- Nov 23, 2015
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- GWS
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- #1
The game against the Crows was an impressive result once the first quarter goal-kicking jitters were overcome. But we've kicked poorly a few times this year already and it has cost us, and could cost us in future more games. The positives were the return to form of the midfield group, the return of Lachie Whitfield who opens up another D50 transition option, and the club debut of Jesse Hogan, who will improve our forward line significantly.
Some interesting stats at play for this game against the Bombers. Essendon's forwards are third best for kicking goals from their forward entries, while Giants are third best in terms of goals conceded from opposition inside 50s. Conversely, the GWS forward line is 15th for converting inside 50s to goals, but Essendon are also 15th for stopping goals from inside 50s. That's not hard to see from us this year, with so many behinds scored. So those stats seem to even themselves out, making for a potentially fascinating game, although GWS will hope that the introduction of Jesse Hogan will improve our goal scoring ratio. We'll also be hoping that our very young, inexperienced defence continue to hold up well.
However, it seems likely that the game will turn on who wins the contested battle. Thus far the GWS midfield has a statistical edge over the Bombers' midfield, but not by much. Both teams have good players on the sidelines - Coniglio & de Boer versus Shiel & Caldwell (Oh the irony of that!). Our midfield crushed the Crows 41-17 last game, and we'll want to see something similar ... but it's unlikely to be that clear with Darcy Parish in good form, and Dyson Heppell playing well again. But if we turn up with the same mindset and approach at home (which you'd hope we would), then we should be able to get on top and grind out a win.
There will be plenty of interesting and some exciting individual match-ups and cameos across the park too - at opposite ends McGrath vs Ash from defence, the lanky winger Nick Cox (do we put someone like Finlayson on him?), Keefe/Taylor versus the inform Cale Hooker, and who goes to Hogan, Greene, McDonald-Tipunwuti & Ridley?
For GWS, we'll lose Binga Daniels, Sam Reid and the medical sub Matt Buntine. Who do we bring in? Essendon are actually relatively tall, so does Leon think about bringing Riccardi back in - who could play forward or after last weekend seemingly back also - noting that Finlayson could go to a wing versing Nick Cox (or forward or back, wherever he goes!) Or do we just go Bruhn, or bring Lloyd straight back from injury? Do we think about debuting Jacob Wehr in defence or on a wing, go back to Conor Stone, or is there another option? And against either young Nick Bryan or journeyman Andrew Phillips in the ruck, do we rest Shane Mumford and let Matty Flynn have a go?
A lot of interesting questions, and we'll have to wait until Friday to see the team named (unless we name a debutant a couple of days earlier). What do you think Leon will do; or conversely, what do you want to happen?
Some interesting stats at play for this game against the Bombers. Essendon's forwards are third best for kicking goals from their forward entries, while Giants are third best in terms of goals conceded from opposition inside 50s. Conversely, the GWS forward line is 15th for converting inside 50s to goals, but Essendon are also 15th for stopping goals from inside 50s. That's not hard to see from us this year, with so many behinds scored. So those stats seem to even themselves out, making for a potentially fascinating game, although GWS will hope that the introduction of Jesse Hogan will improve our goal scoring ratio. We'll also be hoping that our very young, inexperienced defence continue to hold up well.
However, it seems likely that the game will turn on who wins the contested battle. Thus far the GWS midfield has a statistical edge over the Bombers' midfield, but not by much. Both teams have good players on the sidelines - Coniglio & de Boer versus Shiel & Caldwell (Oh the irony of that!). Our midfield crushed the Crows 41-17 last game, and we'll want to see something similar ... but it's unlikely to be that clear with Darcy Parish in good form, and Dyson Heppell playing well again. But if we turn up with the same mindset and approach at home (which you'd hope we would), then we should be able to get on top and grind out a win.
There will be plenty of interesting and some exciting individual match-ups and cameos across the park too - at opposite ends McGrath vs Ash from defence, the lanky winger Nick Cox (do we put someone like Finlayson on him?), Keefe/Taylor versus the inform Cale Hooker, and who goes to Hogan, Greene, McDonald-Tipunwuti & Ridley?
For GWS, we'll lose Binga Daniels, Sam Reid and the medical sub Matt Buntine. Who do we bring in? Essendon are actually relatively tall, so does Leon think about bringing Riccardi back in - who could play forward or after last weekend seemingly back also - noting that Finlayson could go to a wing versing Nick Cox (or forward or back, wherever he goes!) Or do we just go Bruhn, or bring Lloyd straight back from injury? Do we think about debuting Jacob Wehr in defence or on a wing, go back to Conor Stone, or is there another option? And against either young Nick Bryan or journeyman Andrew Phillips in the ruck, do we rest Shane Mumford and let Matty Flynn have a go?
A lot of interesting questions, and we'll have to wait until Friday to see the team named (unless we name a debutant a couple of days earlier). What do you think Leon will do; or conversely, what do you want to happen?
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