eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Observations:
Essendon: An insipid first half display by the dons with skill errors all over the place meant West Coast were well ahead at the main break, but an awesome second half display by Dyson Heppell, Jason Winderlich and the entire Essendon defence saw them get over the line. Jobe Watson returned with a lazy 30 disposals as well
Gold Coast:
Head to head (last 5): Essendon 3-0 Gold Coast
Sportsbet odds:
Essendon: $1.16, line ($1.85): -33.5
Gold Coast: $5.00, line ($1.85): +33.5
Possible sides:
Essendon vs Gold Coast
B: Tape - Murphy - Lemmens
F: Watson - Daniher - Bellchambers
HB: McKenzie - Warnock - Harbrow
HF: Howlett - Carlisle - Goddard
C: Kolodjashnij - Rischitelli - Bennell
C: Zaharakis - Myers - Stanton
HF: Shaw - Lynch - Matera
HB: Hibberd - Steinberg - Dempsey
F: Hall - Day - Herbert
B: Hurley - Hooker - Baguley
R: Thompson - O'Meara - Prestia
R: Ryder - Heppell - Hocking
I: Martin - Swallow - Lonergan
I: Colyer - Z Merrett - Ambrose
S: Sexton
S: Winderlich
Gold Coast defence vs Essendon forward line
Gold Coast have recently lost a lot of their key defensive depth so Essendon may look to exploit that against the Suns with Carlisle, Daniher, Bellchambers and Ambrose up forward, but also with marking targets in Watson, Goddard, Stanton and Zaharakis. If Essendon give options, present and keep the defence guessing it will be a much better performance. The main battle will be Rory Thompson on Joe Daniher, both being future stars in defence and forward line respectively. The duel between Warnock and Bellchambers or Carlisle and McKenzie will also be important, if either get on top early Gold Coast will probably drop their heads.
Midfield battle (rucks included)
Essendon will come in confident in this area, without Gary Ablett the Gold Coast midfield and especially the likes of Prestia have struggled to have an important impact for the Suns. Essendon's ball winners will be crucial, the likes of Watson, Heppell, Myers, Howlett, Hocking and Merrett should have a big impact in the game, but Rischitelli, O'Meara, Prestia, Swallow and Lonergan is nothing to be sneezed at. On the outside, players like Stanton, Zaharakis, Goddard, Colyer and Merrett have been tidy enough over the season, but Stanton and Goddard have been down recently, so a big game is required for both. Gold Coasts outside runners look strong with the likes of Bennell and Matera. The ruck battle should be a good'un, Gorringe against an experienced combination of Bellchambers and Ryder.
Gold Coast forward line vs Essendon defence
This looks to be an absolute smashing when comparing the 2. Essendon's defence is so good that a debutant drafted as a forward slotted himself into there seamlessly. The two main targets in Lynch and Day will be important for the young side. Steinberg would be the nominated for Day and Hooker the same for Lynch but both will try to cut acrossGold Coast attacks. Dempsey, Baguley and Hibberd should be able to attack from HB to set up the play effectively.
X-Factor player
We always hear about the O'Meara's, Prestia's and Swallow's but one that's slipped under the radar is Alex Sexton, whose running game has been pretty good for the suns this season. His attack will be important for Gold Coast to get up
Keys for each side
Essendon:
My tip
Gold Coast have struggled without their captain, and the Dons are in good form, Essendon by 45
Essendon: An insipid first half display by the dons with skill errors all over the place meant West Coast were well ahead at the main break, but an awesome second half display by Dyson Heppell, Jason Winderlich and the entire Essendon defence saw them get over the line. Jobe Watson returned with a lazy 30 disposals as well
Gold Coast:
Head to head (last 5): Essendon 3-0 Gold Coast
Sportsbet odds:
Essendon: $1.16, line ($1.85): -33.5
Gold Coast: $5.00, line ($1.85): +33.5
Possible sides:
Essendon vs Gold Coast
B: Tape - Murphy - Lemmens
F: Watson - Daniher - Bellchambers
HB: McKenzie - Warnock - Harbrow
HF: Howlett - Carlisle - Goddard
C: Kolodjashnij - Rischitelli - Bennell
C: Zaharakis - Myers - Stanton
HF: Shaw - Lynch - Matera
HB: Hibberd - Steinberg - Dempsey
F: Hall - Day - Herbert
B: Hurley - Hooker - Baguley
R: Thompson - O'Meara - Prestia
R: Ryder - Heppell - Hocking
I: Martin - Swallow - Lonergan
I: Colyer - Z Merrett - Ambrose
S: Sexton
S: Winderlich
Gold Coast defence vs Essendon forward line
Gold Coast have recently lost a lot of their key defensive depth so Essendon may look to exploit that against the Suns with Carlisle, Daniher, Bellchambers and Ambrose up forward, but also with marking targets in Watson, Goddard, Stanton and Zaharakis. If Essendon give options, present and keep the defence guessing it will be a much better performance. The main battle will be Rory Thompson on Joe Daniher, both being future stars in defence and forward line respectively. The duel between Warnock and Bellchambers or Carlisle and McKenzie will also be important, if either get on top early Gold Coast will probably drop their heads.
Midfield battle (rucks included)
Essendon will come in confident in this area, without Gary Ablett the Gold Coast midfield and especially the likes of Prestia have struggled to have an important impact for the Suns. Essendon's ball winners will be crucial, the likes of Watson, Heppell, Myers, Howlett, Hocking and Merrett should have a big impact in the game, but Rischitelli, O'Meara, Prestia, Swallow and Lonergan is nothing to be sneezed at. On the outside, players like Stanton, Zaharakis, Goddard, Colyer and Merrett have been tidy enough over the season, but Stanton and Goddard have been down recently, so a big game is required for both. Gold Coasts outside runners look strong with the likes of Bennell and Matera. The ruck battle should be a good'un, Gorringe against an experienced combination of Bellchambers and Ryder.
Gold Coast forward line vs Essendon defence
This looks to be an absolute smashing when comparing the 2. Essendon's defence is so good that a debutant drafted as a forward slotted himself into there seamlessly. The two main targets in Lynch and Day will be important for the young side. Steinberg would be the nominated for Day and Hooker the same for Lynch but both will try to cut acrossGold Coast attacks. Dempsey, Baguley and Hibberd should be able to attack from HB to set up the play effectively.
X-Factor player
We always hear about the O'Meara's, Prestia's and Swallow's but one that's slipped under the radar is Alex Sexton, whose running game has been pretty good for the suns this season. His attack will be important for Gold Coast to get up
Keys for each side
Essendon:
- Movement. At times the Essendon forward line is completely static, which is what they don't want to do.
- Spread. Gold Coast have genuine leg speed with Bennell and co.
My tip
Gold Coast have struggled without their captain, and the Dons are in good form, Essendon by 45
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