Gameday: Essendon vs Geelong

[Merv]

Match Preview


If you wanted a measure of where the Bombers are at in 2008, then this week’s match against the reigning Premiers presents the perfect occasion. The Essendon boys will be determined to make the most of the opportunity to test their skills against the benchmark of the competition this Sunday in what is shaping as the match of the Round.
After surprising football experts last week with an exciting 55-point victory against North Melbourne, who knows what the Bombers can cook up this week. Although the win has provided a much needed confidence boost for the youthful Essendon list, the team from Windy Hill are wary of not getting ahead of themselves.

Matthew Lloyd will have extra responsibility this week and has promised to stand up and lead the Bombers from the front in the absence of Scott Lucas who tore a ligament in his knee last week and will miss up to three months of football.
Lloyd will have the support of speedsters Leroy Jetta and Alwyn Davey and the strong marking Adam McPhee and Nathan Lovett-Murray up forward but the absence of Lucas will leave a hole in the Bombers armour and all forwards will need to be on song against a solid Geelong backline.
Tom Harley and Matthew Scarlett head up a star-studded defensive unit for the Cats and they will be typically determined to shut down the Bombers forwards and drive the ball back into their attacking 50m.

A key feature of the match will be the contest in the centre of the ground. Geelong are renowned for their swift and efficient ball movement through the corridor but the Bombers have improved their skills and defensive pressure over the break and showed on Monday that the hard work should pay dividends this year.
Essendon dominated the second half of Monday's match - thanks to their evasive ability and tackling pressure - and the new-look midfield damaged the opposition by running them ragged. If the Bombers can use their leg speed to their advantage again this week, they might achieve what so many teams could not and put pressure on Geelong’s midfield by finding space to run and create opportunities.

The unexpected return of the lightening quick Jason Winderlich will further add to the Bombers running stocks.
Mark McVeigh promised his teammates at last year’s Crichton Medal that he would ensure the courage and spirit of James Hird would continue at the Bombers in his absence, and he was true to his word on Monday. McVeigh put in an inspirational 31-possession performance and led his team from the front as he worked hard to create opportunities around clearances. This week he will need to deliver a similar game, as will prolific baller winner Jobe Watson, in order to put the heat on the opposition.
The David Hille and Jason Laycock ruck combination was another highlight of last weekend’s match. Hille, in particular, worked relentlessly at hit-outs to give his teammates first use of the ball but also presented across other areas of the ground. With Geelong likely to be without Brad Ottens again this week, the ruck looks to be an area where the Bombers hold a clear advantage.

http://www.essendonfc.com.au/matches/preview.asp?round_no=2&sub_section=preview

 

[fishguts]

Heres hoping for a good game might add my own review for something to do in the wee hours.

 

[bomba4eva]

Monfries misses again? Disappointing. Hopefully he tears up the reserves.
Just hoping for us to be competitive. Want us to be as daring as we have been and implement the gameplan. Geelong are beatable but it will be bloody tough. The midfield needs to hold their own and figh hard giving our forwards a chance. Will be interesting to see McPhee a CHF but it is annoying knowing this would have been a great opportunity for Gumbleton to get a solid crack at CHF. No point in dwelling on this. Neagle should be right for Round 4. Our forward line is more than capable in beating Geelong's defence. Our defensive line looks very strong and I can see us matching up well against them. If Dempsey goes on Johnson it will be a great match up to watch and I am salivating at the prospect. Our half back line looks superb with Ryder, Rama, Dempsey, Nash and Fletcher capable of playing through there.
Midfield holds the key but Geelong's stronger bodies could be a telling advantage. Hoping that Houli can back up last weeks performance with a strong showing this week. Tight game decided by 3-5 goals. Tipped Geelong, but I will be cheering on the Bombers with all my heart!

 

[fishguts]

Hopefully this is ok

YOUTHFUL BOMBER TO FACE THE ULTIMATE TEST

The bomber faithful are up again as an old pest in North Melbourne have finally been culled at the hands of Matthew Knights. The Baby Bombers suffered a major blow when Key Forward Scott Lucas When down with A knee injury. This seemed to spark the Bombers as they ran like 23 year olds with 3 kids. They blitzed the Kangaroos in a performance that would normally see them start favourites for this week; however, they face the AFL’s greatest challenge. The Reining premiers, The Geelong Cats.

Geelong played realistically a half against an opponent they destroyed in last years grand final, Yet still hung on to claim the 4 points. If they play 4 quarters of the quality they produced in the first hald they will be near impossible to beat. They were destroyed in the ruck as they were missing number 1 ruckman Brad Ottens. He will be again watching from the sidelines. Geelong don’t have an area of dominance rather they are solid over all areas of the ground. If Essendon is to get on top they will have will have to be the ones being chased.

