My Observations

[True Blue Sainter]

Very happy with the win today, despite some contentious umpiring decisions against both sides (horrible inconsistency), and a young and enthusiastic Essendon side desperate to win, I was quite pleased to get the results...

1) David Armitage - I thought this kid was brilliant today. Won a hell of a lot of clearances, goes in hard, and used the ball quite well. His pressure for THAT free kick was superb, and the finish cool and calm. Obviously is determined to make the grade - he knew he had to improve his fitness and ability to run out games and he has done just that. Should be a regular first 22 player.

2) Charlie Gardiner - Was stoked when we picked him up for next to nothing, and so far (albeit in the NAB cup) has been super. I love his willingness to work hard to create space, and to me, his ability in the contest and his decision-making in open play situations seems greatly improved from his Geelong games. Can be a dangerous customer and could sneak under a few teams' radar this season.

3) Ruck division - Thought Gardiner & King were quite serviceable today. They were both willing to go back and be a third man up in defensive contests and won a lot of hitouts (haven't looked at the stats, purely from observation). If these two, especially MG get some game time under their belts, they could be quite an effective ruck division and give first use to our midfield.

4) Jason Gram - was off his game tonight. Seemed to shank about half his kicks, and didn't seem to be as willing to push hard and create. The optimistic side of me wants to believe that this may be due to lack of match practice, but I think he needs to just go back to basics and look for the first option, as opposed to try and belt the cover off the ball at every opportunity.

5) Umpires - Couldn't handle the pressure tonight. After being trigger-happy for the first 3 quarters, with both sides getting some questionable decisions in their favour (admittedly, we got the better end of the stick), they couldn't pay a free kick at all in the last quarter when the intensity lifted 100% from both sides. Inconsistency was a major issue (with the deliberate and holding the ball in particular), and is something that needs to be addressed by Gieschen's men.

6) Adam Schneider - Is quite simply a flamboyant player. At times today he looked superb, able to break lines and use the ball very well, and kicked an important goal with a tidy finish. We've lacked a 2nd small forward, and Schneider could be a very useful asset, with his ability further up the ground much better than Milne's, allowing Milney to play closer to goal.

7) Sam Gilbert - To me, he didn't seem to be on his game tonight. I think he is better suited playing on a flank/wing/midfield role, as opposed to a key defensive post (although a lack of options seemed to force him to have to play on Lucas). When we have a fully fit defence, he needs to be placed on a runner, and be given more license to roam up the ground, to best use his assets (pace, pressure, ability to break lines)


* Overall, very happy with the win, and the financial benefits will be important to the bottom line. Add to that the increased exposure of playing in a competitive game, as well as the further membership this exposure will generate, and I think we can only be pleased the club will be playing off for silverware...

[vacuous space]

6) Adam Schneider - Is quite simply a flamboyant player. At times today he looked superb, able to break lines and use the ball very well, and kicked an important goal with a tidy finish. We've lacked a 2nd small forward, and Schneider could be a very useful asset, with his ability further up the ground much better than Milne's, allowing Milney to play closer to goal.

I thought Schneider's role tonight was pretty much the same as what Montagna played last year - running onto the ball from the wing. Given the success he had playing the role tonight, my guess is that once the real stuff starts, we'll have Joey running in off one wing, Schneider from the other. We do, however, seem to have a wealth of midfield options right now with Hayes, Ball, Dal, Joey, Schneider, X, Harvey and Armo. As a result, he might get pushed forward to make room for someone else.

[bigcarl]

nice post tbs.

gilbert was given a bit of a touch up at times by a very good and very underrated player. it is part of the learning curve for young players.

imo he has what it takes to hold down a key back position but, like all kids, will need time and confidence to grow into the role

[bendigo bob]

7) Sam Gilbert - To me, he didn't seem to be on his game tonight. I think he is better suited playing on a flank/wing/midfield role, as opposed to a key defensive post (although a lack of options seemed to force him to have to play on Lucas). When we have a fully fit defence, he needs to be placed on a runner, and be given more license to roam up the ground, to best use his assets (pace, pressure, ability to break lines)

Think you are being pretty harsh on Gilbo. I thought he played a solid game on Lucas and probably won the points from him. Had the pace and smarts to go with him and was able to compete in the air. Top efort from Gilbo.

