Essendon will be fighting to keep their finals hopes alive when they head west to play the Eagles this weekend. Mathematically the Bombers are still a chance to make the eight, however currently sitting two games out of the eight, a loss this week will put an end to their finals chances.
The undermanned West Coast Eagles are searching for their fourth win of the season while Essendon are riding high on confidence after winning six of their last seven matches.
The Bombers will need to adjust to the vast expanses of Subiaco oval once again this season and will need to be near their peak physically as West Coast have not ventured from their home ground for the past three games, giving them a distinct advantage.
Essendon boast some hard-running players and have plenty of speed through the midfield which may present challenges for West Coast. Brent Stanton is known for his big engine and with Jobe Watson, Sam Lonergan and Andrew Welsh lending support through the middle of the ground, there is opportunity to expose an out of form Eagles line-up.
An interesting tussle looms in the centre of the ground where Dean Cox will go head-to-head with Essendon’s in-form David Hille. Both players could be in contention for All-Australian ruckman this year - Dean Cox is ranked second in the league for his hitouts (473) compared to seventh place Hille (336). Although Cox gets his hands on the footy more at stoppages, Hille has the mobility and can prove dangerous up forward, kicking 16.16 this season compared to Cox’s 9.7.
Like Essendon, West Coast have been hit hard by injuries this season. Brent Staker and Josh Kennedy are the more recent additions to the Eagles’ expansive injury list which already includes Adam Hunter, Brett Jones, Daniel Kerr and Beau Waters. The absence of such a large number of big name players is sure to unsettle the side.
Traditionally West Coast have been solid in the defensive area though with a lack of personnel through injury, they have been forced to push their midfielders back behind the footy to assist their ailing defence.
Matthew Lloyd would still be coming down from the dizzying heights of his spectacular mark and eight-goal haul from last week and West Coast’s skipper, Darren Glass, will have to find his All-Australian form to hold his counterpart at bay.
Angus Monfries is another young Bomber who has stepped into scintillating form. He kicked three goals in last weekend’s clash with Melbourne and has solidified his spot on Essendon’s half-forward flank by adding a defensive element to the Bombers’ offensive 50m. He will venture further into the spotlight this week in the absence of Kyle Reimers who will miss with a hamstring injury.
The unlikely Mark LeCras looms as the Bombers’ biggest danger up forward for the Eagles. He is elusive at ground level and just as strong in the air. Jay Nash or Nathan Lovett-Murray could be given the task of shutting down his goal power.
