Since Round 8, Essendon has won nine of 11 matches – a period that has seen it defeat other premiership aspirants West Coast, Brisbane and Fremantle. “We are in the best two clubs in the AFL in the past 14 weeks – since about Round 8 onwards. We are right there with Collingwood and Port Adelaide,” Sheedy said. The most important thing we have been doing is getting big games in front of big crowds for six or seven weeks. That is what we needed because we have probably made more changes to our team than what Collingwood has in the past 25 matches.”
This Friday night’s match against Collingwood is as big as they get during the home and away season. An Essendon victory could see it snatch an unlikely top-four finish or at the very least ensure a home final in week one. Collingwood could lose its top four position but a loss will more than likely see it head to the Gabba for a Qualifying Final.
Sheedy said a top-four finish would be preferable but anything less didn’t mean the season was over. “It is difficult (to win the premiership after not finishing in the top four) but sides like Adelaide and Carlton have performed well from down there. But this weekend is about Collingwood – that is all that matters,” Sheedy said.
The Bombers didn’t spend long on the track tonight with a number of players training indoors. Dustin Fletcher completed the light session while Sean Wellman did some running and one-on-one ball work. Damian Cupido left the track early. The rain-soaked condition of Windy Hill wasn’t bothering the Essendon coach. “It has been pretty wet and we have had finals of the Essendon & District footy league played here over the weekend and naturally that takes its toll. It will probably be wet on Friday night so these are good conditions for us,” he said.
And the Essendon coach was again questioned about the AFL draw this season that meant Collingwood didn’t have to play in Perth. “We can’t help that and they can’t help that but it would be fantastic if next season we didn’t go to Perth. I would love that. Every team would love not to have to travel to Perth twice or even once,” he said. For the record, since Fremantle came into the competition Essendon has had to travel across to Nullabor once, and more often than not twice, every season.
