Why we may struggle against Essendon

[Trunch]

We may struggle to beat the Bombers this week.

With the past two weeks scrutiny being laid on our midfield, Nick Dal Santo, Robert Harvey and the three talls I think we need to take a look at the sides that beat us and the set up they have employed.

Our defense this year is not too bad when you line them up 6 backs on 6 forwards. That is assuming the players actually play in those positions on the ground. If sides that play against us leave the bulk of their scoring up to their power forwards then we do quite well. Max has done a job one on one against Hall and Fev. Mooney did not destroy us yesterday either. Tom Hawkins was good but not outstanding. My point being teams that count on power forwards to beat us will lose. Sydney looked to Hall too much as did Carlton with Fev.

Dogs midfield scored goals as did the Cats. A wide range of goal scorers is always beating us.

I would prefer to see Lloyd and Lucas run out against us on the weekend. This may not be the case however. Essendon will rely on running mid fielders to score against us as they will have no Lucas to look for.

We are very predictable when moving the ball forward. Roo is constantly trying to out mark three opponents. Opposition sides know this and know that Harvey, Hayes, Dal, Joey and Ball are not going to have a shot at goal. Gram is more likely to kick goals than any of our mid fielders.

Key defenders are important but not as much as they were 10 years ago. Clubs don't have or need a Glen Jackovich type who can hold a Wayne Carey. Defenders carn't defend like they used too anymore. The rules don't allow it.

Running, overlapping, goal kicking mid fielders are needed at St.Kilda. A good spread of goal scorers not this predictable kick it to the big forward.

We don't seem to have a problem getting the ball inside fifty but if we don't mark it, it seems like it is almost a given the other side will run away and kick a goal.

Richmond rely on Richo too much....we may beat them
Hawthorn rely on Roughead and Franklin...we may beat them
Carlton with Fev
Brisbane maybe with Bradshaw and Brown but their mid field can score
Melbourne look to Neitz and Robbo.... we will beat them

All teams outside that have mid fields that will score more heavily than us.

Am I just stating the obvious.....if so I apologize, just really disappointed.

[saint66au]

Excellent excellent post

Take away Hawkins and Mooney's contribution of 6 goals..and the Cats still win

We took 8 contested marks for the game. Roo took 5 of them. But..I reckon all 5 were within spitting distance of the boundary line. Hawkins took 3 contested marks all within 15m of goal in the corridor IIRC.

Inside 50s for the day? Dead even..but we lose by 42 points.

If I was Essendon this would be my game plan for Friday Night...

"Get the ball to Lovett, Lovett-Murray or Davey at every opportunity. When they get it, RUN. Unless its a blonde guy with No 38 on his back chasing you theres no way any of them can catch you. Blaze away from 50 as often as you like, its unlikely there'll be anyone there to put any pressure on you...Oh and small forwards...lead hard and often too. Your first 10m will always be quicker than your opponents."

Totally concur, we are in real danger of dropping this game. We play the 3 quickest clubs in the comp in successive weeks and for the 3rd week in a row I reckon it may well be our undoing