Anzac Day Clash Preview
The biggest game outside of the Grand Final will take place on Friday when the Collingwood Football Club take on the Essendon Football Club in the traditional Anzac Day Clash at the MCG. The mind games have started already with the Magpie complaining that they are a tired group of footballers. Although Matthew Knights has only coached 5 games he is on to that one from the Pies.
“I don’t think they’re struggling too much,” he said. “I’m not sure Collingwood are too beaten up, to be brutally honest. They were one kick away from beating North last week, let’s not forget that.”
Both teams are sitting at 2 wins and 3 losses and this game promises to be a beauty. They usually are no matter where they are on the ladder both teams get up for this one and the Bomber may get the great man James Hird involved before the game. A pity he can’t pull on the jumper. Courtenay Johns has been named for the Don at the expense of Nathan Lovett-Murray while Brodie Holland and Ben Reid are both out through injury being replaced by Maxwell and Cook.
The Bombers come into the game in need of finding some avenue to goal and that is the major concern for the Bombers, hence the inclusion of Johns. McPhee finally stood up last week and needs to again if the Bombers are any chance. Matthew Lloyd went goalless last week and will definitely not want to do that on the big stage this week. It will be a tough day at the office again for Lloyd who will be manned up by Wakelin you would think. Lloyd will be the key for the Bombers and needs a big one. I reckon the Bombers have the cattle to cover the Collingwod Forwards that everyone keep talking about. Rocca, Cloke, Medhurst, Didak, Thomas will be taken by Fletcher, Michael, Ryder, Houli, Welsh. Scott Pendelbury is starting to find some form and will need to be closely watched on the wind. Ricky Dyson would be the man there. Jason Laycock needs a rocket up his arse this week and looks down on confidence. He is one that the Bomber could look to in the goals square.
The midfield will be an intriguing battle with the Bombers needing to continue to chance their arm and play on at all costs to try and move the ball quickly into Lloyd, McPhee and Johns. The Pies are good through the middle and Swan, Davis, O’bree and Thomas will need to be watched in transition.
Really looking forward to this one, as I always do. The goal kicking power for the Bomber is my only concern and I think this could be a close encounter. Lloyd to have a big one, Bombers by 6 points.
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6 Responses to “Anzac Day Clash Preview”
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Anybody else tired of hearing the team who has the least interstate travel in the competition whingeing about how difficult and long their season is because of a holiday in Dubai? Seems to me we have a team who has lost touch with any sense of reality.
Best thing about the Anzac Day clash? One of the teams has to lose.
Obvious you go for the Bombers (You always tip them – lol).
Bombers have the pace and backline to match and even trouble Collingwood however their forward line is rubbish. I wonder if you regret getting rid of Bradley seeing Laycock has not got up and reached his potential???
Collingwood easily matches the Bombers lacking forward line, surprised to see Lovett-Murrey dropped as he adds goal kicking ability.
Collingwood by 20 points, Malthouse’s teams do not loose 3 in a row..
Im just sick and tired of both Essendon and Collingwood continually getting the best deal. When was the last time both teams had to play twice in Perth or play in Perth, Adelaide and Sydney/ Brisbane in the same year???
and they still cannot win premierships.
@Kick2Kick
Quite Correct I do go for the Bombers, I can’t help but pick them against the Pies!!! I have concerns over the Forward line’s ability to kick enough goals.
You’re a bit more optimistic than I am, Ando. I can’t tip the Bombers today…especially after the news on Alwyn Davey! Let’s hope it’s not an ACL…
@Half Back Flanker
Really bad news for the Bombers!!! Is it to late to change my prediction?