The finals aspirations of Sandringham and Essendon are on the line in Saturday’s ABC TV match of the round at Trevor Barker Beach Oval, as Steve O’Brien previews the match.
Sandringham has produced mixed results in recent weeks having defeated highly rated Williamstown in Round 13 before being humbled by premiership favourites Geelong last week. Sitting in 11th position on the ladder, they are still only a game and a half out of the top eight, but need to win this week to keep their hopes alive of back to back finals campaigns.
Essendon has found its best form of the season with three consecutive wins over Northern Blues, Casey Scorpions and Bendigo. The Bombers return to form has coincided with David Hille returning to his best, and slotting back into the ruck where last week he had 22 possessions, taking seven marks and 34 hit outs.
At selection table the Zebras welcomed back Adam Cockie and Jason Blake but lose Ahmed Saad, while the Bombers do a swap with Joe Daniher back in for Scott Gumbleton who has been promoted to the AFL side.
The 23rd player selections for both sides this weekend will be important. For Sandringham, James Munro from the Sandringham Dragons is playing his second game for the Zebras following on from last week where he had 13 touches and took 6 marks. Munro was an outstanding junior hockey player representing his country, and this is his first season of Aussie Rules. Former 23rd player Tom Langdon, also from the Dragons, is playing his fifth game of VFL footy and continues to impress.
A possible father/son selection will take to the field as the Bombers’ 23rd player, as Jydon Neagle is given his chance. Neagle plays as a key forward for the Murray Bushrangers, and impressed for NSW/ACT in the recent NAB AFL U18 Championships.
In likely match ups it will be old versus new when Blake will battle with Daniher. Bombers’ Nick O'Brien had 30 possessions last week but has generally had a run with role and is likely to go to either Tom Ledger - who had 30 possessions and 5 tackles last week - or Adam Schneider (33). Up forward Cameron Shenton had an outstanding match against Geelong with 24 of his 28 possessions hitting the target. Essendon swingman Trent Shinners kicked four majors last round, and will look to team up with Daniher as the key targets this weekend.
Essendon with Hille in the ruck, Matty Firman in his 100th game being a playmaker in defence and the dangerous Alwyn Davey up forward I think it will be a 23 point win to the Bombers.
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 02/08/2013 15:22