The Bombers crashed back to earth on Friday night with a loss against Collingwood and star tall Paddy Ryder and back-up ruckman Cale Hooker were soundly beaten by Josh Fraser in the ruck.
The emergence of Ryder as a ruckman started on ANZAC day against Collingwood and since then he has carried the majority of the ruck load single-handedly.
Developing ruckman, Tom Bellchambers, has now played two solid games in the VFL after returning from a knee injury and, in this week’s poll, we ask if you think the 19-year-old should be brought back into the side to support Ryder?
In last week’s poll we asked where you thought the Bombers will finish on the ladder at the end of the season and 49.01% of people thought either 7th or 8th, 31.86% thought 5th or 6th, 11.88% thought 9th to 11th, 7.3% thought between 1st and 4th and 0.12% of people said between 12th and 16th.
Here’s what some of the fans had to say:
Graham from USA says: I said before the Melbourne game that winning 3 of the next 4 would give the Dons a finals berth.
Joseph Attard from Taylors Hill says: I would love to see the Bombers make the 4, but, if something big changes, like a win on Friday night against the Pies, it looks like 7th or 8th is a more realistic spot.
Jake from Victoria says: I can see Essendon getting into the finals but with the other teams in there at the moment I can't see them getting any further up the ladder than either 6th, 7th or 8th on the ladder.
Jan Di Pietro from New York City says: Given the form of the team in the second half of last season, it feels like a good bet to say that we are definitely capable of winning another six games from the last ten, and it looks like that will be enough this year. If the boys can stay fit and stick to the plan, then we will give the best teams a shake! Go Dons!
Deeksy from Hobart says: The win against Carlton was huge. Not only because we beat them, but the gap in percentage is down to 3%, and our percentage is a lot better than Hawthorn, Sydney or Port Adelaide. If we can avoid being thrashed when we do lose from here on in, I'm tipping we'll make it in.
Clifford Davison from Sydney says: We have a tough run home, but with an exciting win against the Blues, I am confident we can win enough of our remaining games to get into the 5th/6th brackets. If results go our way, I can certainly see us top 4, but at the moment that is remote and relies on us winning and opponents losing when they are expected to win.
Eric from Wodonga says: A 5-4 record over the remaining rounds is achievable, if we can play with intensity for four quarters every week. 12-10 for the season should get us in. Is 6th possible?! That'd be lovely icing on the cake. Well done Bombers. I'm proud of you all.
Sam Christie from Vic says: Keep up the way that we are playing and we might make the top 8.
Brad from Vic says: It will come down to round 22 against the hawks the winner will finish 8th the loser 9th.
Liam from Vic says: If we can beat Collingwood and Sydney and not get thrashed by the Bulldogs- we have a good chance at making the top 4 - but will probably need to finish 14-8 (not likely) to even have a chance. Grand Final in 3-5 years.
mawbz73 from SA says: We are looking good, injuries are down to few & the playing group are really starting to play some hard contested footy. Great job boys keep it up! Finals is not out of the question.
Froghunter from Qld says: Anything is possible if we are in the top 8 in September. Realistically, it is fantastic to be watching a group of young players (with some older support) mature into a team that has the ability to be a true Premiership contender for a few years to come.
Matt Byrnes from Hastings says: If we can win 2 of the next 3 games against the pies swans and doggies then were a genuine chance to play a quarter or even a semi!
