eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Collingwood vs Essendon (14/04/2012):
Observations:
Collingwood: The pies have had what could be called an interesting start to the season. Losing first up to Hawthorn, beating Richmond, getting smashed by Carlton and limping over the line against Port Adelaide. Missing 9 of their 22 from last year’s Grand Final they look a shell of their former selves. They’re yet to prove themselves against quality opposition this season.
Essendon: Played what was decent to good football for the first 3 rounds. They went into the last game at odds of $7.50. Now they’re 4 wins and 0 losses. A huge win against their biggest rivals has been extremely beneficial. Essendon probably head into the game as favourites, and will be very happy with their season so far. Hurley going out is a big loss
Head-to-Head (last 5) : Collingwood 5- Essendon 0
Form:
Essendon: W-W-W-W
Collingwood: L-W-L-W
Odds (forecasted by me because the forecasting website sucks) Collingwood $2.10 Essendon $1.70
Possible Teams:
Collingwood:
B: O’Brien-Keefe-Johnson
HB: Maxwell-N Brown-Goldsack
C: Swan-Ugle-Sidebottom
HF: Beams-Cloke-Seedsman
F: Fasolo-Dawes-Ceglar
R: Jolly-Pendlebury-Wellingham
I: Clarke-Blair-Toovey
S: Elliot
Essendon:
B: Fletcher-Pears-Hibberd
HB: Dempsey-Hooker-Dyson
C: Melksham-Watson-Heppell
HF: Dell’Olio-Ryder-Zaharakis
F: Crameri-Carlisle-Jetta
R: Bellchambers-Hocking-Stanton
I: Howlett-Davey-Lonergan
S: Colyer
Key Match-Ups:
Brent Stanton vs Dane Swan: These two are probably the two fittest blokes in the AFL, with Nick Riewoldt getting an honourable mention. Swan has had variable form, giving a glimpse against Port Adelaide of how good he is. Brent Stanton has started like a house on fire. He’s been Essendon’s best on two occasions, and has averaged 29 disposals in the first 4 games and is undoubtedly in what most would call the ‘elite’ category. This is the contest that I’d pay my money to see.
Cale Hooker vs Travis Cloke: Cale Hooker has been severely underrated by opposition fans. He’s probably the best lock down key defender at Essendon. Travis Cloke is the premier Centre Half-Forward of the competition. This promises to be a fantastic match-up, and I really can’t split them.
Lachlan Keefe vs Jake Carlisle: Funny thing football. In the last Essendon vs Collingwood game, these two played on each other. Now they renew acquaintances, except at the other end of the ground. Carlisle is renowned as having sticky hands but unable to convert, and Keefe has been very good in the absence of Reid, Tarrant and Brown, and is currently the best key defender at Collingwood. My natural bias leans towards Carlisle so Essendon can be 1-0 up of the three key match-ups
Keys for each team:
Essendon:
• Keep going all game. They’ve faded out of the game at some point each week.
• Kick accurately- Essendon have wasted good chances in the forward line in every game. Will want to improve heavily in that regard
• Win the contested ball. Collingwood rely on it. Win it, you win the game
Collingwood:
• Spread. Essendon’s spread from the contest was incredible last game, Collingwood need to spread well compared to what they did against Carlton.
• Break even in the ruck. Essendon have the form ruck pairing in the comp, if Collingwood can nullify that Essendon won’t be as dangerous
• Don’t be Cloke-conscious. Dawes and Ceglar are good avenues to goal, use them.
Summary:
Essendon are in the best spot they’ve been in since 2000. They’re playing the best football in the post-Sheedy era. The injuries are a worry, but with players like Lovett-Murray, Colyer, Dempsey and Carlisle who all have claims to being in the first 25 players selected back will be a boost for the dons.
Collingwood are in questionable form, they’ve struggled against Richmond and Port Adelaide for their wins, and have been embarrassed by Carlton and Hawthorn in their losses. This is a big stage, and will be the first ANZAC Day game for players like Seedsman, Ceglar, Fasolo, Keefe and Elliot, so the second biggest stage in the AFL may be a little unnerving for the youngsters.
