George
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Reimagine Moorabbin
- Aug 17, 2015
- 45,307
- 127,300
- AFL Club
- St Kilda
- Other Teams
- Phi Eagles & Phillies, Liverpool, PAO FC
- Banned
- #1
Previous Meetings:
Round 17, 2017 - St.Kilda (7.15.57) lost to Essendon (17.16.118)
Round 16, 2016 - Essendon (14.14.98) lost to St.Kilda (17.7.109)
Round 9, 2016 - St.Kilda (16.13.109) defeated Essendon (9.9.63)
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Preview
Essendon v St.Kilda
St.Kilda's abysmal season continues. After a sloppy defeat against GWS the week prior, the Saints led the Bulldogs at one stage last Saturday night by 28 points, however a 63 point turnaround saw the Dogs win comfortably by 35 points in the end.
Earlier in the day the Bombers faced the Hawks at the MCG in what was a very important game in the context of the final eight. In a see-sawing affair the Hawks narrowly came away with the 3 point win, Essendon getting within a kick with under 30 seconds to play but couldn't get the ensuing centre clearance to give themselves a chance at victory.
Let’s have a look at possible best 22s:
St.Kilda Best 22
B: Jarryn Geary, Jake Carlisle, David Armitage
HB: Daniel McKenzie, Nathan Brown, Jimmy Webster
C: Nathan Freeman, Jack Steele, Jack Sinclair
HF: Jack Lonie, Tim Membrey, Jack Billings
F: Jade Gresham, Josh Battle, Jack Newnes
Foll: Tom Hickey, Jack Steven, Sebastian Ross
I/C: Luke Dunstan, Blake Acres, Hunter Clark, Nick Coffield
Essendon Best 22
B: Ben McNiece, Cale Hooker, Brendon Goddard
HB: Adam Saad, Michael Hurley, Conor McKenna
C: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis
HF: Jake Stringer, Mark Baguley, Darcy Parish
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Mitch Brown, Orazio Fantasia
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Dyson Heppell, David Myers
I/C: Kyle Langford, Devon Smith, Aaron Francis, Travis Colyer
Medical Room
For the Saints, Josh Battle was ruled out with concussion early after an accidental head knock when Dale Morris bumped the Saint while he was kicking. Tom Hickey battled a lower-leg complaint throughout the match, spending time off the ground before planting himself in the goalsquare for most of the last quarter.
The Bombers elected not to risk Matt Dea after he sustained concussion in last week's win over Sydney when he landed on the back of his head from a marking contest. Matt Guelfi (illness) was also a late withdrawal. Jake Stringer hurt his left ankle in the third term in a marking contest with Jarman Impey and came from the field shortly after – punching the bench in disgust. He tried valiantly to play on, but was clearly hindered.
Preview
St.Kilda have had many disappointing results in 2018 but Saturday night's performance must rank up there with the worst of them. After leading by 28 points early in the first half St.Kilda seemingly fell asleep, allowing the Bulldogs to kick 8 unanswered goals in the third term and orchestrate a 73 point turnaround - in the end winning by 35 points.
In another disappointing evening for the football club, midfielder Seb Ross continues to mount his case for St.Kilda's best & fairest honour. Ross finished the game with 40 disposals, 9 marks and 3 goals and voted best on ground for the Saints.
Others who stood up included Jack Billings (27 disposals, 8 marks, 5 tackles and a goal), Jack Steele (21 disposals, 6 marks, 8 tackles), Jack Steven (27 disposals, 7 marks) and Jake Carlisle (21 disposals, 10 marks)
And of course we can't go without mentioning the debut for injury plagued midfielder Nathan Freeman, who after 5 years on an AFL list managed to play his first game. Freezer finished the game with 19 disposals and 3 tackles in a respectable performance.
A few hours earlier in the day the Bombers went toe to toe with the Hawks in what was a must win game for both sides given their finals implications. In what was one of the best games of the year the Bombers narrowly fell short, after Travis Colyer slotted a goal with under 30 seconds to play to bring the margin within a kick, Essendon couldn't win the ensuing centre clearance and time ran out.
It's been an up & down year for the Bombers. After a tough start to the season they have seemingly played themselves into some form as they make a run at the final eight. As for win/loss, the Bombers have beaten Adelaide, Port Adelaide, Geelong, GWS, Brisbane, West Coast, North Melbourne, Gold Coast, Fremantle and Sydney - with losses to Fremantle, Western Bulldogs, Collingwood x2, Melbourne, Hawthorn x2, Carlton and Richmond. Judging by their results the Bombers have the talent to challenge a few top sides if they do make it to September, however their losses early in the year have hurt them and their ladder position of 11th (10W-9L) is probably about right.
Potential changes
With the hamstring injury of Tom Hickey the Saints may look to bring in backup ruckman Lewis Pierce for his first game of 2018. Pierce has been playing solid football in the VFL for Frankston and given the season is wrapping up the Saints may give Lew a chance.
Others who could come into the side to face the Bombers are Rowan Marshall, Ed Phillips and Hugh Goddard. If Hugh is selected it would be his first game in over two years.
Key Match-Ups
Zach Merrett v Jack Steele
Bombers emerging star midfielder Zach Merrett has been on a tear lately and didn't let up in his side's narrow defeat against Hawthorn last Saturday afternoon. Merrett worked hard for the Bombers from start to finish, ending with 41 disposals, 5 marks and 4 tackles - Essendon's best on the day. Jack Steele has been in some great form at the back end of this season and is the most likely matchup for Merrett. If Steele can win his match up the Saints will have a much better chance of causing an upset on Friday night.
Speed
We all know that speed is an area that the Saints lack and so much so was evident on Saturday night as the leg speed of the Bulldogs made a meal of St.Kilda in the second half. Essendon play a very similar, fast paced style and if the Saints can't quell the Bombers influence in this area it could make for ugly viewing.
Tip
After a abysmal performance against the Bulldogs the Saints will find it tough to pull out a win here I would've thought. Essendon are still in the finals race and must win their remaining three games to get themselves into the eight. I can't see them dropping this game.
Bombers by 45 points.
Thoughts?
