Preview Sydney vs Essendon, Friday 7.40pm AEST @ Marvel Stadium

[Dubai Quacker]

This will be a huge test as to whether we're back or whether what happened in the last quarter was just a one-off..

Win comfortably and we might be flag favourites again, as crazy as it sounds.

Fascinating thing is that the team coming 7th (Bravedogs) is currently 2nd fave (behind Lions).

Bravedogs looks very likely to finish top 4 & the bookies see them as a team to beat.

We are still only 3rd pick.

 

[Millky95]

Pre finals bye is a thing to remember when considering resting players

 

[Bloods86]

Pre finals bye is a thing to remember when considering resting players

Yep, should be this week if we want to give Grundy a break. Or anyone. Otherwise it's potentially 1 game in a month.

 

[RampeRobe]

Just had a look out of interest, Essendon haven’t left Melbourne since round 12, and next week will be there 3rd home game in a row.. ALL against interstate teams

 

[Dan87]

A raging Sheldrick could be handy

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Just had a look out of interest, Essendon haven’t left Melbourne since round 12, and next week will be there 3rd home game in a row.. ALL against interstate teams

How much more can you give them?

 

[MR0808]

We need to win, make it two wins in a row, but more importantly, two wins in a row killing off seasons.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

A raging Sheldrick could be handy

Problem is Warner and Heeney and lesser extent Gulden found form in the last do you rest them and risk losing that momentum?

Gulden 100% TOG experiment i hope we have put a stop to it as the game is demanding enough without making it harder on yourself.

 

[The King!]

Sorry but we should smash them, they are junk

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Sorry but we should smash them, they are junk

It rarely ends up that way haha

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Problem is Warner and Heeney and lesser extent Gulden found form in the last do you rest them and risk losing that momentum?

Gulden 100% TOG experiment i hope we have put a stop to it as the game is demanding enough without making it harder on yourself.

Adams has his supporters here - but his recent impact has been negligible.

Only 10 disposals this week & nothing of note over the past month either.

Either Cleary or Sheldrick surely has to come into consideration - but I don’t think it’ll be to rest any of the “big 4” (which includes Rowy + the 3 you’ve mentioned).

 

[wills2g]

Adams wont be dropped

Horse values experience and age

Id rather figure out a way for Adams to find form. He was very good at HF for collingwood last year

Dont think we will win the flag with gus at HF

So play the potentially flag winning side

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Adams has his supporters here - but his recent impact has been negligible.

Only 10 disposals this week & nothing of note over the past month either.

Either Cleary or Sheldrick surely has to come into consideration - but I don’t think it’ll be to rest any of the “big 4” (which includes Rowy + the 3 you’ve mentioned).

Adams is tricky he can have his sparse moments in a game and kick a great goal.

Worth trying for the last 2 weeks to freshen Adams up anyways as i very much doubt he will be the different in winning/losing the last 2

 

[Dubai Quacker]

Adams is tricky he can have his sparse moments in a game and kick a great goal.

Worth trying for the last 2 weeks to freshen Adams up anyways as i very much doubt he will be the different in winning/losing the last 2

Between 2015 & 2021, Adams was a gun.

He typically averaged 27 disposals per game over that period.

In 2022, that dropped to 22.
In 2023 it dropped to 18.
In 2024 it has dropped to 17*.

The question: is he a player past his prime & on the slide?

If the answer is yes - should he really be keeping Gus and Cleary out of the side?

* this number would be a bit higher if he wasn’t the sub in one game.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Forgot the last time we played Essendon but it was very early Draper and their other ruck worked over Grundy very well.

Merrett also was walking our clearances through the middle and was causing all sorts of issues so i imagine another task for JJ this week.

 

[Bloods86]

Adams wont be dropped

Horse values experience and age

Id rather figure out a way for Adams to find form. He was very good at HF for collingwood last year

Dont think we will win the flag with gus at HF

So play the potentially flag winning side

Adams has been off HF a lot already.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Surely we wont just bomb to draper and co

 

[Mr Blicavs]

That’s funny…

 

[wills2g]

Ah ****

Massive danger game now

Essendon always play better with no pressure on them

Their finals hopes are over

 

[Bloods86]

Ah ****

Massive danger game now

Essendon always play better with no pressure on them

Their finals hopes are over

They'll probably be 2 points out of the 8. Maybe 6.

 

[Jeffers]

Yep they Essendond themselves kicking 1.9 in the last quarter to lose that game and it probably means their season is done, but I reckon they will make it even harder for us next week. Gotta ****en defy our season and destroy them at the start so they can #eco the rest of the game.

 

[swanssince2002]

It had to be Essington which gave the Suns their first away win lol. Funny for one night, but could mean playing harder against us to start off with. Not sure what to think.

 

[Heeney2Franklin]

Anyways dont take them lightly or we will be embarrassed etc

 

[Kirkswan]

Sorry but we should smash them, they are junk

Junk is harsh... but they are not the Lions, Doggies or GWS... I too think we'll win...

 

[Jeffers]

Sorry but we should smash them, they are junk

We should, but you know how it always is against this mob at Marvel over the years.