A week’s a long time in footy, for Bomber supporters especially!

A week’s a long time in footy, as it is indeed in life.

 

Today, I am sitting in my van in Coober Pedy composing this missive, and like the Bombers, we are both a long way from where were this time last week.

 

I was quietly confident the Bombers would perform well against the Cats, and in a complete reversal of form from previous poor performances did, in fact, come out on top with a season defining victory.

 

I think the key to their performance against Geelong was the decision to finally take a punt and give some of the up and coming players an opportunity to play at the top level whilst also giving Shaun McKernan another well-deserved chance to prove himself back in the ones. And boy, he didn’t let the selectors or the fans down with his, perhaps, career defining performance by him. Players, such as Merrett, McDonald-Tipungwuti, and Heppell who have been down on form in recent weeks found their feet once again and were key players in the win.

 

This week against GWS is going to be tough for the Dons. The Giants having lost three matches on the trot will not want to lose a fourth one at home. With some key players returning to their side the odds suggest they should be firm favourites to overcome their form slump and defeat Essendon but I’m not so sure. A little bit of confidence can be a wonderful thing, and having got that winning feeling back, I’m hoping the Bombers are not going to let it go too quickly.

 

Devon Smith, who has probably been Essendon’s most consistent player this year, will be out to prove to his former team-mates and team a thing or two, and I expect him to put in strong showing against them.

 

Essendon’s season is alive again and back on track but there is still a long way to go and they cannot afford to let any opportunities flounder and find their season derailed again.

 

As I said, a week is a long time. This time next week, I will be writing from Kings Canyon, hopefully in a positive frame of mind contemplating the Dreamtime Match against Richmond, and another victory for the Bombers.