Saturday football kicks off at Etihad Stadium with teams at opposite ends of the spectrum, as the undefeated Essendon faces up against the winless GWS Giants. Live scores and commentary begins from 1.45pm AEST.
This seems a pretty clear-cut contest in terms of an outcome – no doubt we’re expecting to see Essendon continue their winning ways and try to get them a percentage boost.
Not only is it top versus bottom, it’s an Essendon team that is hell-bent on proving to the football world that despite every adversity they have come up against in the last couple of months, that they will overcome it.
It’s that sentiment in the team that has propelled them to a high point so far.
Yes, we saw this from the Bombers team last season. They were 8-1 and seemingly on top of the world, then seeing their season spiral out of control.
Yet this resilience seems getting them through as they all have bandied together under the one common goal.
A close to non-existent injury list is helping them out as well, unlike the back-half of 2012, and so things on the ground seem to be going very well.
They’re near the top of the list for stats like inside 50s, contested marks and contested possessions, while their defensive unit has been the stingiest in the competition.
With plenty of stocks available, Essendon may decide to rotate a few of their slightly injured players out like Jake Carlisle and keep Michael Hurley and Dustin Fletcher out of the match.
Greater Western Sydney’s biggest chance of a win this season has been in the last two weeks.
An atrocious Melbourne unit managed to boot 12 goals against them in the final quarter in Round 4 to escape, while the Gold Coast Suns also raced away late to boot eight goals in the last term last Saturday.
There’s no doubt the loss of Jonathan Patton has been a big negative for the Giants.
However seeing the resurgence of Setanta O’hAilpin has been pleasing for all footy fans.
After an 80-game career at Carlton, O’hAilpin has kicked eight goals in two matches this season and looking a more dangerous proposition than ever before.
While their midfield has been competitive in centre clearances, there’s no doubt their stamina has been tested so far.
To fall away as drastically as they have throughout most of their matches is clearly a sign of the second-year-blues, which we saw of the Gold Coast Suns last season.
It’s something fans of the big G will need to ride out, because the more game time into this team, the better.
Keep in mind, the team’s combined career games is only around the 25-30 mark.
I suppose the question that will come from this game is how long will the Giants be able to stay with a team that is really on a high.
The longer they stay in, the better their chances of staying away from such a big margin that could befall them.
mugsy in japan
Guest
you are a git. get over it and wait for the official results. stop your small minded jealousy. I have supported the dons for as long as i can remember and if these accusations are true I`ll be deeply disapointed and will lose quite a lot of faith. But if they are justly founded I`ll support whatever punishment is given out. Would you do the same?
1860melbourne
Guest
With all the talk this could get ugly for the giants one has to congratulate the giants on their effort. Makes one think they were the team on something.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Essendon 17.18 (120) def. GWS Giants 12.9 (81) Well, that wraps it up from Etihad Stadium. The concern for Essendon is a quad injury for Brent Stanton during the second quarter. He could be out for the next few weeks. The Giants were expected to get absolutely flogged today. Some predicting well over 100 points. But, their first half was fantastic and showed that there's some great fight in this young team. As we saw many times last season with the second-year Gold Coast, they will fade a fair bit this season. But their time will come and showed some real good promise today. For the Bombers, they will be pretty disappointed with the first half, but they still get the win, just not the percentage boost they would have been expecting.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Essendon 17.18 (120) def. GWS Giants 12.9 (81) Quarter by Quarter Essendon 1.5 3.8 10.15 17.18 (120) GWS Giants 5.2 7.5 8.9 12.9 (81) Goalscorers ESS (9) – Stewart Crameri 4, Alwyn Davey 4, Scott Gumbleton 3, Kyle Hardingham 1, Brendon Goddard 1, Heath Hocking 1, Tom Bellchambers 1, David Hille 1, Mark Baguley 1 GWS (5) – Jeremy Cameron 6, Tom Scully 2, Taylor Adams 2, Adam Treloar 1, Joshua Bruce 1 Team Stats Disposals: ESS 388-347; Disposal Efficiency: ESS 74%-69%; Kicking Efficiency: ESS 68%-67%; Contested Possessions: GWS 152-147; Marks: LEVEL 106-106; Contested Marks: GWS 15-11; Marks Inside 50: ESS 14-9; Clearances: GWS 45-28; Tackles: ESS 66-52; Inside 50’s: ESS 69-41; Hitouts: GWS 41-30; Hitouts To Advantage: GWS 7-4 Player Stats Michael Hibberd (ESS) 29 disposals, 10 contested possessions, 9 marks, 4 rebound 50’s, 5 one-percenters, 3 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist David Zaharakis (ESS) 27 disposals, 7 contested possessions, 6 clearances, 4 tackles, 9 inside 50’s, 1 goal assist Courtenay Dempsey (ESS) 26 disposals, 6 marks, 4 one-percenters, 3 bounces, 6 inside 50’s, 2 goal assists Adam Treloar (GWS) 26 disposals, 13 contested possessions, 7 marks, 5 clearances, 3 rebound 50’s, 4 tackles, 1 goal
Jim
Guest
Well done bombers, they just had too much PEP in the end. -- Comment from The Roar's iPhone app.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
FINAL | Essendon 17.18 (120) def. GWS Giants 12.9 (81) There's the final siren. Essendon stay undefeated... but it got a little tense at half time. The second half was a lot better, but far from their best. Credit to GWS, ripping first half... were always expected to fade away in the second half, but their final quarter was admirable. In the end, Essendon by 39 points.