[True Blue Sainter]

Bigcarl & Bendigobob...

Understand what you both are saying about Gilbo; but to me, I think we will get better use from him playing him as a running, ball-carrying, long-kicking player than a full back whose primary duty is to shut down a forward with the potential to be a matchwinner (in the Lucas mould). I think we are better off grooming a Luke Miles or Glenn Chivers for that sort of role in the next couple of years until Max retires, and use Gilbo further up the ground.

And I forgot to mention that I thought Birss was much more comfortable with the ball than usual, and was particularly impressed with his work at the stoppages, getting vital hands to the ball and preventing his opponent from clearances all night. Looking forward to him, Armo and Schneids providing relief for our primary midfielders.

[bigred]

Think you are being pretty harsh on Gilbo. I thought he played a solid game on Lucas and probably won the points from him. Had the pace and smarts to go with him and was able to compete in the air. Top efort from Gilbo

Not even close.

If Lucas had of kicked straight, not only would Essendon have won by four goals, but Gilbo would have had his pants well and truly pulled down.

Lucas is one of the most under rated footballers going around. He leads as well as anyone. Goes to the right spot so often. Gilbo was almost sheepdogging.

Would have learnt a lot though....

[fisher_fan]

I hope when Goose, Goddard, Gehrig, Kosi etc come back in we drop Birss and R Clarke. I haven't seen them do a good thing ever (except Birss's mark. They are VFL players, Saints are better off without them.

[bigcarl]

Understand what you both are saying about Gilbo; but to me, I think we will get better use from him playing him as a running, ball-carrying, long-kicking player than a full back whose primary duty is to shut down a forward with the potential to be a matchwinner (in the Lucas mould).

gilbert's very versatile and imo can be effective in any number of positions.

all i'm saying is that i believe he can be a top full back if that is what the club wants him to be. by a top full back I mean one of the best going around.

i agree with you that he could also make a very dangerous half-forward, winger or even on-baller.

problem is we will need a very good full back when max calls it quits and gilbert is probably the best candidate.

there are examples in history (southby, dench, bob murray) who have turned fb into an attacking role.

[Duggie]

Harvs had a bad one, and that is no criticism of the champ.
Joey had a brilliant start but seemed quiet from then.
Jones pace will be a bonus.
The run will do Lenny good.
I like our new ruck set up. It will improve.
Overall I was left wondering how we won it with that forward line we had, especially in the last qtr when Roo was off.
Injury free again?

[Zippy]

Clinton Jones was great. Even his disposal seems to have improved.

It's amazing how much better our midfield looks with decent ruckmen. although, to be fair, it was only essendon, who don't really have much of a midfield.

Gilbert was beaten by lucas, but then lucas is a very, very good player, so it was a good learning experience for him. He's looking stronger, and is a long-term prospect at fullback. He can add some rebound/attack, even from there.

[Sainterone]

What I really liked was the fact that (despite having rested a few before the game and having Roo on the bench for Q4) our youngsters were able to match it with the bummers and come from behind and win.

Highlights of the match included the two great grabs from Dal and Birss in the F50 at crucial times and (more importantly) the fact they were able to go back and steer a goal.

Lookin' good (and with great depth 'cos we're bound to cop some injuries along the way)

[Otiman]

On Birss, he is our #1 tagger. Last night he was given a bit more latitude to work offensively, and did that fairly well.

A smokey for best 22, for his tagging role.

[Sainterone]

I think we have a really good bunch of youngsters coming up now (refer article in the Hun on Beveridge and recruiting).

People have previously said that it's players 23-30 that win you a GF.
I'm not convinced that is the case, but I'm much happier with our 23-30 now (so maybe I'll go along with that statement).

