2008 AFL NAB Cup Semi Final Preview
Essendon vs St Kilda
The Bombers have been playing some impressive footy during the first 2 games of the NAB Cup against the Brisbane Lions and last week against the Western Bulldogs but can they continue their 
momentum? The Bomber youngsters have been brilliant and are the reason the Bombers are where they are at the moment. They will have to again stand up against a powerful St Kilda lineup as Matthew Lloyd (hamstring), Adam McPhee, Dustin Fletcher, Andrew Lovett and Jason Winderlich are still not available to play. What has impressed me the most about the Bombers is their speed and inclination to put pressure on the opposition causing that important “percieved pressure” and making them think that they are about to get tackled and therefore rushing their possession.
Bombers Young Midfield
Houli, Dyson, McVeigh, Davey, Reimers have been fantastic rotating through the middle for the Bombers but the first 2 will be rested this week and others will need step up against the quality of Dal Santo, Montagna, Clarke, Hayes and the like. Brent Stanton has also been included this week for his first outing in the Number 5 Jumper and should add some more dash and skill through the middle, and maybe a Monfries, Hocking or Reimers will be given more time in the guts. The free flowing game plan of Matthew Knights is very exiting to watch but they need to be careful not to overuse the handball like we saw with Port Adelaide in the opening round. The Bombers have been doing this very well and not hand balling for the sake of hand balling but linking up and running forward with advantageous handball instead. Gardiner and King have both been named for the Saints so it will be a good test for David Hille and Jason Laycock. Reiwoldt has also been named and it will be great to see the youngsters in Ryder or even Demspey line up on him to see where they are at.
Saints Missing Some Goal Kicking Power
Over at St Kilda they would be reasonably happy with their start to the NAB Cup, although Ross Lyon doesn’t give to much away and couldn’t even muster up a compliment for Jack Stevens for winning the game for them last week. The Saints copped a few injuries last week with Gehrig and Hudgton will miss but Reiwoldt has been named, but whether he plays or not is another thing. I
hope he does. Justin Koschitzke will be another player that will miss which will be a big blow for the Saints. But the Saints have a list of quality inclusions including Ball, Harvey, Hayes and McGuire. A concern for the Saints will be their ability to kick enough goals I reckon with both Gehrig and Koschitzke out so someone will have to step up and take the mantle. Maybe the mid fielders will need to kick a few more goals. Charlie Gardiner now becomes very important to the make up of the Saints forward line and he again needs to put in another good performance. The Saints also have a string of youngsters that have been impressive so far and the likes of Armitage, Geary and Stevens will again lead the charge.
For me I think the Bombers may just get up and cause the upset (yes I am a bit biased), I think they can capatalize on the goal kicking strength that is missing from the Saints and will continue their free flowing style of footy.
Bombers by 17 points.
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You know any inside knowledge about Reiwoldts knee?
The battle between the ruckmen will go a long way to see who wins.
So are you now glad that Sheedy has gone? Essendon seem to have turn their style and team around…