NSW/ACT Notebook: Round 9 Preview

Essendon Bombers vs. Sydney Swans
(4-4, 9th) vs. (5-3, 4th)

Following a stellar return to form from the Sydney Swans, this Friday night’s clash with Essendon has fans waiting with bated breath to see what they can do next.
 
Bombers supporters could be forgiven for a certain amount of hesitation in confidence for this match, as despite their recent victories none have been particularly convincing. In fact, they have failed to kick more than 10 goals in a game since Round Three.
 
On the other side of the fence, the Sydney Swans’ forward line is building to enviable form. Kicking four 6-pointers in his return to the game, Kurt Tippett last week impressed football fans who may have forgotten his worth following a long stint on the sidelines.
 
Despite a slight case of the yips for Lance Franklin in Round 8 – slotting only 2 goals from 9 opportunities – you can forgive the forward for feeling the pressure of playing against his former club. Franklin will be looking to make amends for his accuracy in front of goal last week, and luckily history is on his side as he averages 5 goals per game against the red and black sash.  

The Swans forward line presents a headache for Essendon Coach Mark Thompson who will look to Michael Hurley and veteran Dustin Fletcher to restrict Franklin, Tippett, Goodes, Reid and Parker’s impact on the game.

Said to have fallen ill following Wednesday’s training session, Ben McGlynn has not travelled to Melbourne for the match. As one of Sydney’s top performing players in 2014, McGlynn’s example will be missed. Brandon Jack will hope to make his mark in taking McGlynn’s place in the squad, lining up for his third game this season.

Tom Derickx will again feel the heat as ruckman for the Swans as Mike Pyke’s hamstring continues to cause trouble, while forward Sam Reid will support Derickx as required in a role that is slightly unfamiliar.

While the loss of Paul Chapman to suspension is a great blow to Essendon, the Bombers will receive a boost from the return of Tom Bellchambers following surgery to his ankle in January. Bellchambers will rejoin the Bombers outfit alongside David Myers who missed the past 3 games with a hamstring injury. Martin Gleeson has been omitted.
 
When compared, the two sides sit only one win apart this season. What could prove vital to the final score line is clearances. With Essendon ranked third in the league for clearances, and the average count between the two sides only one apart (Bombers 39 – Swans 38), winning the ball from the pack has the potential to be a game changer.

Josh Kennedy of Sydney and Dyson Heppell of Essendon will be the ones to watch in terms of winning the ball – currently standing first and second respectively for individual possessions in the league.
 
Apart from disposals (Bombers 404 – Swans 376) and clearances, the Swans rightly outrank their Friday night opponents in all other aspects of the game.

With both teams heading into a bye week following this match, each will be pushing to keep their momentum flowing – both running on a current winning streak of 2 or more games.

AFL NSW/ACT NEWS
 
Taylor ‘Tex’ Walker (North Broken Hill) made his highly anticipated comeback to the senior game last night against Collingwood. After some weeks spent successfully taunting reserve grade players in the SANFL, Tex made his return following a knee-reconstruction. Unsurprisingly, the game was a sell-out. However, more surprisingly to some, the Crows game away with the win. Tex was uneasy in his return to the game and only managed 4 points (3 in the final term).

Aiden Riley (Figtree Roos) will also make his return to senior football this weekend after being named in the Melbourne team to take on Richmond. Having endured a lengthy rehabilitation period for a fractured fibula, Riley will play his first game for the Demons since the club handed him a lifeline following his delisting from Adelaide last year. After six successful weeks in the VFL, Riley has been named on the interchange bench for the Demons.

Dean Terlich (Osbourne) has been named alongside Aiden Riley in the Melbourne squad to take on Richmond despite being subbed out of last week’s game against the Western Bulldogs under the concussion rule.