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      <title>AFLfeeds.com</title>
      <link>http://AFLfeeds.com/</link>
      <description>Essendon Bombers</description>
      <language>en-au</language>
      <pubDate>Tue, 16 Mar 2010 18:35:39 America/Chicago</pubDate>
      <managingEditor>adam@webartist.com.au</managingEditor>
<item>
   <title>Training Report - 15/3/10</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_15_3_10</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
By jackie mihocek
Training in fine conditions at Windy Hill.

	A brief 45 minute session mainly run by the fitness staff.

	Laycock looked longingly at the modified group and Neagle did some experimental hobbling after a knock to the leg in a soccer game but neither was allowed to join which just left the wrist injured Tyson Slattery and Jedda to do some desultory one handed work with each other in front of the soon to be doomed bowling club.

	It was not a serious workout today &#8211; the players broke into some fairly disorganised soccer groups &#8211; a sport at which they displayed little skill but quite a bit of enjoyment. If someone gets hit on the groin with the ball players on both sides let out an almost choreographed groan in unison unlike the slightly hysterical laughter which greets a similar occurrence in cricket. Houli was my B.O.G. for the soccer.

	Players spread into two lines or small groups for handballs and short kicking drills. As ANT555 pointed out the value of learning to kick the ball for 10 metres is not useful for match situations where 15 metres is the obvious useful minimum distance nor is it as good as players standing 5 metres apart to smarten up marking reflexes.

	The session ended with every player trying to kick the ball into a wheely bin &#8211; David Myers being the only one to achieve the feat. His excitement showed that it was the highlight of his pre-season which has recently been marred by his hamstring injury.

	As you can see it was a lighthearted training session &#8211; presumably a small reward for a pretty good pre-season where they managed to fit everyone in for two or three games and have had the best run with injuries for a decade.

	If you have read this you will realise that this is a report about nothing happening but the mood amongst the players seems buoyant and in this case no news might very well be seen as good news. The bad news is that there is no good news but the good news is that there is no bad news.

	Click Here for the BomberBlitz.com Forum Thread
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:21:21 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_15_3_10</guid>
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<item>
   <title>NAB Challenge - Richmond Match Review</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Richmond_Match_Review</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon rounded off their 2010 AFL Pre-Season campaign with a thumping 74 point victory over Richmond on Saturday afternoon.

	ESSENDON 5.3 12.4 16.7 23.9 (147)
RICHMOND 2.3 5.4 11.5 11.6 (72)

	Goals: Essendon: D Zaharakis 3 A Monfries 3 K Reimers 2 M Williams 2 S Gumbleton 2 P Ryder 2 J Winderlich 2 D Hille J Neagle H Hocking J Watson B Stanton C Dempsey A Welsh. Richmond: J Riewoldt 2 Roberts 2 T Hislop 2 M Morton 2 B Nason R Nahas T Vickery.
Best: Essendon: S Gumbleton D Zaharakis D Fletcher B Stanton. Richmond: B Nason D Martin J Riewoldt R Tambling.
Injuries: Nil.
Reports: Nil.

	By micool
few things i noticed from todays game

	Neagle, he annoys the fark out of me. What he looks like is if someone got David Hille and hammered him on the head so he was a foot shorter, same weight just shorter. he is too heavy especially considering how long he has been in the system, BUT he is an absolute gun, if he gets his body right he will kick 100 goals.

	Howlett, seems the goods, runs to the right spots and has good disposal I expect him to play quite a few games this year. Reminded me alot of Prismall didnt seem to get the hard ball (im not saying he is soft) but he works to position to make himself a good option

	Hardingham, seems to be a good players sometimes a bit flustered when kicking the ball. Reminds me alot of David king who used to play for North Melbourne. Provided alot of run off half back and can match it on the ground with a medium forward and in the air. Didnt see enough of him one out to get a good idea how he would go isolated.
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 15 Mar 2010 11:21:21 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Richmond_Match_Review</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Myers cleared of hamstring tear</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Myers_cleared_of_hamstring_tear</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Essendon's David Myers has not torn his hamstring as first feared after the club's NAB Challenge match against the Sydney Swans]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 13:45:52 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Myers_cleared_of_hamstring_tear</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Near Full Strength Squad To Tackle Tigers</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Near_Full_Strength_Squad_To_Tackle_Tigers</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon have named a near full-strength squad to take on Richmond at Morwell on Saturday afternoon in their final NAB Challenge practice match before the start of the 2010 AFL Season against Geelong in Round 1 on March 26.