Not that long ago, if we had a few injuries and these guys (players 23-30) had to play we would have to watch them struggle and get beaten - now we can be much more confident that they'll go out on the park and hold their own (or win). The other positive thing about this is that it puts the pressure on a variety of players to lift to hold their position in the team (a bit similar to how we got Charlie - a good player but couldn't hold a spot down at girlong). That pressure to hold a spot has got to be a good thing for the club.

I didn't want to single too many out but I just loved those contested marks in the F50 (especially cos it wasn't G or Roo or Kosi).

[saintbrat]

On Birss, he is our #1 tagger. Last night he was given a bit more latitude to work offensively, and did that fairly well.

A smokey for best 22, for his tagging role.

I though another guy whose initals are also SB was our #1 tagger with maybe SB coming along as his back up?

[Oh When the Saints]

Gilbert was beating Lucas at half-time IMO ... not sure what happened after that.

Birss played a good game and used the ball pretty well last night IMO.

[Duggie]

Lucas was the one player I feared all week and he started fairly well but lost it with poor kicking later.

[saintly]

On Birss, he is our #1 tagger. Last night he was given a bit more latitude to work offensively, and did that fairly well.

A smokey for best 22, for his tagging role.

I though another guy whose initals are also SB was our #1 tagger with maybe SB coming along as his back up?

however steve baker will be out for the 1st 5 rounds. they need to develop others for that role.

[Ralphy]

On Birss, he is our #1 tagger. Last night he was given a bit more latitude to work offensively, and did that fairly well.

A smokey for best 22, for his tagging role.

I though another guy whose initals are also SB was our #1 tagger with maybe SB coming along as his back up?

however steve baker will be out for the 1st 5 rounds. they need to develop others for that role.

he is out for 4 weeks.

[saintbrat]

saintly is correct it's 5 more weeks for Bakes

So maybe we could assume that he will NOT join the two week rotation and would play this week. missed the first nAB game of 2008 of course.

I see what you mean about Birss being the tagger of note but didn't note in the original comment that it was ' in the absence of Steve b'

[Enrico_Misso]

Schneider's form may be the death sentence for Milne.
Or it may be the catalyst to bring him back to the levels he acheived in 2005.

[The OtherThommo]

Not that I'm stalking EM, but the first line on Milne is, again, on the money. The list is moving beyond him.

[bigcarl]

Schneider's form may be the death sentence for Milne. Or it may be the catalyst to bring him back to the levels he acheived in 2005.

or there might be room for both, imo. forwards who can actually put a score on the board are at a premium this year.

as you say there is nothing like a bit of friendly competition to bring out the best in guys.

[Otiman]

Birss usually plays the hard tag on the #1 midfielder, whereas Baker (under Lyon) is given the latitude to play a much more attacking game now.

[milney044]

Schneider will bring Milney back to life...
i havent even posted a review on the game yet...
- Lenny is a gun around the stoppages he sets up so much play.
-CJ is getting enough of the footy to warrant a spot on the team, even if his kicking lets him down on occasions being able to find the footy is a good sign.
-The youngsters this year are the best i have seen in some time, or maybe not so much the quality but the quantity of good young players coming through Eddy, Geary, Armitage, Allen even Jack Steven in a couple of years.
-The passion of Rooey on the bench has made me respect him more so and I'd be thrilled to have him as captain with Lenny as vice.
-I didn't notice much of Birss live at the game but watching the replay he did a few nice things.
-Schneider will be VERY important, very accurate kick.
- It's interesting to note the game time before stating how well/badly a player has done- two players playing 100% on friday night Eddy being one, maybe a rest for him next week?
- Overall quite impressed across the team, not many passengers, and a win means i wont be slamming any of our boys regardless.

[Huzzad]

Thought Gilbo was good. Tough job, and beat Lucas several times with impressive marks and a couple of spoils. Following around Lucas would have put Sam in an uncomfortable position, and would have learnt a lot. Despite the inacurate kicking from Lucas, he played very well and Sam did a pretty good job to stand up to him and will take alot of worthwhile experience out of the game. Everytime I have seen Lucas play us, he has killed whatever defender is on him, so he is a big ask for anyone, and I think Gilbo did a decent job, could have been better, but was far from average.