Round 10 Preview: Essendon v Eagles

Mr Q

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Being a game clear in second on the ladder was the reward for a good nights work by the boys last Saturday, but this week the lads (and me!) are off to Melbourne for a game at Docklands against our Victorian nemesis, Essendon.

Essendon have really had the wood on us over the last few years since we held them to three goals in a 74 point thumping at Subi in early 1999 with us winning only once from six attempts since then. That said, in 1999 Essendon were on the rise and we were on the way down - in 2003 that's all been reversed.

Confidence is an important part in any game, and finally, after a few years, we can have a little confidence that we are in with a chance when we play on the road. However, this is probably our best chance for quite a while away from home as we have Brisbane, Sydney and Port away over the subsequent six rounds. However, as long as we approach every game as a potential win we've got a chance to win.

Changes
The Eagles have not omitted anyone from last week's match, however Ashley McIntosh, Daniel Chick and Quinten Lynch have been added to the squad. With Chick almost a certain starter, someone will have to come out of last weeks team; Kane Munro would look the most likely suspect. It also wouldn't surprise me to see McIntosh or Lynch travel with the team.

Travis Gaspar and Phil Read will not make returns from injury this week (at least not to the AFL), while last year's regulars Michael Collica and Troy Wilson are again overlooked.

Click here for the squad

Lead up
The Eagles are coming in to this game in red hot form, the annihilation of Richmond the latest of five straight wins, including two good wins in Melbourne, over Melbourne and last year's runners-up Collingwood. The road isn't as scary as it was before the Adelaide match, and confidence is running high that the good form can continue.

Essendon come into the game with patchy form since their good win against the Pies on Anzac Day, with only one win - a thrashing of Hawthorn - since, and three big losses to Freo (away), Richmond and Port. To be fair, the Dons have been carrying injuries, but that aside the form page does not look good.

Injuries and Suspensions
The Eagles official injury sheet looks pretty good, with all four officially injured players (Daniel Chick, Phil Read, Travis Gaspar and Ashley McIntosh) likely to be available for selection. However there is an injury scare over goalsneak Phil Matera who has twinged a hamstring at training.

Essendon have had a shocking run with injuries in recent weeks, however James Hird, Matthew Lloyd and Dustin "kicker" Fletcher probably being available this week. A nasty looking concussion on Mark Mercuri will probably not keep him out of the side, with the only certainty to miss through injury being midfielder Adam Ramanauskis. Paul Barnard is still serving a suspension and will miss out this week.

Match Ups
Essendon are a club that lacks any real talent in the ruck division, and it is hard to see Steve Alessio or David Hille being able to take the game up to Michael Gardiner and Dean Cox. It was good to see Cox getting some time in the ruck to build his confidence last week.

Matthew Lloyd will be a difficult player to match up for the Eagles. Short of Adam Hunter putting his head on the line again, curbing the Bomber full forward will be quite a challenge for the Eagles defence.

Similarly the Bomber's biggest name, James Hird will bear much watching, with Chick probably being the ideal choice to mind the Essendon captain.

The other area Essendon will struggle to match up on the Eagles is the midfield, as the Eagles' Ben Cousins leads Chris Judd, Daniel Kerr and Chad Fletcher into battle with support from the likes of Daniel Chick and Rowan Jones. Its hard to see the Bombers midfield able to hold the Eagles run all day, and recent games indicate how damaging the West Coast side can be on the burst. Essendon do have quality midfielders such as Jason Johnson and Joe Misiti, while Hird could easily also move into the center, but the Eagles appear to have the numbers.

2002
The Eagles and Bombers split the two games last year, unfortunately the Eagles win was only a regular season game at Subiaco, while the Bombers eliminated the Eagles in the first week of the finals at Docklands.
Round 15, Subiaco
West Coast 3.4 6.9 7.10 13.12 ( 90)
Essendon 1.2 3.6 6.10 8.15 ( 63)

Elimination Final, Docklands
Essendon 3.4 6.6 11.7 17.9 (111)
West Coast 2.2 6.6 9.8 11.12 ( 78)

Head to Head
Overall: Played 30; Essendon 19, Eagles 11, Draws 0.
At Docklands: Played 3; Essendon 3, West Coast 0, Draws 0.
Biggest Margin - Essendon: Essendon 25.10 (160) d West Coast 1.12 (18) - 142 points, Windy Hill, R15 1989*
Biggest Margin - West Coast: West Coast 26.19 (175) d Essendon 11.10 (76) - 99 points, W.A.C.A, R2 1988

*Eagles largest ever losing margin, and a black, black day.

Milestones
2001 Rising Star runner up Daniel Kerr plays his 50th game for the Eagles.

Summary
Since I'm travelling the whole way across the country for this game I want to see us getting up, but this is a difficult game to see what could happen. Should all the Bombers' returning players come straight back in to form it will be hard to see the Eagles outclassing them in Melbourne. However if they don't, the Eagles have shown that they can beat anyone they meet - and do it quickly. Essendon will be desparate for a win to keep their season alive, but I think the Eagles will have what it takes to win a third consecutive game away.

My prediction: Eagles by nine points
 

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Voice of Reason

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#2
Enjoy the trip Mr Q, hopefully the boys can do it for you and the rest of our substantial Victorian support.

I hope Lynch plays for West Perth on Monday. Can't see why we'd want so many tall players in the team for this game. Don't know who Woosha will leave out to accommodate any incoming players, but Chick is always in our top 22 if fit.
 

ozzult

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#3
I was lucky enough to see us beat Melbourne at the G this year, so I wish you the same good fortune.
 

eagleskickass

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#4
you know that if we win this weekend at least one bigfootyite must travel to every away game for the rest of the year for "superstitious" reasons:D
 

pazza

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#8
Hope you enjoy your stay in Melbourne Mr Q

Be sure to come visit the Locker Room before the match - you'll say quite a number of Bomber fans in their enjoying beverages..you are most welcome.
 

GoEagles

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#9
Hope you've packed your scarf or jacket to wave!

If I was designing the banner for this week I've have the words Revenge so the boys would try and reverse the score from last years Elimination Final... or they could have an animated picture of Matthew Lloyd lying on the grass.

Essendon were most impressive on Anzac Day, but have been close to woeful since. There are doubts over Mercuri and Misiti and it remains to be seen if their 'big 3' will all make the final 22.

Congrats to Dan 'The Man' Kerr on 50 brilliant games.
 
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