News

Video: Myers: Bombers tough pre-season shows

Thursday, 26 January 2012
Luke Holmesby for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

Essendon's pre-season emphasis on winning contested possession was evident for all to see on Thursday afternoon.

While the Bombers were simply having a friendly hit of cricket with Big Bash League teams Melbourne Stars and the Melbourne Renegades, it wasn't until defender David Myers fronted the media sporting a black eye that it became obvious how hard Essendon has gone about its pre-season.

"I had a head clash yesterday. We've had a bit of match play now and I butted heads with Elliott Kavanagh, which is just what happens in training," Myers said when explaining his shiner.

New head of fitness Dean Robinson has unashamedly pushed Essendon's players to their physical limits since arriving at the end of 2011. Robinson's mantra fits in with the hardline approach to pre-season that has been the hallmark of James Hird's time as coach.

Myers said the benefits of Robinson's program were showing.

"We've had the new fitness staff come in and they've changed up the program so it is a different type of program to what we've experienced before," he said.

"It has been a pretty arduous pre-season and we've been getting tested physically and working on trying to improve on our year last year and physically I think we've done that," he said.

"They are always hard – pre-season is never an easy time of the year – but we've jumped into it and done the best we can. I think from a physical point of view, we're ahead of where we were in terms of our testing and criteria."

One Bomber whose fitness has been a constant frustration over his five years at the club is Scott Gumbleton.

Gumbleton didn't play a senior match last season as he battled knee and hamstring problems.

While most of his teammates are being flogged on the training track, Gumbleton has taken a more careful approach.

"Scott's travelling really well. We're just being pretty cautious with him, with the history he's had," Myers said.

"Probably too over-cautious. He's a pretty important player for us so we won't be rushing to get him out there."

Stand as One - One Team. One Dream. Join the team in 2012 by clicking here to become an Essendon member today.

PLAYER PROFILE: David Myers
PLAYER PROFILE: Scott Gumbleton

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How do we know he is important - unfortunately for him & us he has hardly played to know that for sure.

- Eric Young (posted 26/01/2012 3:37:35 PM)

I like the way they named David Myers a defender, but i fully expect him to be prominent in the mids this year, and firmly believe he could be anouther cameron Ling, i have had a lot of faith in this kid,especially when he was being canned by a lot of critics, or so called supporters, i believe he has the goods to become a very important player, we are about to see a hell of a lot more of this young bloke.

- Max Rodwell (posted 26/01/2012 5:12:57 PM)

May be Gumbys last chance Eric. Has to give it a crack this year, one way or the other. Good to hear Kav in the thick of it though.

- Brad Scarr (posted 26/01/2012 6:55:04 PM)

To me Eric,this is what the club means.STAND AS ONE. We dont know and never will,but we have to trust the club.Would hate to think how Gumbleton is feeling,and I am assuming you are talking about Gumbleton.We as a club,are so lucky.Essendon did not wash their hands with Hird,injury after injury.The media and everyone else had him washed up,no good.So lucky the club did not listen to anyone but themselves.If Gumbleton doesnt make it,so be it,but I will be proud of the club for giving it their all.This is why I am proud of my club.Diane

- Diane Trask (posted 26/01/2012 9:34:37 PM)

It is fine to bulk up and be super fit as long as all the hard work is taken onto the field, as long as the players have improved further with decision making then we could be in for a big year.

- Rod Hooker (posted 26/01/2012 11:26:22 PM)

Gumbleton is a talent alright, lets hope he gets there this year, although we have been saying that for the last 3 years, lets hope he doesn't do a Jason Laycock, fast looking that way, this has to be his last season if he can't come up!...GO BOMBERS!

- Adam Matthews (posted 26/01/2012 11:59:06 PM)

Hopefully being overly cautious doesn't mean he wont be ready come the start of the season ??? Look forward to a fit Gumbleton on the pitch kicking a few.

- Terry Collins (posted 27/01/2012 1:54:27 AM)

its seems that our member ship packages come.s from Hong Kong

- MARK JONES (posted 27/01/2012 10:38:34 AM)

David Myers, should be right in there this year. He has the stamp of a champion, go mate go. Gumby, is needed, with his size, keep your fitness right mate, look forward to you starring in Black & Red, Go Mighty, Powerful, Bombers.

- Graeme Coad (posted 27/01/2012 11:40:36 AM)

If Gumby can just get a bit of luck and string a full season together he will be an absolute handfull!! I also think Laycock would have had a period as the games most dangerous ruckman had it not been for injuries. Maybe we should stick these guys in a paddock until their bodies grow into themselves...some blokes seem to mature physically later in their 20's . This is evident with the growing numbers of mature age recruits.

