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.
clipper
Guest
Stavros - I think 15-20k might be the aim if they start moving to the top of the ladder, but it is a very different area. The Swans support is mostly the east and north, which is divided between Soccer, Rugby, league and AFL. The West, with it's 'battler' demographic is league heartland with an increasing Soccer following. The AFL know this and is why Skoda seats 25k.
Redb
Roar Guru
They didn't print 80,000 free tickets, dolt lol Melb Storm piggy back AFL games all the time. It's usually if you have an AFL ticket you get in. Still have to spread the message.
SFC
Guest
Tell me which A-League and NRL clubs they are consistently outdrawing? And giving out 80,000 free tickets will go a long way to boosting your average attendance.
1860melbourne
Guest
Were there many in attendance with Man U shirts? Free entrance to the GWS game if you hold Man U, tickets it would be interesting to see how well it worked? I am guessing that 2-3000 were Essendon supporters?
Brad
Guest
Oh so you were at the game James?
Brad
Guest
Obviously 7000 people thought it was safe enough to venture outside. But whatever excuse works for you I guess.
Brad
Guest
Were you there John? I was. 10,000 wouldn't be far off the mark. Oh and I happily paid for tickets.
Fussball's AFL tracking spreadsheet
Guest
Presumably living for you involves fixating on AFL crowds, which appears a common pastime for league fans. More so than actually attending their own sport for some odd reason.
db swannie
Guest
If I had paid for a membership I would be rightly pissed off. the amount of freebies thrown around when they play is very worrying , Why would you pay for a membership next yr when there is a good chance of going to games for free.
Matt_S
Guest
LOL
Matt_S
Guest
Did you see the weather last night in Canberra? Absolutely dangerous to be out. Also didn't Sydney get 83,000 for origin and over a million on TV alone? League fans aren't as deluded or desperate to attend a game when conditions are like that. League is part of our life not OUR LIFE. Get out and live people.
Allan
Guest
AFL crowds in NSW are impressive compared to the normal low crowds of Rugby League. I believe the Giants crowds will continue to grow over time specially when they start winning.The NRL realises that Rugby League is in trouble in the ACT/NSW area. The canberra/parramatta got a crowd of 6,000 last night, even though 7,000 was posted. Radio broadcasters reported before the game of around 4,000. On the same night, sharks/roasters game got 11,000. These figures are to say the least embarrassing and i dont what the NRL can do about it, while the AFL are slowly increasing their presence in NSW.
Fussball's AFL tracking spreadsheet
Guest
GWS are the least competitive team in the history of the AFL and they're already getting crowds bigger than many league clubs and their average attendance is not too far behind the WSW. You're right to be afraid James, when the giants actually start to win some games it will get even scarier for you.
james
Guest
you do know that GWS put out 80,000+ free tickets and the crowd was realistically half of the 10,000 that they posted?
Stavros
Guest
Australian Football might not become number 1 in Western Sydney in our lifetime, but I reckon GWS have the potential to be the club with the best attendances, just like the Swans are in the whole of Sydney. They haven't won a game this year, and they have been just about unwatchable at times, yet their crowds match some of the NRL and A League clubs. Like you said, look at the improvement in GC within the last 12 months. GWS will improve like that as they have too much natural talent not to.
Mark
Guest
Decent post Phil, everyone knows that Australian Football will never be numero uno in Western Sydney, but i reckon there is, and will be enough of a base of support for them to do OK. As GCFC proved tonight, a young side can and will improve quite quickly. Lets see how there support goes when they are winning as many games as the GC does.
Phil
Guest
Fair dinkum, can people leave GWS alone?My family is from WS and I am not a huge fan but this is a club with the hardest task from a market and playing list perspective in the country and all people want to do is knock them down. Have never heard of any of their players get in off field strife and they seem to be keeping positive in what would be a tough period for the players and club,11k is a great crowd no matter what given there is no AFL culture/history or chance of success this year. Parra-Penrith had less thatn that 2 weeks ago, GWS will never be number one out there but there is plenty of upside for them in all areas once competitive.
Floyd Calhoun
Guest
Well, you'd know.
John Ryan
Roar Pro
According to whoever makes up the crowds 10000, actual real people 4000, one day they will wake up, actual people who paid I would say nil