Quote Originally Posted by gmanea:
can you add a comment to your adelaide pick if you have time. I'm leaning strongly on Essendon this week
No worries g-man. I'll break it down into the pro's for Adel and then the con's for Ess.
Adelaide
- there is an inner drive at West Lakes at the moment to at least move above Port before the end of the year due to comments made by Port's coach (William's about 6 weeks ago) which was, 'one team in SA is heading in one direction and the other in the opposite';
- I have heard player's state on radio that they want to make the rest of the season hard for any opposition, especially those above them on the ladder;
- Neil Craig is safe (for at least another season), thus they won't fall into a rabble like other side's can when their coach could be on the move, even though he isn't a very good coach, but would make an excellent assistant;
- After viewing certain media this week there will be a very good crowd at the game which mean's this game could actually mean something to them as they are 'somehow' up an about again;
- Now that final's is out of their reach look for them to play some confident and free flowing footy; and
- They play at home and are back in the groove after playing last week.
Essendon
- Their two best player's for the year in Hille & Fletcher are not playing which leaves experience, big men and quality out of their side;
- The player's are very well eduacted these days and thus spend alot of time doing self assessment's about their season and I'm sure the inexperienced player's (and a poor and inexperienced coach) haven't the mental toughness (and let's remember that 90% of footy is played above the shoulders) and work ethic to understand that while the Top 8 is slim they are still a chance, but who's going to lead them there...:
- Fitness and speed is the way Knight's played as a footballer and that's why 'any' team he coaches will play the same way, however now that Adel are gaining fitness and conditioning the strength of Ess is actually a greater strength for Adel due to Craig having exceptional experience in this area; and
- Finally....Ess are playing away and off a break which never goes well for them.
GL whatever you decide g-man but I'm more than happy with the ML here