eth-dog
Tier 1 WW Player
Observations
Greater Western Sydney: The Giants lead from the get go against Adelaide, dominating the first half to go out to a 32 point lead at half time. Winning every quarter, the Giants never really let Adelaide get going whilst Tim Taranto ran amok through the midfield with 35 disposals, whilst Jesse Hogan had a successful return to AFL level with 4 goals up front, Harrison Himmelberg also kicking 3 goals.
Essendon: The Bombers started well against arch rivals Carlton, but faded in the second half to go down by 16 points. Darcy Parish had 26 disposals and 6 clearances through the middle, but it was Essendon's forward line that really starred in the end. Cale Hooker had 5 goals, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 4, Jake Stringer and Harrison Jones kicking 3 apiece as well.
Head to Head (last 5)
Greater Western Sydney 3-2 Essendon
Form Guide
Greater Western Sydney: 3-2
Essendon: 2-3
Sportsbet odds
Greater Western Sydney: $1.46
Essendon: $2.75
Line: 13.5 ($1.90)
Possible sides
Greater Western Sydney vs Essendon
FB: Jayden Laverde - James Stewart - Nick Hind
FF: Jeremy Finlayson - Jesse Hogan - Toby Greene
HB: Jordan Ridley - Aaron Francis - Dyson Heppell
HF: Ian Hill - Harrison Himmelberg - Tanner Bruhn
MF: Nikolas Cox - Andrew McGrath - Zachary Merrett
MF: Josh Kelly - Jacob Hopper - Lachie Whitfield
HF: Will Snelling - Peter Wright - Harrison Jones
HB: Isaac Cumming - Conor Idun - Jack Buckley
FF: Jake Stringer - Cale Hooker - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
FB: Sam Taylor - Lachlan Keeffe - Lachlan Ash
OB: Andrew Phillips - Darcy Parish - Kyle Langford
OB: Shane Mumford - Tim Taranto - Callan Ward
IC: Mason Redman - Archie Perkins - Devon Smith - Brayden Ham
IC: Harry Perryman - Xavier O'Halloran - Tom Green - Jacob Wehr
IS: Matthew Guelfi
IS: Conor Stone
Essendon in: Aaron Francis; out: David Zaharakis (sub)
Greater Western Sydney in: Tanner Bruhn, Jacob Wehr, Conor Stone; out: Brent Daniels (inj), Matthew Buntine (conc, sub), Sam Reid (inj)
Greater Western Sydney defence vs Essendon forward line
Essendon's forward line has started well this season, kicking a goal 25.41% of the time it enters their forward 50, which is 3rd in the AFL so far. The Giants have been excellent defensively, conceding a goal 19.69% of the time it enters their defensive 50, also 3rd in the AFL this season so far. On paper, Greater Western Sydney have the right match ups for the Bombers, Sam Taylor and Lachie Keeffe are great match-ups for the in form Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker respectively, the latter in career best form, currently 3rd in the Coleman Medal. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is another in great form, having the second most goals from a small forward so far this season and the Giants Lachie Ash will need to be on his game to stop him.
Midfield/rucks battle
Both midfields have struggled contested ball wise this season, GWS being 13th for clearance difference and 11th for contested possession difference respectively, whilst the Bombers have been 17th for both. Essendon will want a lift from the out of form Andrew McGrath who has struggled this season so far, but during that Darcy Parish has lifted extremely well, averaging a tad under 17 disposals and 6 clearances a game, with support through various times coming from Jake Stringer, Zach Merrett and Devon Smith. Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto have been excellent on the inside for the Giants, ably supported by Callan Ward and Tom Green in recent weeks, the experienced Ward turning back the clock a little bit for the Giants. On the outside, Essendon have been very impressed with the likes of Nik Cox and Brayden Ham's improvement this season, whilst Harry Perryman hasn't quite captured his form of early last season, whilst Josh Kelly has seemingly moved to a more permanent outside role for the Giants. Rucks wise, Shane Mumford should be beating the young Nick Bryan but the mullet laden blonde has excited Essendon fans of recent times.
Essendon defence vs Greater Western Sydney forward line
Greater Western Sydney are struggling forward of centre, kicking a goal only 20.93% of the time it enters their forward 50, 15th in the AFL. Essendon's defence has also been poor this season, conceding a goal 25.31% of the time it goes into their defensive end, oddly enough 15th in the AFL as well. The big match up will be James Stewart on Jesse Hogan, Stewart playing in defence for the first time this season whilst Hogan has only just returned, but another big match up will be Aaron Francis against Harrison Himmelberg, who has been quietly averaging a tad under 2 goals a game this season. Nick Hind will probably go to Toby Greene, who has been the best small forward so far this season which should be very exciting to watch for the fans.
X-Factor Player
Jacob Wehr is a mature aged player from the SANFL who is yet to make his debut but his speed and skills will stand him in good stead if he makes his debut against the Dons, which seams likely.
Key stat
Greater Western Sydney: Clearances. The Giants can kill the Bombers off if they cut off Essendon's supply inside 50.
Essendon: Forward conversion. The forward line has been excellent this season, they need to continue that if they're going to get to 3-4.
