Rd 19 - Essendon vs Sydney - Fri 27/07 7:50pm Etihad

[Trindacut]

Expect a fired-up Sydney outfit on Friday night. Nobody expected what unfolded last Saturday, when Gold Coast came from 30 points down to defeat the Swans at the SCG by 24 points. It was the upset of the season, perhaps the decade and maybe the century, as the weakened Suns were without a group of their key players and were coming off an 11-game losing streak. It was a bad loss for the Swans as they fight for a finals spot with a tough run of games to come. Essendon remained in the hunt for a finals position with a strong victory over Fremantle at Etihad Stadium, stretching its run of form to include seven wins from its previous nine games. The Bombers were boosted by the return of key pair Orazio Fantasia (five goals) and David Zaharakis (26 disposals) for the clash after their injury issues and the duo were dynamic against the Dockers. A win for the Bombers this week would be huge in their bid for a top-eight place.

[Trindacut]

No late changes.

Reckon Essendon by 22 points.

[Torpedo10]

Was that not holding the footy on Jones? He's a roadrunner and usually good at it, but surely when you're taken to ground having taken them on it's HTB.

[Ringo]

Was that not holding the footy on Jones? He's a roadrunner and usually good at it, but surely when you're taken to ground having taken them on it's HTB.

Problem with HTB all season Torp.  Reckon there have been more missed than have been paid across all games. Do not know what the answer is though as it will always be umpires opinion as whether prior was there.  Consistency in application though would be great,

[Trindacut]

Was that not holding the footy on Jones? He's a roadrunner and usually good at it, but surely when you're taken to ground having taken them on it's HTB.

Problem with HTB all season Torp.  Reckon there have been more missed than have been paid across all games. Do not know what the answer is though as it will always be umpires opinion as whether prior was there.  Consistency in application though would be great,

A lot of inconsistency in todays Richmond vs Collignwood game too. You would be forgiven for thinking prior opportunity doesn't exist anymore.