VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
- 17,858
- 36,715
- AFL Club
- Essendon
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- #1
TAB Sportsbet Odds:
KANGAROOS: $1.65
ESSENDON: $2.25
Supercoach Top Scorers:
(Scores are from Round 23)
KANGAROOS: Shaun Atley (111), Kayne Turner (107), Andrew Swallow (106)
ESSENDON: Patrick Ryder (118), Michael Hurley (108), Brent Stanton (99)
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The Season Past:
NORTH MELBOURNE:
Ladder Position: 6
Percentage: 117.04%
Wins: 14
Losses: 8
Draws: 0
Premiership Points: 56
Highest Winning Margin: 87 (125-38 v Brisbane, Round 9)
Highest Losing Margin: 43 (77-120 v Gold Coast, Round 7)
Top Goal Scorer: Drew Petrie (41)
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ESSENDON:
Ladder Position: 7
Percentage: 106.34%
Wins: 12
Losses: 9
Draws: 1
Premiership Points: 50
Highest Winning Margin: 81 points (138-57 v Carlton, Round 3)
Highest Losing Margin: 53 points (60-113 v Fremantle, Round 4)
Top Goal Scorer: Jake Carlisle (27)
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The Teams:
NORTH MELBOURNE KANGAROOS:
B: Luke McDonald - Scott Thompson - Michael Firrito
HB: Sam Gibson - Nathan Grima - Shaun Atley
C: Nick Dal Santo - Andrew Swallow (C) - Ryan Bastinac
HF: Levi Greenwood - Ben Brown - Daniel Wells
F: Lindsay Thomas - Drew Petrie - Aaron Black
R: Todd Goldstein - Ben Cunnington - Jack Ziebell
I/C: Ben Jacobs - Sam Wright - Jamie Macmillan - Kayne Turner
EMG: Trent Dumont - Mason Wood - Aaron Mullett
IN: McDonald, Firrito, Greenwood, Thomas, Goldstein
OUT: Hansen (hip), Adams (concussion), Currie, Mullett, Wood (all omit)
ESSENDON BOMBERS:
B: Mark Baguley - Cale Hooker - Courtenay Dempsey
HB: Jason Winderlich - Michael Hurley - Michael Hibberd
C: Brendon Goddard - Jobe Watson (C) - Dyson Heppell
HF: Paul Chapman - Joe Daniher - Brent Stanton
F: David Zaharakis - Tom Bellchambers - Zach Merrett
R: Patrick Ryder - David Myers - Heath Hocking
I/C: Ariel Steinberg - Martin Gleeson - Ben Howlett - Travis Colyer
EMG: Patrick Ambrose - Jackson Merrett - Cory Dell'Olio
MILESTONES:
Mark Baguley, 50 games
Michael Hurley, 100 games
IN: Steinberg, Myers
OUT: Ambrose, Fantasia
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All game day discussion / running commentary in here.
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The Ins and Outs:
The Roos welcome back a wealth of experience and talent into the side which was heavily rested last week against a tenacious Melbourne outfit. Experienced backman Michael Firrito returns to the lineup, as does big man Todd Goldstein to combat the formidable ruck duo of Ryder and Bellchambers. Goal sneak and arguably most disliked player in the league, Lindsay Thomas, also returns to the side, alongside youngster Luke McDonald and Levi Greenwood. Lachlan Hansen re-injured his hip last week against the Demons, and will miss, alongside Leigh Adams, who suffered a concussion and didn't get up for the first week of finals.
Just the two changes at Tullamarine this week, with stalwart midfielder David Myers returning to the side after overcoming the flu. After being dreadfully exposed last week for tall talent in the backline by Carlton spud Matthew Watson, Essendon have seen fit to recall blonde-locked big man Ariel Steinberg back to the backline. Patrick Ambrose, after signing a 2 year contract extension during the week, could consider himself stiff to have been dropped from the lineup, although his performances have been waning considerably. Orazio Fantasia, as expected, returns to the sidelines for the first week of finals.
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The Opening Thoughts:
Here it is.
After three long years, finally, Essendon are back in the finals, and no-one can take it away from us.
After being unfairly taken out of the finals last year, and after hot and cold form all season that had us all doubting whether or not we could actually make it, we're here, and it's time to prove to the football world that the Essendon Football Club is no slouch. At our best, we're capable of beating even the most dominant teams, and at our worst, we can lose to the likes of the wooden spooners. This is all history now. The season is done, the matches have been played. There are only seven games left for 2014, and it's our aim to win four of them.
