AFL Round 1 2008: Essendon v Kangaroos Preview
March 23rd 2008 07:18
Round one 2008: Essendon v Kangaroos Preview
Essendon will take a strong 93-47 overall win-loss record into Monday Afternoon’s clash with the Kangaroos on the turf of the Telstra Dome, but that will not be worrying the Kangaroos too much right now.
That’s because despite the impressive overall record, the last time Essendon actually won a match against the Kangaroos was in the famous MCG thriller of round 16, 2001 when historic momentum swings saw the Bombers recover from a record deficit to snatch victory in the final quarter. Since then, it has all been one-way traffic in favour of the “shin-boners” in characteristically hard-fought fashion.
Last time the two teams met was back in round 7, 2007 when the sharp-shooting Kangas (18.9.117) cleaned up the wasteful Bombers (13.17.95) by 22 points in front of 42,730 spectators at the Dome.
Both teams will be hoping to get the adrenaline pumping in front of a larger crowd on Monday afternoon as the new-look Bombers and Kangas put their sides to the test in round 1 of the season proper.
The Kangaroos are a highly underrated team in the competition with the talent and tenacity to make a genuine contest out of any match. Meanwhile, the young Bombers come into the match with confidence based on their impressive pre-season form and will be looking to build on that momentum in the opening round. The result should be a tight, close contest with the four points well and truly there for the taking.
Essendon’s engine room has had a major overhaul in the off-season. It would have been almost unimaginable a year or two ago, but one area where Essendon may have the upper hand is their leg speed through the midfield and quick ball movement into attack. This should see plenty of quality football supplied to the forward line.
Tantalizing match-ups promise an exciting tussle in Essendon’s forward line, where the Lloyd-Lucas powerhouse, supported by speedsters Davey and Jetta, will give the Kangaroo defense plenty to think about. But while the Bombers’ height and pace in attack threatens to cause trouble, the experienced Kangaroos backline of Wells, Harding and Firrito will always stand tall and fight every goal.
Down the other end of the ground, Nathan Thompson and Aaron Edwards offer considerable firepower for the Kangaroos. Their ability to overcome their Essendon counterparts in Dustin Fletcher and Mal Michael promises to be a decisive factor in determining the final result.
With new Essendon coach Matthew Knights looking to record his first official AFL victory and the Kangaroos intent on holding their own, this promises to be an entertaining and hard-fought tussle between two well-loved traditional Victorian sides.
Essendon will take a strong 93-47 overall win-loss record into Monday Afternoon’s clash with the Kangaroos on the turf of the Telstra Dome, but that will not be worrying the Kangaroos too much right now.
That’s because despite the impressive overall record, the last time Essendon actually won a match against the Kangaroos was in the famous MCG thriller of round 16, 2001 when historic momentum swings saw the Bombers recover from a record deficit to snatch victory in the final quarter. Since then, it has all been one-way traffic in favour of the “shin-boners” in characteristically hard-fought fashion.
Last time the two teams met was back in round 7, 2007 when the sharp-shooting Kangas (18.9.117) cleaned up the wasteful Bombers (13.17.95) by 22 points in front of 42,730 spectators at the Dome.
Both teams will be hoping to get the adrenaline pumping in front of a larger crowd on Monday afternoon as the new-look Bombers and Kangas put their sides to the test in round 1 of the season proper.
The Kangaroos are a highly underrated team in the competition with the talent and tenacity to make a genuine contest out of any match. Meanwhile, the young Bombers come into the match with confidence based on their impressive pre-season form and will be looking to build on that momentum in the opening round. The result should be a tight, close contest with the four points well and truly there for the taking.
Essendon’s engine room has had a major overhaul in the off-season. It would have been almost unimaginable a year or two ago, but one area where Essendon may have the upper hand is their leg speed through the midfield and quick ball movement into attack. This should see plenty of quality football supplied to the forward line.
Tantalizing match-ups promise an exciting tussle in Essendon’s forward line, where the Lloyd-Lucas powerhouse, supported by speedsters Davey and Jetta, will give the Kangaroo defense plenty to think about. But while the Bombers’ height and pace in attack threatens to cause trouble, the experienced Kangaroos backline of Wells, Harding and Firrito will always stand tall and fight every goal.
Down the other end of the ground, Nathan Thompson and Aaron Edwards offer considerable firepower for the Kangaroos. Their ability to overcome their Essendon counterparts in Dustin Fletcher and Mal Michael promises to be a decisive factor in determining the final result.
With new Essendon coach Matthew Knights looking to record his first official AFL victory and the Kangaroos intent on holding their own, this promises to be an entertaining and hard-fought tussle between two well-loved traditional Victorian sides.
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