Sydney vs Essendon - RWO Match Preview

[liz]

Here

[573v30]

Great preview Liz.

[NMWBloods]

That was really good. I had written a page of comments, questions and observations, but the stupid computer ate them* and I can't be bothered writing them out again.



* does anyone else have trouble opening RWO - it often doesn't open here at work but works fine at home.

[Cher]

That was really good. I had written a page of comments, questions and observations, but the stupid computer ate them* and I can't be bothered writing them out again.

* does anyone else have trouble opening RWO - it often doesn't open here at work but works fine at home.

I never have trouble opening but often when I try to reply the page won't load.

[NMWBloods]

Well, I can't recall my previous post, but I thought I'd add a few comments as I think of them (fortunately this time I copied it first as it blew up again!)

I've been to a couple of Essendon games live this year. Funny side - at times they looked really effective and other times just clueless. I guess that has shown up in their results thus far.

They do seem to start really well though. We have had a problem with our starts, but that doesn't seem to have been a problem in recent weeks. I think it is important in this game to get off to a good start - we don't want to give them confidence early or they'll be tough to beat.

I think Dempster on Hird might be a good option. He has the height and running ability and seems cluey enough.

Adding Jetta could have a significant impact - in our favour! I really wasn't impressed with him.

On the other hand I was very impressed with Ryder. Putting him on Hall may be a really interesting option that I suspect Sheedy will try at some point. Hall's big advantage against Ryder will be strength. Ryder can probably outrun and outleap him, but Hall should be much stronger. Problem is that his play as a strong forward has not been great this year. Possibly use Michael as a loose man - he's pretty good at that.

They seem to like Fletcher to also wander around as loose man a bit. Besides the ruckmen, hard to see who he'll match up on. Maybe put a ruckman in the forward line to force them to keep Fletcher back. Normally they'd probably have Bradley match up on our ruckmen up forward - without him I guess Fletcher is the main option for that.

The midfield will be very important. Neither side has an outstanding one - lots of virtual no-names. Peverill will probably take J Bolton as I think Sheedy likes Bolton, hence I don't expect we'll see Bolton get more than a dozen possessions at the most. Essendon midfielders seem to like to find space and move the ball along the wings, so if our midfield does a good defensive job, the game is half won.

If not then our defenders are in for a torrid time. Lucas and Lloyd are tough to stop if they get good delivery and they should beat C Bolton and Barry (if they are the matchups) one-out. I suspect Richards will want to put in a big game, but I can't see him matching either of those two.

We should have a big advantage in the ruck, but need to make sure that they keep an eye on Hille as he can do some damage around the ground, although like the team overall, he has really been up and down this year.

Davey is amazingly exciting. I guess Schneider on him is the best option for us, but it's a bit of a pity. I think Schneider has been playing really well this year and I would like to see a bit more flexibility as to where he is used.

"Yet many Swans fans - me included - still need to be convinced that the 2005-6 model has truly returned" - yeah, I'm still waiting to see how long we can keep this going. I note that in the second halves of '05 and '06 there were virtually no hiccups. However, given we're not quite halfway, I wonder where that puts us - last year we had a slight dip after a good period.

One thing on the Bombers' interstate performance - there hasn't been much of late. They've played only one game IIRC this year (and as noted they won) and last year's team was much worse than this year's.

Depending on how we start, I agree that we really should win this comfortably. With a good first quarter, we should win by more than 5 goals. A poor start, would probably keep it around a couple of goals. It would be a very disappointing loss if we were beaten and would throw up more questions about where we are headed this season.

[liz]

Peverill will probably take J Bolton as I think Sheedy likes Bolton, hence I don't expect we'll see Bolton get more than a dozen possessions at the most.

Jude got the three Brownlow votes the last time we played the Bombers, though I don't recall enough about the game to know whether this was justified or not. I remember O'Keefe playing one of his absolute best games but he didn't get any recognition from the umpies.

Davey is amazingly exciting. I guess Schneider on him is the best option for us, but it's a bit of a pity. I think Schneider has been playing really well this year and I would like to see a bit more flexibility as to where he is used.

With you on Schneider. His game last week was fantastic. However, matching up on Davey doesn't have to stop him making a good contribution. When he's played as a small defender in the past he's added a fair bit to the rebound so if he does get stuck down there, it might release Malceski to go for a wander even more than normal.

[NMWBloods]

Jude got the three Brownlow votes the last time we played the Bombers, though I don't recall enough about the game to know whether this was justified or not. I remember O'Keefe playing one of his absolute best games but he didn't get any recognition from the umpies.

Yes - bizarre that - O'Keefe was fantastic last time.

Interesting that (now I check the stats) it seems J Bolton gets reasonable possessions against Essendon. Maybe Sheedy speaks highly of Bolton but doesn't bother to tag him, as Bolton normally struggles with a tag and I can't imagine he'd easily shake off Peverill.

With you on Schneider. His game last week was fantastic. However, matching up on Davey doesn't have to stop him making a good contribution. When he's played as a small defender in the past he's added a fair bit to the rebound so if he does get stuck down there, it might release Malceski to go for a wander even more than normal.

I'd just like to have Schneider near goals - he's a great goal sneak, which is something we sorely lack.

[liz]

Someone over on BF is reporting - confidently - that Peverill is out. I know BF is not always to be believed but sometimes people over there do know stuff.

Same person is suggesting Tiger is 80% chance to miss. Guess it won't be a surprise if he does - would always have been touch and go.

If Kennelly doesn't play, I wonder whether we might see our second debutant of the year. Of the listed emergencies, the most Kennelly-like is Thornton (and admittedly that is stretching things a bit, but the other two are Reg and Schmitty).

Thornton has been in outstanding form in the reserves for the last month and if he does get his chance will richly deserve it. I also know that his parents were over in Canberra last weekend (I was introduced to them at the reserves match) so if they've stayed over for this weekend too, that would save flying them over for a later game.

[DeadlyAkkuret]

Great preview Liz, and you even mentioned the most potent player in the league, Kenneski. I have to give you points for that

[giant]

Paper - either today or yesterday, can't remember - said Pev didn't complete the last training session for the Bombers. But as Mandy Rice-Davies might comment "Well, they would say that wouldn't they?"

[anniswan]

Peverill is out!