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Essendon can solidify their hold on a top four spot with what should be a routine four points against GWS Giants in Sydney this afternoon. We’ll have live scores from 2.10pm AEST.
This time last year Essendon were beginning a seven-match losing streak to end the season that would see them miss the finals after winning eight of their first nine games.
At 12-3 and in third place in 2013, a repeat seems unlikely.
The Bombers have won five straight, with their last loss coming back in Round 10 against the Swans, and they’ve cruised to wins over Port Adelaide and Western Bulldogs in the past fortnight.
But with a number of rivals – including Hawthorn, Collingwood, Richmond and Carlton – looming in the last six weeks of the season, questions are still being asked of Essendon’s flag hopes.
With only a six-day break until they face Hawthorn in an MCG blockbuster next Friday night, Essendon coach James Hird has opted to rest a number of players.
David Zaharakis, Jason Winderlich, Tayte Pears and Ben Howlett have all been left out with Stewart Crameri, Nathan Lovett Murray, Leroy Jetta and Cory Dell’Olio coming into the 22.
GWS Giants had pushed the Bulldogs to within four points a fortnight ago, and early in the first quarter they appeared competitive against cross-town rivals Sydney.
But it didn’t last, and the Swans went on to condemn the Giants to their 15th straight loss with a 129-point battering.
In what looks almost certainly to be his last game against Essendon, coach Kevin Sheedy has made seven changes to the side that lost last Sunday.
Dean Brogan is one of seven changes, Taylor Adams, Toby Greene, Adam Tomlinson, Zac Williams, Mark Whiley and Gerald Ugle have all come back in.
Rhys Palmer will miss the game with a foot injury, while six other players have been omitted.
When these two sides met back in Round 6 the Giants actually led by 28 points early in the third quarter, before the Bombers kicked away to win by 39 points.
With Fremantle and Collingwood still eyeing a move into the top four, Essendon must continue to pick up wins to ensure their double chance, and a win this afternoon should be straight-forward for the visitors.
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