First the Bulldogs now the Bombers

[spert]

Interesting to hear in recent weeks, the media giving the Bulldogs and the Hawks a real chance to knock off Collingwood this year, now they get their backsides kicked and it the Bombers who are the big challengers -All this after one round!!!

[ralphsmith]

Reactionary news articles that lack foresight sell more copies.

....maybe?

[Con Gorozidis]

Interesting to hear in recent weeks, the media giving the Bulldogs and the Hawks a real chance to knock off Collingwood this year, now they get their backsides kicked and it the Bombers who are the big challengers -All this after one round!!!

media is desperate for a challenger. but pies look set for an essendon 2000 season. they are miles in front in reality.

[perfectionist]

Anyone who watched Essendon play us will know that they are the big improvers this year. Mind you, they did seem to play their best games against us in the last few years. Once again, it is the cleanness of their disposal which has improved almost overnight. It is no real surprise given that Mark Thompson is now back at the club. Couple this with their pace and they are a difficult team to corral. However, they are a very young team and rely very much on Jobe Watson, who will soon find himself AA.

If our window is almost completely closed, the Dogs' is slammed shut. I guess they know that too. Their best chance was on a fluky night in September 2009. Nick stole their dream. Alas, it wasn't to be ours either.

[Junction Oval]

Whooa. It's early days yet and a very long season to boot.

Clearly, Essendon have been heavily trained for a good season's start (membership & fan credibity). Let's see how things setlle. If Jobe Watson is heavilly tagged each week, how will that impact on them?

For the Bulldogs and Hawks (and us), it shows how close/tight the competition really is - a couple of % off your game each week and you lose. It's hard to compete all year at that level - there will be a few that can't maintain the early pace.

[SaintPav]

Interesting to hear in recent weeks, the media giving the Bulldogs and the Hawks a real chance to knock off Collingwood this year, now they get their backsides kicked and it the Bombers who are the big challengers -All this after one round!!!

Round one and round 22 results don't count.

[gringo]

It's funny when the media overstate things after one round. It is a long way from September, no one knows who will be injured who will do a Freo last year.

The Dons may be temporarily buoyed by the new coaching panel, who knows after the half way point you can usually see a theme, until then it's best to avoid writing off or declaring anyone.

The pies may even get a couple of key injuries, so just sit put and observe the season until you look like a genius for seeing the way it unfolds.

[dcstkfc]

Dons were great yesterday. I've watched all their games to date NAB inclusive and they look a genuine improver, wouldn't be surprised if they push for the Top 4.

[degruch]

The Crows looked magnificent also, but it was imprtant to note that their opposition (the Hawks) were playing an almost identical 'free-flowing' game, that resulted in the difference between the two sides being Buddy having a good day or not. The Crows might not be as impressive a prospect against a defensive unit...or they might be great. I said the same thing about the Pies last year.

I didn't see the game, but couldn't imagine the Dons encountering a lot of opposition, from a Western Bulldogs team that is badly down on personneldue to injury, retirement and departure (no Johnson, Harbrow, Minson, Hargraves, Gilbee, Lake, etc). Of course, they obviously did very well, but you can only measure them against their opposition at R1.

[BAM! (shhhh)]

After round 4 2010, Michael Voss was a coaching prodigy, the Lions could do no wrong, and the Pies were treading water at 3-1 having narrowly beaten Melbourne (1 pt) and lost to us.

The last 2 sure things I recall were Geelong in '08 and Essendon in '99.

Hmmm... Excuse me, off to put some money on Collingwood for 2012....

[BigMart]

Bulldogs will still challenge....

[Goose is king]

As pissed off as I am about the way we played it is so early on its not funny.
Remember we beat Collingwood in round 3 (?) last year and then they turned the corner and beat us two times and a draw.
I just hope we don't all bloody die trying.

[perfectionist]

...The last 2 sure things I recall were Geelong in '08 and Essendon in '99...

Yes, but in both cases, they won the flag the following year. I'd take that.

[degruch]

Bulldogs will still challenge....

For 8th, I agree.

[BigMart]

IMO

Coll, haw, wb, carl, ess, stk, adel, geel, any order with coll at the top

Then

Freo, syd

Then

Kang, mel

Wce, port, rich in the next group

Bris, gc last two

[SainterK]

Bulldogs will still challenge....

For 8th, I agree.

I had them 9th

Reckon they loathe their coach, just a vibe.

[Thinline]

Bulldogs will still challenge....

For 8th, I agree.

I had them 9th

Reckon they loathe their coach, just a vibe.

In reckon the only bloke who likes Eade is Eade.