Round 2 – Essendon v Gold Coast Suns: No clangers from Langers!

 

These are the danger games for the Bombers in my humble opinion. I’m always more confident of performing well against top sides rather than the more lowly teams.

 

From the first bounce it was obvious the Suns were going to offer more competition to the Bombers than the Hawks did last week. With Weideman a late withdrawal from the team and replaced by Massimo D’Ambrosio I thought we may be short a big man particularly if the tall forwards of the Suns performed.

 

Redmond was everywhere in the first half, strong marking, long kicks to position, he certainly is a player who all supporters knew had a lot of potential is now taking that extra step to become an even better player. I’m surprised opposition players let him wander to the forward line so easily. He is a driving force sending the ball forward.

 

Jarrod Witts had the better of Draper and Phillips at most of the centre bounces though the  Bomber rucks both did a lot of good things around the ground. Touk Miller and Matt Rowell took advantage of Witt’s work and gained clearances driving the ball forward often. The Essendon backs have become a very cohesive defensive unit and withheld many of the Suns forward forays.

 

When the Suns took a 14 point lead mid-way through the third quarter I thought our chances of winning were diminishing rapidly. We were struggling to kick goals missing many gettable opportunities and the lack of goal kicker was obvious then up stepped Kyle Langford. Langford has been around for a few years and is often  a much maligned player to supporters (not me) but he stepped on Sunday when required kicking 5 much needed goals. He now has played two very good games, in defence against the Hawks, and up forward against the Suns provides Brad Scott with a very good swingman.

 

Our younger players were down on form in comparison with last week but showed many glimpses of class. Menzie missed gettable goals but he will learn from that, Alwyn Davey Jnr is an excitement machine, he’s very quick and has a long career ahead of him. Harrison Jones did not have the best of games when he should have grabbed the opportunity of being the key forward on the day but I believe he should be preserved with.

 

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher hobbled off with an ankle injury late in the game. If serious it will leave a hole in defence as his stature as a player has increased enormously over the past season.

 

Matt Guelfi came on as sub late in the game and was impressive with his tackling and 2 goals and will give selectors a lot to think about for next week’s team.

 

Zach Merrett once again played a superb game and should receive the umpire’s 3 Brownlow votes for the game. He lead from the front, moving the ball forward with precise execution.

 

Will Settlefield has proved to be astute acquisition to the mid field with another very good game for the Bombers.

 

ESSENDON        3.4     7.6     11.6     16.12     (108)
GOLD COAST     3.2     6.6     10.12     11.14      (80)

 

GOALS
Essendon: Langford 5, Shiel 2, Menzie 2, Guelfi 2, A. Davey, Perkins, Martin, Phillips, Setterfield,
Gold Coast: Casboult 2, King 2, Lukosius, Hollands, Jeffrey, Ainsworth, Fiorini, Witts, Sexton

 

BEST
Essendon: Merrett, Langford, Redman, Parish, Setterfield, Shiel
Gold Coast: Miller, Rowell, Weller, Collins, Jeffrey

 

INJURIES
Essendon: Zerk-Thatcher (right ankle)
Gold Coast: Nil

 

LATE CHANGES
Essendon:
Sam Weideman (toe) replaced in selected side by Massimo D’Ambrosio
Gold Coast: Nil

 

SUBSTITUTES
Essendon:
Matt Guelfi (replaced Heppell in the third quarter)
Gold Coast: Alex Sexton (replaced Fiorini in the third quarter)

 

Crowd: 32,915 at Marvel Stadium

 

 

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About Colin Ritchie

Retired teacher who enjoys following the Bombers, listening to music especially Bob Dylan, reading, and swimming.

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