The term 'statement game' is bandied about all too liberally for my liking. Yet, if ever that phrase were to be aptly employed it would be for this week's game at the Dome. We have beaten North, the Power and Melbourne. These are 3 teams, in all likelihood, that will not make the finals.
But heck, we wouldn't have even beaten these teams last year, so it's still promising.
We've narrowly lost to Sydney and Hawthorn, 2 sides which will probably be somewhere between 4th and 8th.
So here we are at 3-2.
A win on Sunday puts us at a nigh unbelievable 4-2 and truly ensconced in the top 8. Can we do it?
Essendon are a much improved team. Under Hird they have manufactured a far more even game plan which encompasses both the ability to attack and defend. It's a shame, really, because they really are an inherently unlikeable franchise. They have this arrogance about them, that even when they finish 3rd last they still make you hate them. They're so...stripey, diagonally speaking. They wear their red sash like beauty queens, only to find out that the only thing they are queens of is their own mediocrity.
Personal beliefs aside, we can win this game. Are they more talented? Well kind of. So what makes me think we can win? An unwavering belief in our team? I think we know that's not the case. But the way we have been playing is so heartening that I'm almost optimistic. It's a dangerous outlook when it comes to football, with your heart waiting to be crushed by the harsh realities of professional sport.
But from a neutral standpoint, why can't we win? Essendon can play 12 ruckmen, and our Cox will be too big and virile for them (sorry). Also, Naitanui will bob up when he's been going at it too long (sorry). Puns aside, they are an effective combo. So bring your Bellchambers, Hills, Ryders...Laycocks, Alessios, Salmons. Advantage Eagles.
Also, I'm starting to think our key forwards are too big and too strong for most defences. Essendon is no different. Lecras might not kick 12, but we have more options this year which will be sure to be too much for the young Dons` defence to handle.
If you look at the Bombers forward line, there's not too much to be anxious about. Hurley? There's a reason I traded him from my dreamteam. He's inconsistent and also prone to infrequent acts of unprovoked violence. Their small forwards may be troublesesome, but I thought that about Melbourne but it didn't eventuate.
That leads me to my greatest concern, the midfield battle.
I don't rate their midfield, but nor do I rate ours. Kerr needs to do what he did last week. Shuey, Embley, Priddis and others must win the ball and deliver it effectively to our forwards. But can they win enough clearances. I think they can. Who have the Bombers got they wil scare us. Strange head guy...um Stanton? Despite his weird head area, he's no star. How about Watson? Average at best.
It's a winnable battle, but it requires a solid effort.
Some good news in terms of selection with the debut of Gerrick Weedon. McGinnity is out with an illness, whilst Gaff has been omitted to allow him to play a full game in the WAFL. Schofield has also returned.
It will be interesting to see Weedon. I don't know much about him, but it will be nice to see a future indigenous star wear the number 44 again.
Fletcher returns for Essendon, after recovering from old age-ism.
Essendon
B: Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker, Mark McVeigh
HB: David Zaharakis, Michael Hurley, Kyle Hardingham
C: Ben Howlett, Jobe Watson, Leroy Jetta
HF: David Hille, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Henry Slattery
F: Patrick Ryder, Stewart Crameri, Dyson Heppell
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Jake Melksham
I/C: Sam Lonergan, Angus Monfries, Brent Stanton, Kyle Reimers
Emg: Alwyn Davey, David Myers, Michael Hibberd
In: Dustin Fletcher
Out: Michael Hibberd
West Coast
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Andrew Embley, Eric Mackenzie, Scott Selwood
C: Bradley Ebert, Matthew Priddis, Matthew Rosa
HF: Luke Shuey, Josh Kennedy, Mark Nicoski
F: Mark LeCras, Quinten Lynch, Jack Darling
Foll: Dean Cox, Daniel Kerr, Adam Selwood
I/C: Will Schofield, Nic Naitanui, Ashley Smith, Gerrick Weedon
Emg: Thomas Swift, Brad Sheppard, Ashton Hams
In: Will Schofield, Gerrick Weedon
Out: Patrick McGinnity, Andrew Gaff
New: Gerrick Weedon (Clontarf College)
All things considered, it will be a close game. I see the winning margin being around 2-4 goals. It's a huge test and one I'm really looking forward to.
Let's Go Eagles!
Misanthropic Eagle
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