VelvetSledge
Moderator
- May 24, 2007
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- #1
WEST COAST
A bit of a reality check for the Eagles last week, being brought down to earth by a fairly powerful Gold Coast side.
The lack of Harley Reid in the guts was made evident as the game rolled on, with Damien Hardwick's side putting the Eagles to the sword late in the match.
The third quarter killed off any chance of the Eagles making it three wins on the trot, where the Suns slotted six unanswered majors to put the result beyond a doubt.
The Eagles were smashed in the clearances (48-32), and ended up with almost half the Inside 50s that the Suns had (67-35), which is never a recipe for a win.
The only thing that kept them in it for so long was outrageously accurate kicking for goal, with a 12.3 scoreline almost unheard of these days.
Elliot Yeo is having an absolute renaissance, and was one of the best on ground ahead of game number 200 this week.
Jake Waterman is arguably the most improved player in the league, and has slotted 15 goals in the past three weeks. He will likely be matched up on either Mason Redman or Ben McKay this week, so it'll be a big challenge for him to continue this hot streak.
GOLD COAST 17.10 112
def.
WEST COAST 12.3 75
WEST COAST BEST: Waterman, Duggan, Cole, McGovern, Yeo
WEST COAST GOALS: Waterman 4, Darling, Cripps 2, Yeo, Ryan, Petruccelle, Maric
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ESSENDON
So close, yet so far.
An ANZAC Day clash for the ages, which was made up of so many moments.
Jamie Elliott taking a massive hanger over Ben McKay and then fumbling a standard chest mark in the final minutes.
Kyle Langford kicking them from everywhere like a dead-eye Matthew Lloyd before spraying the crucial one to take the win.
Andrew McGrath having arguably the best game of his career.
Zach Merrett continuing his Brownlow-worthy season.
Just a phenomenal game of footy. Not over-umpired, not full of score reviews, just a classic Essendon v Collingwood game. The only thing missing was the win.
We burst out of the blocks with the first four goals of the game in next to no time, before Collingwood brought us back to ground. It was a tense, gritty, hard contest from start to finish.
Harry Jones copped a nasty head clash and was subbed out with a heavily bleeding nose, but was cleared of any structural damage and has made the trip to Perth.
We'll get these pricks next time.
ESSENDON 12.13 85
draew with
COLLINGWOOD 12.13 85
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, McGrath, Parish, Langford, Martin, Stringer
ESSENDON GOALS: Langford 4, Wright 2, Stringer, Jones, Parish, Draper, Davey, Martin
WEST COAST INS: Harley Reid, Tom Barrass, Noah Long, Harvey Johnston
WEST COAST OUTS: Harry Edwards, Dom Sheed, Tyler Brockman (All omitted), Jayden Hunt (Injured)
ESSENDON INS: Archie Perkins, Matt Guelfi
ESSENDON OUTS: Sam Draper (Injured), Nick Hind (Omitted)
ROUND 21, 2023
Marvel Stadium
5/8/2023
ESSENDON 10.13 73
def.
WEST COAST 11.6 72
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ESSENDON GOALS: Langford 5, Wright, Parish, Redman, Perkins, Durham
WEST COAST GOALS: Cripps, Darling, Allen, Maric 2, Petruccelle, Williams, Hewett
ESSENDON BEST: Merrett, Hind, Langford, Parish, Redman, Zerk-Thatcher
WEST COAST BEST: Kelly, Duggan, Witherden, Yeo, Cripps
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CHANGES SINCE LAST TIME:
ESSENDON OUTS: Zerk-Thatcher, Hind, Tsatas, Bryan, Menzie, Phillips
ESSENDON INS: McKay, Jones, Duursma, Goldstein, Gresham, Stringer
WEST COAST OUTS: Hunt, Gaff, Hewett, Allen, O'Neill, Clark
WEST COAST INS: Reid, Barrass, Ginbey, Ryan, Waterman, Johnston
A month ago, I'd say should be an easy win, but these Eagles have found something and have had a huge step up in performances of late. They're still a long way off, but they are in no way the easy-beats they have been for the past few years. A trip to Perth is never easy, regardless of the opponent, and we will need to be at our best to come away with a win here.
I suspect we will, as we have a superior side on the park, but it'll be a slog.
We have had a lot of travel to start the season, and this is the longest trip we'll have this year. We travel interstate again in a month, and then we don't leave Victoria until Round 24.
Let's get it done. Go Planes.
Essendon by 31.
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