- Nathan O''Brien (posted 27/01/2012 3:33:37 PM)

Did Myers slip up! over cautious! Gumby was just starting to look good in 2010, I hope he can get his body right. Can't wait for the NAB cup, even if they don't try to much

- Gerard Smith (posted 27/01/2012 3:35:33 PM)

Gumby needs to play at least 15 games this year and play well in those, not for us supporter types but for himself!! The footy world knows this bloke can play, Lloydy said his is Nick Reivoldt like in the way he can run and mark out in front on the move at pace.GO THE BIG #3!!

- Rowan Gerecke (posted 27/01/2012 4:41:22 PM)

too true Eric. Go Myers - in the centre this year Jimmy.

- Bob Davies (posted 27/01/2012 10:52:24 PM)

Relieved to hear some news on Scott G. Hope to see him out there this season.

- Troy Goldner (posted 28/01/2012 10:08:21 AM)

On membership packages, hope the bumper stickers are of a little better quality this year. We are red and black. Our stickers all turned pink? Or do we find a spot with no sun maybe?

- Brad Scarr (posted 28/01/2012 3:04:47 PM)

I have my finger crossed for Gumby. Eric maybe you have not been to the games I was at when Gumby did play. The boy can play for sure. Its his body that is breaking down. Yes this could be his last chance. I feel for him and the club.

- Alan De Menezes (posted 28/01/2012 6:58:44 PM)

I like the way David Myers is being given leadership roles and responsibility. After so many injuries his self belief would be down. Now he may start to believe in himself again. A big season coming. I hope also that Gumbleton can turn the corner also.

- Wesley Hull (posted 28/01/2012 8:05:13 PM)

To me,who cares where our packages come from.As long as I can watch my boys in melbourne every week,I could not be fussed where my car sticker comes from,sorry Mark.

- Diane Trask (posted 28/01/2012 9:10:38 PM)

good luck on the field this year David, know how much this means to you. Gumby, wise to be cautious with a larger frame, you'll get there. Looking forward to seeing red&black in W.A. soon.

- Gail Taylor (posted 29/01/2012 11:25:31 AM)

Very well spoken, David. Encouraging signs lads, can't wait for the season proper.

- Duncan Eastey (posted 29/01/2012 3:23:21 PM)

Good calls on Myers, can definitely see him taking on a midfield role but realistically Watson and Hocking are just a little bit more advanced than him atm. Myers for me still needs to improve his efficiency to take that next step. As for Gumby I think the club is doing the right thing, by not pushing him to breaking point this pre-season. But sometime later this year they will have to take the risk and see whether his body will be able to handle consecutive AFL games

- Mark Dempsey (posted 29/01/2012 4:27:57 PM)

Gday guys. Im a big bombers fan living in london and i just love reading all your comments each week so i thought i would join in this year and share my thoughts about our great club. As for gumby,make or break year for the bigman and im sure every bomber fan hopes that he can stay fit and show all those haters out there just how good he can be.

- daniel McNamara (posted 30/01/2012 7:55:01 AM)

Are you trying to convert some of the locals to the greatest game on Earth Daniel?

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 30/01/2012 2:23:23 PM)

I get the gist a couple of you think I am a Gumby knocker - wrong. I just think (like otherts) he is on his last chance. Would love to see him come out & smash it, but at the present time it does not look good for him, some talent for his spot further advanced.

- Eric Young (posted 30/01/2012 7:33:40 PM)

I rate David Myers highly in the tradition of tough, uncompromising Essendon defenders

- Thomas Faunce (posted 31/01/2012 12:18:59 AM)

Ive certainly been trying gordon. But they love the round ball over here. My neighbours certainly arent looking forward to the season starting cause they know every wkend they will get woken up at 5am by a crazy bomber fan cheering and shouting over my laptop.

- daniel McNamara (posted 1/02/2012 2:23:05 AM)

Yes, I know it's hard to get people outside Australia to understand and really appreciate footy Daniel. Tell them to watch "Australian football" on YouTube, and tell them it is even a better spectacle live. I have known quite a few Brits who like soccer, but after seeing a lot of Australian football, like our game much more than soccer. I am not a narrow minded type, I think soccer is a good, very skilful game, but Aussie footy is simply a vastly superior spectacle.

- Gordon Moss snr (posted 1/02/2012 1:56:56 PM)

Hiya Daniel .... welcome aboard this fun section of our website. I love the loyalty of bomber fans. It's a lifetime love for your team that builds. Those round ball followers are quite fanatical as well I've noticed. Again welcome. Cheers Gail

- Gail Taylor (posted 1/02/2012 2:46:39 PM)