2008 NAB CUP Round 2 Preview - Game 1
Essendon vs Western Bulldogs - Friday Night
Both these sides were pretty impressive last week and would be happy with their performances. The Bulldogs had a good win in tough conditions and are likely to rest some players from last week including Lindsay Gilbee, Jarrod Harbrow, Farren Ray and Ryan Griffen. Eade looks like injecting some more youngsters in including Paul O’Shea for his first game and Jarrad Grant is a chance to play also. Tough ask for the Doggies to recover from the Darwin conditions.
The Bulldogs showed good intensity last week and their tackling and their willingness to put their head over the footy was evident and looks like it has been a focus over summer. While over at Bomber land new coach Matthew Knights would have been impressed with the youngsters last week
after they had a good win over Brisbane. Knights is set to bring back a host of big names for the Bombers including Dustin Fletcher, Andrew Welsh, Adam Ramanauskas, Brent Stanton, Mark McVeigh, Scott Lucas, Alwyn Davey and Jobe Watson. Out from last weeks side will be Adam McPhee, Courtney Johns who both have little niggles and Scott Gumbleton who tore his hamstring. Also being rested will be Courtenay Dempsey, Jay Nash and Heath Hocking.
It is shaping up to be a bit of a one sided game with the omissions from the Western Bulldogs and the big inclusions from the Bombers but if the Bulldogs can put as much pressure on the Bombers midfield as they did last week in Darwin then it shapes to be an interesting game. The Bombers midfield will need to be on their toes up against the likes of West, Cross, Boyd, Cooney and Akermanis. It will be good to see how Brent Stanton goes in his first outing with the Number 5 on his back. I am sure Matthew Knights will want to continue the winning momentum while Rodney Eade may just be gearing up to Round 1. The Bulldogs are renowned for their leg speed and it will be good to see how the Bombers are going in that area.
Bombers by 23 points.
Bombers will win because they now have pace which adds to their potent forward line. Bulldogs just cannot score enough goals..
doggies will win cos they’re better
doggies
bombers all the way..