However, the Bombers are expected to win this game. They are the favourites. They are at home. They have far more of their squad available. Although overall our team is still fairly strong, we have essentially no real depth on the bench (Mitch Brown, McG, The Good Sheppard, Ryan Neates). Naitanui is still missing with hamstring soreness. Selwood is out with his 'webbing issues'. Ashton Hams has been suspended. Schofield is still suspended. I don't have to go through the litany of big names out to underscore how injury-ravaged we are.
Essendon
B: Dyson Heppell, Cale Hooker, Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Kyle Hardingham, Jake Carlisle, Dustin Fletcher
C: Brent Stanton, Jobe Watson, David Zaharakis
HF: Jake Melksham, Stewart Crameri, Angus Monfries
F: Alwyn Davey, Patrick Ryder, Leroy Jetta
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Heath Hocking, Ben Howlett
I/C: Ricky Dyson, Sam Lonergan, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Travis Colyer
Emg: Mark McVeigh, Henry Slattery, Cory Dell’Olio
West Coast Eagles
B: Sam Butler, Darren Glass, Shannon Hurn
HB: Beau Waters, Eric Mackenzie, Jacob Brennan
C: Matthew Rosa, Matthew Priddis, Andrew Gaff
HF: Chris Masten, Quinten Lynch, Josh Hill
F: Luke Shuey, Jack Darling, Scott Lycett
Foll: Dean Cox, Scott Selwood, Daniel Kerr
I/C: Mitch Brown, Patrick McGinnity, Brad Sheppard, Ryan Neates
Emg: Thomas Swift, Koby Stevens, Murray Newman
In: Mitch Brown, Ryan Neates
Out: Adam Selwood (Hand), Ashton Hams (Suspension)
New: Ryan Neates (Claremont (WA))
Milestones: Beau Waters – 100 games
On the other hand, Essendon are really only missing Hille and Hurley (who will now be roaming the streets to the fear of cab drivers in Melbourne). Essendon should win this game. The pressure is all on them. Will they wilt? We know they can beat up on teams like Brisbane. But besides a lucky win over the Kangas in Round 1, they haven't proved they can beat teams of any real substance. They have to win this game to prove their top 4 credentials. If they don't they lose all credibility (as much credibility that a team that has Kyle Reimers on their list can have).
I think they will win. Although this may appear to be rather defeatist, I'm not saying we can't win. But really, all the factors; all our injuries, the importance of the game for Jobe W. Bush and co., it's under the dome point to a win for Hird's men.
Despite this, it should be a great game! Congrats to Beau Waters who finally hits the 100 mark. He has been such a strong player in the backline for years now and his courage is inspiring. Here's to 100 more.
It's a big game for some young guys too. Neates makes his debut. He might not draw 12 free kicks a game like Hams, but it will be interesting to see how he does after injury ruined his 2011 season (I think...). Jacob Brennan also gets another game after a fairly impressive debut last week. The Big Lychee also stays in the side, to my delight as I get to use his awesome nickname again. One positive aspect about all our injuries is that it does provide these guys with games. Though I would prefer them to get opportunities against GWS and the GCS, they are trying to make a career. They won't have a deficit of desire and could add some real energy and enthusiasm to the team.
In terms of the free kick issue, which has blown up as big as Brett Ebert's head (well nothing is that big), it's essentially a beat up. I think Hams may be 'playing' for them, but so what? Ballantyne, Milne and countless other vertically challenged individuals do the exact same thing. I thought Woosha's press conference was rather classic.
Reporter: Are you happy with the way your players go about it?
Woosha:...Yep.
He then went on to say that perhaps our players go in harder than opposition jerks.
In a nutshell, screw the sore losers in the East and LETS GO EAGLES!!!
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