eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Observations
Casey: Casey had a great qualifying final against Geelong, smashing the Cats by 91 points to earn the week off last week. Mitch Hannan earned himself an AFL recall with 15 disposals and 3 goals alongside Cam Pederson up forward, who kicked 4. Tim Smith was very good when rotating in the middle, getting the ball 22 times whilst also kicking a goal.
Essendon: Essendon sent the minor premiers and last year's grand finalists out in straight sets with a thrilling 5 point win against arch rival Richmond. James Stewart starred in the last quarter, kicking two vital goals including the match winner with a minute left. Young pair Kobe Mutch and Jordan Ridley were consistent over the 4 quarters, collecting 23 touches apiece
Head to Head (last 5)
Casey 4-1 Essendon
Form Guide
Casey: 3W 2L
Essendon: 4W 1L
Sportsbet odds (available Friday)
Richmond:
Essendon:
Line: ($1.92)
Possible sides
Casey vs Essendon
B: Ridley - Hartley - Berry
F: MacHaya - Stockdale - Kennedy-Harris
HB: Francis - Zerk-Thatcher - McNiece
HF: Garlett - Smith - McKenna
C: Hind - Clarke - Long
C: Bugg - Lockhart - J Wagner
HF: Merrett - Stewart - Laverde
HB: Hunt - Hutchins - Johnstone
F: Green - Leuenberger - Younan
B: Petty - Keilty - J Smith
R: Draper - Mynott - Mutch
R: Pederson - White - C Wagner
I: McQueen - Heppell - Hocking - Houlahan
I: Collis - Gent - Lefau - Munro
23P: Lazzaro
23P: Freeman
Essendon in: Houlahan, Leuenberger, Laverde; Out: Harrison (shoulder), Boyse (shoulder), Sibbald (omit)
Casey in: Kennedy-Harris; Out: Hannan (promoted
Casey defence vs Essendon forward line
The Dons were 7th for points for this season in the VFL home, and struggled to get through Richmond's defence in the semi final. This week will be even harder given that Casey have the best defence in the league led by key defenders Harrison Petty, Declan Keilty and captain Jack Hutchins. Essendon don't boast a tall forward line, other than James Stewart and Matthew Leuenberger most of Essendon's threats come at ground level with Danny Younan, Josh Green, Jackson Merrett and Jordan Houlahan as the main small in there. Josh Green has kicked 8 goals this finals series and will probably be guarded by Josh Smith, the ideal match up for a clever small such as Green, whilst Hutchins will try to quell the influence of Stewart.
Midfield/rucks battle
Casey boast arguably the best midfield in the VFL this season, with the likes of Jay Lockhart, Tomas Bugg, Corey and Josh Wagner being excellent for most of the season so far. It doesn't have the names like Williamstown but they've been just as effective this season. However without Filipovic and King of recent weeks they've struggled a little bit (except against Geelong), and Essendon's midfield has been very good recently from the likes of Dylan Clarke and Kobe Mutch. Essendon's key will be the spread from the contest with the likes of Jake Long, Nick Hind and Jake McQueen having speed to get out and deliver to their forwards. Rucks wise, expect big Sam Draper to have a good day against Pederson who is definitely better as a forward than as a ruck.
Casey forward line vs Essendon defence
Casey's attacking force is centred around two players, Tim Smith and Cam Pederson. Hartley was the man on Pederson last time these teams met, holding the forward/ruck to no goals in a low scoring affair where the wind played havoc with the game. Tim Smith is a hard working half forward who will get up and back the field and will present a different type of challenge for impressive young tall Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, who did well against a similar type in Callum Moore last week barring a couple of mistakes. Ben McNiece and Jordan Ridley need to be on their toes against Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jeff Garlett, the two smalls for Casey being very important for them this season so far.
Tip
Casey are the best team in the VFL this season. Hard to go past them, Casey by 9
Casey: Casey had a great qualifying final against Geelong, smashing the Cats by 91 points to earn the week off last week. Mitch Hannan earned himself an AFL recall with 15 disposals and 3 goals alongside Cam Pederson up forward, who kicked 4. Tim Smith was very good when rotating in the middle, getting the ball 22 times whilst also kicking a goal.
Essendon: Essendon sent the minor premiers and last year's grand finalists out in straight sets with a thrilling 5 point win against arch rival Richmond. James Stewart starred in the last quarter, kicking two vital goals including the match winner with a minute left. Young pair Kobe Mutch and Jordan Ridley were consistent over the 4 quarters, collecting 23 touches apiece
Head to Head (last 5)
Casey 4-1 Essendon
Form Guide
Casey: 3W 2L
Essendon: 4W 1L
Sportsbet odds (available Friday)
Richmond:
Essendon:
Line: ($1.92)
Possible sides
Casey vs Essendon
B: Ridley - Hartley - Berry
F: MacHaya - Stockdale - Kennedy-Harris
HB: Francis - Zerk-Thatcher - McNiece
HF: Garlett - Smith - McKenna
C: Hind - Clarke - Long
C: Bugg - Lockhart - J Wagner
HF: Merrett - Stewart - Laverde
HB: Hunt - Hutchins - Johnstone
F: Green - Leuenberger - Younan
B: Petty - Keilty - J Smith
R: Draper - Mynott - Mutch
R: Pederson - White - C Wagner
I: McQueen - Heppell - Hocking - Houlahan
I: Collis - Gent - Lefau - Munro
23P: Lazzaro
23P: Freeman
Essendon in: Houlahan, Leuenberger, Laverde; Out: Harrison (shoulder), Boyse (shoulder), Sibbald (omit)
Casey in: Kennedy-Harris; Out: Hannan (promoted
Casey defence vs Essendon forward line
The Dons were 7th for points for this season in the VFL home, and struggled to get through Richmond's defence in the semi final. This week will be even harder given that Casey have the best defence in the league led by key defenders Harrison Petty, Declan Keilty and captain Jack Hutchins. Essendon don't boast a tall forward line, other than James Stewart and Matthew Leuenberger most of Essendon's threats come at ground level with Danny Younan, Josh Green, Jackson Merrett and Jordan Houlahan as the main small in there. Josh Green has kicked 8 goals this finals series and will probably be guarded by Josh Smith, the ideal match up for a clever small such as Green, whilst Hutchins will try to quell the influence of Stewart.
Midfield/rucks battle
Casey boast arguably the best midfield in the VFL this season, with the likes of Jay Lockhart, Tomas Bugg, Corey and Josh Wagner being excellent for most of the season so far. It doesn't have the names like Williamstown but they've been just as effective this season. However without Filipovic and King of recent weeks they've struggled a little bit (except against Geelong), and Essendon's midfield has been very good recently from the likes of Dylan Clarke and Kobe Mutch. Essendon's key will be the spread from the contest with the likes of Jake Long, Nick Hind and Jake McQueen having speed to get out and deliver to their forwards. Rucks wise, expect big Sam Draper to have a good day against Pederson who is definitely better as a forward than as a ruck.
Casey forward line vs Essendon defence
Casey's attacking force is centred around two players, Tim Smith and Cam Pederson. Hartley was the man on Pederson last time these teams met, holding the forward/ruck to no goals in a low scoring affair where the wind played havoc with the game. Tim Smith is a hard working half forward who will get up and back the field and will present a different type of challenge for impressive young tall Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, who did well against a similar type in Callum Moore last week barring a couple of mistakes. Ben McNiece and Jordan Ridley need to be on their toes against Jay Kennedy-Harris and Jeff Garlett, the two smalls for Casey being very important for them this season so far.
Tip
Casey are the best team in the VFL this season. Hard to go past them, Casey by 9
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