If Geelong get the ball, they will hurts us with their pin point accuracy. If Essendon clangers the ball going into the forward 50, we will be slaughtered on the rebound. Essendon also have to be disciplined as ‘Razor’ Chamberlain is miked up and ready to make the back pages.

Cameron Ling v Jobe Watson

If Jobe Watson can get on top of Ling it will go a long way to winning the match. Jobe has been our clearance specialist for a year or two now and his influence is underrated. Jobe last year also averaged the most possession per minute spent on ground. If Ling gets on top, Geelong will get first crack at the footy and will kick a winning score.

David Hille/Jason Laycock v Mark Blake/Trent West

Another key Match up, If Hille and Laycock can get on top of these two inexperienced pair then it gives our midfield every chance to give it to Lloyd and Mcphee. If they do get on top then they have to hit it to our advantage. If we get our fair share of the clearances we will get close.

Matthew Lloyd v Matthew Scarlett

Arguably the most vital match up of the match, If scarlet holds Lloyd to 2 or less goals then we will struggle to kick a winning score. If Lloyd does get on top then it may change the match up and Lloyd may very well kick a bag, then again we will need to win the midfield battle first.

LATEST BETTING

Geelong $1.25
Essendon $3.75

The Verdict:

Essendon By 15 points.

 

[Red Black and Blue]

Im really interested in Dempsey/Johnson matchup will be interesting if DC runs off him like his natural game or stays close as Johnson has proved to be a match winner

 

[S.C[BANKS]]

Great graphics guys!

Anyway hope we pull another upset.

 

[SJ]

Bit toey about this one. Essendon and Geelong games have often thrown up upsets. Let's hope it's a cracker, best of luck.

 

[Merv]

Bit toey about this one. Essendon and Geelong games have often thrown up upsets. Let's hope it's a cracker, best of luck.

Should be a good game but i think Geelong will be far too strong.

Good result for us would be for us to be competitive and anything more than that would be a bonus.

Cheers

 

[retroparty]

Should be a fantastic game and there will be a great atmosphere.

Johns is an emergency lets hope no one pulls out late which allows him to be put into the 22.

 

[Shane Hird]

Its Houli's sixth game. Looking forward to seeing how he handles the Geelong MF. Big test.

 

[windyhill]

cats by 13 pts. four day break more than handy.

 

[Wahooti Fandango]

Im really interested in Dempsey/Johnson matchup will be interesting if DC runs off him like his natural game or stays close as Johnson has proved to be a match winner

I reckon Rama would be a better match up on Johnson.

 

[Spikey]

Should be a fantastic game and there will be a great atmosphere.

Johns is an emergency lets hope no one pulls out late which allows him to be put into the 22.

I think Pev is on standby in case anyone pulls out, Not Johns or Gus

 

[Windas_Magic]

Hate to say it but i think Geelong will give it to us. Once they start a roll on they don't stop, we have to keep with them. Only way we can win is if we apply ourselves to the contest and run, tackle and apply pressure all game, not for just a quarter or a half.

 

[bOmBeR_BoY1]

3AW just reported a "rumour" that Scarlett and Gary Ablett Junior didn't pull up well from the game last week and may be in some small doubt...

Which probably means they will both be BOG - but just putting it out there.

 

[Sanj]

Basically Lucas goes out and Winderlich comes in. It will give us a bit more run than last week.

Only worry could be at CHF. If McPhee has a bad day out we could be found out. Though Ryder could be rotated around...Or Hille to FF and Lloyd to CHF/FF Rotation.

 

[lamaros]

No late changes to either team.

 

[Slatteryexpress]

Could someone tell me what the hell is going on with the telecast in NSW? They have the swans vs port game on austar(Foxtel) and seven. Does this mean that the game should be shown on a fox sports plus channel like main event? or wont it be shown on tv for nsw viewers?

 

[bOmBeR_BoY1]

Quarter Time -

Geelong 4.4.28
Essendon 1.2.8

No real surprises. We tried hard but they look too good and too strong around the ground. Be nice if Laycock could hold a mark in the forward line though.

 

[Sam the RAMA fan]

Gee 46
Ess 8

Not looking good at all

Houli our only goal kicker at this stage..

 

[Kit146]

Would be nice if we could get within 5-6 goals but dont think it will happen. Not watching it but must mean we are getting smashed in the midfield!

 

[BomberAce7]

Essendon 2.2
Geelong 9.7

Half way through the 2nd quarter. Not a good score line at all.

 

[Windas_Magic]

Ess 22
Geel 62

22 minutes into the second, in trouble

 

[BomberAce7]

No goals from, lloyd, Mooney & Hawkins! All single goal kickers from both sides so far.

 

[Sam the RAMA fan]

I didnt expect a win this week,
but thought we would give em a run.

I still beilive next week against the Blues will be a win..
even the Doggies and the Saints...

CARN THE BOMBERS!!!