Brisbane Lions vs Essendon Bombers: AFL live scores, blog

A COVID and injury-ravaged Brisbane find themselves undermanned and suddenly facing a danger game against an in-form Essendon at the Gabba. Join The Roar for live scores and rolling coverage from 7pm (AEST).

The Lions were already consigned to losing veterans Daniel Rich and Dayne Zorko, after suffering hamstring injuries in their win over the Bulldogs.

However, since then disaster has truly struck, with the Lions forced into eight changes due to a COVID outbreak during the week. Harris Andrews, Noah Answerth, Callum Ah Chee, Dan McStay and Keidean Coleman have entered health and safety protocols, in a massive quintuple blow.

However, there’s still plenty of talent left: Lachie Neale just keeps on getting it done in the midfield and he will continue to provide classy carry through the centre and keep the opposition guessing with his forward pressure clearance work. The 2020 Brownlow Medallist will also captain the Lions in the absence of Zorko and Andrews.

After causing a massive upset last week against Swans, Essendon will look to leverage the confidence gained from that win to go after the upset again this afternoon. They will be without Darcy Parish but Andrew McGrath will come back into the side after he has overcome an adductor strain from a few weeks ago. McGrath provides power and speed out of the back half which the Bombers have missed this season.

They’re not without COVID issues of their own, with much-improved defender Mason Redman ruled out and the previously dropped Jake Kelly earning a reprieve.

Jake Stringer is another player who has been experiencing a great run of form leading into this afternoon. His explosive forward pressure and goalkicking ability will be something that Bombers midfielders will try to leverage as much as possible.

Game information

Opening bounce: 1:10pm (AEST)
Venue: The Gabba, Brisbane
TV: Fox Footy
Live stream: Kayo Sports, Foxtel Now, Foxtel Go
Betting: Lions $1.37. Bombers $3.15 (odds via PlayUp)

Brisbane

B: T. Fullarton, J. Payne, J. Madden

HB: B. Starcevich, M. Adams, Z. Bailey

C: M. Robinson, L. McCarthy, J. Tunstill

HF: C. Rayner, E. Hipwood, H. McCluggage

F: R. Lester, J. Daniher, C. Cameron

FOLL: O. McInerney, J. Lyons, L. Neale (c)

I/C: N. Cockatoo, H. Sharp, D. Fort, C. Michael

EMG: D. Robertson, T. Berry, R. Mathieson, C. McFayden

IN: Michael, Fort, Sharp, Robinson, Cockatoo, Lester, Fullarton, Madden

OUT: Ah Chee, McStay, Rich, Zorko, J Berry, Andrews, Coleman, Answerth

Essendon

B: B. Zerk-Thatcher, J. Laverde, J. Ridley

HB: J. Kelly, A. McGrath, M. D’Ambrosio

C: D. Heppell (c), D. Shiel S. Durham

HF: N. Martin, M. Guelfi, K. Langford

F: P. Wright, J. Stringer, H. Jones

FOLL: S. Draper, Z. Merrett, J. Caldwell

I/C: B. Hobbs, W. Snelling, N. Hind, A. Phillips

EMG: B. Ham, A. Waterman, J. Menzie, M. Redman

IN: McGrath, Phillips (R16 medi-sub)

OUT: Parish, Redman