In a year where our inspirational captain suffered an injury that took him out for close to half a season, we witnessed the growth of a blonde dreadlocked midfielder from Leongatha called Dyson Heppell; Who stepped up from Rising Star to genuine, bonafide elite player of the competition. We witnessed the revival of Travis Colyer's career, who went from a fringe player who was expected to leave the club to a starting 22 integral cog of our midfield and forward set up. We watched a tough 27 year old refrigeration plumber from Frankston called Mark Baguley become a rock solid defender for the most famous AFL club of all. We saw a bald 32 year old, 3-time premiership player from Geelong migrate over Port Phillip to Essendon, with the intention of winning another flag. We saw a group of young men overcome the most intense, scrutinous media pressure over the past 19 months to make it into a finals series which is fully deserves.
This is the 2014 finals series.
This is our boys from Windy Hill against the "shinboners" from Arden Street.
This is Essendon versus North Melbourne.
WE ARE ESSENDON.
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The Key Players:
#7 - JACK ZIEBELL - NORTH MELBOURNE
2014 hasn't been Ziebell's best year, with shoulder and knee injuries holding him back. After returning in Round 18 as a sub, he didn't really find his feet back in the side until Round 22, when he was clearly best on ground against the Crows. He is currently behind the rest of the North midfield brigade in terms of influence, but is starting to hit form at the right time of the season, pushing forward when available to do so and making some dangerous opportunities in front of goal. Essendon probably won't be tagging him unless he really gets off the chain.
#8 - DANIEL WELLS - NORTH MELBOURNE
After only 7 games in 2014, Daniel Wells will be looking to be the X-factor that would have been the difference in a few North games this season. He sustained a foot injury in Round 5, but is starting to improve on his rusty form in the past few weeks, similar to Ziebell. If his fitness has increased to the point where he is able to run around our half back line, then there might be issues. If Wells gets off the leash like he used to a couple of years ago, it might be a given to see Mark Baguley play on him in a hard tag; Courtenay Dempsey could also perform in this role whilst providing plenty of run off half back.
#30 - PATRICK RYDER - ESSENDON
What a week for Paddy. Rumours, unsubstantiated gossip, and plain bullsh*t being flung around about his contract status and family. His dickhead of a manager putting his star client out there to be shopped around, whilst he is preparing for a finals campaign. Ryder has enjoyed perhaps his best year at Essendon this year, with All-Australian selection seemingly narrowly missed. He is arguably the best mobile ruckman in the game, with the ability to go forward if needed, and a dead accurate shot at goal. For his size, he is extremely quick, and will provide a huge challenge for Goldstein at the MCG.
#32 - TRAVIS COLYER - ESSENDON
What an unbelievable transformation. Squeak Colyer has gone from a fringe player at best, to a certain starter. His game in 2014 has been a startling change, and is largely contributed to his sudden increase in disposal efficiency. His speed off the wings and in the forward line has seen him play some fantastic football, and he has almost certainly saved his career. Colyer will be looking to run full steam ahead into this one, which is what he does best. Attack the game, tackle hard, and get forward when the ball is loose in the 50. Colyer could very well be the difference in this match.
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The Last Time They Played:
Round 1, 2014: ESSENDON 15.9 99 defeated NORTH MELBOURNE 9.6 60
Essendon Bests: Watson, Goddard, Chapman
Essendon Goals: Chapman 4, Goddard 3, Watson, Hardingham, Daniher 2, Ryder, Howlett
North Melbourne Bests: Thomas, Dal Santo, Cunnington
North Melbourne Goals: Thomas 4, Harvey, Dal Santo, Wright, Black, McKenzie
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The Ins and Outs since last time:
NORTH MELBOURNE INS: Firrito, Brown, Macmillan, Swallow, Greenwood, Jacobs
NORTH MELBOURNE OUTS: Harvey, McKenzie, McMahon, Hansen, Adams, Mullett
ESSENDON INS: Dempsey, Winderlich, Bellchambers, Steinberg, Colyer
ESSENDON OUTS: Fletcher, Hardingham, Carlisle, J. Merrett, Ambrose
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The Tip and Final Say:
This is it boys. Leave it all out on the park. Prove to the world just how much you deserve this.
Be LOUD and PROUD if you're at the game, we want to outnumber the North fans at their own game! Shout loud! Chant hard! Scream "WE ARE ESSENDON" as loud as you f*cking can! LIFT THE BOYS UP. THEY DESERVE THIS.
Essendon by 14.
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