Well, I sat down and watched the Essendon vs Richmond clash this afternoon and found it enjoyable, despite the low standard of the game. To be fair, the weather conditions didn't exactly help matters.
On the Tigers... A pair of crucial wins over the past fortnight to keep the side on finals pace, although they do have 3 tough games in 4 over the next month. The win was well deserved today, with the side being very disciplined and, on the whole, only too willing to do the important team orientated things. Very steady across the afternoon. The Tigers are neither hugely talented nor overly skilled as a group, but they keep things fairly simple and seem to get near maximum return for effort.
Richo was fabulous in the first half again this week and towered over the embattled Bomber defence. He looked a bit rough around the edges late in the game, however, and Tiger fans must be keeping fingers and toes crossed that he can stay on the paddock, as he is absolutely crucial to the side. I also thought Coughlan & Tuck gave good drive out of the centre and I can see why Wallace is so keen on talking Campbell out of retiring at season's end, as he was great all day. Thursfield did okay and looks quite Thurgoodish, although he does lack the strong by foot disposal of Josh. Will need a lot more experience and a good many weights sessions before he can be thought of as a genuine replacement for Gaspar, but has shown enough to suggest he could go on with it. Tambling didn't do a lot, but what he did do was very good, and the same could be said for Deledio. Both will be excellent footballers. Hyde has struggled since his injury, but showed encouraging signs today that he is on the way back. Simmonds is an ever mediocre forward player, but he is a more than capable ruck option and he did well around the park today also.
Much smarter and steadier on the day the Tigers, although they would still be concerned about the level of inside 50 ball the Bombers were able to generate despite being well beaten in the ruck. The Tiger defense worked bloody hard, but would not like to see that amount of forward possession for a side with sound multiple forward options.
Essendon certainly do not have multiple options and while Lloyd never stopped trying, they all too often looked lost inside forward 50. Another win will deprive them of a priority pick, but they desperately need it given the dearth of depth and quality they have around the forward line AND the midfield. This aside, I thought their ill-discipline in the opening half was appalling, and gave the Tigers a handy early leg-up that they really didn't need. Jason Johnson was great for them out of the middle, Rioli had a fair crack, Lloyd was generally good and Bradley could hold his head-up down back, but there wasn't a lot of positives to come out of this game for the Bombers. I've scarcely seen Hird play so poorly.
The Bombers definitely have the look of a side in a dire downward spiral (I know the look intimately) and I dare say its going to get plenty worse before it gets better.
The Bombers should have pensioned-off Sheeds when they had the chance. He's beginning to look as tired as the team.
I thought you'd get particular pleasure out of that result, young man!
