It’s the time of the year when two long-time rivals, Essendon and Collingwood, go head to head for Anzac Day bragging rights.
And, for the first time in AFL history, a match for premiership points will be played outside of Australia, when St Kilda lock horns with the Sydney Swans in New Zealand.
First, let’s preview the annual Essendon vs. Collingwood Anzac Day blockbuster:
Essendon vs. Collingwood
Thursday, April 25
2:30pm
Melbourne Cricket Ground
Last Anzac Day meeting: Collingwood 11.14 (80) defeated Essendon 11.13 (79) at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, Round 5, 2012.
There have been a lot of memorable Anzac Day matches between Essendon and Collingwood since its initiation in 1995.
You can name as many as you can remember, such as the draw in the first year, in which Saverio Rocca booted nine goals, Collingwood’s thumping 73-point win in 2008 made memorable for the performance of Paul Medhurst, David Zaharakis’ match-winning goal for Essendon in 2009 and last year’s one-point thriller which fell Collingwood’s way.
This year’s match has the potential to be one for the ages, especially with Essendon undefeated to start the season and Collingwood showing they are not yet a spent force.
The Bombers’ pre-season may have been tangled by the ASADA scandal but that has not slowed down their progress this season.
Brendon Goddard has been valuable for Essendon and his cross from Windy Hill has paid massive dividends.
They are sitting comfortably on top of the ladder, but this will be their first genuine test this season.
Essendon entered the corresponding match last year also with a 4-0 record, but they suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss, ending their perfect start to the season, but it wasn’t the precedent to a disastrous second half of the season, just yet.
Plus, the Bombers have not saluted on Anzac Day (let alone beat Collingwood) since 2009, so history might be against them in this one.
If the Bombers are to win they will have to contend without Michael Hurley and Dustin Fletcher (injuries), as well as Paddy Ryder (suspended).
Collingwood have had their own impressive start to the season, the only blemish being a second half capitulation by Hawthorn in Round 3.
Nevertheless, they are still the team their fans expect to be and they are sitting pretty at 3-1 for the season, which is a good start for Nathan Buckley in his second year as coach of the Pies.
Last week against Richmond they were slow in the first half but blew off the cobwebs in the second half to win by 34 points.
Travis Cloke was instrumental in that victory and this will mean a massive job for the weakened Essendon defence who will be without their reliable talisman Dustin Fletcher.
In a boost for the Pies, Darren Jolly should return from a rib injury which has kept him out for the past fortnight.
Key stat: There could be a trend that emerges from the match. Since 2005, Essendon has won the Anzac Day match every four years (2005 and 2009), so could this be the year they take the honours?
Tip: Essendon by 16 points.
And now to the historic match which will be played in Wellington, New Zealand, pitting St Kilda against the defending premiers, the Sydney Swans.
St Kilda vs. Sydney Swans
Thursday, April 25
7:50pm (local time)
Westpac Stadium, Wellington
Last meeting: Sydney 15.15 (105) defeated St Kilda 10.16 (76) at the Sydney Cricket Ground, Round 17, 2012.
The Saints and Swans will be very desperate to return to the winners’ list this round, following poor efforts against Essendon and Geelong respectively.
Sydney coach John Longmire must be very unhappy about his team’s effort last week, in which they, “didn’t play like themselves”, produced a low number of tackles and conceded their highest score in a while.
The Swans did well to stay in the match in the first half, but when Lewis Roberts-Thomson went down with a knee injury nearing half-time, so did Sydney’s defensive structures.
Last week’s performance was un-Sydney like and there is no doubt that they will bounce back this week, but they do come against a side which (apart from the Cats) kicked the highest score against them in Round 9 last year.
The Swans’ defensive line will also have to contend not only without LRT, but also Rhyce Shaw, who is still out with an abdominal strain, and Alex Johnson, who is out for the season.
Nevertheless, Sydney have still retained the backbone of last year’s premiership team, led by Adam Goodes and Josh Kennedy, and this should get them over the line here.
St Kilda have had a poor to start the season with a 72-point victory over GWS their only saving grace.
They had no answers to the Essendon attack last week and if they are to beat Sydney they will have to do it without Stephen Milne, who is out suspended following an eye-gouging incident at half-time.
Beau Maister is also out with injury, which will test the Saints’ depth against a quality side like the Swans.
But even so, Nick Riewoldt and Lenny Hayes still remain integral to St Kilda’s chances here. They have also caused Sydney trouble in recent times, dating back to Fraser Gehrig’s eight-goal haul against them in his 200th game back in 2005.
Perhaps the Saints can fall back on this if they are to pull off an upset in what is an historic occasion for the AFL.
Key stat: The Swans arrive at their destinations early; they always do prior to a match in Perth, they have done likewise in New Zealand. Their early acclimatisation to the conditions, plus the Saints’ poor form, could work in their favour.
Tip: Sydney by 18 points.
Other matches
Fremantle vs. Richmond
Fremantle are looking very shaky at the moment, having lost their last two matches. Richmond on the other hand had their impressive start to the season trampled into the MCG turf by Collingwood. Freo can bounce back at home.
Tip: Fremantle by 15 points.
Greater Western Sydney vs. Gold Coast
The scene of GWS’s first ever victory last year should bring fans hope. They were impressive for the first three quarters last week against Melbourne before falling away in the last.
Gold Coast were very poor against Port Adelaide, and will no doubt want to improve as they seek their second win for the season.
Tip: GWS by 14 points.
Carlton vs. Adelaide
Carlton got on the board last week against an inaccurate West Coast side, while Adelaide suffocated the Western Bulldogs out of the contest at AAMI Stadium. This match should bring some interest to both sides, though I feel Carlton may have the edge playing at home.
Tip: Carlton by 8 points.
Port Adelaide vs. West Coast
Port have been very impressive in a 4-0 start to the season, which included the scalp of last year’s preliminary finalists, Adelaide. They shouldn’t be challenged at home by West Coast, who have been poor to start the season.
Tip: Port Adelaide by 15 points.
Western Bulldogs vs. Geelong
The Bulldogs were very poor last week against Adelaide, so don’t expect them to taste victory this weekend. Geelong are continuing to prove the doubters wrong with their 4-0 start to the season and last week against Sydney the Cats, led by captain Joel Selwood, were very impressive in the second half.
Tip: Geelong by 30 points.
Brisbane Lions vs. Melbourne
This is another winnable game for Melbourne, but the Brisbane Lions could strike back when you least expect. The Dees recorded their highest ever score in a quarter last week as they overturned by 19-point three-quarter-time deficit against GWS to finish on top by 41 points, while the Lions were poor against North Melbourne.
Tip: Brisbane Lions by 10 points.
Hawthorn vs. North Melbourne
Hawthorn continue to impress following last week’s victory over Fremantle, while North Melbourne recorded only their first victory last week. It’s the first time these two go head-to-head since last year’s Launceston massacre when the Hawks prevailed by 115 points and Buddy Franklin booted a baker’s dozen of majors.
Tip: Hawthorn by 24 points.
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