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The Essendon Bombers face football’s most daunting task when they tackle the red hot Fremantle Dockers at Domain Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:10pm (AEST).
The undefeated ladder-leading Dockers are coming off an emphatic 68-point thrashing of Melbourne last week, outscoring the Demons ten goals to one in the last half.
The Dockers rank number one in the league in effective disposals. Three of their midfielders – Nat Fyfe, Lachie Neale and David Mundy – rank in the top dozen in this category. Star and early Brownlow favourite Fyfe also ranks number one in contested possessions.
The Bombers are coming off a lucky escape after scraping through against the young Saints last week. the two-point win highlighted by two bad misses late in the game by Saints small forward Adam Schneider. The Bombers struggled to shake off the Saints all day and can thank their skipper Jobe Watson’s effort along with Jake Carlisle’s four goals.
To have any hope the Bombers need to improve in contested possessions, having been outplayed in this area in the last two weeks against the Saints and Pies.
Ruckman Tom Bellchambers has struggled with the No 1 ruck mantle this season. He will need him to lift considerably against the Dockers dominant giant Aaron Sandilands to give his midfielders any chance against one of the best midfields in the game.
The Essendon forwards will also need to lift after some mediocre performances this season. Young forward Joe Daniher is coming off one of his quietest games games last week, failing to get a kick before being subbed out.
The Dockers could be vulnerable on Saturday with in-form defender Luke McPharlin ruled out with calf soreness. McPharlin was best on ground last time these two teams met last year, finishing with 30 possessions and 13 marks.
Captain Matthew Pavlich and small forward Michael Walters have been named but both remain in doubt after heavy clashes last week.
The Bombers have decided to rest their veteran defender Dustin Fletcher who sits on 397 games and just turned 40 on Thursday. Fletcher becomes only the second player and first in over 90 years to play VFL/AFL at the top level over the age of 40. His absence will be missed as he was one of the Bombers most solid defenders last week.
Prediction
Remarkably, the Bombers have not played the Dockers away from Perth since Round 2, 2010, and have won two out of their last three at Subiaco Oval.
The Dockers have only lost three times at home since 2012 and despite injury concerns, it’s tough to see the inconsistent Bombers making it four losses. Still, when the Bombers are on their game they can match it with the best, as evidenced by their win over Hawthorn in Round 2.
Dockers by 20 points.
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