Geelong and Essendon, the only undefeated teams this season, go head to head at Etihad Stadium tonight in what is set to be an entertaining encounter. We’ll have live scores and commentary from 7.40pm AEST.
The Bombers will get a big boost, with Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher, Jake Carlisle, Dyson Heppell, and Jason Winderlich all coming back from injury.
Geelong will welcome back a star of their own in Norm Smith Medallist Paul Chapman.
How the Dons perform against this seasoned Geelong side will be a good indicator of whether they are the real deal or not.
Geelong have beaten all the top teams dealt their way so far, and Essendon will have be on their top game for all four quarters.
The Cats have the wood over Essendon, with the Bombers only winning two of their last 12 matches against the Cats.
Last week’s form isn’t great for Essendon either, and coach James Hird will be hoping the Dons bounce back with a vengeance.
They got the wobbles a few times against GWS, and at the start of the third term trailed by just under five goals.
The upside is they proved they can come home strong, but Essendon will know they can’t give Geelong such a long leash.
For Geelong last week was a routine 44-point win over Richmond. In true Geelong style, they came from behind in the second quarter and coasted to victory.
Tactically, the match will be a battle of the forwards, as Essendon is ranked first for points scored and Geelong is ranked second.
However, in the backlines the Bombers have the advantage. They are ranked first, conceding an average of 72 points per game, while
Geelong are ranked ninth, conceding an average of 96 points. The story is same for contested possessions, with Essendon first and Geelong 11th.
However, the stats often lie and Geelong are proving many nay-sayers wrong; they’re on top of the table and on top of the world.
Stevie J is tenacious as ever, the Pod is still firing, and with Chapman this is a Cats side every bit as good as the ’09 team.
Unlike Richmond, Essendon will go hard and fast for the whole game and won’t give Geelong an inch of breathing space. Expect a game played at breakneck speed which could be decided by a kick.
Slim
Guest
Well done Geelong great game!!! The master of puppets has what he wants !!! The bombers could not be the topof the ladder with whats going pn could they ??? Cheers
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
FULL TIME GEELONG 113 - ESSENDON 85 A great game of football tonight, and Geelong claim bragging rights in the AFL as the only undefeated team. They played some incredible football tonight, and thoroughly deserved their win. Essendon played well, but didn't take their chances, and that lost the game for them. Steve Johnson was a real standout player tonight, but the whole Cats team played their part. Geelong take on Collingwood next week for another big game, while Essendon should have an easy win at home against the Lions.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Stevie J, huge stats accumulated, and almost all of those disposals viciously damaging.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
RAN 'IM DOWN! How's that for an exclamation point!
Nathan of Perth
Guest
And the Essendon supporters have left the ground :D
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
2' GOAL GEELONG Good slingshot play by Geelong, and it ends up with Hawkins to line up from 50. He thumps it home. Geelong fans are lapping this up. GEELONG 115 - ESSENDON 85
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Steve Johnson has had a monster game with 35 possessions, only one off his record of 36. He's well on track to break that tonight.
riley mobb
Guest
lmao @ the try hard hero hahaha
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Incredible stuff here, both teams are going tooth and nail. They're going to run themselves into the ground.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
7' ESSENDON GOAL Crameri seizes on an Geelong mistake, and just maybe there is time. The Dons need 4 goals in 7 minutes. Geelong with all their experience should be able to hold this one out. GEELONG 106 - ESSENDON 84
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Very bad time to blow that handball. Has given Essendon a sniff. Essendon suffered in that marking contest though.
riley mobb
Guest
WE STILL LOVE U ESSENDON!!!!!! AWESOME GAME! !!
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
7' GOAL ESSENDON Free kick to Hurley in the marking contest, and he kicks a goal from 50. Perhaps some life in Essendon yet. GEELONG 106 - ESSENDON 78
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Some of Geelongs run and carry and movement by hand has just been amazing to watch. Fluid and penetrating.
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
Geelong have mostly taken control of this match. Any forward 50 entry by Essendon is ineffective. Still some very talented play by both sides though.
Nathan of Perth
Guest
Hope Pods is ok, has been huge as the loose man in defence!
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
14' GOAL GEELONG A beautiful stretch of run-and-pass leads to an accross the body pass to Smedts in 50, and he splits the middle. Geelong running away with this one. GEELONG 105- ESSENDON 72
Nathan of Perth
Guest
BEAUTIFUL GEELONG Most attractive team on in the league. The miss us supports Geelong to the hilt so this is all good for me! :D
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
15' GOAL GEELONG A terrible kick out of defence is a gift to Bartel, and he kicks a goal from 60 to stop a potential Essendon comeback in their tracks. GEELONG 99 - ESSENDON 72
Caleb Shepherd
Roar Guru
16' GOAL ESSENDON Crameri takes a powerful mark, and kicks it on to Hurley. He tries to thread the needle from the boundary, and Bellchambers marks it on the behind post, and bends it in. GEELONG 93 - ESSENDON 72