News
Monfries to develop playing role
Friday, 11 November 2011
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1
Bombers key forward Angus Monfries has revealed he is preparing for a challenging pre-season as he looks to develop his playing role ahead of next year.
Monfries, who booted 31 goals during the 2011 season, said the evolving demands of the game meant he was looking to continually develop his game style.
“I’d like to have a few strings to my bow in terms of being versatile and I’ll be using this hard summer to improve my fitness and become stronger so I can play more minutes up the ground. Playing up is definitely something I am aiming to do,” Monfries said.
“With the rotations and the new sub rule, the game is getting even quicker and I personally really noticed that last season. I think that means as a player you are required to be a lot more versatile and you have to be able to play more roles for the team.”
24-year-old Monfries said he was excited by the prospect of the playing group's development ahead of the upcoming season under coach James Hird and Bomber Thompson.
“Finishing 14th in 2010 and finishing 8th this year is a step in the right direction and hopefully we can keep progressing. We need to get a lot of kilometres into the boys’ legs this summer and keep lifting heavy weights to keep improving.”
“I think the supporters would be happy with the progress that we’re making.
“You always want to aim for the top four to try to get yourself the double chance in playing finals footy. I think next year if we could progress to winning a final and be competitive in a final then that’s more than what supporters could ask for,” he said.
The club has set an ambitious target of 60,000 members for 2012 and Monfries has urged all supporters to unite behind the team.
“It would be great to get that 60,000 membership mark and it would be remarkable for the club.”
“We would really love to get all fans to support the club by buying a membership.”
Monfries, who booted 31 goals during the 2011 season, said the evolving demands of the game meant he was looking to continually develop his game style.
“I’d like to have a few strings to my bow in terms of being versatile and I’ll be using this hard summer to improve my fitness and become stronger so I can play more minutes up the ground. Playing up is definitely something I am aiming to do,” Monfries said.
“With the rotations and the new sub rule, the game is getting even quicker and I personally really noticed that last season. I think that means as a player you are required to be a lot more versatile and you have to be able to play more roles for the team.”
24-year-old Monfries said he was excited by the prospect of the playing group's development ahead of the upcoming season under coach James Hird and Bomber Thompson.
“Finishing 14th in 2010 and finishing 8th this year is a step in the right direction and hopefully we can keep progressing. We need to get a lot of kilometres into the boys’ legs this summer and keep lifting heavy weights to keep improving.”
“I think the supporters would be happy with the progress that we’re making.
“You always want to aim for the top four to try to get yourself the double chance in playing finals footy. I think next year if we could progress to winning a final and be competitive in a final then that’s more than what supporters could ask for,” he said.
The club has set an ambitious target of 60,000 members for 2012 and Monfries has urged all supporters to unite behind the team.
“It would be great to get that 60,000 membership mark and it would be remarkable for the club.”
“We would really love to get all fans to support the club by buying a membership.”
Coming off the back of his debut for the International Rules team, Monfries said he enjoyed the experience of playing for Australia during the off-season.
“Obviously it was pretty disappointing to lose both games and not perform as well as we should have, but it was a really great experience to meet other guys from different clubs and to play under different coaches."
“Obviously it was pretty disappointing to lose both games and not perform as well as we should have, but it was a really great experience to meet other guys from different clubs and to play under different coaches."
- PLAYER PROFILE: Angus Monfries
Your comments
Showing of 19 comments. Show more
The early comparisons of Monfries were players like Robert Harvey and Greg Williams. I still believe he is a really good potential midfielder who just happens to make a damned dangerous forward.
- Wesley Hull (posted 11/11/2011 5:22:21 PM) 
60,000 easily done within my family already 3 extra members. best mate 3 kids essendon fans took them to the port game loved it asked how much it cost a month. if i can find an extra 6 members i'm pretty sure well b fine
- Jeddy Telescourt (posted 11/11/2011 10:46:33 PM)
Agree Wesley
- Morgan Betts (posted 12/11/2011 12:04:53 AM)
After 7 seasons at AFL level one could say that it's more than about time Monfries was aiming "improve (his) fitness and become stronger so (he) can play more minutes up the ground. Long overdue in fact.
