VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
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- #1
GEELONG
It's fair to say that personally, I don't have a lot of time for Geelong since they've flogged us from pillar to post for the past 15 or so years, but I have even less time for those Carlton flogs.
This was, for all intents and purpose, a good old fashioned flogging.
The Cats conceded the first goal to Tom De Koning in the first 90 seconds, and never managed to wrest the lead at any point in the game.
Chris Scott's side pushed for the first 40 minutes or so, but then Carlton's overwhelming pressure and class through the clearance overwhelmed them.
Rhys Stanley remaining out of the side, leaving Sam De Koning to battle his brother on his own, was a gamble at best. With Tom in the form of his life, however, it didn't pay off. He provided silver service to Cripps and Walsh, and they utterly destroyed the Cats, even with star power of their own running through the guts.
Dangerfield played his first game in 2 months and was almost instantly involved in an MRO issue, but let's be honest; the president of the AFLPA was never going to get done for that. Wouldn't have been any concern if there was some consistency.
Tom Stewart, usually a standout defender, was shadowed by Alex Cincotta, who also managed to boot a couple of goals.
The Cats misery was compounded by champion (and routine pain in our collective asses) Tom Hawkins going down with a serious foot injury, who will now miss the next 6-8 weeks. It could well be career over.
**** Carlton.
THE SCUM 21.12 138
def.
GEELONG 11.9 75
GEELONG BEST: De Koning, Stewart, Holmes, Cameron, Dempsey
GEELONG GOALS: Cameron 3, Rohan, Tuohy, Stengle, Miers, De Koning, Close, Holmes, Dempsey
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ESSENDON
There was something so heart-warming about seeing Zach fire a handball over the top to Dyson Heppell to seal the double against the Eagles in 2024.
I usually hold grave concerns for our club when we return from the Bye; it's generally the time we start to shit the bed in a season. That said, this time around, we looked alright. Not brilliant, but alright.
The Eagles held strong periods in the first and third terms, but we were able to keep them at arms length throughout the afternoon.
Jake Stringer was our most dangerous threat up forward, finishing with 5 goals whilst splitting his time between the midfield and the forward line.
Sam Durham will likely go down as the best mid-season pickup of all. Another huge game with 29 touches, 5 clearances and a huge goal in the final term.
Jye Caldwell, along with Sam Durham, has injected a huge dose of aggression and ruthlessness to our midfield. All that's missing now is a ton of clearances.
Nate Caddy managed to slot two majors, including the first of his career, a crafty snap on his left from the boundary.
Our backline, usually one of our strengths, looked strangely disorganised and tense, but with Jayden Laverde playing the game of his life, we managed to hold fast.
Harrison Jones draws ire within our fanbase, but his around-the-ground overhead marking was a huge weapon last week.
Was good to see the bow and arrow back.
Hard to believe Zach Merrett copped a tag and yet still managed to touch the pill 29 times.
ESSENDON 19.8 122
def.
WEST COAST 13.14 92
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, Laverde, Durham, Caldwell, Guelfi, Stringer
ESSENDON GOALS: Stringer 5, Wright, Langford, Guelfi, Caddy 2, Heppell, Merrett, Caldwell, Duursma, Hind, Durham
GEELONG INS: Lawson Humphries, Shannon Neale, Mitch Knevitt
GEELONG OUTS: Oisin Mullin (Omit), Oliver Henry, Tom Hawkins (Both Injured)
ESSENDON INS: Todd Goldstein, Jade Gresham
ESSENDON OUTS: Nate Caddy, Jye Menzie (Both Omitted... Frustratingly)
LATE CHANGE:
ESSENDON: Jake Kelly (Illness) replaced in selected squad by Jye Menzie, Alwyn Davey Jr included in emergencies
ROUND 18, 2023
Alphabet Soup Stadium
15/7/2023
GEELONG 18.14 122
def.
ESSENDON 7.3 45
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GEELONG GOALS: Hawkins 5, Stengle 3, Blicavs, Close 2, Dangerfield, Rohan, Cameron, O'Connor, Miers, Henry
ESSENDON GOALS: Stringer, Wright, Langford, Snelling, Guelfi, Bryan, Menzie
GEELONG BEST: Hawkins, Miers, Atkins, Z. Guthrie, Blicavs, Holmes
ESSENDON BEST: Whoever sat through it
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
GEELONG OUTS: Hawkins, Smith, Bruhn, Stanley, O. Henry, Mullin
GEELONG INS: Humphries, Tuohy, Dempsey, Neale, Clark, Knevitt
ESSENDON OUTS: Parish, Bryan, Zerk-Thatcher, Hobbs, Snelling, Menzie, Weideman
ESSENDON INS: Jones, Duursma, McKay, Goldstein, Draper, Gresham, Cox
That god damned monkey on our back is starting to get real heavy. Let's get a rare win against this mob. The Cats are in a horror run of form, but their team is still absolutely full of superstars.
With Hawkins and Henry out, two avenues to goal are missing, and we need to take full advantage. We need Brad to get the chocolates against his bearded double. Go Planes.
Special shoutout to club champion Dyson Heppell, who today plays his 250th game for the club. He's been an absolute warrior for us over such an embattled period in our club's history, and he playing better footy now than he has in years. What a legend.
Essendon by 11.
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