News

Video: Howlett expects stronger midfield group

Monday, 30 January 2012
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon midfielder Ben Howlett is confident Bombers fans will notice a stronger midfield group taking the field in 2012.

Watch the video here on Bomber TV →

Howlett said third year players Jake Melksham and Travis Colyer were noticeably bigger as a result of the gruelling pre-season campaign under the new conditioning team led by Dean Robinson.

“The size they (Melksham and Colyer) have put on this season has been really good and I don’t think you will see them getting knocked off the ball too much which is a real positive,” Howlett said.

“It has been great with the new conditioning staff, there have been a lot of new ideas and they have really pushed us this pre-season.”

Howlett says the group is excited about kicking off their NAB Cup campaign when they travel to Perth on February 19 against West Coast and Fremantle.

“It has been a very long and very tough pre-season with the Weapon (Dean Robinson) pushing us which has been good,” he said.

“The length of the pre-season has driven the whole group to be really edgy and want to get out there.”

On a personal level, the 23-year-old feels the tough off-season training schedule has improved his capacity to run out games.

“I was lucky enough to play every game last year but I couldn’t run out some towards the end of the year, so hopefully towards the end of this year I will be fit enough to push through those matches.”

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PLAYER PROFILE: Ben Howlett
PLAYER PROFILE: Jake Melksham
PLAYER PROFILE: Travis Colyer

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Great stuff, hope this translates into more wins! Howlett looks alot bigger too in the picture. Good luck Bombers, not long now.

- Trent Stone (posted 30/01/2012 4:17:43 PM)

This is Essendon this is worn by a Legion of Fans this is the bloody in our Veins this is 16 flags and Counting we Have 36.377 members and Counting our Target is 60 and we will get it we are Essendon lets Bring on 2012

- MARK JONES (posted 30/01/2012 4:20:33 PM)

I think it is certain that quite a few of our guys won't be such pushovers this year.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 30/01/2012 4:42:40 PM)

Great work Jonesy. Love your passion. Watched the Rd4 against Carlton again last night. Benny H, like his season, started slow and got better. Should be in the best 22 every game. Forgot how good Hepps was in that Carlton game. And how important Jobe and Stants are. We were stiff, they had 2 more days rest and 2 extra players. Owe em!

- Brad Scarr (posted 30/01/2012 5:03:56 PM)

Love this guy!!

- Duncan Eastey (posted 30/01/2012 5:10:51 PM)

Howldog looks like a bloody warrior!

- Craig Hitchcock (posted 30/01/2012 5:14:59 PM)

Can't wait for nab cup. Watson, Stanton, Hocking as our midfield generals then add the emergence of Zakka, Howlett, Melksham, Lonergan, Colyer to rotate off the bench. They may not be big names yet but given a few more years they will become the heart of this team, bring on 2012

- Mark Dempsey (posted 30/01/2012 5:32:18 PM)

Ben is right when he says everyone is getting agitated for the start of the season, including all the fans. How long has this pre-season seemed to all of you on the forum? Feels like forever! Angie :)

- Angeline Baron (posted 30/01/2012 6:05:05 PM)

Trav is going to be wider than he is tall if he doesn't stop working out! ;) x

- Angeline Baron (posted 30/01/2012 6:06:09 PM)

In the era of Thompson, Robinson, McCartney (departed) and Egan, Geelong unleashed Ablett, Chapman, Bartel, Enright, Corey, Hunt, Johnson and co on the competition with devastating results. Can't wait to see the fear in opposition faces at the sight of a bulked up Howlett, Hocking, Watson, Melksham, Browne, Myers, Stanton, Jetta, Winderlich, Crameri, Zaharakis, Lonergan, Dempsey, Ross, Heppell, Kavanagh, Dalgleish, Lee and so many more rotating their muscle through the middle.

- Wesley Hull (posted 30/01/2012 7:00:16 PM)

And what about that hanger put on Leroy as Simpson kicked the last goal ? Free kick any day of the week. Oh well, like you say, Brad, we owe them, big time.

- alec shiffman (posted 30/01/2012 7:12:11 PM)

Ahhhh, there you are Angie. I thought you may have joined Jen H on the interchange. Happy new year to you!

- Brad Scarr (posted 30/01/2012 7:44:30 PM)

No one has included David Meyers in the midfield group, my surprise a few this year, he is a lot better player than a lot of people give him credit for, now your turn to show a few doubters young Dave.

