Essendon and Collingwood are two of the great rivals in AFL football. Both were foundation teams when the VFL / AFL was formed in 1897. They have played some big games during that time but in terms of home and away meetings, has there ever been a bigger game than that which will unfold before us at the MCG tomorrow night? The finals have come early - make no mistake about it. Both teams will be there in September but the winner of tomorrow night’s game will genuinely fancy its chances of going all the way in 2003.
Victory for the Bombers could mean the double chance, depending on the outcome of other games. At the very least it will ensure a home elimination final. A loss will see Essendon finish seventh or eighth and condemn it to an interstate Elimination Final. For Collingwood, victory will seal second place on the ladder and give it two chances to reach a Preliminary Final. A loss could see it fall out of the top four. The stakes are as high as they get in a home and away match. No wonder the football public is drooling at the match in prospect.
Both teams have had minor hiccups in the lead up to the game. The Magpies have had the Brodie Holland issue to deal with, Essendon its injury concerns with Dustin Fletcher, Sean Wellman and Damian Cupido. However one thing they both have is very good form. Essendon has won its past six games, last weekend demolishing Fremantle by 10 goals. Collingwood has also been very good in recent weeks, its victory over Sydney at Stadium Australia last weekend as good as any it has had this season.
The Bombers certainly won’t be worried about taking on Collingwood after Anzac Day – wary, but not worried. Essendon scored a convincing 66-point win that day. It was a day Essendon put to bed the theory that if you stop Matthew Lloyd you stop Essendon. Take Lloyd out and Essendon still wins by five goals. Cupido and James Hird kicked bags of five that day as well. But Collingwood is playing far more convincing football – a week is a long time in football, the Anzac day game was virtually four months ago.
So what shape as the key battles tomorrow night.
David Hille and Josh Fraser in the ruck will certainly be decisive. Both are in good form and both can hurt opposition sides on the scoreboard – this will be a battle of two emerging ruckman well worth watching.
James Hird and James Clement match up every time these two sides go around and there is no reason to think it won’t happen again. Both have been successful but Hird is running hot at the moment – he will fully tests Clement’s tagging ability.
Dustin Fletcher and Chris Tarrant look set to lock horns. Tarrant is in line for All Australian selection this season. He has been marking superbly and has kicked 46 goals for the year. Tarrant has also kicked 40 behinds so his haul of goals could have been far greater. Danny Jacobs did a sensational job on Tarrant last time around – if Sheedy goes with him Fletcher might go forward and that could create some havoc.
Scott Lucas and Anthony Rocca will be another great battle. Lucas had the better of it last time they met on Anzac day but Rocca is playing much better football now. He was outstanding against Sydney last weekend. Lucas has also been in great form so it should be a sensational match up to watch. Rocca – like Tarrant- has let himself down in front of goal at times this season. His return of 41.29 would not please him.
Jason Johnson and Paul Licuria look to be the key combatants in the midfield. Johnson certainly would have been tagged by Brodie Holland but that now changes after Holland was suspended for king hitting Paul Williams last weekend. Licuria might revert back to his tagging role as a result. He is a very hard working player, as is Johnson, so it will be tough underneath the packs.
Matthew Lloyd and Shane Wakelin will face off in the Bomber goal square. Lloyd’s form has been magnificent with the delivery of the ball through the midfield really helping his cause. Another bag from Lloyd will go a long way towards deciding this game but Wakelin won’t give him an inch.
There are so many other highlights in prospect. This will be one of the matches of the season.
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