The 2013 season ended the same way for both Essendon and Casey Scorpions.
Despite having contrasting seasons - Casey easily booking a top four spot, and Essendon just holding on to eighth spot ahead of a group of teams unlucky not to make it – they both suffered the same season finale, falling to the Werribee Tigers in the finals.
This Sunday a new season begins for both sides as they meet at Windy Hill for Round 1 of Peter Jackson VFL action.
As any new season begins, eyes search for the players to watch that could impact the fortunes of each club for the year ahead.
Essendon may be missing both Tom Bellchambers and Paddy Ryder, so focus will be on a pair of talented up and coming rucks. Young 23 yearr old Sam Tagliablue, a 206 cm ruckman hailing from the Riverina in N.S.W. Essendon fans were deprived of seeing him last year as he recovered from a serious knee injury, but he has had a strong preseason and may be a massive inclusion for the club. Rucking with him will be Essendon rookie Fraser Thurlow who was touted as being a replacement for Ryder in the AFL side this week, after the young man from the Gold Coast was very impressive in the preseason competition.
Newcomers for the Bombers include Wayne Schultz, a player who represented the Bendigo Bombers 2 seasons ago who, has been lured back to the VFL after a stint with Strathfieldsaye in the Bendigo Football League. Also making his first appearance is Aaron Heppell, younger brother of Dyson, who will this week will be the clubs 23rd man. Alex Mc Cleod, a local product who has spent time at Williamstown, will play his first game named on a wing, while key position players Alister Kefford and Brad Leggett have been named as possible inclusions on an extended interchange bench . Murphy Ambrose, the older brother of recent senior debutant Patty Ambrose, comes into the side after best on ground honours for the Amateurs in last week’s Metropolitan Championships.
In an interesting selection move at the Bombers, Courtenay Dempsey - who the club has ruled out for four weeks due to a hamstring injury - was named on a half back flank - and outstanding close checking defender Josh Freezer has been named at full forward.
Casey is fielding a very different team this weekend to the one which humbled the Bombers 12 months ago and have only nine players from that match running on to the park from the clubs last venture to Essendon. Only one of their six best players in that game remains - Jordie Mckenzie - with the others James Magner ( Port Melbourne ) Michael Risely ( NSW ) David Rodan (retired) Jesse Hogan ( injured ) Jake Spencer ( Melb ) Possibly leaves the Scorpions facing a daunting task .Jack Trengove and Shannon Byrnes have been named in the Casey outfit , however both may be required by Melbourne in that clubs sojourn to Sydney.
Casey has named young Gippsland Power recruit Ed Morris as its 23rd man. The youngster who hails from Garfield, where he played senior footy, won the Gippsland’s best and fairest last year, and also led won the tackle count in the TAC Cup competition last year.
Evan Panozza will once again lead the Scorpions not only as captain but also in defence. He provides lots of stability down back and rallies his players as good captains do . Mark Jamar will also line up for Casey as he recovers from an injury riddled preseason, and his battle with Tagliabue should be a highlight . He will be supported in the ruck by Melbourne rookie Max King, with the 200 cm ruckman named at full forward. Melbourne fourth round draft pick Jayden Hunt has been named at half back and the young man from Brighton Grammar is said to have explosive pace and Scorpions fans will be hoping to see him break the lines on a regular basis.
Looking back to last year, round 14 saw Essendon defeat Casey by 11 points at a windswept Casey Fields, putting the Bombers back in the hunt for finals action.
These sides last clashed at Windy Hill in Round 3 last season, with humbled by the Scorpions to the tune of 83 points. Jacob Thompson injured his ACL in that game, and the lively half forward will be making his comeback against the same foe this Sunday.
Essendon suffered narrow defeats by two points to Richmond and three points to Geelong in their recent practice matches while Casey accounted narrowly for Port Melbourne but faced a seven goal defeat to Williamstown making their form difficult to read.
Verdict: At their home ground, I expect the Bombers with experienced players captain Ben Duscher , Travis Colyer and Tayte Pears to hold sway, Essendon should open their season with a win somewhere in the vicinity of 20 points.
Steve O’Brien
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Last Modified on 05/04/2014 23:30