvious ....YES THEY DID TAKE A LEGALISTIC POV. FFS SERIOUSLY !!!!! WADA and ASADA need to take a legal POV as well, you people are thick as bricks.
Ian Montgomery
Roar Pro
Hird and the Bombers just need to be assessed on results. Everyone still wants to talk about the Supplement scandal and whether or not Hird and the players were hard done by. Any discussions on whether Hird should coach, quit, get sacked or anything else should be based entirely on performance and development of his team. If your side is not performing and are being beaten by teams around you on the ladder your performance is going to be looked at. As with all clubs outside the eight the focus rightly should turn to recruitment, player development, where a team is headed and what their playing style is like - Essendon have won fewer games and are lower on the ladder this season than last and ongoing questions about the quality of their recruits and playing personnel remain unanswered. If you recruit experienced players and it doesn't work out people will rightly question the direction of the club, just ask Michael Voss. Malthouse was hounded constantly over his sides performance as they lacked any player development and results continued to go backwards, very similar to the Bombers current situation. Its the nature of the industry and fans need to get over the supplements saga and any perceived vendetta against Hird and focus on the only thing that determines if a coach is any good - results!
Anthony Maguire
Guest
Correct Conchie.
Anthony Maguire
Guest
That's a cop out comment and you know it.