by Nick Gibson

Is James Hird a super coach or was Matthew Knights really bad at his craft? Either way Essendon seem to be the big improvers in 2011 and have set up a mouth-watering pre season Grand Final against Collingwood (boo)!

Some say the NAB Cup has its days numbered but i bet 50,000 screaming fans at Etihad Stadium this weekend could change the landscape somewhat and  possibly re-invigorate the dwindling interests of those opposing this format.

Some coaches want it scrapped but lets face it, all clubs will want to play plenty of practice matches anyway so why not  do it in an organised round robin format which could end up, like this, with a great final spectacle to look forward to.

Essendon have done a lot of soul searching over the summer and rookie coach and club great James Hird (not to mention senior assistant Bomber Thompson) have vowed to take this proud club back to its glory days.

Not a bad start gents but all Carlton supporters will remind you don't get to much of a stiffy yet as it usually accounts little for when the real stuff starts!

It's also nice to see all the Bombers supporters strutting around again with their chests puffed out and bling fully intact! Guys like Bruno 'Brucey' Bennett who have only this week admitted to supporting the black and red.

Good luck to Bruno and his boys but i'm tipping the black and white to open up a can of whoop ass and win this one by 22 points.

The Taipans split the doomsday double over the weekend which most coaches would be relieved in. There are troubling signs however for our Snakes! It took Alex Loughton to have a 17 point last quarter to beat lowly Adelaide and they were completely torn a new one in Perth.

There is now a real likelihood that they will miss the playoffs as Gold Coast and Wollongong continue to stay in the hunt and sharpen their claws. Ironically these two clubs meet on Friday night and i'm tipping the winner of that game to grab fourth spot and probably crush the hopes of the Cairns faithful.

If Cairns are lucky enough to hang onto fourth their form suggests a quick playoff exit is probably on the cards anyway.  I'm gonna stick with the New Zealand Breakers to get their first title as they have locked away that top spot and the home court advantage will be priceless!

The destiny of the Snakes is in their own hands and if they can't account for the Melbourne Tigers this weekend - sayonara...