Round 20 - Carlton Match Preview
By MadzLuvsGus
Well, the Kevin Sheedy Farewell Tour crashed and burned last weekend as the master STG was given the heave-ho by his apprentice, Mark Harvey, over in the west. This week the Tour will be rolling all the way back from Perth to the MCG, home of football.
The Bombers will be seeking retribution against their arch rivals, the Blue baggers from Princes Park. As Bomber fans will recall with some displeasure, the last time these proud clubs met it was utter humiliation for the boys from Windy Hill. Up by 8 goals at half time, the match looked done and dusted. Yet it was pain and suffering in the hearts of the Bomber faithful as a Fevola-inspired Carlton took the points in a thrilling finish at the ‘G.
Sheeds will be looking to silence his critics and, no doubt, to give a good old-fashioned ‘up yours’ to director Ray Horsbourgh. He’ll be out to prove that he can still get the message through to his troops and they’ll hopefully be sufficiently fired up from consecutive thrashings to not need telling twice.
The Bombers have been in terrible form for the past fortnight, suffering from ten goal thrashings two weeks in a row. Brett Ratten must be tearing his hair out, trying to find a way to lose to us as they have been extremely competitive and they would smash us all over the ground if they weren’t (probably) tanking. (Now don’t go making any rash accusations, this is pretty much solid fact……….. and if they lose to us this week by under 15-20 pts after remaining competitive all day – then appear to ‘switch off’ – I’ll be proven right.)
At the selection table, the wily coach is up to his old tricks as he looks to bamboozle the Carlton coaching team and send a strong message to his own troops. Damien Peverill, Jobe Watson, David Hille and Ricky Dyson have all been axed from the team who lost to the Dockers in Perth last Sunday. Into the side come Scott Camporeale (who’ll most likely be playing his last game against his old team) and Mark Johnson. Heath Hocking has been elevated off the rookie list and is set to make his debut.
This week will (hopefully) also mark the return of the inspirational former skipper of the Bombers, James Hird, who’ll be raring to go in what shapes as his last ever match against the old foe. He’ll be sure to lift to the occasion as the Bombers seek to be a part of the September action this year. (And I ain’t out to jinx no one, so don’t take it out on me if he doesn’t pull up. Alright?) If he pulls up from training unscathed he’ll be right as rain and ready to go.
On to the preview. Last week the Bombers were simply woeful against a much slicker, classier Docker outfit. Still very much in contention at half time, down by just 2 goals, Essendon were blown away as the Dockers simply had all the answers. Kicking just two points in the final term, the Bombers will be looking for more horsepower up forward and to make the most of every opportunity. Lloydy was back with a vengeance but will be looking to stamp far more authority on this contest and play four solid quarters. He kicked five goals last week but he’ll want to kick a big bag against the Blues to back it up.
Scott Lucas went missing in Perth, it’s been doing the rounds that he didn’t even make it off the team bus as he was no where to be seen. For some reason Sheeds seemed keen to keep him in defence all day, when we could have used his presence and goal nous up in the forward line. He didn’t have much affect on the match He will be seeking vengeance against the Blues. The team will also be looking to Andrew Lovett, Jason Winderlich, Brent Stanton, Angus Monfries, Mark Johnson and Kyle Reimers to provide avenues to goal through the midfield.
Of course, there cannot be horsepower without any gallop and the midfield will have to be at its best if we’re to win the clearances and keep the ball moving towards our forward 50m. Essendon will struggle to win the clearances without David Hille and Jobe Watson (Sheeds I’m giving your greasies with both eyes right now, don’t think you can hide from me) so Jason Laycock will be replied upon to shoulder most of the ruck duties. Le Cock will be looking to lift after putting in a poor performance last week and if he can get on top in the hit-outs, we should go some way to winning the clearances. Laycock has a great tap technique and when he’s on song he can give our midfielders first use of the ball. I HOPE that this week Sheeds puts his faith in Chook and keeps him on the park, going forward when he’s not being used in the ruck so he can take some strong contested marks and kick a few goals. The likes of Stanton, Lovett, Winderlich and Johnson will need to be at their very best and if we can get on top in the hit outs and win the clearances that will be instrumental in winning the game.
