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It’s a battle for a spot in the eight when the ninth-placed Essendon Bombers take on the tenth-placed Adelaide Crows at Etihad Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 7.40pm (AEST).
The Crows are seven weeks into a win-one, lose-one pattern, but are 6-3 win loss ratio since losing their opening three games of the season.
Three of those wins have come against top eight teams in Collingwood, Gold Coast and last week’s impressive 36-point win over North Melbourne.
Adelaide were far more efficient against the Roos, converting 40 per cent of their inside 50s into scores, compared with just 25 per cent the week before in their loss to Fremantle.
Wasteful was the best word to describe Essendon’s performance in last week’s one-point loss to Melbourne. The Bombers had 69 inside 50s to the Dees’ 36, a stat that would normally imply a comfortable victory. But the Bombers either missed too many easy shots or just sprayed the ball going forward, usually to a Demon defender.
It’s been a problem with Essendon all season and apart from their win over Richmond a few weeks ago, they have struggled to put a decent score on the board since their huge win against Carlton back in Round 3.
Both of these teams like to play a possession game and both rank high in uncontested possessions and marks. The Bombers rank number one in both categories and the Crows are ranked seventh in both.
The Crows will need to keep an eye on David Zaharakis, who has been in sizzling form the last four weeks, averaging 30-plus possessions, including four goals against the Demons last week.
One player the Bombers will need to watch is Brodie Smith, who has been among the league’s biggest young improvers this season. The young Crow has averaged nearly 30 possessions a game the last three weeks and has given his team great run from half back, ranking second in the league in total rebound 50s.
Prediction
If the Crows get on top, the Bombers may struggle once again to post a winning score.
Crows by 12 points in a tight one.
Interesting facts
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