Robert Shaw says the key to Essendon’s match against Gold Coast will be the Bombers ability to stop the Suns run from half-back.
Both sides won one game throughout the NAB Challenge after missing the finals last season.
David Swallow and Jaeger O’Meara will be missing from the Suns midfield and Shaw is confident the Bombers can at least match it with the home side in that area of the ground.
But the key will be limiting the Suns rebound from defence.
“You’ve got to stop (Adam) Saad running off the half-back line, you’ve got to stop (Trent) McKenzie’s kicking, (Nick) Malceski and (Jarrod) Harbrow,” Shaw said.
“They’re all left footers, they’ve got a natural switch of play and they run.”
Shaw said the Bombers could use a couple of new recruits to stymie the Suns ability to launch their attack from deep in defence.
“Craig Bird has been solid in the midfield but he played some great games for Sydney as a defensive forward because he’s smart and he can kick goals,” Shaw said.
“Maybe he goes to Saad and on the other half-forward flank you can have (Mathew) Stokes.
“That gives you two experienced half-forward flankers who can not only win the ball and are dangerous when the ball is at ground level – they understand defensive pressure.
“This is what this game is going to be about. If Essendon can press up, contain the run, put the pressure on those blokes like Malceski who had a bad year last year – get into it early, get into him early, stop him distributing the ball out.
“That’s going to be the most significant part of this game – how Essendon curtail the natural run and distribution of the Gold Coast half back flankers.”
Five members of the Essendon team are coming off shortened pre-seasons with Shaw wary fitness may become a factor late in the match.
“It’s a big ground and Gold Coast are known for their running,” he said.
“It’s a little bit of a concern that a number of the boys haven’t done a four month pre-season.
“The longer the game goes I feel Gold Coast will get their run going.
“It’s very important to remain in the game.”
The Bombers play the Suns on Saturday with the first bounce at 4:35pm (Melbourne time).
