Game Chat – Greater Western Sydney v Essendon

Written by Father Dougal on March 24 2019

Where and when: Sydney Showground Stadium, Sunday March 24, 3.20pm AEDT

Last time they met: Sydney Showground Stadium, round 10, 2018: GWS 8.12 (60) lost to Essendon 14.11 (95)

The Bombers handed GWS its fourth straight defeat after booting six goals to one in a dominant final term. Jake Stringer and Mark Baguley kicked three goals while David Zaharakis claimed the three Brownlow medal votes for his 33 possessions, six clearances, six inside 50s and a goal.

What it means for GWS: A successful start is a must for GWS with games against West Coast (away), Richmond (home) and Geelong (away) in the first month of the season.

What it means for Essendon: The Bombers have plenty of expectations on them after another big off-season of recruiting, and a win will show they’re ready to handle the hype.

How GWS wins: The Giants’ backline isn’t full strength but is brilliantly led by Phil Davis, and without Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker, it’s hard to see how the visitors kick a winning score.

How Essendon wins: The addition of Dylan Shiel is massive for the Bombers and he adds some speed to their already quality midfield, which will gain the ascendancy.

The stat: The Bombers trounced the Giants 16-8 in the centre clearances and 55-42 overall in round 10 last season, a statistic that helped them pile on 6.3 to 1.3 in a one-sided final quarter. Dyson Heppell (12), Zach Merrett (nine) and David Zaharakis (six) led the way.

The match-up: Zac Williams v Orazio Fantasia

This will be a battle of two speedsters and looms as crucial to both sides. Williams provides plenty of run from defence and sets up a lot of attacks, but Fantasia is one of the most dangerous small forwards in the game and can cut sides to pieces if given too much space.

It’s a big week for: Dylan Shiel (Essendon)

The original Giant gets a match-up with his former team to start the new phase of his career, and he could be the game-breaker. Shiel’s speed and explosiveness is well known by the GWS players but stopping him won’t be easy.

Father Dougals’s Tip: GWS by 20. I just don’t think the Bombers have improved enough to beat GWS at Sydney. I have medium confidence in this pick.

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20 thoughts on “Game Chat – Greater Western Sydney v Essendon”

  1. It’s only round 1, but the Bombers have tended to be fast starters in seasons past. Not good signs for them based on that.

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  2. Chose McGrath as my mid-priced smokey over the plethora of other options.

    Going early but I may have fucked that one up..

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    1. McGrath’s like Mills: people keep picking him every year, expecting him to break out, and it just keeps on not happening. Petracca used to suck people in like that, too.

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  3. Concern over Whitfield’s role… he seems to want to play his old role but is restricted by what Cameron wants. Should still average mid 90s but won’t improve on last year unless he moves back.

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  4. Whitfield looks so damaging when his behind the ball off half back and in the middle. Allows him to run anywhere and everywhere. Playing him half forward just makes no sense. Hopefully cameron agrees

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  5. Jesus Christ Merrett… you see that red thing everyone else is kicking around? It’s your job to try and get that.

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  6. This will be a weekend long remembered. It has seen the end of Gawndy; it will soon see the end of the Essendon hype.

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    1. Gawn had the worst game of his careet arguably and got 90 SC – I wouldn’t rule the man out yet, especially seeing as Port effectively used 2 ruckmen solely to neutralize his impact.

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      1. Don’t be too proud of this tactical terror Port has constructed. The ability to neutralise a ruckman is insignificant next to the power of the Cox Curse.

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