HoneyBadger35
They're not going to pick him, Mitch.
- Aug 11, 2011
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- 80,395
- AFL Club
- West Coast
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- #1
West Coast vs Essendon - 11:05am Saturday - Mineral Resources Park
Last time they met: West Coast 3.5.23 def Essendon 2.7.19
It was a huge boilover when these sides last met, as the Eagles stunned the finals-bound Bombers at Windy Hill.
A quick start from West Coast fired us into an early lead, before poor conversion from the hosts helped us stay in the driver's seat. Despite a late charge from Essendon, and losing the inside 50s for the day, the Eagles held on for a massive win.
Shades of last week?
Availability:
The absence of Essendon co-captain Bonnie Toogood looms large, with the reigning club Best and Fairest having strained her MCL early in their Round 1 clash. Amber Clarke will also miss, having entered concussion protocols from her involvement in the same incident.
Ones to watch:
The Eagles managed to somewhat curb the influence of Mon Conti in Round 1. The reigning AFLW Best and Fairest had a game-high 31 disposals, but without the game breaking influence she's capable of, as just 13 of her touches were deemed effective.
The new look West Coast midfield more than held its own, and now get the opportunity to try their hand at slowing down another former league Best and Fairest - Maddy Prespakis. Alongside her is Georgia Nanscawen, who enjoyed a career day in Round 1, and the 188cm ruck Steph Wales.
While the Eagles/Richmond game featured just 52 stoppages, the Bombers clash with Freo had a massive 101. How will Lauren Wakfer back up her strong Round 1 effort against Essendon's much taller ruck division?
Ali Drennan and Jess Hosking look at home in the Eagles midfield, and Ella Roberts showed nothing but class throughout Round 1. With Bella Lewis suffering a late injury scare, and the return of captain Emma Swanson, how will the Eagles fit a sudden plethora of options into what will be a red hot midfield battle?
Teams:
Prediction:
After a surprise Round 1 victory and, more pleasingly, some seriously eye catching footy...could the Eagles start the year 2-0?
The supply battle will be massive. The Eagles forward line showed some teeth that it has lacked in years gone by, however they can't rely on the Bombers' radar to be as poor as it was last time, or the routine set shot misses that the Tigers peppered in last week.
Here's to a good fight with more strong signs...and if we're ahead at the half then maybe we can dream about pinching another one.
her (lack of) presence as a shutdown defender against the Tigers was evident, I guess an opportunity for Zakfer and Cleaver to gain some xp...in the deep end they go.
