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When and Where
Sunday, March 27,
1.10pm
Etihad Stadium
Last time they met
Round 22 2010
Western Bulldogs 17.5 (107) d
Essendon 11.12 (78),
Last 5 games head to head
Round 22 2010- Western Bulldogs 107 d Essendon 78
Round 10 2010- Essendon 99 d Western Bulldogs 90
Round 16 2009- Essendon 70 lost to Western Bulldogs 103
Round 21 2008- Western Bulldogs 151 d Essendon 105
Round 4 2008- Essendon 90 lost to Western Bulldogs 128
Form leading in
Essendon
It’s been a big summer of change for Essendon, with the departure of the much maligned Matthew Knights at the end of the 2010 season, and the creation of their coaching “dream team” in Head coach James Hird assisted by Mark Thompson, expectations are high around Windy Hill. Their form in the NAB Cup, making the final, showed they seem to have made some progress, and there was a clear departure from the one way kamikaze running of the previous regime, but as we have seen in the past giving too much weight to NAB Cup performances can be dangerous.
One thing does seem clear though, Essendon will have a much stronger focus on accountability, pressuring the ball carrier, and holding their structure in defence. Having had a relatively clean bill of health most of their list has been up and running all year, only niggling injuries to Scott Gumbleton, and the ongoing problems relating to a pancreas injury to defender Tayte Pears seem to be their concerns.
Western Bulldogs
A much lower key preseason for the Bulldogs this year, after coming off a drought breaking win in the 2010 NAB Cup, expectations were at an all-time high only to have a let down in round 1 against eventual premier Collingwood. 2011 has been different, it seemed clear the coaching staff were happy to lose round 1 of the NAB Cup so we could tailor our preseason and preparation to our needs. A strong showing against North Melbourne, followed by an equally impressive first half against Geelong before the cue appeared to be put in the rack showed the dogs were up and running. This was followed by good wins against Brisbane and Fremantle in practice matches with a variety of players appearing. The final practice match was a solid hitout for the majority of senior players against North Melbourne, although a last quarter drop off soured to a degree what had been a good showing.
With the retirement of several veterans including games record holder Brad Johnson, and the departure of running defender Jarrod Harbrow to the newly formed Gold Coast Suns, it’s been a summer of transition for the Bulldogs. Heavily involved in trade week, we saw new arrivals Justin Sherman, Patrick Vezpremi, and Nathan Djerrkura join the club, along with the much anticipated sons of club legends Steve Wallis and Tony Liberatore.
The Bulldogs had a high number of off-season surgeries, meaning several senior players have had limited pre-seasons. Adam Cooney has managed just the one full practice match, and is probably a couple of weeks off full fitness but has proven a strong performer while building fitness. All Australian full back Brian Lake has had a very restricted summer following hip, knee, and shoulder surgeries and looks in doubt for round one. Also veteran defender Ryan Hargrave following major foot surgery looks unlikely to be seen much before the halfway mark of the season.
Potential Line Ups
Predicting the starting line ups for round one can be akin to guessing the winning Powerball numbers to a degree, but I think it’s safe to say we are likely to see quite a few new faces lining up for their respective clubs. The big question for all clubs in round 1 will be how to handle and use the new sub rule.
Essendon
Essendon looks to have found a good young player in Dyson Heppell, looking like the younger brother of Dale Thomas, he has shown good pace and ability to step up into senior football and could be a chance for round one. Mature rookie Stuart Crameri has had an excellent preseason playing as a strong bodied defender and should build on the 3 games he played last season. While high leaping swingman Kyle Hardingham looks likely to fill gaps for the Bombers again this season. Another mature rookie to have shown some good signs has been defender Michael Hibberd, with injury ruling out Henry Slattery he could be in line to debut.
Possible line up
B- Fletcher Hooker Hibberd
HB- Dempsey Hardingham Melksham
C- Hocking Watson Prismall
HF- Jetta Hurley Winderlich
F- Monfries Ryder Williams
Rucks- Bellchambers Stanton Heppell
Int- Colyer McVeigh Zaharakis
Sub- Hille
Bulldogs
The real selection quandary for the Bulldogs will be which new players will be introduced, and at who’s expense will they come in for. The team lacked for pace last season, particularly up forward, and it appears a premium is being put on players who can bring that. Justin Sherman looks a certainty to be included, Nathan Djerrkura seems to be a chance to play as a defensive forward, and the potential versatility of ex-Swan Ed Barlow may also see him come into calculation with the likely absence of Lake. Bulldog fans will also be eagerly watching to see who if either of the father son selections of Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore will play, they both bring something different with Wallis be a creative mix of inside and outside midfielder, while Liberatore is a pure in and under type with excellent vision and the ability to find a team mate in congestion.
