new age bombers.

i feel like i should be jumping on top of the world like nearly every other bombers supporter at the moment. as impressive as the bombers have been thus far in the nab cup, it must be said, IT IS ONLY THE NAB CUP. a competition shown no respect by coaches and players. the games are used to scope out the teams' game plans, structure and personnel. yes, we defeated the saints by 39 points. but i can guarantee you that for 80% of the match, ross lyon wouldnt have been looking at how essendon played. it would have been spent on how they moved the ball. ross and his coaching team would have been tinkering with their own game plan and see how it unfolded. he would have played the kids and see how they performed in an afl environment. he would have put players out of position to find out if they are capable of playing dual roles within a game. st kilda had no interest in exerting energy to win the game. they still get to "play" next week in an exhibiton/practice match.

last year for example, the bulldogs won the nab cup. and then suddenly the afl world put them on a high horse and presumed yeah they'll be in the grand final for sure. what we saw over the year was an inconsistent brand of football played out by a heavily aging list and a small injection of youth. the nab cup doesnt mean anything.
i reckon the format of a 4-5 week pre season is too long anyway. the players have already played a quarter of a season before the season has begun. just have 2 scratch matches. then a week off before the season opener. that week before the season, teams can fine tune skills with an intra-club match or simply rest up for the weekend before hitting the training track hard again.

anyways back to my bombers. i love the fact that hird has kept the same principle wit our game plan; run, carry and attack. however, he has instilled a heavier focus on defense than knights did and it shows with our tenacity and desire to keep the ball in our forward 50. leroy jetta is a perfect example of the revamped game plan initiated by hird. jetta works up the ground to bring the ball int our 50. he then puts in third and fourth attempts at chasing a player down to keep the ball in our territory to have more shots at goal. it is fair to say that collingwood revolutionised the term "forward pressure" last year but im glad to see that the bombers coaching staff have adopted the same method. there has been remarkable improvemnt in the players' disposal efficiency and the fitness has lifted a few notches.

the dream team of coaching panels is working so far but lets remember, it isnt these guys running out on match day for us. they can impart their knowledge of the game and tips and what not, but it is up to the 22 players to execute the plan and play to their best of their ability and get the coveted 4 points week in week out. go bombers.