Round 22 - Let's start again

So we are looking for a new coach. 24 hours after the loss to the Bulldogs Knights is sacked. This was surely the response to a season that went pear shaped back in round 11 and built up a momentum that was too strong to resist. So first a PM and now a coach ... what is the country and the team coming too! Well Knights for all his attributes seemed to lack one important ingredient ... panache! He is a rather dour person who seemed unable to conjure up a team plan or a momentum in the players that could build on 2009. 2011 was looking like another year of re-building and you can only do that for 3 or maybe 4 years! So who do we want but more importantly who can we get. I hope the committee has a plan better than the one the government came up with or we too will be in a hung situation. Maybe Liam McCormick would fill the bill!

Round 22 - Hooray!

That's right - hooray! This year is finally over ... it's been a shocker of a year for the Dons. Injuries crippled the Dons, but there was more problems than just injuries. First, there are big question marks about the gameplan and Knights as coach. Second, too many players did not improve this year, too many so-called leaders at the club did too little. Third, the loss of Lloyd and Lucas hurt, and the likes of Neagle and Williams did nothing for the forward line. The big positive was Watson - what a captain! And Gumby stayed fit (for most of the year). And there are a few players on the list with talent. BUT it's now time for a review and a HUGE pre-season. See you in 2011.

Round 21 - Back Knights?

So the Dons lose again, no surprise as they fielded the Bendigo team since the most of the Essendon team is injured ... but the Dons are a rabble (at least out on the field). So what to do? Back Knights? Sack Knights? I tend to think the Dons should put this year out of mind and back Knights 100% for next year. Nothing is more important at footy clubs than confidence and support. Bring on 2011.

Round 21 - Anyone for a beer!

It was certainly not beer and skittles in the first half. The Bombers (Bendigo) were outplayed and thought by the Brisbane with Brown showing why we need a forward! Yes it was a side more akin to the Bendigo Bombers with 15 players under 50 games. By the end of the game there was an intensity with some play that looked more like an AFL side.

Round - 2011?

Round 20 - Black/White Wash

So another big game and another big loss. The loss is one thing but the manner of the loss is another. Watson 30 possessions and 2 kicks...is anyone out there!? It is a dispiriting performance from the Bombers even given the Magpie juggernaut that will no doubt fizzle in September!

So we see out the year with Knights saying he will blood some new players. Why bother to provide them with such excruciating losses? Better to leave them in the twos to win games and get some confidence and skill. If he bloods new players expect them to take half a season to recover ...if they ever will from such drubbings. Learn from losses maybe...but learn from demoralising thrashings? I think not coach!

Round 20 - Bad Times!

Before the game I tipped the Pies by 100 points in the Essendon footy tipping competition, and I was spot on. But it's not the fact the Dons are losing more than winning. It's how they are losing. Tonight was a joke. Literally, it was funny just how bad the Dons are under Knights as coach. The responsibility for the state of the team rests on his shoulders and his time must surely be up? The Dons will likely lose to the Lions and Bulldogs, and finish the year on 7 wins and 15 losses. But again it's not about losing a few games, it's about the fact the game plans and structures are not working! There is no passion or fight in the team! Where did the Essendon I know and support go? Where? I want answers, and so do all the other Essendon supporters.

Round 19 - Shocker!

There is something seriously wrong when in a final quarter of football ten goals are kicked to one! Call it how you like.....team building, lack of player games, injuries, fitness and whilst each has a part to play in such a debacle it comes back to the coach! Where are the instructions from the coaches box when a side gets a run on? Where is the leadership in the coaches box with directions on to the ground that gets senior players into positions to stop the rot? The end of the season can not come too soon despite the outside chance of a win here or there! Questions will need to be asked by the Board to get a side on the ground in 2011 which is competitive.

Round 19 - What's wrong at Bomberland?

I mean c'mon what's going on at Bomberland? The Dons were pitiful against the Blues. Good teams don't concede 10 goals in a quarter. Teams that want to be good teams don't concede 10 goals in a quarter. Where are the Bombers? I think they are lost ... and losing any sense of direction. It's going to be one hell of a review at the end of the season because it's been a year to forget.