- Max Rodwell (posted 31/01/2012 10:47:00 AM)

does anyone think we should chase deledio at seasons end ? 24. free agent. told richmond he will go if they dont make the 8... so its safe to assume he will be going. highly skilled. maryborough boy like crameri. more depth to midfield also a great place kick coming out of the backline. apparently geelong and the filth are going to make a big play for him... would hate to see him at either

- Ian Welsh (posted 31/01/2012 6:00:49 PM)

max noone doubts dave meyers. but he is a key defender

- Ian Welsh (posted 31/01/2012 6:03:09 PM)

Prob the only good thing the "knightmare" did for our great club was rookie draft this bloke and kyle hardinham. Both guns! Thankyou knightmare but please stay at geelong now

- daniel McNamara (posted 1/02/2012 2:26:30 AM)

Angie B, good to see you back in the post trenches, yes we are all a bit "Toey" for the kick off. Howie is looking keen and ready to go, should be a power look this season. Go massive Black, & Red.

- Graeme Coad (posted 1/02/2012 9:31:37 AM)

Daniel McNamara, you're so right. What did Knighta ever do for the red and black except blood Bellchambers, Browne, Carlisle, Colyer, Crameri, Hardingham, Hibberd, Hooker, Howlett, Hurley, Melksham, Myers, Pears and Zaharakis and bring Watson and Hocking to the next level? And get us to the finals for the first time since 2004? Not much.

- Luke Smith (posted 1/02/2012 1:35:57 PM)

Average post about MK that does not warrant a response. DOH!!

- Brad Scarr (posted 1/02/2012 5:19:02 PM)

Spot on Brad.

- Graeme Coad (posted 1/02/2012 9:13:18 PM)

Luke smith....any coach with half a brain would play and blood young players especially when your near the bottom. We had the list to do more in those 3 years. At the end of the day the right decision was made and now we have a coaching panel to help and direct our young guns in the rigbt direction. Not the richmond direction. Like it or lump it lads

- daniel McNamara (posted 3/02/2012 2:03:36 AM)

We didn't have the list as far as the Club were concerned Daniel,and that was why KS was retired..like it or lump it... Everything always turns out for the best,those three years you mention,got all the hard decisions out of the way,so Hirdy & Co wouldn't be copping it in taking twice or three times as long to get us to where we are now... Cut the bias/blinkers,and learn a bit more about the game.. Go Bombers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 3/02/2012 12:23:33 PM)

Pt 2... This game forever tests us all,time the blinkers and bias were let go,and more about the game,past and present,(and our EFC) is observed,appreciated and studied,so we can pass on "good,positive,loyal and respectful vibes" to the next gen of Bomber Supporters.. Our future will be bright!! Go You Mighty Bombers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 3/02/2012 8:53:40 PM)

Learn more about the game noel? Thats a little bit rich dobt you think noel? From a bomber to another bomber? No doubting my knowledge of this great game and club mate. I just voiced my opinion,which im entitled to do am i not? judgeing by your post(which i didnt really understand to be honest) but the one part i did understand you said we didnt have the cattle...can you explain how we made the finalsand then went rapidly backwards with a game plan that had no defence and also a predictability about it that other teams had worked out by round 4. We were one trick poneys under mk. Simple as that. Like it or lump it noel

- daniel McNamara (posted 4/02/2012 1:59:10 AM)

Your opinion Daniel,but imo blinkers hinder you as I mentioned... Obviously you can't let go of what had to take place in the three years.. simple as that daniel. It must shock you,the reigning premiers can see some merit in having the guy on board,and good for them and MK.. Some of us can understand the game in a more balanced way to say he achieved much,in the time he was here :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 4/02/2012 1:35:22 PM)

No it doesent shock me at all noel that mk has got another job coaching at vfl level. Thats the standard of coach he is. Not a head coach of one of the biggest clubs in australia. Everyone makes mistakes noel,including the essendon footy club. So take your bias/blinkers off and realise that alot of wrong decisions were made in that 3 year period. Now let it go noel and lets enjoy the bomber revival under hirdy,bomber and co.

- daniel McNamara (posted 8/02/2012 1:49:12 AM)

Daniel,I will not cop anyone saying I am biased and wear blinkers,I offer full support to the side,past and present,and see more good achieved in the three years than yourself,because I view the big picture about it all... three dimensional viewing Daniel,not blinkered,and certainly not biased.... Take some good advice on board,and enjoy the year and beyond. Cheers :-) :-)

- Noel Shields (posted 9/02/2012 1:06:27 AM)

Good on ya noelee. Do you mind if i call you noelee? Anyway lets agree to disagree old boy. All the best mate and go those bombers

- daniel McNamara (posted 11/02/2012 11:59:27 PM)