AFL 2019 Round 1, Greater Western Sydney v Essendon, 3:20pm AEDT GS

[Gralin]

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Where and when: Giants Stadium, Sunday March 24, 3.20pm AEDT

Sydney Forecast

Partly cloudy. Slight (20%) chance of a shower. Light winds.

Last time they met: Sydney Showground Stadium, round 10, 2018: GWS 8.12 (60) lost to Essendon 14.11 (95)
The Bombers handed GWS its fourth straight defeat after booting six goals to one in a dominant final term. Jake Stringer and Mark Baguley kicked three goals while David Zaharakis claimed the three Brownlow medal votes for his 33 possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s and a goal.

What it means for GWS: A successful start is a must for GWS with games against West Coast (away), Richmond (home) and Geelong (away) in the first month of the season.

What it means for Essendon: The Bombers have plenty of expectations on them after another big off-season of recruiting, and a win will show they're ready to handle the hype.

How GWS wins: The Giants' backline isn't full strength but is brilliantly led by Phil Davis, and without Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker, it's hard to see how the visitors kick a winning score.

How Essendon wins: The addition of Dylan Shiel is massive for the Bombers and he adds some speed to their already quality midfield, which will gain the ascendancy.

The stat: The Bombers trounced the Giants 16-8 in the centre clearances and 55-42 overall in round 10 last season, a statistic that helped them pile on 6.3 to 1.3 in a one-sided final quarter. Dyson Heppell (12), Zach Merrett (nine) and David Zaharakis (six) led the way.

The match-up: Zac Williams v Orazio Fantasia
This will be a battle of two speedsters and looms as crucial to both sides. Williams provides plenty of run from defence and sets up a lot of attacks, but Fantasia is one of the most dangerous small forwards in the game and can cut sides to pieces if given too much space.

Orazio Fantasia is one of the most dangerous small forwards in the game. Picture: AFL Photos

It’s a big week for: Dylan Shiel (Essendon)
The original Giant gets a match-up with his former team to start the new phase of his career, and he could be the game-breaker. Shiel's speed and explosiveness is well known by the GWS players but stopping him won't be easy.

Big call: Half dozen Harry. With the Bombers' defenders focused heavily on stopping Jeremy Cameron and Toby Greene, Harry Himmelberg slips away and boots six goals.

Prediction: GWS by 19 points

Source: AFL Website

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

Footy's back!

We welcome the Bombers to our inaugural game at the renamed Giants Stadium today.

These kids get it

#NeverSurrender https://t.co/9q8ghMK1nm

 

[Smartest Brain]

Unfortunately I think Essendon have this one based on what I saw in the JLT . I think they play better without daniher anyhow.

Hope it is a good game for the crowd .

 

[Demonic Ascent]

Tipping the Bombers but hoping for a cracking game. This one could be match of the round.

 

[BuffDog]

Unfortunately I think Essendon have this one based on what I saw in the JLT . I think they play better without daniher anyhow.

Hope it is a good game for the crowd .

Clearly you didn’t watch our JLT games!

But Dogs, Hawks won, Eagles lost - means nothing now

 

[Smartest Brain]

Clearly you didn’t watch our JLT games!

But Dogs, Hawks won, Eagles lost - means nothing now

If our forwards are accurate it will be a close game favouring us, but they usually are not . There is something missing from the team I have only seen in bursts since 2016. Possibly coaching out the talent in the players.

 

[GlocksTickin]

Cracker of a game. One teams side will get off to a perfect start to the season,barring a draw.


The match is jizz worthy.

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Have to laugh at the ridiculous false-outrage in channel 7's promotion and coverage of this match regarding Dylan Shiel.

Every Giants fan I know was thrilled that we could get Dylan to the club of his choice after the brilliant seven seasons he gave us, and have zero animosity toward him. In fact, I think he will be openly cheered today, such is the high regard we have for him

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

Have to laugh at the ridiculous false-outrage in channel 7's promotion and coverage of this match regarding Dylan Shiel.

Every Giants fan I know was thrilled that we could get Dylan to the club of his choice after the brilliant seven seasons he gave us, and have zero animosity toward him. In fact, I think he will be openly cheered today, such is the high regard we have for him

Maybe not cheer, but a least respectful indifference. But yeah, he gave us 7 great years, and me personally a lot of joy watching him weave through traffic from the stands at Spotless.

I did once cheer a Lachie Plowman mark when he first came back in Blues colours though.

 

[The_Big_Ship]

Giants by 50.

 

[Kram]

Why is Jordan Lewis wearing women's glasses.

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

Take that devon

 

[rumply]

Why is Jordan Lewis wearing women's glasses.

ftfy

 

[megatiger]

A graveyard? What?

 

[BOMBERS 4 LIFE!!!!]

Take that devon


View attachment 640833

That's a good one haha

 

[rumply]

lol Heath

 

[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Take that devon


View attachment 640833

To be fair, a banner like that doesn't look great with a half empty Stadium

 

[Donakebab]

Take that devon


View attachment 640833

The banner might pack a bit more punch if the stadium wasn't close to empty.

 

[rumply]

A graveyard? What?

Shiel called Spotless a graveyard during a recent interview.

 

[Colonial]

Shiel called Spotless a graveyard during a recent interview.

Actually it was Devon Smith.

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[Buzzasto DaSilva]

Shiel called Spotless a graveyard during a recent interview.

Definitely not Dylan. It was Devon Smith.

 

[Donakebab]

Geez the picture quality on 7mate is awful. How do you non Victorians deal with this garbage?

 

[Isaac Cumming No 1]

To be fair, a banner like that doesn't look great with a half empty Stadium

That's the Bombers side with the sun in their eyes.

 

[rumply]

oh yeah it was Smith, my bad

 

[Colonial]

To be fair, a banner like that doesn't look great with a half empty Stadium

Reports are GA sold out supposedlg


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