Former Essendon captain Tim Watson believes his club isn’t getting the best out of the talent they have on their list.
After seven rounds, the Bombers have only won two games and suffered a 23-point loss to Hawthorn on the weekend.
Watson isn’t sure whether John Worsfold and the coaching staff are getting through to the players.
“I think what frustrates Essendon people is if you lined up player for player, Hawthorn player for Essendon player on the weekend, you would say Essendon were equal to them in talent if not eclipsed them in talent,” he told SEN Breakfast.
“I think there’s more talent there than what they’re producing as a collective right now.”
Watson pointed to two players in particular who he’s concerned about.
“That must be the way they want to play because we’ve seen no change to the role that Michael Hurley has played and the way that Brendon Goddard has played all season,” he said.
“If it’s not the way he wants them to play, then he’s not influencing them to play the way he wants them to play.”
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon agreed, saying Goddard and Hurley need to play a less uncontested style.
“Find another role for (Goddard) or don’t play him, because it doesn’t help the team,” he said.
“Sitting back there getting kicks sideways is not helping.
“Every time I watch, Goddard’s running off to the side and again. If that’s the way John Worsfold wants him to play, then that’s not Goddard’s fault, but it’s not helping. The tone is set.
“Michael Hurley not taking accountability and playing aggressive key position defence, but getting 28-35 touches is not helping.
“He needs to go to someone, give him some accountability because that’s a tone setter.”
Essendon will take on Carlton on Saturday afternoon next week in what can only be described as a must-win game.