Essendon still has a chance of finishing in the top four, but must win against Collingwood on Friday night and other results must fall in the Bombers’ favour. If the team does take the four points tomorrow night, it will be a nervous wait for all Bomber supporter’s over the weekend.
Essendon needs Fremantle to beat West Coast, Port Adelaide to defeat Adelaide and Sydney to either lose to Melbourne or win narrowly. If all this happens, the Bombers will have the double chance and will play a Qualifying Final against Port Adelaide at AAMI Stadium in week one.
The Essendon fans are evenly split about whether Essendon will finish in the top four. In this week’s 3 poll they were asked the question on most Bomber supporter’s minds - Will Essendon finish in the top four?. Voting is still open, but at this stage the votes are all locked up at 50% each.
What some of the Essendon fans had to say:
Brenton Powell from Preston says: Essendon will make the top 4 or top 2 to 3 if they beat Collingwood by over 60 points and if W.Bulldogs can beat Brisbane Lions
Susan Williamson from Geelong says: Sadly I think that the Bombers will narrowly miss out on 4th spot. Whilst we can beat Collingwood, there are too many other variables required to go our way that make it highly unlikely. We must certainly now rue that narrow loss to Carlton (considering where they now are) and the Kangaroos defeat when we were in a winning position with about 20 minutes to go.
Tom Fitzpatrick from Warrandyte says: I think it would be better finishing 5th because if we finish 4th then we have to play Port Adelade at AAMI Stadium. If we finish 5th we get a home final.
Stuart Nixon from Ascot Vale says: Phenomenal effort to be where we are. Sheeds has done it again, having learnt that sides must make a sustained run into September (a la Brisbane Lions 2001) he has the Bombers humming at the right time. Just watch the media jump on the bandwagon after we demolish the Pies!
Robert Toms from VIC says: Whilst I believe we will get over Collingwood on Friday night, I think we will finish 5th and set us up for a home elimination final. Subject to luck being with us, I believe we are building momentum nicely to go all the way and snatch the flag a la 1993.
Mitchell Darvill from Geelong says: If we wanted to make the top 4 Sydney, West Coast, Adelaide and Freo would all have to lose and we would have to beat Collingwood so we don't have much chance.
Chris from Templestowe says: As long as we come out on Friday night and give it a read hot go, give ourselves every chance at grabbing that treasured 4th position, we can start the finals series in the knowledge that we've worked our backsides off and ready to take on anything that's thrown at us. Hopefully the dice fall our way on Saturday and Sunday. Bring on September!!!
Clifford Davison from Minto says: Unfortunately, whilst I think we can definitely beat Collingwood, I also doubt that both Brisbane and Sydney will lose and that we will be Collingwood by a big enough margin compared to Sydney over the Dees...
This is your last chance to go into the draw to win two finals series tickets. If you haven’t already voted on this week’s 3 poll make sure you do. One lucky voter will receive two finals series tickets which includes two tickets to the 2003 Grand Final.
