Matchups
Round 21 – Fremantle
This preview focuses on our Round 21 clash with Fremantle, analysing how both teams stack up on paper. While matchups are fluid during games, this exercise should give a general idea of team selection, helping to anticipate key matchups and possible positional twists.
*To keep things simple, ONE Essendon player is matched to ONE opposition player. Therefore, this is only meant as a guide and not to be taken as gospel.
TEAM SELECTION
In: Jake Kelly, Archie Roberts, Nick Bryan, Alwyn Davey Jnr
Out: Jordan Ridley (injured), Dyson Heppell (omitted), Archie Perkins (omitted), Peter Wright (omitted)
(refer to this link for an explanation of role nicknames: https://thebombersblog.wixsite.com/thebombersblog/post/determining-our-current-best-team )
DEFENCE
Full-Back Line:
N. COX (interceptor)
J. Amiss (leading forward)
B. McKAY (anchor)
L. Jackson (athlete)
J. Kelly (lockdown)
S. Sturt (2nd full-forward)
Half-Back Line:
N. MARTIN (creator)
S. Switkowski (linker)
J. LAVERDE (zoner)
J. Treacy (athlete)
A. McGrath (general)
M. Frederick (dynamo)
Unlike last week, our opposition’s forward line lacks those tricky medium-sized players, instead opting for a mix of talls and smalls. Regarding the talls, the Docker’s three key forwards will ensure our defense is stretched, a problem which is exacerbated by Jordan Ridley’s injury. Given our team selection (no like-for-like replacement for Ridley), it seems that Nik Cox will be sent back to try and solve this issue in what is another role change for him. Let’s hope it is one he relishes. This is also a big week for Ben McKay: he needs to adjust his defensive strategy. For instance, rather than sticking to a specific opponent all day, he should be positioning himself on the last line of defense where he can better utilize his size and strength. Currently, he’s being sucked way too far up the ground, and his poor footy IQ is exposing him in transition where he frequently makes the wrong decisions in zone and scramble coverage. As for the smalls, our half-backs will need to be at their absolute best, which, apart from occasional purple patches, have typically been far from it. Sam Switkowski and Michael Frederick, for example, are work horses who will challenge our defenders all day with their relentless gut-running.
MIDFIELD
Centre Line:
X. DUURSMA (two-way)
J. Sharp (two-way)
S. DURHAM (point of difference)
H. Young (point of difference)
A. ROBERTS (two-way)
J. Aish (two-way)
Followers:
N. BRYAN (ruck)
S. Darcy (ruck)
D. PARISH (accumulator)
C. Serong (accumulator)
Z. MERRETT (architect)
A. Brayshaw (architect)
Welcome Archie Roberts and Nick Bryan. We’ve been crying out for you both! Hopefully this injection of youth can provide some spark to what is a midfield group currently going through the motions. Specifically, with Cox being sent back and Harrison Jones likely spending more time forward, Roberts’ inclusion should help address our recent ball use and leg speed problems. It is, however, unfair to rely on a debutan to solve our issues and is therefore paramount that our senior players step up. Darcy Parish and Zach Merrett, in particular, need to rediscover their synergy as they face a duo at the peak of their powers in Caleb Serong and Angus Brayshaw. They are both posting elite seasons and are tearing apart opposition midfields with their control over clearance and contested possession (Fremantle rank 1st and 2nd in those statistical differentials over the last 5 weeks). Lastly, the suspension of Nat Fyfe has meant the Docker’s have had to restructure their midfield setup. I predict Neil Erasmus to be the substitute, meaning Jaeger O’Meara gets moved off the wing and into Fyfe’s role, while James Aish slots onto the now vacant wing spot. Hopefully these changes result in a lack of chemistry, and consequently, a lack of effectiveness.
*Stay on the lookout for a potential Merrett tag. Fremantle coach, Justin Longmuir, forecasted it during the week; however, they typically back their midfielders in head-to-head. If they do opt for the tag, it will likely be executed by James Aish.
FORWARDS
Half-Forward Line:
J. STRINGER (dynamo)
H. Chapman (lockdown)
N. CADDY (athlete)
B. Cox (zoner)
D. SHIEL (linker)
J. Clark (creator)
Full-Forward Line:
J. GRESHAM (linker)
B. Walker (lockdown)
S. DRAPER (leading forward)
J. Draper (anchor)
K. LANGFORD (2nd full-forward)
L. Ryan (interceptor)
Just as quick as he came back, Peter Wright is now gone again. He indirectly makes way for Sam Draper who I expect to spend much more time forward given the inclusion of Bryan. Here’s hoping he’s learned how to kick a football. Jones should also spend more time forward. While he will still line up on the wing at times, Robert’s inclusion on the wing means Jones can be used to provide offensive aerial support for the volatile Draper and inexperienced Nate Caddy. Next, I’m turning the blowtorch onto the entire forward line: Stringer is walking around like he’s a superstar, Gresham can’t get near it, and Langford can’t kick. They all desperately need to find form if we are any chance of winning this game. Our half-forwards, in particular, will need to be ready to run and chase, otherwise Clark and co. will cut us to shreds on the rebound. This presents the perfect opportunity for Alwyn Davey Jnr to make his mark on what is a slow, stale, and vanilla forward line.
INTERCHANGE
Versatile Defenders:
M. REDMAN (general)
C. Wagner (general)
Complementary Midfielders:
J. CALDWELL (accumulator)
J. O’Meara (accumulator)
Pressure Forwards:
A. DAVEY JNR (linker)
T. Emmett (linker)
Utilities:
H. JONES (two-way/athlete)
B. Banfield (two-way/linker)
Likely Substitutes:
J. MENZIE (linker)
N. Erasmus (point of difference)
VERDICT
We are 0-3 since I started drafting these mini previews and our season has looked to have gone down the toilet. There’s no fancy statistic that will explain our recent results … we just need more from our senior players. Specifically, I’m casting the spotlight on Redman, McGrath, Parish, Stringer, Langford, and Draper. We need more from all of you! If you truly care about being a good team, now’s the time to show it.
Let’s hope our fast start to the season wasn’t for nothing…
As always,
Go Bombers!
TIP: Fremantle by 22 points.
James Youil (13-year Essendon Member)
Comments