Tip:
I don't see us winning here, Giants by 27
Greater Western Sydney: The Giants lead from the get go against Adelaide, dominating the first half to go out to a 32 point lead at half time. Winning every quarter, the Giants never really let Adelaide get going whilst Tim Taranto ran amok through the midfield with 35 disposals, whilst Jesse Hogan had a successful return to AFL level with 4 goals up front, Harrison Himmelberg also kicking 3 goals.
Essendon: The Bombers started well against arch rivals Carlton, but faded in the second half to go down by 16 points. Darcy Parish had 26 disposals and 6 clearances through the middle, but it was Essendon's forward line that really starred in the end. Cale Hooker had 5 goals, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti 4, Jake Stringer and Harrison Jones kicking 3 apiece as well.
Head to Head (last 5)
Greater Western Sydney 3-2 Essendon
Form Guide
Greater Western Sydney: 3-2
Essendon: 2-3
Sportsbet odds
Greater Western Sydney: $1.46
Essendon: $2.75
Line: 13.5 ($1.90)
Possible sides
Greater Western Sydney vs Essendon
FB: Jayden Laverde - James Stewart - Nick Hind
FF: Jeremy Finlayson - Jesse Hogan - Toby Greene
HB: Jordan Ridley - Aaron Francis - Dyson Heppell
HF: Ian Hill - Harrison Himmelberg - Tanner Bruhn
MF: Nikolas Cox - Andrew McGrath - Zachary Merrett
MF: Josh Kelly - Jacob Hopper - Lachie Whitfield
HF: Will Snelling - Peter Wright - Harrison Jones
HB: Isaac Cumming - Conor Idun - Jack Buckley
FF: Jake Stringer - Cale Hooker - Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
FB: Sam Taylor - Lachlan Keeffe - Lachlan Ash
OB: Andrew Phillips - Darcy Parish - Kyle Langford
OB: Shane Mumford - Tim Taranto - Callan Ward
IC: Mason Redman - Archie Perkins - Devon Smith - Brayden Ham
IC: Harry Perryman - Xavier O'Halloran - Tom Green - Jacob Wehr
IS: Matthew Guelfi
IS: Conor Stone
Essendon in: Aaron Francis; out: David Zaharakis (sub)
Greater Western Sydney in: Tanner Bruhn, Jacob Wehr, Conor Stone; out: Brent Daniels (inj), Matthew Buntine (conc, sub), Sam Reid (inj)
Greater Western Sydney defence vs Essendon forward line
Essendon's forward line has started well this season, kicking a goal 25.41% of the time it enters their forward 50, which is 3rd in the AFL so far. The Giants have been excellent defensively, conceding a goal 19.69% of the time it enters their defensive 50, also 3rd in the AFL this season so far. On paper, Greater Western Sydney have the right match ups for the Bombers, Sam Taylor and Lachie Keeffe are great match-ups for the in form Jake Stringer and Cale Hooker respectively, the latter in career best form, currently 3rd in the Coleman Medal. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti is another in great form, having the second most goals from a small forward so far this season and the Giants Lachie Ash will need to be on his game to stop him.
Midfield/rucks battle
Both midfields have struggled contested ball wise this season, GWS being 13th for clearance difference and 11th for contested possession difference respectively, whilst the Bombers have been 17th for both. Essendon will want a lift from the out of form Andrew McGrath who has struggled this season so far, but during that Darcy Parish has lifted extremely well, averaging a tad under 17 disposals and 6 clearances a game, with support through various times coming from Jake Stringer, Zach Merrett and Devon Smith. Jacob Hopper and Tim Taranto have been excellent on the inside for the Giants, ably supported by Callan Ward and Tom Green in recent weeks, the experienced Ward turning back the clock a little bit for the Giants. On the outside, Essendon have been very impressed with the likes of Nik Cox and Brayden Ham's improvement this season, whilst Harry Perryman hasn't quite captured his form of early last season, whilst Josh Kelly has seemingly moved to a more permanent outside role for the Giants. Rucks wise, Shane Mumford should be beating the young Nick Bryan but the mullet laden blonde has excited Essendon fans of recent times.
Essendon defence vs Greater Western Sydney forward line
Greater Western Sydney are struggling forward of centre, kicking a goal only 20.93% of the time it enters their forward 50, 15th in the AFL. Essendon's defence has also been poor this season, conceding a goal 25.31% of the time it goes into their defensive end, oddly enough 15th in the AFL as well. The big match up will be James Stewart on Jesse Hogan, Stewart playing in defence for the first time this season whilst Hogan has only just returned, but another big match up will be Aaron Francis against Harrison Himmelberg, who has been quietly averaging a tad under 2 goals a game this season. Nick Hind will probably go to Toby Greene, who has been the best small forward so far this season which should be very exciting to watch for the fans.
X-Factor Player
Jacob Wehr is a mature aged player from the SANFL who is yet to make his debut but his speed and skills will stand him in good stead if he makes his debut against the Dons, which seams likely.
Key stat
Greater Western Sydney: Clearances. The Giants can kill the Bombers off if they cut off Essendon's supply inside 50.
Essendon: Forward conversion. The forward line has been excellent this season, they need to continue that if they're going to get to 3-4.
Tip:
I don't see us winning here, Giants by 27
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