Possible line up
B- Wood Morris Barlow
HB- Murphy Williams Picken
C- Cross Boyd Ward
HF- Sherman Jones Grant
F- Higgins Hall Djerrkura
Rucks- Hudson Cooney Griffen
Int- Giansiracusa, Minson, Liberatore
Sub- Hill
Key Match ups
Hooker vs Hall-
Barry was the go to man last season for the Dogs, he kicked a career best 80 goals, and had a hand in 40 others. The Bulldogs have acknowledged we went to him too often in 2010, and while a broader spread of goal kickers is the desire, Hall will still be prevalent. The question mark is at 34 is Barry going to be able to carry the load? Will his aging body stand up to a 15th season of AFL football? Hooker has been the key defender for the Bombers with Pears out and has done an admirable job, while not ideally suited to the quick leading and physically strong Hall, I think he’ll get the job. Dustin Fletcher coming in as the 3rd defender in contests with Hall will be the key to keeping him under control.
Morris vs Hurley-
After an injury effected preseason, along with some off field controversy, young key position player Hurley had a slow start to 2010, but by seasons end started to show why he is considered one of the AFL’s young rising stars. While in this authors opinion he is better suited to playing as a key defender, team structure will dictate he plays forward. Dale Morris is the ultimate trouble shooter for the Bulldogs, being able to play small when allowed, but also playing tall when required. With the Absence of Lake, Morris is likely to get the job on Hurley to allow Williams to pick up the resting ruckman. With strength, speed, and maturity on his side Morris should be able to quell the slightly bigger Hurley which will go a long way to ensuring a bulldog victory.
Grant vs Hardingham-
Some may think this match up is not exactly a “key” to the game but I’m of the thinking the result from this contest will play a big part in the result. Grant made remarkable progress last season, from a player who ended 2009 languishing in the Williamstown reserves, and who looked disinterested in football, to an automatic selection in the Bulldogs best 22, and a rising start of the competition, it’s a remarkable climb. Some people credit it to Grant’s borderline obsession with Barry Hall, he is said to watch and mimic virtually everything Hall does around the club, and it seems to be a paying off. Grant has showed some good form in the preseason, and being able to take some of the load off Hall will be vital, if Grant can lead to areas of space created by Hall drawing the defenders then he could create serious headaches in the opposition coaches box. Hardingham had his colours lowered in round 22 last year with Grant kicking a career best 6 goals, he is a little more mature this season so will be hoping for a reversal form that game. He has the athleticism, and ability in the air to go with Grant, and while no one is as quick as Grant, Hardingham is anything but slow. The issue is Grant is a class above in terms of talent and Hardingham will need to play his absolute best to quell him.
Where the game will be won and lost
If preseason form is a guide this should be a game of contrasting styles. Essendon have shown defensive pressure and holding their structure will be their mantra, whereas while the Bulldogs will hope to greatly increase their defensive efforts, particularly in the forward line, we seem to be looking at improving our ball movement patterns, using our newly acquired pace, and breaking open opposition defensive presses.
As always the midfield battle will be key, Jobe Watson will again carry the burden of being the bombers only genuine inside midfielder and he will have his hands full competing with the bulldogs multiple options in Boyd, Cooney, Ward, and Liberatore. While still not quick, Essendon have made a conscious effort of drafting young players with genuine pace, Heppel, Melksham, and Colyer all have that, and they have moved away from trying to draft the James Hird prototype midfielder which saw them with about 7 190cm once paced midfielders such as Watson, Lovett-Murray, Myers etc.
If the Bulldogs can win the clearances and spread well from the contest then the result should be a foregone conclusion, however if Essendon can close down the space, restrict the Bulldogs ball movement, and turn it into a contest of close in pressure then the result could go either way.
The unknown quantity will be how Essendon handle the emotion and build up of James Hird’s first game as coach. Will it lift them to and inspire them to victory, or will it be too much to deal with and they find themselves crumbling under the pressure. No one will know until about 4pm Sunday.
Verdict
Essendon will be an improvement on last year, and their new game plan will develop as the season wears on, but in their first foray into the pressure of a genuine home and away match they will be caught out by the lift in intensity and the structures that seemed so effective in the NAB Cup will buckle under the pressure of a mature and hardened AFL team.
A real danger game but the Bulldogs by 25 points.
WHO’S PUMPED!!!
