Wednesday, 23 April 2008
Staff writers for essendonfc.com.au
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Essendon and Collingwood head into the 14th annual ANZAC Day blockbuster with two wins and three losses for the season and both will be desperate to return to the winners circle at the expense of an old rival.

The atmosphere will be nothing short of electric with another sell-out crowd. The moment will inspire the players from both sides which makes it crucial that the Bombers are on their game early this week.

Essendon have started matches slowly for the past few weeks and been forced to play catch-up footy which ultimately proved costly. It is crucial the Bombers come ready to play and fight out all four quarters against a Collingwood unit that includes a similar line-up to the side that only just missed a place in last year's Grand Final.

With another four quarters under his belt following a hamstring and calf injury, Matthew Lloyd is expected to come out firing. He will need to make his presence felt in the forward line and lead from the front if the Bombers are to hurt the Pies.

Shane Wakelin is an experienced campaigner who could get the job from young backman Nathan Brown and Lloyd can expect to find himself the focus of the Collingwood defence. However, the Essendon skipper has a record of rising to the occasion, and rarely plays two bad games in a row, and he will be desperate to put last week's performance behind him.

The Bombers hope Andrew Lovett and Alwyn Davey will be too quick and dangerous in attack and believe the surprise inclusion on Henry Slattery near goals will provide the support Lloyd needs.

Essendon’s tackling pressure has gone missing in recent weeks. It is something that the Bombers will need to reignite in stop their opponents using their run and creating options.

Davey has created strong pressure around stoppages previously, but in the absence of Leroy Jetta, Mark McVeigh and Courtenay Dempsey, there needs to be more Bombers putting their hands up.

Jason Winderlich and Brent Stanton will need to contain Scott Pendlebury and others while driving the Bombers forward on the wide MCG expanses. This is a game and ground that suits Winderlich's pace and Stanton's stamina and they will be crucial to the result.

Patrick Ryder has been a shining light in defence throughout the season and will most likely take Travis Cloke. Mal Michael will get Anthony Rocca and coach Matthew Knights expects will Rocca will play despite injury concerns.

Read the full match preview with the team list here.

       

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The players stand for a minute silence before the Anzac Day clash

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