A welcoming home of sorts awaits three former North Ballarat Rebels as the North Ballarat Roosters host Essendon at 2pm at Eureka Stadium this Saturday. Steve O’Brien previews the clash between the Roosters and the Bombers, who meet for the first time since Round 14, 2002 (pictured).
Lucas Cook, an outstanding junior with the club and former top 10 pick in the national draft will line up at centre half forward for the Roosters in his first game of the season. Meanwhile opponents Essendon has two products of North Ballarat, Marty Gleeson who was taken in the 2012 draft and Nick O’Brien from the 2011 draft.
Both sides have one win for the season, each accounting for Bendigo in the opening rounds. Wayward kicking in the opening round against Collinwood and a 40-point deficit at half time against Casey has not helped the Roosters cause. They were unforgiving in the final term against Bendigo winning by 85 points with Aaron Black kicking five goals.
Essendon on the other hand lost it’s second round match against Box Hill after Box Hill kicked seven goals in the third quarter and last week against Casey were jumped in the opening 10 minutes of each quarter before being suffering an 83-point defeat.
At selection the Roosters welcome Cook, Oliver Tate and ruckman Ben Mabon. North Ballarat Rebels Louis Herbert will be the sides 23rd man. Black and Brad McKenzie have been named on a North Melbourne seven man interchange bench.
At Essendon, solid defender Tayte, Pears and Jake Melksham are back from the AFL side. Nathan Lovett Murray who was on standby for last weeks AFL side and Gleeson and Jason Ashby return from injury. Murphy Ambrose selected at centre half forward will play his first game for the Dons after 10 games with the Coburg Tigers. Fabian Brancatisamo will be the Dons 23rd man. Most notable omission will be key defender Josh Freezer.
Joe Daniher who was touted as a possible call up for the ANZAC day match will likely have Luke Delaney for company in a one on one contest that could go a long way in deciding this match.
Experienced mid fielders Steve Clifton and Myles Sewell will need to get on top of the Lovett-Murray and Ben Duscher combination for the home side to get the points.
VERDICT: In a close one I think the Bombers can get home by 7 points.
Last Modified on 26/04/2013 15:03