	NAB CHALLENGE:  Essendon v Richmond 
When: Saturday 13 March, 3.30pm
Where: Morwell Recreation Reserve (Travers St, Morwell)

	1. Jay NEAGLE
2. Ricky DYSON
3. Scott GUMBLETON
4. Jobe WATSON ©
5. Brent STANTON
6. Angus MONFRIES
8. Jason WINDERLICH
9. Brent PRISMALL
11. David ZAHARAKIS
12. Andrew WELSH
14. Sam LONERGAN
15. Courtenay DEMPSEY
16. Tayte PEARS
17. Jake MELKSHAM
19. David HILLE
20. Henry SLATTERY
23. David MYERS
26. Cale HOOKER
27. Jason LAYCOCK
29. Alwyn DAVEY
30. Patrick RYDER
31. Dustin FLETCHER
33. Mark WILLIAMS
34. Kyle HARDINGHAM
37. Kyle REIMERS
39. Heath HOCKING
40. Ben HOWLETT
43. Bachar HOULI
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 11 Mar 2010 11:50:26 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Near_Full_Strength_Squad_To_Tackle_Tigers</guid>
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<item>
   <title>NAB Challenge - Sydney Match Review</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Sydney_Match_Review</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon slumped to an uninspiring 28 point defeat at the hands of the Sydney Swans in their NAB Challenge practice match in Blacktown on Saturday night.

	SYDNEY 2.3 7.5 10.6 14.7 (91)
ESSENDON 0.3 1.4 6.7 9.9 (63)

	GOALS: Sydney: White 3, J Bolton 2, Jetta 2, Barlow, Hannebery, Goodes, Jack, Kennedy, Rohan, Seaby. Essendon: Houli 2, Neagle 2, Zaharakis 2, Carlisle, McVeigh, Laycock.

	BEST: Sydney: Goodes, J Bolton, Jetta, Rohan, White. Essendon: Davey, Houli, Laycock, Neagle, Zaharakis.

	INJURIES: Sydney: Mattner (ankle). Essendon: Myers (hamstring), Slattery (wrist).

	CROWD: 4122 at Blacktown Olympic Park.

	Match thoughts from Lifetime Ban
Okay, just got back on board from the game and will try to give a sensible account of the proceedings. Before I do I want to add this bit of info. Went with my wife&#8217;s cousin who is a mad RL supporter, and his comment at the end was that the score really didn&#8217;t reflect how close a contest it actually was, and I tend to agree.

	Okay, from the players I can remember or name in no particular order.

	Gumbleton :- not great and by no means the great white hope tonight, but given he lasted the game, took some knocks, got some touches and scored a goal, a satisfying effort.

	Hardingham :- I am on this kids bandwagon. Given half a chance he is going to be a very good, and very exciting player. Fantastic leap, competitive, not afraid of going body on body, beat Goodes a couple of times in the air, colour me impressed.
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 14:20:28 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Sydney_Match_Review</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Bombers Ban Hurley For 3 Matches</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_Ban_Hurley_For_3_Matches</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon have banned Michael Hurley for the first three rounds of the 2010 AFL Season after the club announced further sanctions from his much publicised &#8220;taxigate&#8221; incident.

	Hurley, 19, was charged with recklessly injuring an Indian taxi driver in an alleged attack outside a Hungry Jacks restaurant in the early hours of September 26 2009. The charge went before the Melbourne Magistrates Court on Friday, but the hearing was adjourned until June 11.

	The Bombers initially banned Hurley from participating in their 2010 NAB Cup campaign as punishment for his part in the incident, but announced further sanctions following Friday&#8217;s hearing.

