Round 6 Essendon vs Melbourne - Sunday 30th April 1:10 - Etihad

[LaHug]

LAST FIVE TIMES

R2, 2016, Essendon 11.14 (80) d Melbourne 10.7 (67) at the MCG
R15, 2015, Essendon 10.9 (69) d Melbourne 7.18 (60) at the MCG
R13, 2014, Melbourne 12.6 (78) d Essendon 10.17 (77) at the MCG
R2, 2013, Essendon 28.16 (184) d Melbourne 5.6 (36) at the MCG
R10, 2012, Melbourne 8.10 (58) d Essendon 6.16 (52) at the MCG

[Jukes]

In: Myers Mutch Bellchambers and Gleeson/Dea
Out: Stants (omitted) Zacka (omitted) Watson (rested) and Leuey (rested)

4 day break will hurt and we'll have to swing the changes, with a couple of players out of form too. Maybe add Brown for Langford too.

[Purple 77]

Poor Jesse :( can't be expecting him to play this week. Take all the time and space you need.



In terms of the game, I'm starting to think the footy gods are telling us that it's just not our year.

[GoLions]

Reckon the Dees will bounce back, shorter break may hurt the Bombers later in the game

[LaHug]

Thought the Dees would win this initially due to the short break but reckon the Bombers get it with so many talls missing for the Dees. No rucks means Watts needs to play there but Hogan out means they need him forward. Really unfortunate situation for Melbourne.

[nas]

Bombers even though a short break for the W.

[The_Captain]

In: Myers Mutch Bellchambers and Gleeson/Dea
Out: Stants (omitted) Zacka (omitted) Watson (rested) and Leuey (rested)

4 day break will hurt and we'll have to swing the changes, with a couple of players out of form too. Maybe add Brown for Langford too.

No Hogan and Gawn. Dons will be good to go herre.

[Jukes]

In: Myers Mutch Bellchambers and Gleeson/Dea
Out: Stants (omitted) Zacka (omitted) Watson (rested) and Leuey (rested)

4 day break will hurt and we'll have to swing the changes, with a couple of players out of form too. Maybe add Brown for Langford too.

No Hogan and Gawn. Dons will be good to go herre.

That's what I'm afraid of, been stung as favourites against the Dees far too many times :P

Or we'll win by 148 points again, who knows. Anything below a win is a failure

[The_Captain]

I think Gawn and Hogan are there 2 most influential players and by a long way. Guys like Jordan lewis are easily replaceable because melbourne has midfield depth. The key ruck and Full forward hurts big time. They will be 7-8 goals worse off for it.

Essendon should have first use of the ball all day and Melbourne looked so gassed last week i think they will both fatigue at a similar stage in the game.

[Big Mac]

I think Gawn and Hogan are there 2 most influential players and by a long way. Guys like Jordan lewis are easily replaceable because melbourne has midfield depth. The key ruck and Full forward hurts big time. They will be 7-8 goals worse off for it.

Essendon should have first use of the ball all day and Melbourne looked so gassed last week i think they will both fatigue at a similar stage in the game.

Definitely disagree that Lewis is easily replaceable

One thing we still really lack is on field leadership, having him out there is invaluable. After Jones there's not really anyone there to settle the team and keep them focused

Think Essendon will win though, all preseason the game plan would have been based off Melbourne winning the tap every contest, now they'll have to set up much differently and it will take a while to adjust

[Jukes]

Just saw that Matt "Anti-Dons" Nicholls is umpiring this one :/ that makes it harder

[PowerBug]

Just saw that Matt "Anti-Dons" Nicholls is umpiring this one :/ that makes it harder

Good old Nude Nut Nicholls. He's not just anti-Dons, he's just a really shower umpire. My least favourite, was 2nd worst behind Pannell but he redeemed himself when we had him in Rd 4 and was overly favourable to us :P

[Gandalf123]

Just saw that Matt "Anti-Dons" Nicholls is umpiring this one :/ that makes it harder

Good old Nude Nut Nicholls. He's not just anti-Dons, he's just a really shower umpire. My least favourite, was 2nd worst behind Pannell but he redeemed himself when we had him in Rd 4 and was overly favourable to us :P

Yep worst umpire in the game

[Rusty00]

Just saw that Matt "Anti-Dons" Nicholls is umpiring this one :/ that makes it harder

Good old Nude Nut Nicholls. He's not just anti-Dons, he's just a really shower umpire. My least favourite, was 2nd worst behind Pannell but he redeemed himself when we had him in Rd 4 and was overly favourable to us :P

Yep worst umpire in the game

Agree, yet the AFL seem to like him as he did 2 games in Round 1 and also ANZAC day ::)

[GoLions]

No late changes for either side

Hopefully Zaha and Goddard can poop it up