Matchups
Round 22 – Gold Coast Suns
This preview focuses on our Round 22 clash with Gold Coast, 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: Ben Hobbs
Out: Xavier Duursma (injured)
(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:
J. LAVERDE (interceptor)
J. Walter (2nd full-forward)
B. McKAY (anchor)
B. King (leading forward)
J. KELLY (lockdown)
B. Long (crumber)
Half-Back Line:
N. MARTIN (creator)
L. Johnston (linker)
N. COX (zoner)
M. Andrew (athlete)
M. REDMAN (general)
B. Humphrey (dynamo)
Similar to Fremantle last week, the Suns lack serious small forwards. With Ben Ainsworth injured and Malcolm Rosas and Tom Berry omitted, we shouldn't have too much trouble dealing with ground balls which has been an issue for us. Ben Long comes closest to filling this small forward role, but he's more of a pseudo-small in a mid-sized body. He still requires close attention, however, as he torched us earlier in the season with 4 goals. Another player who did damage was Ben King, who also booted 4 goals straight. Thankfully, while his form remains impressive, his accuracy has seriously dropped off. Mac Andrew being swung forward also presents a new challenge: he's incredibly athletic and impressive. Assuming Nik Cox remains a defender, this will be his matchup. Both have rangy builds; however, one is full of confidence while the other is still finding his feet. We might need to change things up if Andrew gets off the chain early.
MIDFIELD
Centre Line:
A. ROBERTS (two-way)
W. Graham (two-way)
S. DURHAM (point of difference)
M. Rowell (point of difference)
H. JONES (two-way)
S. Clohesy (two-way)
Followers:
S. DRAPER (ruck)
J. Witts (ruck)
D. PARISH (accumulator)
S. Flanders (accumulator)
Z. MERRETT (architect)
N. Anderson (architect)
A little restructuring in midfield is needed with Xavier Duursma's injury. Since we opted not to bring in another winger, I assume Harrison Jones will move back to the wing. The downside is the obvious hit to our speed and agility in transition. However, there is a silver lining. With Stringer proving his best role is as a permanent forward with minimal midfield minutes, the loss of a key forward (Jones) opens up more space for players like Stringer and Langford to find room closer to goal, where they do their best work.Highlighting our midfield from last week, I want to give credit to the whole group. They all stepped up when it was needed, including at the final centre bounce, which ultimately won us the game. Fremantle was humming, so it was just a mammoth effort. In particular, I want to praise Nick Bryan and Archie Roberts, two inexperienced players who did notlook out of place at all. You can see the future in both of them! Lastly, while the Gold Coast midfield is also a formidable group, it's worth noting that their formidabilitytends not to extend beyond the Queensland border; it's the main reason they haven't won an away game all year. If we're on our game, we should be able to handle them despite their serious talent.
FORWARDS
Half-Forward Line:
B. HOBBS (linker)
W. Powell (general)
N. CADDY (athlete)
C. Ballard (zoner)
D. SHIEL (linker)
L. Weller (creator)
Full-Forward Line:
J. GRESHAM (crumber)
C. Budarick (lockdown)
K. LANGFORD (leading forward)
S. Collins (anchor)
J. STRINGER (2nd full-forward)
B. Uwland (interceptor)
Our forward line is a bit makeshift at the moment, but it does look far more dangerous. Perhaps its unorthodox nature is the reason for this. Currently, it either sees Sam Draper resting at full-forward, or if he's in the ruck, a mix of medium-sized players and midfielders alongside Nate Caddy. This setup allows for greater rotations and unpredictability in our forward line, as well as improved proficiency in dealing with ground balls. It’s still not at the level it needs to be, but it's better than the non-existent small forward presence we had earlier. The downside of this kind of setup, is the lack of reliable goal-kicking options. Therefore, it is paramount that our main threats in Stringer and Langford fire if we are to kick a winning score. We do look to have a height advantage given that Mac Andrew will play forward. Hopefully one of them will be the beneficiary.
INTERCHANGE
Versatile Defenders:
A. McGRATH (general)
A. Sexton (creator)
Complementary Midfielders:
J. CALDWELL (accumulator)
A. Davies (point of difference)
Pressure Forwards:
A. DAVEY JNR. (linker)
N. Holman (linker)
Utilities:
N. BRYAN (ruck/athlete)
D. Swallow (linker/two-way)
Likely Substitutes:
J. MENZIE (linker)
J. Rogers (linker)
VERDICT
Hooray, we finally got a win, and suddenly, the season is alive again. If we're a serious team, we'll dispose of the Suns without too many questions asked. As for selection, Jayden Laverde and Jye Menzie can consider themselves lucky —Laverde for his lack of discipline and Menzie for his ineffectiveness. Regarding the latter, I hope he's relegated to the role of substitute in favour of the more dangerous Alwyn Davey Jnr. who had a bigger impact in far fewer minutes.
Let’s keep our season alive with a strong win under the roof!
As always,
Go Bombers!
TIP: Essendon by 9 points.
James Youil (13-year Essendon Member)
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