Sunday, March 27,
1.10pm
Etihad Stadium
Last time they met
Round 22 2010
Western Bulldogs 17.5 (107) d
Essendon 11.12 (78),
Last 5 games head to head
Round 22 2010- Western Bulldogs 107 d Essendon 78
Round 10 2010- Essendon 99 d Western Bulldogs 90
Round 16 2009- Essendon 70 lost to Western Bulldogs 103
Round 21 2008- Western Bulldogs 151 d Essendon 105
Round 4 2008- Essendon 90 lost to Western Bulldogs 128
Form leading in
Essendon
It’s been a big summer of change for Essendon, with the departure of the much maligned Matthew Knights at the end of the 2010 season, and the creation of their coaching “dream team” in Head coach James Hird assisted by Mark Thompson, expectations are high around Windy Hill. Their form in the NAB Cup, making the final, showed they seem to have made some progress, and there was a clear departure from the one way kamikaze running of the previous regime, but as we have seen in the past giving too much weight to NAB Cup performances can be dangerous.
One thing does seem clear though, Essendon will have a much stronger focus on accountability, pressuring the ball carrier, and holding their structure in defence. Having had a relatively clean bill of health most of their list has been up and running all year, only niggling injuries to Scott Gumbleton, and the ongoing problems relating to a pancreas injury to defender Tayte Pears seem to be their concerns.
Western Bulldogs
A much lower key preseason for the Bulldogs this year, after coming off a drought breaking win in the 2010 NAB Cup, expectations were at an all-time high only to have a let down in round 1 against eventual premier Collingwood. 2011 has been different, it seemed clear the coaching staff were happy to lose round 1 of the NAB Cup so we could tailor our preseason and preparation to our needs. A strong showing against North Melbourne, followed by an equally impressive first half against Geelong before the cue appeared to be put in the rack showed the dogs were up and running. This was followed by good wins against Brisbane and Fremantle in practice matches with a variety of players appearing. The final practice match was a solid hitout for the majority of senior players against North Melbourne, although a last quarter drop off soured to a degree what had been a good showing.
With the retirement of several veterans including games record holder Brad Johnson, and the departure of running defender Jarrod Harbrow to the newly formed Gold Coast Suns, it’s been a summer of transition for the Bulldogs. Heavily involved in trade week, we saw new arrivals Justin Sherman, Patrick Vezpremi, and Nathan Djerrkura join the club, along with the much anticipated sons of club legends Steve Wallis and Tony Liberatore.
The Bulldogs had a high number of off-season surgeries, meaning several senior players have had limited pre-seasons. Adam Cooney has managed just the one full practice match, and is probably a couple of weeks off full fitness but has proven a strong performer while building fitness. All Australian full back Brian Lake has had a very restricted summer following hip, knee, and shoulder surgeries and looks in doubt for round one. Also veteran defender Ryan Hargrave following major foot surgery looks unlikely to be seen much before the halfway mark of the season.
Potential Line Ups
Predicting the starting line ups for round one can be akin to guessing the winning Powerball numbers to a degree, but I think it’s safe to say we are likely to see quite a few new faces lining up for their respective clubs. The big question for all clubs in round 1 will be how to handle and use the new sub rule.
Essendon
Essendon looks to have found a good young player in Dyson Heppell, looking like the younger brother of Dale Thomas, he has shown good pace and ability to step up into senior football and could be a chance for round one. Mature rookie Stuart Crameri has had an excellent preseason playing as a strong bodied defender and should build on the 3 games he played last season. While high leaping swingman Kyle Hardingham looks likely to fill gaps for the Bombers again this season. Another mature rookie to have shown some good signs has been defender Michael Hibberd, with injury ruling out Henry Slattery he could be in line to debut.
Possible line up
B- Fletcher Hooker Hibberd
HB- Dempsey Hardingham Melksham
C- Hocking Watson Prismall
HF- Jetta Hurley Winderlich
F- Monfries Ryder Williams
Rucks- Bellchambers Stanton Heppell
Int- Colyer McVeigh Zaharakis
Sub- Hille
Bulldogs
The real selection quandary for the Bulldogs will be which new players will be introduced, and at who’s expense will they come in for. The team lacked for pace last season, particularly up forward, and it appears a premium is being put on players who can bring that. Justin Sherman looks a certainty to be included, Nathan Djerrkura seems to be a chance to play as a defensive forward, and the potential versatility of ex-Swan Ed Barlow may also see him come into calculation with the likely absence of Lake. Bulldog fans will also be eagerly watching to see who if either of the father son selections of Mitch Wallis and Tom Liberatore will play, they both bring something different with Wallis be a creative mix of inside and outside midfielder, while Liberatore is a pure in and under type with excellent vision and the ability to find a team mate in congestion.
