|
|
|
Enter the untippable |
 |
|
by Thomas Grant | behindthegame.com.au
|
Essendon have not defeated their opponents on Easter Monday, the North Melbourne Football Club, since the famous comeback game of 2001, when the Kangaroos were under the tutelage of Denis Pagan. Can they break their duck as a new era begins under Matthew Knights?
Match Details
North Melbourne vs Essendon at Telstra Dome, Monday 2:10PM AEDST
Recent History
Round 7, 2007: North Melbourne 18.9.117 def Essendon 13.17.95
Betting
North Melbourne $1.84
Essendon $1.90
Last Time They Met
In a game marred by Essendon's poor kicking for goal, the Kangaroos rarely looked troubled, running out comfortable 22-point victors. Without their talismanic skipper Matthew Lloyd, the Bombers entry into forward fifty was one-dimensional, despite Scott Lucas' (five goals) best attempts.
For the Roos, Brady Rawlings and the underrated Daniel Harris combined in midfield to constantly provide attacking forays, each collecting in excess of 30 disposals. Other than the outstanding Lucas, the Dons had few other major contributors; however Brent Stanton (27 possessions and a Brownlow vote) and the now-retired legend James Hird were among their best on a disappointing night.
Key Match-ups
- Henry Slattery vs Corey Jones
Roos half-forward Jones had a career-best season in 2007, stepping into the breach left by the season-ending injury to main forward target Nathan Thompson and kicking 46 goals for the year. Bombers coach Matthew Knights will likely turn to his number one defensive stopper in Slattery, renowned for his fierce determination, in an attempt to quell Jones' influence on the match.
- Michael Firrito vs Scott Lucas
Left-footer Lucas, along with his partner-in-crime Matthew Lloyd, form arguably the AFL's most reliable and potent goalkicking tag-team. They combined for 123 goals last season, and the Kangaroos will no doubt look to Firrito to wear Lucas like a glove. Firrito is also taking on an added responsibility in marshalling the Roos defence this year following the retirement of Shinboner of the Century Glenn Archer.
Wildcard
- Leroy Jetta
After an eye-catching debut season in which he played four games (highlighted by a marvellous goal on the run against Fremantle in Round 2), Jetta has been earmarked as playing a key role in new coach Matthew Knights revolution. The talented West Australian will likely line up in a forward pocket this week, but will hope to be playing regular stints in the Bombers new-look midfield by the end of the season.
Verdict
As the odds reflect, this game is most certainly a tough one to tip. Both sides have lost irreplaceable champions of the game in the off-season Hird and Archer but the loss of the leadership qualities, rather than their other on-field qualities will hurt more. The game will be won and in the ruck, one feels North big man Hamish Macintosh had a break out year in 2007, and will look to continue last year's form against the ever-developing Bomber pair of David Hille and Jason Laycock. The team who gains first usage of the ball will go a long way to deducing the winner.
As an added incentive, the player judged best afield will be awarded with the Archer-Hird medal at the conclusion of the match. |
|
|
|
|
|
