Essendon is looking to retain its spot in the top eight with a win against Werribee this Saturday away from home in the Channel 7 game. James Szabo previews the Rd 11 clash.
The Bombers, who sit in seventh place on the ladder, are coming off a disappointing loss to Sandringham by 28 points.
Inaccuracy proved to be costly for Matt Egan’s side, finishing with an incredible 21 behinds from 30 scoring shots.
Werribee (9th) however, are keen to start their jump into the top eight and end the three game losing streak.
The Tigers went down last Sunday to Richmond by 31 points, after a slow start allowed the opposition to take an early lead.
John Lamont’s team did well to get back into the contest and keep Richmond goalless in the third quarter, although the margin proved to be too great- leaving Werribee with four wins and four losses for the season.
Matt Egan said his Bombers were disappointed by the loss to the Zebras and their inability to convert chances, but explained there were a number of positives to take from the game.
“We didn’t have our best game and obviously didn’t convert, but we were still in the contest,” Egan said.
“We had more scoring shots, there were some really good passages of play where we moved it from one end to the other, our ball use was really good and we did the basics well - we just didn’t finish off.
“So all the lead up play, except the last kick, was actually very good.”
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Egan said the game against Werribee will be a vital opportunity for both sides to get their seasons back on track.
The former Geelong defender said his team is expecting another tough contest, after losing to the Tigers back in round one.
“It’s a really important game for their club and a really important game for our club, so it’s going to be a really big match,” Egan said.
“We also had them in round one – we were up at half time by I think about five goals and they ran over the top of us. So we need to improve on the things we’ve learned from that game.
“They play a similar style to North Melbourne – they move the ball really well, they set up behind the ball well and they’re quite hard to score against.
“So I’ll do my work on the opposition and hopefully we’re going to have a good game against them.”
If Essendon are to have a good game against the Tigers, some key players would be expected to perform. Among these are Jason Ashby, James Polkinghorne, Conor McKenna and Jayden Laverde – who were all mentioned as key performers on the weekend by Egan.
Polkinghorne racked up an impressive 31 possessions and five clearances, while Ashby was best on ground for his side with an influential 25 touches. Mckenna made an impact off the half-back line and Laverde popped up with three goals.
Werribee have key players of their own that will need to produce on Saturday if Lamont’s men are to take all four points.
Matt Hanson (18 disposals, four clearances and 10 tackles), Michael Sodomaco (23 disposals and five clearances) and Declan Mountford (23 disposals and five tackles) were some of the best for the Tigers last game, with Lachlan Hansen being named man of the match after his 26 possessions, 12 marks and three goals.
Both sides go into the game on 16 points each – with Werribee having played one less game.
The game, which kicks off on Saturday 18 June at 2.10pm at Avalon Airport Oval, is one of only five games this weekend - with Richmond, Northern Blues, Collingwood, Williamstown and Sandringham having a bye.
North Ballarat (15th) will be hosting Casey Scorpions (2nd), while Coburg (12th) and Port Melbourne (8th) do battle at Piranha Park.
Second last Frankston (14th) will look to upset Footscray (6th) in front of their home crowd and Geelong (11th) and Box Hill (5th) go head to head at Simonds Stadium.
Last Modified on 18/06/2016 00:21
