Essendon's Christmas List
Essendon's Christmas List:
One more big season from the veterans.
The Bombers will have plenty of experience next season, and their fans will be hoping that their veterans stay injury-free and lead them into the finals. With the addition of Mal Michael they have another player who has played in many Grand Finals. Hird and Fletcher have played in three AFL Grand Finals, and some other players at Essendon with experience in the big one include Lloyd, Johnson and Johnson, Lucas, Camporeale, Heffernan and McVeigh.
While injuries were not the only reason for Essendon's poor 2006 season, they did cost Essendon plenty of wins. Lloyd kicked eight goals in the opening round, so when he went down early in the season the Bombers lost a potential 100-goal scorer. Fletcher and Hird also missed games in 2006, they are the key player for Essendon at each end of the ground. Without Fletcher in the backline they fell apart, and the Bombers couldn't cope with the loss of Hird up forward especially with Lloyd out too.
If the Essendon fans get their wish and all their veterans stay healthy in 2007 then finals are guaranteed. A forward line with Lloyd, Lucas and Hird is up there with the best in the AFL. Their backline that will be built around the strength of Michael and the length of Fletcher should be greatly improved. The Bombers have plenty of big-game players, they just have to hope that they get them on the field when it matters.
One more big season from the veterans.
The Bombers will have plenty of experience next season, and their fans will be hoping that their veterans stay injury-free and lead them into the finals. With the addition of Mal Michael they have another player who has played in many Grand Finals. Hird and Fletcher have played in three AFL Grand Finals, and some other players at Essendon with experience in the big one include Lloyd, Johnson and Johnson, Lucas, Camporeale, Heffernan and McVeigh.
While injuries were not the only reason for Essendon's poor 2006 season, they did cost Essendon plenty of wins. Lloyd kicked eight goals in the opening round, so when he went down early in the season the Bombers lost a potential 100-goal scorer. Fletcher and Hird also missed games in 2006, they are the key player for Essendon at each end of the ground. Without Fletcher in the backline they fell apart, and the Bombers couldn't cope with the loss of Hird up forward especially with Lloyd out too.
If the Essendon fans get their wish and all their veterans stay healthy in 2007 then finals are guaranteed. A forward line with Lloyd, Lucas and Hird is up there with the best in the AFL. Their backline that will be built around the strength of Michael and the length of Fletcher should be greatly improved. The Bombers have plenty of big-game players, they just have to hope that they get them on the field when it matters.