Our defence has been under siege in recent weeks as the Bombers have gone down by 10 goals two weeks in a row and they will be looking to stem the flow against the Blues. As long as we can keep the ball out of there we should be alright, as the experience of Fletcher and Mal Michael – and the cool heads of Paddy Ryder and Adam Mcphee – has proved capable of rebounding under pressure, it’s just turnovers and shocking skills by foot that have been killing us. Please Bombers, I beg you – less handball, handball, handball, chip, chip, chip, and more long kicks to targets, move the ball with some dash and get the ball going towards our tall forwards!!
While we are on the subject of defence I have a bone to pick with you, Mal Michael. Why the hell can’t you play in front of your opponents??? Pavlich was killing you on the lead last week on the lead and you were always miles behind. Remember – if you play in front 9 times out of 10 you’ll win the battle. Possession is nine tenths of the law! If you play in front you’ll be in a much better position to defend – and there’s not too many frees you can give away if you’re in front of your opponent. Big ol’ Lance Fatnall is back this week and Mal; you should be looking to test his fitness base by keeping him on his toes at all times. Run him ragged, rough him up, go for an “accidental” elbow in the back so his dodgy knee buckles underneath him…….smash him good……ok, just kidding…………
The heat is on the Bombers this week and if we’re on our game, we can thrash those Blues all over the park. The boys from Windy Hill will be looking to earn back some respect. If we lose this it’s bye, bye, finals – but the shame of losing to Carlton three times in one year should be enough incentive to drive our boys towards victory. It should be a cracker of a game – and hopefully the red and black will emerge victorious. Go Bombers!
Predictions
BOG – Matthew Lloyd
First Goal -James Hird/Buddha
Result – Essendon by 74 points
| The Team | |||
| B: | McVeigh | Michael | Slattery |
| HB: | McPhee | Lovett-Murray | Winderlich |
| C: | Nash | Stanton | Reimers |
| HF: | Welsh | Lucas | Gumbleton |
| F: | M. Johnson | Lloyd | Fletcher |
| R: | Laycock | Camporeale | Monfries |
| INT: | Hird | Hocking | Lovett |
| Ryder | |||
| EMG: | Peverill | Ramanauskas | Watson |
| Carlton Team | |||
| B: | Jamison | Saddington | Houlihan |
| HB: | Simpson | Waite | Bower |
| C: | Blackwell | Scotland | Jackson |
| HF: | Lappin | Whitnall | Fisher |
| F: | Betts | Fevola | O’hAilpin |
| R: | Ackland | Bannister | Carrazzo |
| INT: | Gibbs | Murphy | Russell |
| Walker | |||
| EMG: | Austin | Bentick | Hampson |
| Last Time – Round 3 2007 – MCG | ||||
| 1 / 4 | 2 / 4 | 3 / 4 | Full Time | |
| Essendon | 7.8 | 12.13 | 13.16 | 17.20.122 |
| Carlton | 2.1 | 8.7 | 13.16 | 18.17.125 |
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| Best Players | |
| Essendon | Winderlich, Lucas, Lloyd, Peverill, Lovett, Hird |
| Carlton | Fevola, Houlihan, Murphy, Fisher, Scotland, Bentick |
| Goals | |
| Essendon | Lloyd 5, Lucas, Lovett, McVeigh 3, Monfries, Watson, Davey |
| Carlton | Fevola 8, Lappin 3, Fisher 2, Carazzo, Betts, Houlihan, Walker, Stevens |
| TV Coverage | ||
| Fox Sports 1 | 2:00pm AEST | Live |
| Seven SA | 4:30pm | Delayed |
| Radio Coverage | |
| 3AW Melbourne | 12:00 PM |
| Triple M Melbourne | 12:00 PM |
| 5AA Adelaide | 12:00 PM |
| Triple M Adelaide | 1:00 PM |
| NIRS Perth | 11:30 AM |
| NIRS Brisbane | 1:30 PM |
| NIRS Darwin | 1:00 PM |
| IASbet.com Betting | |
| Essendon | $1.57 |
| Carlton | $2.42 |
| BomberBlitz.com ‘Expert’ Tips | |
| Andy | Carlton by 17 points |
| Mr. Charles Bronson | Essendon by 7 points |
| Pazza | Essendon by 35 points |
| Bomberman007 | Essendon by 20 points |
| Koala | Essendon by 43 points |
| Awesome_Scotty | Essendon by 1 point |
| MadzLuvsGus | Essendon by 74 points |
Posted 17 August 07 in Match Preview News
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