	In addition to the three-match ban, Hurley will complete an alcohol counselling course and will be involved in no less than 20 hours&#8217; additional community service during the 2010 season.
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sun, 07 Mar 2010 13:50:55 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_Ban_Hurley_For_3_Matches</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Three-round ban for Hurley</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Three-round_ban_for_Hurley</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Michael Hurley won't be available for senior selection until round four after Essendon announced further punishment for his attack on a taxi driver]]></description>
   <pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2010 12:15:59 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Three-round_ban_for_Hurley</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Bombers Name Young Squad For Swans Practice Match</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_Name_Young_Squad_For_Swans_Practice_Match</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon have named their squad to play Sydney in an NAB Challenge match at Blacktown this Saturday night.

	2009 Draftees Anthony Long and Jake Carlisle will make their Bomber debuts along with Rookie List players Taite Silverlock and Marcus Marigliani.

	1. Jay NEAGLE
2. Ricky DYSON
3. Scott GUMBLETON
9. Brent PRISMALL
10. Mark McVEIGH
11. David ZAHARAKIS
13. Anthony LONG
15. Courtenay DEMPSEY
17. Jake MELKSHAM
22. Jake CARLISLE
23. David MYERS
24. John WILLIAMS
25. Michael STILL
27. Jason LAYCOCK
28. Darcy DANIHER
29. Alwyn DAVEY
34. Kyle HARDINGHAM
35. Taite SILVERLOCK
36. Tyson SLATTERY
37. Kyle REIMERS
38. Jarrod ATKINSON
40. Ben HOWLETT
41. Michael QUINN
42. Nathan LOVETT-MURRAY
43. Bachar HOULI
44. Thomas BELLCHAMBERS
46. Christian BOCK
47. Marcus MARIGLIANI 
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Thu, 04 Mar 2010 11:50:54 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_Name_Young_Squad_For_Swans_Practice_Match</guid>
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   <title>Jetta To Miss 4-6 Weeks</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Jetta_To_Miss_4-6_Weeks</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon will be without Leroy Jetta for the start of the 2010 AFL season after news was revealed that he will have surgery on Tuesday to repair an injured thumb.

	Jetta dislocated a thumb during the VFL Practice Match between Bendigo &amp; Coburg at Craigieburn on Friday.

	The 21-year-old midfielder is expected to miss 4-6 weeks with the injury.

	&#8220;It is disappointing for Leroy because he has had his best ever pre-season and unfortunately it is going to keep him out for a number of weeks,” Essendon’s general manager of football operations Paul Hamilton said. “He will be able to keep his fitness up, which you can’t do with a leg injury, so we are lucky from that perspective. It is most disappointing from the perspective that he is a player that knows this is an important year for him and he wanted to get off to a good start and unfortunately it hasn’t happened for him.”
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:50:01 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Jetta_To_Miss_4-6_Weeks</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>VFL Practice Match - Bendigo vs. Coburg</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/VFL_Practice_Match_-_Bendigo_vs._Coburg</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Bendigo 15.15 (105)
Richmond 2.11 (23)

	Goals: Carlisle 4, Daniher 3, Lovett-Murray, Neagle 2, Hurley, Silverlock, Shinners, Margliani 1

	By Bargey
You will have to bear with me as I&#8217;ve been up since 3pm yesterday and I&#8217;m running out of gas.

	Senior players in attendance included

	Gumbleton, Watson, Fletcher, Dempsay, Davey, Welsh &amp; Winderlich

	Us v Them Q by Q scores I&#8217;ve already posted and I can&#8217;t be bothered going back thru em again

	Goals:

	Carlisle 4, Daniher 3, Lovett-Murray, Neagle 2, Hurley, Silverlock, Shinners, Margliani 1

