The Bombers face one of its biggest challenges tonight against the fourth best team in the competition. Essendon hasn’t travelled well this season and lost games to Sydney, Fremantle and Brisbane on the road. “This is probably one of the best teams we have taken interstate. I think over the last few years we haven’t had anywhere near our best side, although we probably think that Dean Rioli and Mark Mercuri would be at least on the bench in our best side. We have Ramanauskas, Hird and Fletcher back in the side and we really missed them earlier on in the season,” the four time premiership coach said.
Wayne Carey has been in solid form for the Crows over the past eight weeks and provided another goal scoring option for the team. Sheedy said he is still a dangerous player and his ability to bring other players into the game can really hurt you. “We will be the look-out for him naturally but I think what happens with Carey is that a lot of clubs and a lot of players are keen to make sure he doesn’t play well against them. Then you have the likes of other players just around him like Chris Ladhams that he seems to lift and bring into the game. We have to be aware of that coming into this match.”
Essendon has the opportunity to elevate on of its six rookies after Jordan Bannister was put on the long-term injury list earlier in the week with a broken collarbone. The match committee decided not to promote a rookie this week instead opting to evaluate the situation after the Bendigo Bombers match tomorrow against Werribee. If Essendon decide to elevate a rookie to the senior list they need to do so by round 18 and Sheedy said it is currently between three of the rookies – Ben Haynes, Toby McGrath and Ken Hall.
“Ben Haynes has played very well since coming back from that shoulder injury. Toby McGrath has played very, very well in the reserves as has Ken Hall. All will come under strong consideration after the Bendigo Bombers match this weekend,” Sheedy said.
