News

HIRD AND WANGANEEN SET TO LOCK HORNS

Tuesday, 9 September 2003
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
Page 1 of 1

It would seem certain that Gavin Wanganeen will walk straight to James Hird at the beginning of this Saturday night’s first semi-final and he probably won’t leave his side for much of the next four quarters. Port Adelaide will have identified Hird as an important man to stop this weekend – you don’t need to be a rocket scientist to work that out.

You also don’t need to be Einstein to know that Wanganeen did a brilliant job in this corresponding match last year. But Hird was carrying an injury that night and he is in superb form at the moment. This match up will have the football purists drooling. Can Wanganeen do what he did last year? Will Hird return the favour? Will they break even and have limited influence on the game?

Essendon assistant coach Mark Harvey has no doubt this weekend’s clash will be very different to that of last year. “It is completely different circumstances this time around,” Harvey said.

“James wasn’t 100% last time they met and subsequently spent a lot of time up forward instead of the midfield. I don’t think that will be the case this time around. Gavin also pulled up a little bit sore from last weekend’s game so whether he can run in the midfield with Hird remains to be seen.”

Hird was magnificent for the Bombers last weekend against Fremantle, collecting 28 possessions, kicking to goals and setting up a few others. All this despite spending 24 minutes of the match on the bench. This will certainly aid Hird’s recovery and ultimately his influence this weekend.

“James is arguably in the best form of his career but Gavin by the same token has had a very good season as well. I would expect they will cross paths at some stage during the day. I think James will also be helped by the fact the team is playing better,” Harvey said.

Statistically speaking: Hird v Wanganeen

James Hird
Games: 17
Possessions: 384
Age possessions: 22.5
Goals: 15
Marks: 75
Tackles: 42

Gavin Wanganeen
Games: 23
Possessions: 495
Average possessions: 21.5
Goals: 13
Marks: 152
Tackles: 30

PLAYER PROFILE: James Hird

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