Essendon vs North Melbourne, Friday Night 7:30pm (AEST), Etihad Stadium
Controversy has caught up with the Bombers again, with WADA appealing the AFL Anti-Doping Tribunal’s verdict and throwing most of the playing list under a massive black cloud again. This is compounded by the result at the weekend against the Dockers, dismantled and chocked over three quarters until they had a shot at a late reprieve.
James Hird and a lot of others in the football community are starting to wonder how much fight is left in this team, whether the emotional toll will finally catch up with a playing group that’s had to put up with this for well over two years. Their shaky form will also ask questions of the pre-season, which was interrupted by the Anti-Doping process.
North come to this game under a minor cloud of controversy of their own, coach Brad Scott under fire for an incident in Hobart that involved a security guard. A lot isn’t known yet of what occurred, but it’s still a distraction nonetheless.
North kept Richmond at arm’s length after a strong third quarter, but there are still questions over their outside ball use – Dal Santo and Wells absence still hurting the team. Ben Jacobs and Mason Wood continue to be excellent contributors and many at Arden St will pleased the depth is playing a role.
With the draw ‘opening up’ for the Roos in the second half of the year, this is the sort of game they can pinch that makes that top 4 spot still a reality. Both sides have mental demons and will be looking to exorcise them under the bright Friday night lights.
Key Match Ups
Lachie Hansen v Jake Carlisle
A welcome return to North’s backline last week, Hansen playing a key role as the third man up at contests and generally rebounding the ball. Hansen may not play directly on Carlisle (might go to Scott Thompson), but he’ll definitely be looking to affect the contest.
Dyson Heppell v Ryan Bastinac
Perhaps not a head to head per se, but both players will be looking to get off the leash and hurt the other team going the other way. Bastinac has added in recent weeks clearance winning to his usual outside game, whilst Heppell keeps going from strength to strength as a ball magnet.
Result
Game could honestly go either way. Both teams form lines are up and down and both prone to violent collapses in game. North perhaps have the edge as the Bombers have had more to worry about this week, but this should be an absolute cracker.