Essendon Vs Collingwood - Official game thread

[S.C[BANKS]]

I know its a bit too early but i cant wait for this match, its going to be good

Feel free to put any line up changes here and any news about the upcoming game!

Anyway heres the preview from the afl website!

Preview: Anzac Day, Essendon v Collingwood

ESSENDON v COLLINGWOODWhere and When: MCG, Wednesday April 25, 2.40pm
Head to Head: Essendon 96 wins, Collingwood 114 wins, four draws.
Last Time: Essendon 10.14 (74) d Collingwood 9.7 (61), round 19, 2006, at MCG.
SUMMARY
This is the biggest match of the home-and-away series – and arguably the most passionately supported game of the entire season, along with the two preliminary finals, given that the Grand Final sees an unusually high number of uncommitted spectators. The pre-match atmosphere is soul-stirring, and Essendon and Collingwood usually put on a passionate contest to honour the Anzac tradition.
The Bombers are back and firing – second on the ladder, with a 3-1 record spoiled only by the fadeout against Carlton in round three. They’ve already won as many matches as they did for the entire 2006 season. The return of skipper Matthew Lloyd and the injection of pace in the midfield and up-forward are obvious reasons for the turnaround, but so too is the renaissance of Adam McPhee on the half-back line after being hampered by osteitis for the past two seasons.
Things are not so chirpy in Magpieland, where injuries are threatening to derail Collingwood’s season. Captain Nathan Buckley still has not appeared in 2007; acting skipper James Clement has missed a couple of games, and terrier midfielder Paul Licuria is expected to miss the Anzac Day clash. Other key Magpies are in doubt. There will be much invocation of the Anzac spirit in the next couple of days at the Lexus Centre.

KEY MATCH-UPS

Jason Laycock v Josh Fraser/Guy Richards
Neither team is particularly strong in the ruck, and the probable absence of David Hille, despite the Bombers' protestations that he will play, places a lot of pressure on the inexperienced Laycock (the versatile Patrick Ryder may be called on to use his spring against the Magpies’ big men at different times of the match). The ruckman who can give his teammates first use out of the square and at stoppages will go a long way towards winning the match.

Matthew Lloyd v James Clement
The acting Collingwood captain is likely to get the big task against Lloyd, who has been impressive in his roaming forward role this season. Clement will match Lloyd on the ground, but his spoiling skills will have to be at their best. The Bombers have, statistically at least, the most potent forward line in the competition. This clash will be a defining one.

Dustin Fletcher/Mal Michael v Anthony Rocca
Rocca will be hoping to have the same sort of impact his big brother Saverio used to have regularly against the Bombers. Fletcher will probably start on the powerful Magpie forward, with Michael as back up should Plan A go awry. Fletcher has been excellent this season apart from the Carlton game, when both he and Michael were toweled up by Brendan Fevola in the second half. Fletcher will try to run off Rocca as much as possible in an attempt to exhaust his suspect gas tank as quickly as possible.
WILDCARD

Andrew Lovett
Lovett won the Anzac Day Medal in just his third game of AFL football in 2005 and has been in scintillating form this season, with only inaccurate kicking for goal blotting his copybook. His speed through the midfield will be a key to Essendon’s forward thrusts.

BLUFFER'S GUIDE
These blockbusters are rarely a blow out, regardless of where the teams are on the ladder. Margins last season were 17 points on Anzac Day and 13 points in round 19, even though the Magpies were finalists, finishing fifth after the home-and-away series, and Essendon finished 15th. With 90,000-plus likely at the ‘G, this is poised to be an epic contest. And expect a Sheedy shock – perhaps a youngster to debut.

EARLY-WEEK QUESTION MARKS:
What will be the impact of the four-day break on both teams? On the face of it, Collingwood expended a lot more energy in their wet-weather slog against Port Adelaide at the MCG on Saturday afternoon than Essendon did in their comfortable victory over St Kilda under the Telstra Dome roof. It’s possible to be of major significance late in the game.
Will injured players come out to play? Collingwood is likely to select Simon Prestigiacomo, who is needed to match one of Essendon’s tall forwards, but he is under an injury cloud along with Scott Burns and Dale Thomas. And Essendon will be hoping that David Hille’s chest-cum-leg knock will come up, although it is unlikely, and that Jason Winderlich will have overcome his hamstring strain. Again, most unlikely.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.

I predict a tough game - Too scared to predict the final score as it might jinx our chances.

 

[retroparty]

Stuff.

 

[monty1104]

Well I am really looking forward to the game. I love it, it's the best game i ever get to see for the year. Better than any final, except maybe the grand one. I just love the atmosphere. The first call of BAAAALLLLLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!!!! sends tingles up my spine, BRRRRRRRRRR. Our family played host to an Italian relative a couple of years back and he said the atmosphere was comparable to Milan vs. Inter at San Siro. Now that's big.

