The Greater Western Sydney Giants and Essendon Bombers will square off at Spotless Stadium in a meeting between two rejuvenated teams. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary from 7.40PM AEST.
Essendon have been poor after a promising start to the season. Dominating wins against North Melbourne and Carlton, along with a close loss to the reigning premiers in Hawthorn, meant the Bombers were touted as premiership contenders.
The rest of their season has been mediocre they now sit 10th on the ladder. But their win against Richmond last week showed Mark Thompson’s team could once again be clicking.
One of the big talking points of the Dreamtime game was Jake Carlisle’s return to form in defence. The 22-year-old has struggled for most of the season up forward but looked to be back to his best. With Michael Hurley expected to line-up against the Giants, all eyes will be on the pair to see who plays forward.
Meanwhile, the Giants have had their own form issues. Consecutive 100-point beltings brought pressure onto a young playing group that had previously shown a willingness to at least provide a contest.
When all eyes were on the team to see how they would respond against Hawthorn at the MCG they did not disappoint, with only seven points in the final margin and much respect regained.
The challenge for GWS now is to back that effort up with another intense performance. They have a chance to win over some fans in a prime time slot and must take advantage.
As always, the midfield battle will be key to deciding the outcome. Callan Ward and Adam Treloar going up against Jobe Watson and Brendon Goddard will be pivotal, with both pairs clearly the best midfielders in their teams.
Prediction
Expect a close contest here. GWS started the season well and their worst footy was confined to a couple of weeks. Consecutive weeks of domination against teams not in the top eight can’t be completely dismissed but the Giants have generally shown throughout their existence that they’re willing to put up a fight.
However the Bombers should be good enough.
Essendon by 21.
JR Salazar
Guest
Taxi for Leon Cameron!
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
FULL-TIME GWS 9.12.66 Essendon 11.15.81 Not a huge margin but the Giants really put in a strong performance tongiht. The Bombers could have been a bit cleaner but that sort of intensity is promising after their recent form. Daniher took some strong contested marks in the forward line. The Bombers managed to create some space down there which suited him. Shiel and Treloar battled hard in the midfield all night.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 0.01 GWS 9.12.66 Essendon 11.15.81 GOAL GWS Treloar kicks one on the run.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 0.25 GWS 8.12.60 Essendon 11.15.81 BEHIND ESSENDON Stanton misses.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 1.45 GWS 8.12.60 Essendon 11.14.80 BEHIND ESSENDON Essendon get it out of the middle and Daniher takes a great pack mark. Poor shot at goal though.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 2.40 GWS 8.12.60 Essendon 11.13.79 GOAL ESSENDON Stanton kicks the sealer after getting it out from Zaharakis at the stoppage.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 3.39 GWS 8.12.60 Essendon 10.13.73 Essendon is just holding on here, despite some scrappy footy. Not sure how much the Giants have left in the tank.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 7.04 GWS 8.12.60 Essendon 10.13.73 BEHIND GWS Patton goes with the left with a snap from 10m out. Probably not the right option there and it could prove costly.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 7.24 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 10.13.73 GOAL ESSENDON Hocking collects it cleanly and puts Essendon further ahead. It will be tough for the Giants now.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 8.00 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 9.13.67 Awesome spoil from Stanton saves ensures Treloar can't mark inside 50m.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 8.51 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 9.13.67 Watson is getting his leg worked on on the interchange bench.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 8.51 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 9.13.67 GOAL ESSENDON Hocking marks in the middle and gives it to Ambrose. He streams through the middle and finds Daniher in the open forward line. The young man kicks a steadying goal.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 10.49 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 8.13.61 BEHIND ESSENDON Watson wins the centre clearance. The Dons work it clear to Stanton with hands but he misses badly.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 11.11 GWS 8.11.59 Essendon 8.12.60 GOAL GWS Smith kicks to the run of Shiel who find Tomlinson on the lead. He kicks as long as he can from 55m AND HE PUTS IT THROUGH! WHAT A GOAL!
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 12.43 GWS 7.11.53 Essendon 8.12.60 GOAL GWS PALMER KICKS A RIPPER FROM THE BOUNDARY LINE! A QUICK GOAL AND THE GIANTS ARE WITHIN STRIKING DISTANCE!
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 13.12 GWS 6.11.47 Essendon 8.12.60 GOAL GWS Jaksch on the wing kicks to Shiel inside. He handballs it on to Treloar who runs to the 50m arc an HE PUTS IT THROUGH! THE GIANTS ARE COMING!
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 14.30 GWS 5.11.41 Essendon 8.12.60 GWS work it up the ground with some good run from Treloar. He kicks it straight among three Essendon defenders though.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 15.43 GWS 5.11.41 Essendon 8.12.60 Patton spins through three Bombers with beautiful skill, runs and kicks into the forward line. Nothing resulted from it but it was a nice piece of play from the big man.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 17.02 GWS 5.11.41 Essendon 8.12.60 BEHIND GWS Hibberd stands on the goal line and tries to boot it out of defence but it's smothered through for a behind.
Dinny Navaratnam
Roar Guru
4th quarter 17.34 GWS 5.10.40 Essendon 8.12.60 BEHIND ESSENDON Essendon work it out of defence with plenty of numbers running in a chain. Watson finds Zaharakis in the forward line. He misses with the set shot.