AFL 2019 Round 2: Essendon v St Kilda, 4:35pm AEDT MS

[Gralin]

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Where and when: Marvel Stadium, Saturday March 30, 4.35pm AEDT

Melbourne Forecast

Cloudy. Very high (90%) chance of showers in the southeast suburbs, high (70%) chance elsewhere. The chance of a thunderstorm in the morning and afternoon with local small hail possible. Winds west to southwesterly 20 to 30 km/h.

Last time they met: Docklands Stadium (now Marvel Stadium), round 21, 2018. Essendon 18.14 (122) defeated St Kilda 11.13 (79)
An injury-hit Essendon continued their late rally for a top-eight spot with a comfortable win over the Saints. Devon Smith was crucial in his side's Friday night victory.

What it means for Essendon: Despite it only being round two, there is a lot riding on this game for the Bombers after last week's disastrous season-opening loss to Greater Western Sydney. A defeat would really put the heat on the club early in the year.

What it means for St Kilda: The Saints weren't convincing in their one-point win over Gold Coast last week, but to back it up against Essendon would provide some breathing space for a club few expect to perform strongly this year.

How Essendon wins: The Bombers need their midfield to lift after last week's ineffectual performance. Essendon was smashed out of the middle last week, losing centre clearances 12-6, and were behind the eightball from there.

How St Kilda wins: Their best footy against Gold Coast came in the first half when their forward-half pressure was up, so maintain that for longer against Essendon and they'll be in the fight.

The stat: The Bombers won't want to go into round three winless. The last time Essendon lost its first two games of the season but still made the finals was in 2004 (also the year the Bombers last won a final).

The match-up: Michael Hurley v Josh Bruce
The AFL Player Ratings ranks Hurley as Essendon's best defender and Bruce as St Kilda's best forward, so it's likely to be an important contest in the context of the clash. Particularly with Cale Hooker out with injury, it will likely be Hurley's responsibility to hold Bruce.

It's a big week for: Zach Merrett
The star Bombers midfielder, who has an All Australian jumper and best and fairest already on his CV, was among the key players to really struggle last week against the Giants. He managed only 16 disposals in the defeat and had little influence, and Essendon needs more from him to fire.

The Bombers need Zach Merrett to fire after last week's disappointing performance. Picture: AFL Photos

Big call: St Kilda to be two goals up midway through the last term before being overrun.

Prediction: Essendon by seven points

Source: AFL Website

 

[CrowInFiji]

Saints by 10.

 

[rumply]

Got a dentist appointment shortly then off to witness Essendon first hand. Which event will be more painful & uncomfortable? I have my concerns...

 

[Bomberboyokay]

Won't be surprised if St Kilda win.

 

[Mitchell54]

Why is there no Saturday afternoon game?

Essendon by 6 points

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Why is there no Saturday afternoon game?

Essendon by 6 points

The AFL left a hole for the AFLW grand final.....which they didnt use.

 

[Tandy]

If Essendon lose this one they're up ship creek, not even the AAMI lady will be able to help them.

 

[AFDogs]

Why the hell does this start at 4:35?

Should have been during the arvo. No footy all day on a Saturday then a Carlton/Port game starting under an hour after this? Annoying.

Bombers by 2 points.

 

[Mitchell54]

The AFL left a hole for the AFLW grand final.....which they didnt use.

Why didn’t they use it?

 

[Pakenhamsaint]

Why didn’t they use it?

Only the AFL know the answer to that.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Why didn’t they use it?

Adelaide earned the right to hosting the grand final. For them to utilise the Saturday slot and for the appropriate sponsorship/signage to be displayed, the match would have started at 10.30am so they could have the right signage for both the AFLW GF and the Port v Carlton mens match.

 

[Mitchell54]

Adelaide earned the right to hosting the grand final. For them to utilise the Saturday slot and for the appropriate sponsorship/signage to be displayed, the match would have started at 10.30am so they could have the right signage for both the AFLW GF and the Port v Carlton mens match.

Well then they should have played it at 10:30. I would have put it on and watched it. Every chance that I watch the North game tomorrow instead though. It’s not gonna get viewers and outcompete the North game as much as they want it too.

 

[SterlingArcher]

Well then they should have played it at 10:30. I would have put it on and watched it. Every chance that I watch the North game tomorrow instead though. It’s not gonna get viewers and outcompete the North game as much as they want it too.

You'd have thought that with Sydney, Gold Coast, MCG/Marvel, Optus, and Launceston not having teams, they could have planned it so the 1.10pm Saturday afternoon AFLW GF wouldn't have clashed with any games.

4.40pm Essendon v St Kilda (MCG) - allows the GF to be played at Marvel if a Vic club earns it. Alternatively, have the Ess/StK at Marvel so the Womens GF can be at the MCG (although there are no regular season games scheduled there so no home ground advantage whilst the Dogs/Pies get a couple each at Marvel)
5.10pm Gold Coast v anyone - no Gold Coast womens team so Metricon is ok
Night - West Coast hosting in Perth, Sydney hosting at SCG

Instead they scheduled one of the few teams (Port) that could have had their match colliding.

Seems ridiculous that they scheduled the mens season around the womens season without actually putting any thought into it.

Either they both go as normal and the womens GF gets organised once the prelims are done however they see fit, or you put the appropriate planning in place so the womens GF gets a standalone time as desired.

 

[joop]

Can see the bombers bouncing back in a big way, they’re not gonna play as bad as they did last week...surely...

 

[Milanista28]

Can see the bombers bouncing back in a big way, they’re not gonna play as bad as they did last week...surely...

Mate we're every chance to play poorly again, We again did a lot of talking about how we want to play, Can we actually do it... Not sure.

 

[nahnah]

Bombers by 16

 

[welshm69]

I have Saints comfortably winning this.

 

[Bazza97]

Very winnable game for the Saints. In saying that I do expect Essendon to win. Going to be an interesting.

 

[TonaldDrump]

Saints have no culture. The last time St Kilda beat Essendon was when all of their players were suspended.

Essendon by 60

 

[StevenwellerHFC]

Hoping for a very big Saints win today.

 

[joop]

Saints have no culture. The last time St Kilda beat Essendon was when all of their players were suspended.

Essendon by 60

Culture.... from an Essendon supporter

 

[YippeeYiYeo]

The AFLW is affecting the real Footy’s time slots

 

[MisterMarcus]

Got a dentist appointment shortly then off to witness Essendon first hand. Which event will be more painful & uncomfortable? I have my concerns...

Get the dentist to pump you full of Panadeine Forte, then you won't care either way.

 

[BallaratBulldog]

Weird timeslot

 

[Macpotata]

Bombers will come out pumped. Much like the way they rejuvenated themselves to knock Port off after a pathetic display out in the West last season early on, and then the Doggies. Could see a blood bath here. Or they could do an Essendon and **** it up although you'd opt with the former you'd feel.

BTW love that new kid from South Fremantle. Parker. Snagged a couple last week and could have got one or two more.