 

[Shane Hird]

We will slaughter them......Lloyd to kick 7 or 8.....Scotty same...

 

[Bomberland06]

We will slaughter them......Lloyd to kick 7 or 8.....Scotty same...

im with you our forward line will be too good for collingwood!!!!!

 

[jnash196]

It seems to me that Lucas on Clement would be the right match up but Clement is Hird's leaving Scotty free reign

 

[Dr Moose]

I know its a bit too early but i cant wait for this match, its going to be good

Feel free to put any line up changes here and any news about the upcoming game!

Anyway heres the preview from the afl website!

Preview: Anzac Day, Essendon v Collingwood


I predict a tough game - Too scared to predict the final score as it might jinx our chances.

Banks - hope you'll be making it to the 'G with this enthusiasm! I'll be watching with beer in hand - might need you to run the updates this week

For me we'll cruise home by 27 (81-54) after fending off a 3rd quarter challenge. And Lovett will leave Malthouse scratching his head all afternoon

 

[mattdavies_03]

does anyone know if the game is live on 10? I know they're doing coverage from 12, but just wondering if it is gonna be live. Not going to be able to take R.Walls all day, so I'll be switching to JB and BT if it's live

 

[Bomberland06]

does anyone know if the game is live on 10? I know they're doing coverage from 12, but just wondering if it is gonna be live. Not going to be able to take R.Walls all day, so I'll be switching to JB and BT if it's live

i am pretty sure it is live

 

[go team]

Stuff.

biased!

 

[The Dustbin]

Michael on Rocca. Perfect match up for Mal.

 

[ash_hughes29]

Is there any betting markets for ANZAC Day Medal that anyone is aware of yet? Do all the big betting agencies usually have a market for this?

 

[djharps]

Is there any betting markets for ANZAC Day Medal that anyone is aware of yet? Do all the big betting agencies usually have a market for this?

im going with yes... can bet on anything these days, last night i bet on a race between two flys on my wall.. what can i say the TAb were offereing good odds

 

[DaSawx]

It seems to me that Lucas on Clement would be the right match up but Clement is Hird's leaving Scotty free reign

I doubt they'd leave Scotty on someone crap and have free reign when Hirdy hasn't exactly been carving anyone up

 

[daics cousin]

I think with the injury clouds over burns,thomas,fraser,prestigacomo,liccuria.The pies are silly to rush didak back,the bombers should win this game.
However the bombers are not without their injury concerns.Is it true you guys,that wunderlich,jetta,are out and their are question marks on Hille,fletcher and wait for it Lloyd.Heard on Sen radio this morning,bill brainless was saying that Lloyd had both his hammy's strapped and said that lloyd had soreness and could have tweaked his bad hammy?

 

[Merv]

I think with the injury clouds over burns,thomas,fraser,prestigacomo,liccuria.The pies are silly to rush didak back,the bombers should win this game.
However the bombers are not without their injury concerns.Is it true you guys,that wunderlich,jetta,are out and their are question marks on Hille,fletcher and wait for it Lloyd.Heard on Sen radio this morning,bill brainless was saying that Lloyd had both his hammy's strapped and said that lloyd had soreness and could have tweaked his bad hammy?

I think the only one of the Collingwood lot that will miss will be Licuria.
Winderlich and Jetta won't play, other than that, who knows.....

As for Blly, he has also been saying for a week that Buckley will play, although Buckley has already said he won't.

Just wait till they run out and see who plays, all the rest in conjecture

 

[jack_mack50]

Any news about Lloyd? anyone?

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Banks - hope you'll be making it to the 'G with this enthusiasm! I'll be watching with beer in hand - might need you to run the updates this week

For me we'll cruise home by 27 (81-54) after fending off a 3rd quarter challenge. And Lovett will leave Malthouse scratching his head all afternoon

I couldnt get tickets to the game so i cant make it. (Damm )

But I guess the TV will suit me fine!

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Any news about Lloyd? anyone?

Huh? Im pretty sure Lloyd will play

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Minutes away till the bounce boys,

 

[Smyth94]

Clement on Lloyd, Lloydy just kicked the first

 

[Smyth94]

Davey with the 2nd!!

 

[bring it on]

alwyn davey.. wat a star

great goal

 

[bring it on]

all aboard the davey train....davey is turning it on today

 

[always right]

Davey's been exciting but very disappointed in Lovett so far. Giving a very good impresion of someone who wants the easy ball. One half left to redeem himself.

Is anyone on Thomas?