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West Coast Eagles
116
Match Complete
Essendon
61
| Fourth Quarter | ||||
| 29:49 |  | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. Darling |  | 24:18 | ||
| 22:27 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| 20:13 | | D. Parish | ||
| J. Cripps | | 12:12 | ||
| L. Ryan | | 10:57 | ||
| D. Sheed | | 9:42 | ||
| D. Sheed | | 9:04 | ||
| J. Cripps | | 6:46 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 3:40 | ||
| 13.11 (89) | Third Quarter [+] | 8.5 (53) | ||
| J. Waterman | | 26:28 | ||
| 25:39 | | Rushed | ||
| 24:06 | | O. Fantasia | ||
| 22:40 | | Rushed | ||
| E. Yeo | | 21:28 | ||
| J. Cripps | | 17:46 | ||
| C. Masten | | 14:11 | ||
| J. Waterman | | 9:02 | ||
| 6:51 | | A. Saad | ||
| 5:43 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 2:16 | ||
| 10.8 (68) | Second Quarter [+] | 6.2 (38) | ||
| Rushed | | 23:13 | ||
| 20:10 | | A. Saad | ||
| 17:15 | | O. Fantasia | ||
| T. Hickey | | 15:25 | ||
| Rushed | | 13:44 | ||
| J. Cripps | | 12:29 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 8:37 | ||
| 6:38 | | W. Snelling | ||
| L. Ryan | | 5:03 | ||
| L. Ryan | | 3:43 | ||
| 2:11 | | A. McDonald-Tipungwuti | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 0:19 | ||
| 6.4 (40) | First Quarter [+] | 3.1 (19) | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 29:06 | ||
| W. Rioli | | 26:17 | ||
| Rushed | | 25:38 | ||
| 23:43 | | J. Laverde | ||
| W. Rioli | | 20:55 | ||
| J. Waterman | | 19:19 | ||
| J. Cripps | | 16:54 | ||
| J. Cripps | | 14:43 | ||
| 12:35 | | O. Fantasia | ||
| J. Darling | | 11:05 | ||
| 9:12 | | W. Snelling | ||
| J. Cripps | | 6:27 | ||
| J. J. Kennedy | | 4:03 | ||
| 2:24 | | A. McGrath | ||
Show Preview
September action kicks off tonight, with the West Coast Eagles hosting the Essendon Bombers in an elimination final at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and commentary, starting at 8:10pm (AEST).
It’s sudden death for these two sides, who finished fifth and eighth and face off in the first elimination final of the 2019 AFL finals series.
Coming into the first week of finals, both teams are well-rested thanks to the pre-finals bye, however, are a touch off form after suffering losses in round 23.
West Coast were particularly disappointing on their home deck, but the reigning premiers are primed for another big September and will plan to flick the switch on Thursday night.
It has been a big week at selection for both clubs, with West Coast making three changes and Essendon five changes.
The return of ruckman Nic Naitanui from his round 17 ankle injury is confirmed, with defender Will Schofield and Mark Hutchings also added to the side.
Naitanui replaces young utility Oscar Allen, who has knee soreness.
In his return game, Naitanui’s minutes in the middle will be managed, with Tom Hickey remaining in the side to share the workload.
The experienced duo of Schofield and Hutchings have been selected instead of emerging half-back Liam Duggan and young forward Jack Petruccelle.
In the Essendon camp, Dyson Heppell headlines the inclusions.
Joining the skipper is defender Cale Hooker, forwards Jake Stringer and Orazio Fantasia, and mid-season recruit Will Snelling.
Marty Gleeson will miss the match with a minor calf strain, while fellow defender Michael Hartley has been omitted.
Also dropped from the side are young Bombers Josh Begley, Dylan Clarke and Tuth Jok.
The last time these teams met was in round 14, when the wasteful goal-kicking from West Coast flattered the Bombers, who pulled up 35 points short.
The Eagles kicked 14 goals and 22 behinds, while Essendon managed just 16 total scoring shots from an admittedly understrength forward line.
Luke Shuey will play his 200th AFL game on Thursday evening, drafted at pick 20 in 2008.
The Eagles’ vice-captain, who had a rocky start with just six games in his first two years, has become one of the game’s best midfielders.
He was the John Worsfold medallist in 2016 and last year became a premiership player and Norm Smith medallist.
A huge, hostile crowd should be in at Optus Stadium for this one. It is an early start for the Perth locals at 6:10pm AWST, but there will be plenty of Eagles fans there to cheer their side across the line.
Prediction
This game will either be really tight or the Eagles will sweep the Bombers off the field and beat them by six goals. For the fans and finals footy, let’s hope it’s the former.
Essendon to stick with the Eagles through the night, but the strength and diversity of the West Coast forward line to secure a semi-final berth for the home side.
West Coast by nine points.
Venue: Optus Stadium, Perth
Time: 8:10pm AEST
TV: Channel 7, Fox Footy
Online: AFL app, Foxtel app, Kayo Sports
Betting: West Coast $1.21, Essendon $4.50
West Coast Eagles
B: Shannon Hurn, Tom Barrass, Will Schofield
HB: Brad Sheppard, Jeremy McGovern, Lewis Jetta
C: Dom Sheed, Jack Redden, Andrew Gaff
HF: Willie Rioli, Jack Darling, Chris Masten
F: Jamie Cripps, Josh Kennedy, Liam Ryan
Foll: Nic Naitanui, Elliot Yeo, Luke Shuey
I/C: Jake Waterman, Tom Hickey, Jackson Nelson, Mark Hutchings
Essendon Bombers
B: Adam Saad, Cale Hooker, Aaron Francis
HB: Conor McKenna, Michael Hurley, Mason Redman
C: Andrew McGrath, Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish
HF: Jake Stringer, Shaun McKernan, Patrick Ambrose
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Mitch Brown, Orazia Fantasia
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell
I/C: Jayden Laverde, Kyle Langford, Will Snelling, Brayden Ham
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