The Essendon Bombers will host the Fremantle Dockers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday. Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm (AEST).
Essendon travelled to the Gold Coast last weekend and beat the Suns by 44 points. Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell dominated the midfield and Mark Baguley kicked three goals to help their side to the victory.
After a close first half, the game was poised for the Bombers to get a half-time rev up and come out firing – and that they did.
Nine goals to Gold Coast’s two in the second half meant Essendon stormed home with the win.
Fremantle are also coming off a win, beating top-four side Port Adelaide by nine points.
Despite inaccurate goal kicking, Fremantle pressured the Power on transition, forcing turnovers and setting up re-entries. The win was overshadowed by more discussion regarding the need for red card send-offs, as Ryan Nyhuis was reported for a dangerous tackle on Port forward Robbie Gray that left Gray unconscious.
In team news, Orazio Fantasia and David Zaharakis will return to the Essendon side for this clash; Conor McKenna (groin) and Jake Long (omitted) are the withdrawals.
Zaharakis returns ahead of schedule following his collarbone injury suffered in Round 11.
For Fremantle, Taylin Dunman and Darcy Tucker will replace Ryan Nyhuis and Stephen Hill.
Nyhuis was given three weeks for rough conduct on Robbie Gray, while Hill pulled up sore after Thursday morning’s training session and will not be risked.
The last time these two teams met was in Round 2, when Fremantle won their first game at Optus Stadium by 16 points.
Bomber Darcy Parish will celebrate 50 games in the red and black this weekend.
Prediction
Fremantle ground out a good win against Port Adelaide in wet conditions last Sunday, but the six day turn around to a clash in Melbourne will test them.
Under the roof of Etihad, Essendon will get their running game going and set up a strong win to keep their finals hopes alive, just.
Essendon by 37
Join The Roar for live scores and a blog of the match from 4:35pm (AEST).
13th Man
Guest
Last week was a very very average game and Freo were less average than Port were. The weather contributed to last week. This week they looked more attacking and I know I knock Johnson a bit but he was far more effective than McCarthy has ever been up forward. I'd drop McCarthy for Strnadica who was BOG in the WAFL this weekend.
Don Freo
Roar Rookie
I was actually impressed by last week too.
13th Man
Guest
Thought we weren't too bad, although lack of a ruckman was clear as Bellchambers dominated all day. Just a young side that ran out of legs but better signs in my opinion than in recent weeks.
Raj
Guest
bombers got the job done... forward line has been under a lot of duress this year and so i’m not surprised we couldn’t kick straight. Not a disaster (looking at you Swans!) The results have fallen the bombers way... I can dream of wins to Dees and even the Blues to get as back on level pegging with the bottom of the 8
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
That's all from me for now, but I'd love to hear your thoughts on the game. Impressed with Fremantle early? Disappointed with the Bombers' goal kicking? Let me know what you thought of the game! Enjoy your Saturday night, I'll be back next weekend for round 19.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Bellchambers dominated the ruck against Jones, Fantasia kicked 5 and Brown 3 in an inaccurate day in front of goals for Essendon. Docker Banfield did a good job on Zaharakis to curb the midfielders influence in his first game back, while also picking up 22 disposals himself. But in the end the Bombers overran the young Fremantle side, and took a 29 point win, keeping their finals hopes alive. Goals Essendon Fantasia 5, Brown 3, Smith 2, Baguley, Myers, Zaharakis Fremantle Walters 3, Johnson 2, Cerra, Matera, McCarthy, Mundy, Neale, Sutcliffe Disposals EssendonMerrett 28, Heppell 26, Zaharakis 26 Fremantle Neale 30, Banfield 22, Wilson 20 Final score Essendon: 13.21 (99) Fremantle: 11.4 (70)
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 0' - FULL TIME The Essendon Bombers run out 29 point winners over the Fremantle Dockers at Etihad Stadium on Saturday afternoon. Fremantle challenged all day, but the Bombers finally got their goal-kicking straight to run out five-goal victors. They kicked 7 of the last 9 goals, dominating the scoring in the second half and overrunning the young Dockers' side who started to look a little tired in the final term. Essendon: 13.21 (99) Fremantle: 11.4 (70)
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 1' - BEHIND BOMBERS Somehow Smith has just taken a ripper mark on Wilson's back. His kick doesn't quite have the distance and it's rushed over. Essendon: 99 Fremantle: 70
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 2' - GOAL BOMBERS Smith finds McDonald-Tipungwuti, who hits up Fantasia, who kicks truly. The Bombers out to a very nice 28 point lead, and will attempt to add another one or two in the final minutes. Essendon: 98 Fremantle: 70
Downsey
Roar Pro
Essendon's inaccurate kicking at goal kept us in it for three and a bit quarters, but still giving the Dockers a pat on the back.
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 4' - GOAL BOMBERS A kick inside finds Smith running inside 50 on his own. He sails that one through and Essendon pretty well seal it. Fremantle are getting overrun, they just can't keep up with the fast breaks Essendon are making. Bellchambers continues to dominate the ruck and give his midfielders first use of the ball. Essendon: 92 Fremantle: 70
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 6' - GOAL BOMBERS WHAT A GOAL! Goddard beat McCarthy in a one-on-one, handballs to Myers on the boundary, 50m out. He helicopters the ball through for a surprise goal. The goals were not his aim there, but in centring the ball he got rewarded with a lucky goal. Essendon: 86 Fremantle: 70
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 7' McCarthy gives away a free kick, Fremantle have had a few repeat entries here. A goal would make the final few minutes very interesting. Essendon: 80 Fremantle: 70
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 11' - GOAL DOCKERS McCarthy is found steaming into the goal square, he marks and takes his shot from the square. Certain goal, Dockers still in it. Essendon: 80 Fremantle: 70
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 12' - BEHIND BOMBERS Rushed. Essendon: 80 Fremantle: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 12' - GOAL BOMBERS Brown marks inside 50 and can take a set shot, he nails his third from just inside 50. Essendon: 79 Fremantle: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 14' McDonald-Tipungwuti pushed as he went for the dribble goal from the boundary. He'll get another opportunity to take a shot at goal. He decides to go short, but no Bombers' player can take the mark. Essendon: 73 Fremantle: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 15' - BEHIND BOMBERS Strong mark from Hooker, but he misses another set shot. Essendon: 73 Fremantle: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 16' - BEHIND BOMBERS It was a tough kick for Hooker, but another behind is not what Essendon need right now when trying to win this game. Essendon: 72 Fremantle: 64
Sarah Wildy
Roar Guru
Q4 17' - BEHIND BOMBERS Baguley lines up from 40 and misses to the left. Goal kicking practice surely on the agenda this week... Set shots have been really poor tonight. Essendon: 71 Fremantle: 64