Possible line up
B- Wood Morris Barlow
HB- Murphy Williams Picken
C- Cross Boyd Ward
HF- Sherman Jones Grant
F- Higgins Hall Djerrkura
Rucks- Hudson Cooney Griffen
Int- Giansiracusa, Minson, Liberatore
Sub- Hill
Key Match ups
Hooker vs Hall-
Barry was the go to man last season for the Dogs, he kicked a career best 80 goals, and had a hand in 40 others. The Bulldogs have acknowledged we went to him too often in 2010, and while a broader spread of goal kickers is the desire, Hall will still be prevalent. The question mark is at 34 is Barry going to be able to carry the load? Will his aging body stand up to a 15th season of AFL football? Hooker has been the key defender for the Bombers with Pears out and has done an admirable job, while not ideally suited to the quick leading and physically strong Hall, I think he’ll get the job. Dustin Fletcher coming in as the 3rd defender in contests with Hall will be the key to keeping him under control.
Morris vs Hurley-
After an injury effected preseason, along with some off field controversy, young key position player Hurley had a slow start to 2010, but by seasons end started to show why he is considered one of the AFL’s young rising stars. While in this authors opinion he is better suited to playing as a key defender, team structure will dictate he plays forward. Dale Morris is the ultimate trouble shooter for the Bulldogs, being able to play small when allowed, but also playing tall when required. With the Absence of Lake, Morris is likely to get the job on Hurley to allow Williams to pick up the resting ruckman. With strength, speed, and maturity on his side Morris should be able to quell the slightly bigger Hurley which will go a long way to ensuring a bulldog victory.
Grant vs Hardingham-
Some may think this match up is not exactly a “key” to the game but I’m of the thinking the result from this contest will play a big part in the result. Grant made remarkable progress last season, from a player who ended 2009 languishing in the Williamstown reserves, and who looked disinterested in football, to an automatic selection in the Bulldogs best 22, and a rising start of the competition, it’s a remarkable climb. Some people credit it to Grant’s borderline obsession with Barry Hall, he is said to watch and mimic virtually everything Hall does around the club, and it seems to be a paying off. Grant has showed some good form in the preseason, and being able to take some of the load off Hall will be vital, if Grant can lead to areas of space created by Hall drawing the defenders then he could create serious headaches in the opposition coaches box. Hardingham had his colours lowered in round 22 last year with Grant kicking a career best 6 goals, he is a little more mature this season so will be hoping for a reversal form that game. He has the athleticism, and ability in the air to go with Grant, and while no one is as quick as Grant, Hardingham is anything but slow. The issue is Grant is a class above in terms of talent and Hardingham will need to play his absolute best to quell him.
Where the game will be won and lost
If preseason form is a guide this should be a game of contrasting styles. Essendon have shown defensive pressure and holding their structure will be their mantra, whereas while the Bulldogs will hope to greatly increase their defensive efforts, particularly in the forward line, we seem to be looking at improving our ball movement patterns, using our newly acquired pace, and breaking open opposition defensive presses.
As always the midfield battle will be key, Jobe Watson will again carry the burden of being the bombers only genuine inside midfielder and he will have his hands full competing with the bulldogs multiple options in Boyd, Cooney, Ward, and Liberatore. While still not quick, Essendon have made a conscious effort of drafting young players with genuine pace, Heppel, Melksham, and Colyer all have that, and they have moved away from trying to draft the James Hird prototype midfielder which saw them with about 7 190cm once paced midfielders such as Watson, Lovett-Murray, Myers etc.
If the Bulldogs can win the clearances and spread well from the contest then the result should be a foregone conclusion, however if Essendon can close down the space, restrict the Bulldogs ball movement, and turn it into a contest of close in pressure then the result could go either way.
The unknown quantity will be how Essendon handle the emotion and build up of James Hird’s first game as coach. Will it lift them to and inspire them to victory, or will it be too much to deal with and they find themselves crumbling under the pressure. No one will know until about 4pm Sunday.
Verdict
Essendon will be an improvement on last year, and their new game plan will develop as the season wears on, but in their first foray into the pressure of a genuine home and away match they will be caught out by the lift in intensity and the structures that seemed so effective in the NAB Cup will buckle under the pressure of a mature and hardened AFL team.
A real danger game but the Bulldogs by 25 points.
WHO’S PUMPED!!!
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