eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Observations:
Essendon: went into the Richmond game with confidence, but lacked poise going forward and missing relatively easy shots on many occasions. Selection of Elliott Kavanagh as the sub was a poor call but on a positive note Dyson Heppell was immense once again, standing up in the absence of Skipper Jobe Watson
West Coast:
Head to head (last 5): Essendon 3-2 West Coast
Sportsbet odds:
Essendon: $1.45, line ($1.85): -14.5
West Coast: $2.65, line ($1.85): +14.5
Possible sides:
Essendon vs West Coast
B: Schofield - MacKenzie - Butler
F: Watson - Bellchambers - Dell'Olio
HB: Hurn - Brown - Bennell
HF: Chapman - Carlisle - Goddard
C: Shuey - Priddis - Gaff
C: Zaharakis - Myers - Stanton
HF: Darling - Lycett - Masten
HB: Hibberd - Steinberg - Dempsey
F: Hill - Kennedy - LeCras
B: Baguley - Hooker - Hurley
R: Naitanui - Hutchings - Ellis
R: Ryder - Heppell - Hocking
I: Cripps - Carter - Lycett
I: Colyer - Z Merrett - Melksham
S: McGinnity
S: Winderlich
West Coast defence vs Essendon forward line
West Coast's defence has been much improved this season under Adam Simpson, with Eric MacKenzie leading the way in All Australian form so far. His shutting down on the oppositions best key forward, barring the game against Roughead, has been superb. Mitch Brown has really cemented his place in the team as well, usually taking the 2nd key forward or ruckman. Schofield is underrated as a 3rd tall, at 196cm he's genuine key position height but has the pace to go with smaller players as well. Essendon's forward line on the other hand is average. They lack a gameplan to get the talent out of themselves. Essendon's forwards can also get a bit lazy and not get on their bike when confidence is either too low or getting to the point of arrogance. MacKenzie against Carlisle will be the one to watch
Midfield battle (rucks included)
This is where Essendon will try to really get a hold of West Coast, as the difference in quality of the two midfields is in stark contrast to each other. Essendon hold the keys inside, with the likes of Heppell, Hocking, Myers and the return of Watson compared to that of Priddis, Shuey and not much else there. Then when Essendon gets the ball the likes of Colyer, Chapman, Goddard and Zaharakis will be more pronounced. For West Coast the showings of the likes of Cripps and Carter to their future will be the thing to look to, and trying to take the pressure off Priddis and Shuey in the contested ball stakes along with the outside running of Ellis and Masten. The ruck battle will be a good one to watch with Naitanui and Ryder going head to head, both athletic ruckmen, and the other half, Bellchambers vs Cox/Lycett will be crucial for West Coast.
West Coast forward line vs Essendon defence
Unlike most weeks this will be the contest that decides the match. Essendon's defence when playing well is among the best in the comp, and West Coast just ooze quality in here. Kennedy is one of the best key forwards in the game and will provide a great battle with Hooker. If Kennedy doesn't fire it's probably going to be Darling, but with Hurley as company that will be an interesting match. The one for me is how Fletcher or Steinberg go with Cox/Naitanui/Lycett while they're forward. All three have shown a bit up there at least and Steinberg's VFL form has been excellent. Last one is Baguley and Dempsey on LeCras and Hill, if the Essendon pair get on top, it's crucial.
X-Factor player
Jake Melksham copped a lot of flak about his first half against Richmond but he responded well in the second half, standing up when it mattered and kicked 2 goals, one of which put Essendon within a goal of winning. His run and carry was good and no doubt he'll want to get on top again
Key area for each side:
Essendon:
My tip
West Coast lack a little in the midfield but their defence should cover Essendon's forward line pretty comfortably, Essendon by 5
Essendon: went into the Richmond game with confidence, but lacked poise going forward and missing relatively easy shots on many occasions. Selection of Elliott Kavanagh as the sub was a poor call but on a positive note Dyson Heppell was immense once again, standing up in the absence of Skipper Jobe Watson
West Coast:
Head to head (last 5): Essendon 3-2 West Coast
Sportsbet odds:
Essendon: $1.45, line ($1.85): -14.5
West Coast: $2.65, line ($1.85): +14.5
Possible sides:
Essendon vs West Coast
B: Schofield - MacKenzie - Butler
F: Watson - Bellchambers - Dell'Olio
HB: Hurn - Brown - Bennell
HF: Chapman - Carlisle - Goddard
C: Shuey - Priddis - Gaff
C: Zaharakis - Myers - Stanton
HF: Darling - Lycett - Masten
HB: Hibberd - Steinberg - Dempsey
F: Hill - Kennedy - LeCras
B: Baguley - Hooker - Hurley
R: Naitanui - Hutchings - Ellis
R: Ryder - Heppell - Hocking
I: Cripps - Carter - Lycett
I: Colyer - Z Merrett - Melksham
S: McGinnity
S: Winderlich
West Coast defence vs Essendon forward line
West Coast's defence has been much improved this season under Adam Simpson, with Eric MacKenzie leading the way in All Australian form so far. His shutting down on the oppositions best key forward, barring the game against Roughead, has been superb. Mitch Brown has really cemented his place in the team as well, usually taking the 2nd key forward or ruckman. Schofield is underrated as a 3rd tall, at 196cm he's genuine key position height but has the pace to go with smaller players as well. Essendon's forward line on the other hand is average. They lack a gameplan to get the talent out of themselves. Essendon's forwards can also get a bit lazy and not get on their bike when confidence is either too low or getting to the point of arrogance. MacKenzie against Carlisle will be the one to watch
Midfield battle (rucks included)
This is where Essendon will try to really get a hold of West Coast, as the difference in quality of the two midfields is in stark contrast to each other. Essendon hold the keys inside, with the likes of Heppell, Hocking, Myers and the return of Watson compared to that of Priddis, Shuey and not much else there. Then when Essendon gets the ball the likes of Colyer, Chapman, Goddard and Zaharakis will be more pronounced. For West Coast the showings of the likes of Cripps and Carter to their future will be the thing to look to, and trying to take the pressure off Priddis and Shuey in the contested ball stakes along with the outside running of Ellis and Masten. The ruck battle will be a good one to watch with Naitanui and Ryder going head to head, both athletic ruckmen, and the other half, Bellchambers vs Cox/Lycett will be crucial for West Coast.
West Coast forward line vs Essendon defence
Unlike most weeks this will be the contest that decides the match. Essendon's defence when playing well is among the best in the comp, and West Coast just ooze quality in here. Kennedy is one of the best key forwards in the game and will provide a great battle with Hooker. If Kennedy doesn't fire it's probably going to be Darling, but with Hurley as company that will be an interesting match. The one for me is how Fletcher or Steinberg go with Cox/Naitanui/Lycett while they're forward. All three have shown a bit up there at least and Steinberg's VFL form has been excellent. Last one is Baguley and Dempsey on LeCras and Hill, if the Essendon pair get on top, it's crucial.
X-Factor player
Jake Melksham copped a lot of flak about his first half against Richmond but he responded well in the second half, standing up when it mattered and kicked 2 goals, one of which put Essendon within a goal of winning. His run and carry was good and no doubt he'll want to get on top again
Key area for each side:
Essendon:
- Movement. Essendon have stopped working for each other forward of the ball, or when they do lead it's little 5 metre ones that achieve nothing.
- Contested ball. West Coasts midfield doesn't get enough of it and it shows. Can't let Priddis do all the work in there
My tip
West Coast lack a little in the midfield but their defence should cover Essendon's forward line pretty comfortably, Essendon by 5