JR Salazar
Guest
I am consigning myself to the cruel reality that Sheedy will not be sacked any time soon, much to my disgust. So, ASADA, I beg you...Do. Your. Job.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:15 left | ESS 17.18 (120) | GWS 12.9 (81) Well, a bit of an unfortunate way for the afternoon to end for Toby Greene. Gives away a free kick, then 50m to Mark Baguley. Puts him just 20m out - GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 0:40 left | ESS 16.18 (114) | GWS 12.9 (81) Heath Hocking has a chance to snap for his second... but hooks it off to the right. The siren's close now.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 2:01 left | ESS 16.17 (113) | GWS 12.9 (81) The Giants manage to win the ball back at half back. They've chipped it around for the last 90 seconds. Then they finally go inside 50, but Hardingham wins it back for the Bombers. Now they run. Tom Bellchambers marks at CHF. Off to Jetta... and then a spearing ball into Alwyn Davey! Marks in the pocket, will kick for his 5th for the day. 25m out - behind.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 5:30 left | ESS 16.16 (112) | GWS 12.9 (81) Taylor Adams marks for GWS at half forward. Then kicks to the pocket towards Giles... but drifts to the boundary - out on the full. And now the Bombers just chipping the ball around a bit. Both teams hoping for the siren to sound soon...
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 6:58 left | ESS 16.16 (112) | GWS 12.9 (81) Almost a mark in the forward line to the Bombers, but there's numbers everywhere for them. Good handball from Jackson Merrett to the run of David Hille... open goal - GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 7:36 left | ESS 15.16 (106) | GWS 12.9 (81) Attendance at Etihad Stadium today - 30,143. Decent crowd. Outside of the Sydney derby, this is the biggest crowd the Giants have played in front of. Tim Mohr with a long kick from the middle of the ground to Jeremy Cameron - FREE KICK! Chop of the arms, and he has a chance for his 6th... which will be a club record. Kicks... GOAL!! Great first half from him. Deserved to kick a bag!
JR Salazar
Guest
Ned Attie will have to declare a civic holiday if the streak does end later this season. Just sayin'.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:11 left | ESS 15.16 (106) | GWS 11.9 (75) Centre clearance for the Giants which lands in the hands of Josh Bruce. He's got a mountain of space and time... it's as if everyone ran away from him! Runs to 45m out - steadies, kicks and GOAL!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 10:27 left | ESS 15.16 (106) | GWS 10.9 (69) Free kick at the wing for the Bombers... and Leroy Jetta's away! Bounces once, then spots up Alwyn Davey in the exact same spot as 60 seconds ago. And, just like the last kick... STRAIGHT THROUGH FOR A GOAL!!!
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:25 left | ESS 14.16 (100) | GWS 10.9 (69) Goalscorers ESS (7) – Stewart Crameri 4, Scott Gumbleton 3, Alwyn Davey 3, Kyle Hardingham 1, Brendon Goddard 1, Heath Hocking 1, Tom Bellchambers 1 GWS (4) – Jeremy Cameron 5, Tom Scully 2, Taylor Adams 2, Adam Treloar 1
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 11:25 left | ESS 14.16 (100) | GWS 10.9 (69) David Zaharakis finds Alwyn Davey with a bit of freedom inside 50. Marks it well. Will be 50m out, 45 degree angle.... SWEET! GOAL to Alwyn, his 3rd.
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Everyone thought the same about the Gold Coast last season... they finished the season off well and got a couple of wins under their belt. Never say never....
TheSportsFreak
Roar Guru
Q4 12:09 left | ESS 13.16 (94) | GWS 10.9 (69) Heath Hocking with the centre clearance - but Stephen Gilham with a ripping mark in defence - right on the goal square in fact. Zac Williams wins a free kick for a shove in the back. Handballs to Greene, then Treloar... and he kicks to half forward to Palmer. Good lead in the pocket to Taylor Adams... marks it nicely. Will kick for his second - about 45m out, but near the boundary. NICE GOAL!