Essendon and Williamstown clash in this weekend’s Peter Jackson VFL ABC TV game at RAMS Arena (Highgate Reserve Craigieburn) at 1.10 pm Saturday . Stephen O’Brien previews the game.
Essendon has endured a horror draw having played the top three sides all in a row, coming away with a win (Box Hill), a narrow loss (Port Melbourne) and a thumping at the hands of the rampant Footscray. They still however they still find themselves only half a game outside the top 8, and this weekend complete taking on the top four teams in a row as they host fourth placed Williamstown, needing a win to stay in touch with the pack.
Williamstown on the other hand are certainties to be finals bound but will be doing everything in their power to hang onto a top four position, with Werribee only a game and minimal percentage behind them.
Essendon welcomes back Nick O'Brien ( on standby as emergency for AFL side last match ) and introduce youngster Kieran Ellis for his 1st game as 23rd man . Ellis has been among the Murray Bushrangers best players in recent weeks and represented NSW at the recent U18 Championships. Sean Gregory also returns to the squad after a long absence through injury, and his inclusion may open the door for newly promoted senior list player Ariel Steinberg to be shifted forward as the Dons search for more marking targets .
Williamstown is nearing full strength, as Ryan Ferguson and Willie Wheeler both play their second match back after missing several months through injury . Ferguson, a noted defender through his days at Melbourne and West Adelaide, has relished the move up forward at Williamstown and along with Scott Clouston and giant Sean Tighe will provide plenty of aerial targets for the Seagulls .
Ben Jolley, Ben Davies, Kane Lambert,Adam Marcon and Mitch Banner and Wheeler headline a midfield the envy of all in the VFL. They are running machines and rack up the stats in handball receives for their club, with players from Essendon such as Kurt Aylett and Elliot Kavanagh likely to have run with roles in an effort to curtail the handball distribution of the Seagulls .
The Essendon squad for Saturday is not bereft of talent either, with Leroy Jetta , Kyle Hardingham , Tayte Pears , Jake Melksham , Jason Ashby, O'Brien and Steinberg all wanting to have standout games as they try and push their case for inclusion in the AFL side . Ben Duscher ,Josh Freezer , Dan Coghlan and Alex Macleod have had stellar seasons as VFL listed players and will make sure they apply the blowtorch to their Williamtown opponents .
Essendon VFL general Manager Matt Little recognises Williamtown as the VFL side with the most hard ball gets, and hopes Essendon can match their intensity on the inside .
VERDICT: In an upset I think the Bombers can get up by 14 points and keep their slim finals hopes alive for another week.
Tune to ABC TV from 1pm Saturday, with Port Melbourne coach Gary Ayres in special comments.
Last Modified on 01/08/2014 22:14