Former Essendon captain Tim Watson is imploring his former side to work out what they stand for.
After Bombers coach John Worsfold said post-game the playing group didn’t know what it stood for, Watson said it was on the coach to sort that out, not the players.
“You know John Worsfold played football in a way that we could describe as overtly aggressive, everything about him said aggression, he was the most hard-nose competitive type player you could ever see,” he told SEN Breakfast after Essendon’s loss to the winless Carlton.
“I want my team to look like they’re super competitive in everything they do, there is not one component of what John Worsfold did on a football field that he’s been able to inject into that team.
“I always think the coach has to demand of the players the way he wants them to play.”
Former Melbourne captain Garry Lyon agreed and was taken aback by Worsfold’s comments.
“No, you determine who they want to become, John, you’re the coach. You set the parameters, not the players,” he said.
“They should’ve spent the summer saying this is what we are, this will be our identity, win lose or draw they will say this about us.
“Not at Round 8 asking the players to determine what we’ll be – coach determines it!
“Alastair Clarkson says this is how we play and this is how we defend and if you can’t fit in and can’t do that, then you don’t play.”
Watson has a few things in particular he wants Essendon to change immediately.
“I think looking at it now, they’ve got to have a major look rethink on a couple of things, the first is how many talls they have in the side and where they’re going to play them,” he said.
“I think they have to abandon that idea.
“I also think philosophically they’re going about it the wrong way trying to free up Michael Hurley or Brendon Goddard, I’d be trying to free up a running type player.
“Hurley’s not a creator down back, I’d be trying to free up Adam Saad or Andrew McGrath when he’s back.
“Get Hurley to be a defender and take the number one forward of the opposition side.”
Midfielder Zach Merrett was restricted by the Blues to 16 disposals and no impact on the game and Watson said he needs to get back to the basics.
“I reckon Zach Merrett is playing the game in his own head right now and worrying about getting tagged,” he said.
“When Merrett came into football, he was the most competitive, angry player around the footy, his great strength was his competitiveness, he’s got to get back to that.”
The Bombers will take on Geelong at the MCG this weekend.
Listen to the full discussion on Essendon below.