	1 Jay NEAGLE &#8211; Did most of his work from about 40m out from goal up to the wings. Chased hard and laid some bone crunching tackles. Snagged a couple. Probably played 3/4 of the game time. Looked quite fit.
7 Leroy JETTA &#8211; Didn&#8217;t play the last after hurting his thumb, probably just a sprain or jarred, looked fine after the game. Got a bit of it in the first half, very good defensive pressure early on.
11 David ZAHARAKIS &#8211; Roamed around the half forward line and up into the middle. Got a bit of it and played like a much more mature player. Foot skills were impressive.
13 Anthony LONG &#8211; Got himself in very good spots, played across half back and was always there to support his teammates when they won a contested ball. Played a very Dempsay like style of footy, read the ball very well. WILL BE A PLAYER.
18 Michael HURLEY &#8211; Seemed to delight in taking every opportunity to rough up the opposition (legally), laid heaps of bumps, was very aggressive, did a Reimers on Judd style move after being tackled one time. Took a few grabs, kicked a goal, setup both of Carlisle&#8217;s 3rd quarter goals.
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 12:20:02 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/VFL_Practice_Match_-_Bendigo_vs._Coburg</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>NAB Challenge - Melbourne Match Review</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Melbourne_Match_Review</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon started their pre-season NAB Challenge practice match schedule with a comfortable 44 point victory over Melbourne at Visy Park on Satruday afternoon.

	ESSENDON       6.1  8.5  12.8  18.16 (124)
MELBOURNE      2.6  3.9  8.11  11.14  (80)

	Goals: Essendon: P Ryder 3 A Davey 2 B Stanton 2 S Lonergan 2 J Watson 2 A Monfries D Hille M Williams M McVeigh A Welsh J Winderlich H Hocking. Melbourne: Petterd 4 Grimes 2 Jones Jurrah Bell Martin Maric.

	Best: Essendon: C Dempsey J Watson P Ryder B Stanton A Davey D Fletcher. Melbourne: J Grimes J Trengove R Petterd C Sylvia B Miller M Bate L Jurrah J Frawley J Bennell.

	Injuries: Essendon: Nil. Melbourne: C Morton (leg).
Reports: Nil.
Umpires: R Findlay J Dalgleish T Keating S Wenn.
Official crowd: 3000 at Visy Park.

	Some observations by FTWinderlich
Went to the game. I still feel dirty sitting in that place.

	Some observations:

	Best on ground were fletcher, dempsey, paddy, watson and stants.

	- Hille looked good for his first hitout. Actually all the guys playing their first game stants, laycock, hille, dempsey etc all took a bit of time adjusting to the game and made some errors but will be far better for the run.

	- Paddy will kick 50 goals from FF this year if laycock and hille can share the load in the ruck. Very very dangerous. With williams, davey, winders and gus all roving around the spillages, we can have a potent forward line. Thats why Laycock is the most important player coming back into our side. He frees up Paddy.

	- If gumby gets fit and firing he will make a massive difference to our side as a reiwoldt-esque lead up half forward.
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 02 Mar 2010 11:50:09 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/NAB_Challenge_-_Melbourne_Match_Review</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Jetta to miss season opener</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Jetta_to_miss_season_opener</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Essendon's Leroy Jetta will be out of action for up to six weeks with a thumb injury]]></description>
   <pubDate>Mon, 01 Mar 2010 15:15:47 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Jetta_to_miss_season_opener</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>Bombers blitz Demons by 44 points</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_blitz_Demons_by_44_points</link>
   <description><![CDATA[ESSENDON looks to have its ruck department in decent shape if today's practice match against Melbourne is any guide.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 27 Feb 2010 18:50:03 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_blitz_Demons_by_44_points</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>Gumbleton cleared for return</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Gumbleton_cleared_for_return</link>
   <description><![CDATA[INJURY plagued Essendon forward Scott Gumbleton is poised to take the field this weekend after being cleared of a back injury.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:22:13 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Gumbleton_cleared_for_return</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>Big name Bombers set to return</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Big_name_Bombers_set_to_return</link>
   <description><![CDATA[Injured trio David Hille, Scott Gumbelton and Jason Laycock may all feature in Saturday's NAB Challenge match against Melbourne ]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:46:21 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Big_name_Bombers_set_to_return</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Training Report - 22/2/10</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_22_2_10</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
By jackie mihocek
Sandbelt and I attended a light one hour training session at Windy Hill.

