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The West Coast Eagles hope to get back into the top-four when they host the Essendon Bombers at Optus Stadium. Join The Roar for live scores and coverage from 8:10pm (AEST).
After an excellent first appearance against the Eagles at Optus, the Bombers will hope history holds some sway when they return tonight as the try to make it three consecutive wins against the reigning premiers overall.
From what we’ve seen so far, though, Essendon have struggled against the A-tier sides, with their biggest scalps being from the eight’s bottom-end in Brisbane and Fremantle.
The Giants, Cats and Magpies have all exposed Essendon’s underdeveloped system, with the Bombers still failing to take wins from struggling sides in Sydney and, debatably, Richmond. At their fortress, and in fifth spot, you’d think West Coast will comfortably join that list.
However, Essendon are one of the best defensive outfits in the competition – conceding the fewest average points since Round 4 (66.1), with the next four being first to fourth on the ladder.
Cale Hooker and Michael Hurley are both in All-Australian form. Across the league, Hooker sits third in average marks (8.7) and Hurley in fourth (8.6); Hooker is sixth for intercept possessions (8.6) and Hurley is fourth in rebound (7.2).
Dylan Clarke has also proved a rare commodity for the Bombers, having towelled Patrick Cripps in just his second game, and minimised Jaeger O’Meara the game following.
He also picked up last round’s Rising Star nomination, being the first ever player to earn it from a tagging role.
Mitch Brown will come in for Jake Stringer (injured).
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The Eagles were handed a hefty 45-point loss in their Round 12 match against Sydney, with Lance Franklin and Tom Papley both kicking bags in the win.
They return home, where they’ll hope to maintain their impressive record, having only lost once this year to Port Adelaide. Given the recent result and footy break, however, there’s always the possibility West Coast return a bit flat.
Josh Kennedy managed three goals in the loss, putting him in fifth for the Coleman race, while Jack Darling sits just below in 7th.
It will be interesting to see the match-ups between Kennedy and Hurley, as well as Darling and Hooker.
Andrew Gaff is also in All-Australian form, averaging 32 possessions and 114 AFL Fantasy Points a game. Given his supreme tank, it’s doubtful Clarke will be able to run out the game with him, so it’ll be interesting to see who he matches on.
The Eagles will welcome back Shannon Hurn, Elliot Yeo, Chris Masten, Oscar Allen, Jackson Nelson, Jarrod Cameron, while Josh Rotham, Tom Cole, Jake Waterman, Nathan Vardy, Josh Smith, Willie Rioli come out of the side.
Prediction
It’ll be a hard-fought game and I can see these sides matching up on each other very well. However, with the home advantage, the Eagles should knock the Bombers off.
