Round 6 of the VFL season sees Essendon host Port Melbourne at Windy Hill at 1pm this Saturday. This match will go a long way in determining the contenders for top eight spots, with the weather turning inclement it will be interesting to see who puts their hand up, as Steve O’Brien reports.
With last week’s State game and subsequent bye for clubs, both the Dons and the Borough have very healthy lists to choose from. At Essendon only the possible inclusion of David Hille, Scott Gumbleton and Josh Freezer would bolster their stocks and Port is missing Shane Valenti with both Toby Pinwill and Hugh Sandilands named in their development side this week but Dean Galea returns from a shoulder injury.
Essendon, which has lost 3 of its past 4 matches and is yet to win at home this season need to show the commitment required of a side that wants to figure in the finals, a loss here would severely dent their chances of September action. Port on the other hand is gaining momentum, after a slow start to the season they have accounted for the Northern Blues and Casey in their past 2 matches and even their draw against Sandringham now reads impressively given the form Sandy are showing.
At selection, Essendon welcome Leroy Jetta, Nick O' Brien and Kyle Hardingham, Courtney Dempsey is the VFL sides gain as he has been stood down from the AFL side for a week for an alleged indiscretion. Elliott Kavanagh returns to the AFL side and one suspects that 2 of the 3 emergencies for the AFL side Will Hams, Tayte Pears and Nathan Lovett Murray will be kept on standby at Etihad Stadium. Hams in particular has been a revelation for the dons and his chance at senior level can’t be far away.
At Port Galea has recovered from injury and will line up at his customary full forward position, Ruckman Wayde Skipper who was a withdrawal from the state squad will be pivotal in Ports assault on the match against Bombers big man Michael Sikora.
Essendon needs a lift from its 2nd and 3rd year players, coming off quiet matches Travis Colyer, Alex Browne, Luke Davis and Dylan Van Unen need to have more impact than they did against Coburg a fortnight ago. Co captains Ben Duscher and Mathew Bate for their high standards have both had quiet starts to the season and the club would like to see them kick start the side on Saturday.
Port has Chris Cain in outstanding form, the Frank Johnson medallist has had 32 possessions in each of his last 2 games, Captain John Baird is a warrior and Sam O' Sullivan kicks goals up forward including 3 last week. The ever improving Mitch Woofindin had 33 disposals last week including 15 handball receives suggesting Port likes the ball in his hands and he is the player who breaks the lines for the side.
Some interesting match ups could be does Pears (if he plays ) go to Galea or will that responsibility go to Ariel Steinberg who struggled against a similar player in Aaron Edwards last match. Luke Davis may be used in a tagging role against Cain, Baird, Woofindin or Josh Scipione who kicked 4 goals last match. For Port does the ever reliable Sam Pleming go to Joe Daniher or will Danny Noonan be entrusted with the job, speedster Michael Dillon may get the job on Jetta and Port will be acutely aware of the run Dempsey promises to deliver.
I think Ports overall bigger bodies through the midfield in the wet conditions may see them gain ascendancy late in the match, I think they will win by 22 pts.
Last Modified on 17/05/2013 15:41