- Geoff Cliff (posted 12/11/2011 12:16:12 AM)
We need him up forward not in the midfield, Heppell, Melksham, Colyer and Browns are alot better midfield prospects. Monfries is a good foil for Hurley, Carlisle and if Gumby ever gets fit. Awesome forwardline when you also add Jetta, Reimers, Windy and the resting mids. He also needs to stop the diving and stay on his feet more. U are no good on the ground when the umpire calls play on.
- Brock Wright (posted 12/11/2011 9:45:55 AM)
Angus, you seem to be showing great maturity & leadership qualities, very impressed to see you stepping up in action & attitude. Wishing you & all your team mates a successful pre-season. We are building a great team, on & off the field & I'm noticing James' influence on the players' thinking. This is really exciting.
- Gail Taylor (posted 12/11/2011 10:44:08 AM)
Huge call, Wes. Hope you're right.
- alec shiffman (posted 12/11/2011 12:33:47 PM)
Always liked Gus since maybe his first or second game where he took on some huge ruckman. The bloke just tossed him away, but Gus kept coming back at him like some enraged Pomeranian. Four Charlies between those blokes you mentioned, Wes... Let's hope Angus gets even close to them. He is still underrated, I think.
- Kris Bayne (posted 12/11/2011 2:00:21 PM)
Agree with you Wesley. I felt (especially early on) that Monfries would develop into an in an under midfielder who makes smart decisions under pressure. Could be tried their if Crameri, Gumbleton and Steinberg produce the goods.
- Joseph Stephan (posted 12/11/2011 6:32:49 PM)
Monfries was rated very highly by Jimmy during his playing days. Time to deliver Angus and prove Jimmy right. Pretty positive you can do it too mate.
- Alan De Menezes (posted 12/11/2011 11:08:16 PM)
Good luck with your pre-season preparations, Gus. You are an important part of our future success. :)Angie
- Angeline Baron (posted 13/11/2011 1:48:58 AM)
Story here is that 20 yo Jaryd Carchia has been invited to train with Essendon pre-season. Jaryd is a midfielder who was co-captain with Tom Scully of Vic Metropolitan under 16s. Number 15 pick by Carlton in rookie draft but delisted after only 3 NAB cup games last season. Now doing 3 weeks of training with the Brumbies rugby union side. Smart kid. Word is he's also hoping to study string theory with Louis Prima at MIT, Lee Wiley at Princeton or Jo Stafford at Berkeley.
- Thomas Faunce (posted 13/11/2011 10:10:34 AM)
Monfies has a very good head on his shoulders,can play tall or short.Opposition players rate him for this reason.Another preseason under Hird and Thompson can only be a good thing.Diane
- Diane Trask (posted 13/11/2011 11:09:55 AM)
Hi there Thomas,this kid must be real smart because those three great entertainers have long ago passed on to that big band in the sky,if he is capable of reaching out to them,would he be better off trying to contact Dick,Hutchy and Coley??? :-) Go Dons
- Bill Carbis (posted 13/11/2011 11:21:44 AM)
Thanks for the big wrap on Carchia, Thomas F. He seems like quite a complete package, including means of securement.
- Kris Bayne (posted 13/11/2011 1:16:34 PM)
SCINTILATING display of football by Angus Monfries against Adelaide R17/2011. IMO his best game ever. Looking at Essendon's forward line last season, Michael Hurley and Stewart Crameri were the consistent high performers. Perhaps Scott Gumbleton will resume after a promising 2010 before injury again intervened. I'm hopeful in the aftermath of the 2011 national draft it will see Daniel Markworth wearing R&B. The forward line needs more SPARKLE.
- Martin Gol (posted 13/11/2011 1:59:40 PM)
Louis Prima and Jo Staffordgave up singing for science ?
- alec shiffman (posted 13/11/2011 4:55:15 PM)
I still think Gus is one of our most underated players and a real barometer. When he has a great game more often than not we get the 4 points. Looking forward to seeing him take it up another notch in 2012!!
- Matthew Giliam (posted 13/11/2011 7:59:44 PM)
Good onya Gussy! <3
- Tiffany Jones (posted 15/11/2011 4:21:10 PM)
Showing of 19 comments. Show more
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