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West Coast Eagles v Essendon, Finals Week 1 - 18:10 AWST, Sep 05, 2019
No complaining about umpiring until after the game.
Big, big, bigly controversial decisions excepted.
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Thread Rule: No umpire complaining until after the game.
WEST COAST EAGLESNo complaining about umpiring until after the game.
Big, big, bigly controversial decisions excepted.
FREE for 14 days:
Stream the game LIVE to any device.
Tip the game now - win cash 'n' prizes
Tipping proudly sponsored by
The Golden Ticket - for Medallion Club tickets
Thread Rule: No umpire complaining until after the game.
B: Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Will Schofield
HB: Brad Sheppard, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta
C: Dom Sheed, Jack Redden, Andrew Gaff
HF: Willie Rioli, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Jamie Cripps, Josh J. Kennedy, Liam Ryan
FOL: Nic Naitanui, Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey
I/C: Jake Waterman, Tom Hickey, Jackson Nelson, Mark Hutchings
EMG: Liam Duggan, Nathan Vardy, Jarrod Cameron, Brendon Ah Chee
IN: Will Schofield, Nic Naitanui, Mark Hutchings
OUT: Liam Duggan (Omitted), Oscar Allen (Injured), Jack Petruccelle (Omitted)
MILESTONES: Luke Shuey - Playing 200th game
ESSENDON
B: Adam Saad, Cale Hooker, Aaron Francis
HB: Conor McKenna, Michael Hurley, Mason Redman
C: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish
HF: Jake Stringer, Shaun McKernan, Patrick Ambrose
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Mitch Brown, Orazio Fantasia
FOL: Tom Bellchambers, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell
I/C: Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford, Will Snelling, Brayden Ham
EMG: Tom Jok, Dylan Clarke, Michael Hartley, Jordan Ridley
IN: Cale Hooker, Jake Stringer, Orazio Fantasia, Dyson Heppell, Will Snelling
OUT: Dylan Clarke (Omitted), Michael Hartley (Omitted), Josh Begley (Omitted), Martin Gleeson (Injured), Tom Jok (Omitted)
AFL Fixtures and Results - AFL.com.au
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Where and when: Optus Stadium, Thursday September 5, 6.10pm
TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide
What it means for West Coast: The last time the Eagles hosted a Thursday night elimination final in 2016 they were ambushed by the fairytale Bulldogs, and there is a sense of trepidation in the west about Essendon's visit. Keeping the back-to-back flag bid alive is one thing, but some need convincing that West Coast remains a serious contender after missing the top four.
What it means for Essendon: Winning a final was probably the Bombers' pass mark before 2019 started and would go some way to appeasing a restless supporter base. Essendon has been waiting 15 years for a September victory – the longest stretch in the competition – and has lost its past five finals by an average of 49 points.
The stat: The Bombers have won all five of their finals against West Coast by an average of 46 points, but none of those have been in Perth. The teams built an intense rivalry during Kevin Sheedy's era at the Dons' helm but haven't met in September since the 2002 elimination final at Marvel Stadium.
The match-up: Nic Naitanui v Tom Bellchambers
Naitanui will return for his first game in two months after an ankle complaint and there is no doubt the talismanic ruckman will energise West Coast early. If Bellchambers can weather the storm and the Bombers get on top around the contest an upset could be on the cards.
It's a big week for: John Worsfold
You couldn't script a more intriguing storyline for 2019's opening final. West Coast's favourite son, who captained the Eagles' first two premierships and coached the '06 triumph, heads back to Perth amid reports his job at Essendon won't be safe without a victory over his former club.
Big call: Adam Simpson to emerge from the coaches' box waving his jacket above his head after West Coast holds on in a thriller.
Prediction: Eagles by three points.
More By Travis King
FINAL INTERCHANGES
West Coast: Jake Waterman, Dom Sheed, Tom Hickey, Will Schofield
Essendon: Darcy Parish, Kyle Langford, Aaron Francis, Brandon Ham
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