	The captain, vice captain and life member of the modified group &#8211; I refer of course to Laycock, Neagle and Gumbleton &#8211; all trained for the entire session while the medical staff had a rest on the bench. It may have happened before but I can&#8217;t recall when I last saw it so it is good news for these players who have had a mountain of injury and bad luck to contend with.

	In fact no soft tissue injuries in evidence at all which probably entitles the coaching staff to take a bow.

	Colyer attended but did not train &#8211; his hand and wrist were heavily bandaged &#8211; perhaps due to surgery for a webbing injury.

	Nothing in particular caught my attention during the session &#8211; it will be interesting to see if the three musketeers play on Saturday. What are the odds? 

	Click Here for the BomberBlitz.com Forum Thread
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 23 Feb 2010 08:20:53 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_22_2_10</guid>
</item>
<item>
   <title>Training Report - 19/2/10</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_19_2_10</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
By Lawry1970
I went to training and sat with Alan Noonan. AN really knows his stuff and his memory of past games and who played well on certain players is very impressive.   No sign of the Carlton crew which was a relief.  Didn&#8217;t see Foggy either.

	Small  group doing modified training but none of them looked like were limping or struggling.  Gumby looked fine and he was all smiles walking around and doing close-in ball work.  Watson, Welsh both went into the modified group later, but I think it was just a workload thing. Stanton was in the modified group and then joined in match simulation type drills at the end.  He looks very fit and his legs/core appear to be bigger/stronger.

	Myers looks to have fined down and he seems slimmer across the chest/shoulders than when I saw him pre Christmas.  He looks lighter.

	Hard to really single anyone out, but I thought Hurley was good and I enjoyed seeing Laycock in full training.

	Winders did go off, but it didn&#8217;t appear to be serious or any major limp.  BTW, Matty Knights has lost about 10kgs and you can tell.

	Click Here for the BomberBlitz.com Forum Thread
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 20 Feb 2010 14:50:19 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Training_Report_-_19_2_10</guid>
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<item>
   <title>Gold Coast hit list</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Gold_Coast_hit_list</link>
   <description><![CDATA[GOLD Coast is confident it will land eight to 10 prime uncontracted players.]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 22:45:29 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Gold_Coast_hit_list</guid>
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   <title>2010 AFL Season Preview - Essendon</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/2010_AFL_Season_Preview_-_Essendon</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
By Allblack
So where to start when looking at a team you love and trying to be objective. Last year gave Bombers fans a lot of hope for the future, the hope is still there and there looks to be some quality young players but will 2010 be another building year or the year the team starts to see success as a real option. If I leave out some players it is because I can already see this will be a long one.

	The backline statistically did not have a good year last year. They let too many teams kick scores against them but that doesn’t tell the whole story. A lot of that rests on a midfield that didn’t work hard enough both ways. There is much reason for hope with Pears and Hooker looking like very solid defenders for the coming years. Fletcher is still a gun and seems comfortable with his role in bringing the future players through. Run from half back was crucial last year with Dempsey filling a hole the Bombers have had for a while. His run from defence gives opposition teams something to think about. The bombers still seem to lack a quality small defender and whilst there was some successful trialling of Jetta in the VFL he isn’t a lockdown style player. Atkinson showed a little form towards the end of last year but I am not sold on him as a player, his decision making worries me and his skills have a way to go.

	The Bombers are still searching for a successful midfield mix. Watson last year was comfortably the best the Bombers had and his clearance work is as good as anyone in the AFL. A poor year from McVeigh is a worry at this stage of his career and he needs a much better year this year. Welsh is extremely important as a ball winning tagger, his form was off last year after injury but seems to have found his niche. Myers needs to have an impact this year after taking his time adapting, he has been disappointing at best, hasn’t picked up the speed of the game and makes poor choices on the field. Houli needs to work much harder defensively if he is to play much more AFL footy, he needs to have an impact this year or he may miss the boat. Lonergan I thought was misused last year often as a forward when he should be right in the guts. I am not sold on Hocking, I don’t know if he is more than a depth player. Dyson had his best year but still needs to improve further. Stanton is under rated by Bombers fans and has worked hard on his defensive side. I don’t know what to make of Slattery, some weeks I love him and next week he drives me crazy. Licha mind you is a beauty and after years of struggling is finally repaying the faith. Zaharakis looks a good young player and would like to see him play a bit more this year.