Tip: Essendon were struggling two weeks ago. Now apparently they’re flying. Collingwood have the top end talent but their depth looks a little shaky. Most of the bombers have played on the big stage before, and form should be taken with a grain of salt. Essendon by 9
Observations:
Collingwood: The pies have had what could be called an interesting start to the season. Losing first up to Hawthorn, beating Richmond, getting smashed by Carlton and limping over the line against Port Adelaide. Missing 9 of their 22 from last year’s Grand Final they look a shell of their former selves. They’re yet to prove themselves against quality opposition this season.
Essendon: Played what was decent to good football for the first 3 rounds. They went into the last game at odds of $7.50. Now they’re 4 wins and 0 losses. A huge win against their biggest rivals has been extremely beneficial. Essendon probably head into the game as favourites, and will be very happy with their season so far. Hurley going out is a big loss
Head-to-Head (last 5) : Collingwood 5- Essendon 0
Form:
Essendon: W-W-W-W
Collingwood: L-W-L-W
Odds (forecasted by me because the forecasting website sucks) Collingwood $2.10 Essendon $1.70
Possible Teams:
Collingwood:
B: O’Brien-Keefe-Johnson
HB: Maxwell-N Brown-Goldsack
C: Swan-Ugle-Sidebottom
HF: Beams-Cloke-Seedsman
F: Fasolo-Dawes-Ceglar
R: Jolly-Pendlebury-Wellingham
I: Clarke-Blair-Toovey
S: Elliot
Essendon:
B: Fletcher-Pears-Hibberd
HB: Dempsey-Hooker-Dyson
C: Melksham-Watson-Heppell
HF: Dell’Olio-Ryder-Zaharakis
F: Crameri-Carlisle-Jetta
R: Bellchambers-Hocking-Stanton
I: Howlett-Davey-Lonergan
S: Colyer
Key Match-Ups:
Brent Stanton vs Dane Swan: These two are probably the two fittest blokes in the AFL, with Nick Riewoldt getting an honourable mention. Swan has had variable form, giving a glimpse against Port Adelaide of how good he is. Brent Stanton has started like a house on fire. He’s been Essendon’s best on two occasions, and has averaged 29 disposals in the first 4 games and is undoubtedly in what most would call the ‘elite’ category. This is the contest that I’d pay my money to see.
Cale Hooker vs Travis Cloke: Cale Hooker has been severely underrated by opposition fans. He’s probably the best lock down key defender at Essendon. Travis Cloke is the premier Centre Half-Forward of the competition. This promises to be a fantastic match-up, and I really can’t split them.
Lachlan Keefe vs Jake Carlisle: Funny thing football. In the last Essendon vs Collingwood game, these two played on each other. Now they renew acquaintances, except at the other end of the ground. Carlisle is renowned as having sticky hands but unable to convert, and Keefe has been very good in the absence of Reid, Tarrant and Brown, and is currently the best key defender at Collingwood. My natural bias leans towards Carlisle so Essendon can be 1-0 up of the three key match-ups
Keys for each team:
Essendon:
• Keep going all game. They’ve faded out of the game at some point each week.
• Kick accurately- Essendon have wasted good chances in the forward line in every game. Will want to improve heavily in that regard
• Win the contested ball. Collingwood rely on it. Win it, you win the game
Collingwood:
• Spread. Essendon’s spread from the contest was incredible last game, Collingwood need to spread well compared to what they did against Carlton.
• Break even in the ruck. Essendon have the form ruck pairing in the comp, if Collingwood can nullify that Essendon won’t be as dangerous
• Don’t be Cloke-conscious. Dawes and Ceglar are good avenues to goal, use them.
Summary:
Essendon are in the best spot they’ve been in since 2000. They’re playing the best football in the post-Sheedy era. The injuries are a worry, but with players like Lovett-Murray, Colyer, Dempsey and Carlisle who all have claims to being in the first 25 players selected back will be a boost for the dons.
Collingwood are in questionable form, they’ve struggled against Richmond and Port Adelaide for their wins, and have been embarrassed by Carlton and Hawthorn in their losses. This is a big stage, and will be the first ANZAC Day game for players like Seedsman, Ceglar, Fasolo, Keefe and Elliot, so the second biggest stage in the AFL may be a little unnerving for the youngsters.
Tip: Essendon were struggling two weeks ago. Now apparently they’re flying. Collingwood have the top end talent but their depth looks a little shaky. Most of the bombers have played on the big stage before, and form should be taken with a grain of salt. Essendon by 9
