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JustaBattler 's Preview
History says that most games between the two sides are pretty close. The YTD stats evidence that on the whole the teams aren't that far apart - except for Essendon using much more handball and also being able to achieve 20% more uncontested possessions - both indicating that Essendon have more run and better spread disposal efficiency is better to date and meters gained pretty much underlines a better attacking game.
Essendon have a few players who can cause serious damage in Daniher and Tipp'n has caused Carlton a lot of grief since coming into their team.Defensive capability is led by Hurley and Heppell creates a lot of rebound - both smart players. Goddard has a habit of playing well against Carlton and the ruck match-ups pretty much even out - Essendon's ruck kicks goals 'easier' than Kreuzer.
Carlton are scratching to put together a side atm with injuries mounting. Casboult is a big out as this will free Hurley to play a much more intercept and rebound role.
On paper, Carlton will field a team with continuing question marks about its two way running midfield capability due to age of players - so Essendon's run will test Carlton. As against most sides this year center bounces and ball ups need to be evened out - otherwise clean kicks to a very tall and very mobile Daniher could cause much grief.
This preview will probably have to come in two parts because of question marks surrounding who will actually be available for Carlton.
Comments so far see posters 'wishing' for all of Murphy/Marchbank/Lang(finally) and Weitering to be included.
It is doubtful that Murphy will be fit and mixed messages about Lang's ability to play out a game suggest an each way bet here. Weitering starred in his VFL game on Saturday, and it appears that Plowman has copped a 'corky'. There is no doubt that playing all of Rowe/Jones/Mullett and O'Shea is a less capable defensive mix than one which includes Marchbank/Weitering. Byrne and Cuningham's injuries and form see Carlton devoid of run off HBF - and this in my mind combined with poor kick in capability - is severely hampering development of a rebound attack capability. There is no short term solution for this malaise.
Handy definite(?) inclusions will be Charlie and Marchbank - with Charlie being a player along with Cripps who Essendon probably don't have match ups for.
This is one of the real rivalries in AFL - characterised by mutual hatred from die hard supporters on each side - lot of history to draw on. Both teams are equal on 16 flags but both are far away from being the power houses they used to be. If Carlton wins - Essendon will have reached new lows in a year which saw many predict that they would be playing finals. IF Carlton loses it will be another nasty kick in the guts to long suffering supporters in 2018.
Carlton fans however, can continue to enjoy sparkling improvement and signs of future performances from Fisher who has overtaken SPS as the star young mid, and LOB whose kicking can already be described as A grade AFL level with penetrating length and accuracy. On balance Carlton should have no excuses in not being able to match Essendon midfield in terms of strength - 4Q run if anything will be the difference.
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