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Essendon Bombers vs Gold Coast Suns: AFL live scores, blog

Roar Guru
23rd August, 2014
Teams

Essendon
B Ariel Steinberg, Cale Hooker, Mark Baguley
HB Courtenay Dempsey, Michael Hurley, Brendon Goddard
C Jason Winderlich, Jobe Watson, David Myers
HF Travis Colyer, Joe Daniher, Zach Merrett
F Jake Carlisle, Patrick Ambrose, Paul Chapman
FOL Patrick Ryder, Heath Hocking, Brent Stanton
I/C Michael Hibberd, David Zaharakis, Orazio Fantasia, Ben Howlett

Gold Coast
B Seb Tape, Rory Thompson, Kade Kolodjashnij
HB Sean Lemmens, Clay Cameron, Trent McKenzie
C Jarrod Harbrow, Danny Stanley, Matt Shaw
HF Michael Rischitelli, Tom Lynch, Harley Bennell
F Jack Martin, Sam Day, Brandon Matera
FOL Daniel Gorringe, Jaeger O'Meara, Dion Prestia
I/C Timmy Sumner, Alex Sexton, David Swallow, Jesse Lonergan

Venue: Etihad Stadium
Kick-off: 2:10pm AEST
TV: Live, Fox Footy
Betting: Essendon $1.20, Gold Coast $4.60
Roar Guru
23rd August, 2014
66
6797 Reads

Finals aspirations are on the line at Etihad Stadium on Saturday when the Essendon Bombers take on the Gold Coast Suns. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 2:00pm (AEST).

The Suns have lost four out of their last five since the loss of their inspirational captain Gary Ablett Jr. It’s hard to believe they had a 7-2 win loss record after Round 10, but the young team has struggled to keep the momentum going and have gone 3-8 since.

There were encouraging signs in the wet at Metricon last week, in their nine point loss to the Power. The final margin could have been considered flattering as the Power won the inside 50 count 72-39, and had 21 scoring shots to the Suns 12.

But the Suns suffered due to injuries to several players including Jack Martin, Charlie Dixon and ruckman Daniel Gorringe. Only Dixon is named as missing for this week’s game but Gorringe and Martin must be in some doubt as well.

The Bombers are coming off one of their best comeback wins in recent times, defeating the Eagles last week by three points after trailing by as much as 34 points at one stage of the third quarter.

They had to make a similar comeback in their previous win against the Bulldogs four weeks earlier.

Both times rising star midfielder Dyson Heppell was the inspiration behind their comeback. Against the Dogs and Eagles Heppell had been kept quiet in the first half only to cut loose in the second half, against the Eagles he had 29 possessions in the second half.

Unfortunately for the Bombers a training mishap on Wednesday, saw Heppell brake a bone in his hand and will miss Saturday’s crucial clash. Heppell leads the team for disposals, contested possessions, handballs andamp; clearance this season and his loss will be heavily felt.

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If the Bombers play as poorly as they did in the first half against the Eagles then the Suns are a genuine chance, especially if their midfield can expose the Bombers for pace around the outside.

Still with tall in form forward Jake Carlisle returning the Suns will have their hands full covering him along with Daniher and Paddy Ryder in the ruck.

A loss here for the Suns would see them bow out of the finals race thanks to their poor percentage.

For the Bombers a win could seal a finals place and the in-form Blues waiting in the last round, this is a game the Bombers cannot afford to lose.

Prediction: This is only the fourth meeting between these two teams in the four years the suns have been in the competition. The Bombers have won all three previous encounters including a 43 point win last year at Etihad.

Brendon Goddard had 38 possessions and 12 marks that night, as the Bombers midfield did as they pleased despite another typical 36 possession game from Ablett.

The Bombers can’t afford to play as poorly as they have in large chunks of games this year. The Suns despite their recent struggles can cause an upset if they show as much drive and commitment as they did last week against the Power.

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Essendon by 22 points

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