	The thing that stands out is the amount of midfielders we have, amongst them some pretty average ones. The Bombers have invested heavily in trying to find a good midfield mix and I am not sure they still have the players.

	The forward line post Lloyd and Lucas was always going to be an interesting situation but there is enough young talent to suggest it wont take too long to get things right. Neagle has all the tools if not the attitude, Gumby has the attitude and the tools if not the body. Still is young but there is something about him I like from the very small amount I have seen. Add to those talls and we have the switch hitters in Daniher and Hurley. Hurley I would like to see as a forward as I think he is a star and will be able to better influence games from CHF. Reimers I like but have trouble at times remembering why. He needs to find some consistency. Monfries is the same, he needs to find real consitancy. I liken him to Didak a little bit and wonder if some time up the field may help him. Davey will be stronger this year but I still have concerns he isn’t a natural small forward. He lacks goal sense. Jetta is a real interesting one. I watch him and his sense of the game and the way the play is happening is great, he reads it very well. I just sense those nerves or perhaps over thinking get in the way and he fumbles a bit. I would love to see Jetta backed in from the start of the season. Mark Williams is the wildcard this year and think the Bombers would like 40 this year at least off him during the transition from Lloyd and Lucas to the future.

	The rucks for the Bombers are strong if fit. Hille will be first ruck once up and going and with Ryder as backup the Bombers have a very good ruck division. Laycock I have little to no faith in at all. Bellchambers and Bock still need a lot of development.

	The coach is a hard one to mark. He got the team into the finals which was great but for mine the defensive side of the game still needs a lot of improvement especially through the midfield. I think I said the same thing last year but I still find him hard to judge. This year should make it easier. They outperformed my expectations last year.

	I am not expecting the Bombers to make the 8 this year. It is possible they will be around the bottom of it but I still have some question marks over the list. I would think we should be happy with somewhere from 8-10 and expect 10 will probably be the mark.

	Click Here for the BomberBlitz.com Forum Thread
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Tue, 16 Feb 2010 12:20:15 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/2010_AFL_Season_Preview_-_Essendon</guid>
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   <title>Bombers NicNac Paddy Whacked Out West</title>
   <link>http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_NicNac_Paddy_Whacked_Out_West</link>
   <description><![CDATA[
Essendon&#8217;s 2010 NAB Cup campaign collapsed at the first hurdle going down by 35 points against the West Coast Eagles at Subiaco Oval on Friday night.

	The Bombers kicked just three goals after half time as the Weagles ran out winners, 1.16.12 (117) to 0.12.10 (82), in front of a crowd of 23,860 at Subiaco Oval in the 2010 AFL season opener.

	NAB CUP ROUND 1

	West Coast        0.3.0   0.8.5   1.14.8    1.16.12  (117)
Essendon         0.7.1   0.9.3   0.9.6      0.12.10  (82)

	GOALS
West Coast: Nine-point goals: Naitanui.  Goals: Kennedy 3, LeCras 3, Naitanui 2, Embley, Masten, Nicoski, Rosa, Schofield  
Essendon: Nine-point goals: Nil. Goals: Williams 3, Winderlich 2, Jetta 2, Monfries 2, Riemers, Still, Zaharakis

	BEST
West Coast: Naitanui, Masten, Kennedy, Ebert, Priddis, LeCras
Essendon: Watson, McVeigh, Prsmall, Dyson, Houli, Winderlich

	INJURIES
West Coast: Nil
Essendon: Nil

	Reports: Nil

	Crowd: 23,860 at Subiaco Oval 
]]></description>
   <pubDate>Sat, 13 Feb 2010 04:21:26 America/Chicago</pubDate>
   <guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.aflfeeds.com/article/Bombers_NicNac_Paddy_Whacked_Out_West</guid>
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