At the start of the year Essendon* was considered a bottom eight team with alot of media people even tipping bottom four. The Essendon* player list was very thin on quality. Lloyd, Fletcher,Hille,McPhee Stanton,and maybe Lucas being the exception but even doubts due to age on some of them. Watson was deemed to be a ball magnet but with poor skills. Lovett was a talent who was to hard to handle hence nearly flicked to the Cats. Ryder an emerging talent but still a way off, the rest having glimpses of ability but considered mainly honest soldiers. It was tipped that any improvement rested on the shouders of Gumbleton & Hurley.

The blues on the other hand were considered by most to be a certain eight candidate. Even the captains of the other 15 clubs thought so.
Our List is considered on the up with wonderful young talent.

At the start of the season one would ask who at Essendon* would get a game with us? Lloyd instead of Fev, Watson instead of Juddy, Pears instead of Jamo, Hooker instead of Bower/Thorton/Waite, their young ones instead of Murf,Gibbsy,Grigga etc. Maybe Hille & Ryder over our boys? okay we can except that. Welsh Monfries Lonegan instead of Scotland, Stevens, Hools Carrots? Davey instead of Bettsy? and so on.

Fast forward 3 games and would there be any difference even though they beat us by 4 points?

Fast forward to round 13 and we were still the more favored team prior to the game but after being flogged the media has now elevated their list to a higher level.

WHAT HAS REALLY CHANGED HERE? Do typecast players just get better overnight? or collectively as a unit do they get better? It would be interesting to select the best 22 from both lists based on perceived talent from the start of the year and then at the begining of round 14.

Still just wondering who at Essendon* would get a game with us and who would they replace. Please anybody

Carlton is still a top 8 side - relax we will play finals this year

Taking bias out of the equation. I think that now after fourteen rounds you would have to conclude that Essendon* list is better and have more talent than Carltons list.

For starters I would have Lloyd in the position of Fev - One plays for the jumper whilst the other plays for himself.

Monfries, Davey and Reimers provide more aggression, defensive pressure, and can actually split the sticks in comparison to Houls, Fish and Garlett. I do love Eddie though and wouldnt replace him for anyone.

Based on Friday nights game you would take Welsh over Judd.
Watson alone, although lacking in foot skills is harder, has quicker hands, vision than Murph and Gibbs put together. And although you could say our players are quicker, do they match the speed and footskills of Lovett, Windelich, Stanton. I know that slowpoke Stevo and clanger king Simmo dont add much in that department.

Looking at the backs you would have to conclude that the wise head of Fletcher, athletisicm of Pears and Hooker, drive of Lovett-Murray and Dempsy far outweigh the abilities of our undersized and unskilled backmen.

Just remember that StKildas list 5 years ago was perceived to be better than Geelongs list.

Peace.

"Monfries supplies free kicks"

Good stuff Johnny. I thought you were serious until I read that!