Essendon and Richmond clash at Highgate Recreation Reserve Craigieburn this Saturday in a last roll of the dice battle towards September. Stephen O'Brien previews the clash.
Despite both clubs letting a number of opportunities slide past this year, amazingly the winner of Saturday's clash can still find themselves in an Elimination Final. It is unlikely and results would need to fall into place, but both are still a mathematical chance of finals football.
Both clubs sit two games outside the eight, only minimal percentage behind Sandringham, and they will be hoping the three clubs - Sandringham, Geelong and Northern Blues - above them in the race to September all stumble, all of whom have difficult final round assignments.
Richmond are the more interesting side , on paper they have assembled a side that probably should be challenging during the final few weeks of September. They have excellent ruckmen at this level Orren Stephenson and Shaun Hampson, goalkickers in Aaron Edwards, Todd Banfield Liam Mc Bean and a midfield that comprises Chris Knights, Daniel Jackson, Matt Mc Donaugh and emerging young guns Matt Dea and Brad Helbig. Yet they have only managed to string six wins and a draw this season. The Tigers will be looking to feed McBean the ball today after he went to the top of the goal kicking ladder last weekend.
Essendon's slide may be more readily explained as their lack of big men and key position players diminish almost on a weekly basis. Fraser Thurlow was the first in a long line of casualties succumbing to injury in round 7. With no Josh Mellington since mid sesason, Tom Bellchambers has barely been able to get on the park this season and may again be a late withdrawal for the AFL side's benefit . Tayte Pears has gone in for season ending surgery and the stalwart all season Ariel Steinberg has been called up for his well deserved AFL debut.
Josh Freezer who played his 50 th VFL game last week and 1st year player Al Kefford the only players left to play key position. Should Bellchambers not play, the ruck duties will fall to 2nd gamer giant Jessie Bowe.
Essendon will take to the match with almost a squad of midfielders, most emerging and ready to forge long careers at the highest level. The likes of Marty Gleeson, Jackson Merrett, Jason Ashby, Elliott Kavanagh Shaun Edwards and Cory Del'Olio are fleet footed and skillfull enough to trouble any side.
VERDICT: Richmond appear far too balanced and structured in this encounter, and Essendon will need to try and keep the ball at ground level to have any chance. It is difficult to see them doing that and for me its the Tigers by 40 points
Photo: Dave Savell
Last Modified on 16/08/2014 12:48