Last week we asked, “Is Neagle important to the Bomber’s forward line?” Over 68 per cent of voters returned a resounding ‘yes’, while almost 19 per cent picked ‘no’ and just over 13 per cent sat on the fence.
Here’s what some of the voters had to say last week:
Norman from St Albans says: of course Neagle is important to Essendon’s forward line because Lloyd and Lucas aren’t at the club any more.
Adrian from Mildura says: I think he helps just by staying in the forward line because if the ball is turned over jay is there to hit up. How many times do you see us get to half forward and stop because there is no one to kick to and if he starts to win 50/50 contests then the other team’s defenders won't run off as much.
Ray S from Queensland says: Jay has as much natural ability as most players at EFC...BUT doesn’t seem to have the grunt or desperation required to make it. He needs to find the grunt if he is ever going to make it
Dominic Lauricella from Mount Cottrell/Victoria/Australia says: Neagle's importance to the team all depends on what type of forward structure the bombers will adopt. Neagle can only play full forward so do you develop Hurley into a backman and Gumby as a CHF, or have all three in the forward line. If Neagle is going to become our main full forward he needs to increase his fitness, have better decision making and have some real motivation. Hopefully he can get a full preseason for the 2011 season. He has really struggled so far in 2010 and I put that down to a lack of a full preseason, that’s why Neagle playing VFL for most of the season was the best option. Simple Neagle only has slack for the rest of 2010, in 2011 if he doesn't perform Still will surpass him as a forward option.
Stephen Mc Ateer from Niddrie says: The Hurley as a forward experiment has failed - backs are backs, forwards are forwards. Hurley to FB, Neagle to FF. It's a pity we've missed getting 14 senior games into Jay.
Graeme Mac from QLD says: If Neagle can only play one game all year and is not amoung the best players for Bendigo each week how then can he be important to our forward line?
Geoff from Toodyay, WA says: Give Gumbleton a go at CHB, move Hurley to CHF and give Neagle an opportunity at FF. We couldn't do any worse at present. Gumbleton may surprise as he has played CHB before.
Peter from Melbourne says: A player who feels that he has the FULL support of the coach will train much harder than one who does not. . . . AND such players should receive the confidence of a few games in a row . . . a long-term investment by the club.
Duncan from South Melbourne says: Jay could potentially be important to our forward line but needs to prove a couple of things first. We're all painfully aware of what a glorious kick he can be, but his fitness, his endeavour, his efforts after the first and his want and desire to bleed red and black need to start being more self evident.
Joseph Attard from Taylors Hill says: I'm going to say yes because I think that he is a big body, he may not have the pace and skill to do much more than stand in the goal square and out-muscle opponents, which is what Lloydy was going to do anyway.
Kimbo from Melbourne says: We really need to see if Neagle has what it takes, has he got the tank to compete at the highest level? Actions speak loudly so he needs to perform!
Rick from Geelong says: Yes, we have tall forwards but Gumby is not ready and Williams is asleep most of the time! Bring back Neagle and hopefully he will continue the form he started last year!
Bob Davies from Essendon says: Unfortunately, I don't think Jay is the answer. Suggest playing him fullback for the rest of the year with Tayte now out. He might get a bag kicked on him once or twice but he will learn a lot more a lot faster about how to play full forward.
Ed from Qld says: His worth is dependent on other players making their name. If Hurley finds consistency forward then we don't need Neagle. If Hille rests forward we don't need Neagle. If Pears plays a more utility role and Hurley goes back, Neagle becomes very important. He is reminding me of the way Nathan Ablett is playing (or not playing) for GCFC this year.
Julian from Prahran says: Why give a ""maybe"" option? Either he is or he isn't.
Mark Lees from Bendigo/Vic/Australia says: Couldn't hurt at this stage. Gumby will be a champion forward in time just needs to put on a bit of beef & build up, Hurley to me looks more comfortable & promising down back. I think Jay given a fair chance at senior level will eventually prove himself. He has a strong pair of hands, a great kick for goal & has the body type to crash through the packs & take a good contested mark. Jay will be a top forward!
James Brown from Berwick, Vic says: Neagle isn't a good enough player to make it in the AFL. The plan was for Hurley and Gumbleton to be our key forwards. Let’s stick to it. It takes time. Maybe Neagle can be a third tall or something, but I’m still not really keen on that idea.
Sawa from Victoria says: Neagle has a good pair of hands, he just need experience
Wayne Burgess from Croydon says: Jay has to learn to chase and put pressure on defenders. His fitness level is well below par for an AFL footballer.
Greg Sloan from Somerville VIC says: If Jay can start to discover some of the potential that he has, then yes, absolutely he is an important player to our forward line in the coming years and perhaps in 2010. All of our current forward players aside from Jay can cover different roles and don't necessarily have to play from the square. I see Jay as a specialist full forward and hopefully we get to see him fulfil that role successfully.
John from Aus says: Not Yet
Michael Walters from Hobart says: I think that it is up to Jay how important he will be to Essendon. It's really a silly question to ask the supporters. We haven't really seen him play so at this stage you could say he isn't important as he really hasn't done anything and if Gumbleton and Hurley started playing really well then he is even less important but if he puts in the effort and wants it he then could become our go to FF and be very important. Let's see.
Julian from Prahran says: Only if he can get fit enough to be able to put in second and third efforts through a full game.
George Lees from Gatton, Qld. says: Jay Neagle comes from very good stock and has shown flashes of brilliance in past games. He needs to be selected at full forward consistently to allow him to develop. His biggest problem is the low skill level displayed by his team mates who usually fail to deliver the ball to him in a manner that gives him a chance to mark it.