Also a WARF Radio game (but I won’t be there - damn work!).
Not available:
- Gough
- Bannister
- Gay
- Walker
- Keaney
- Cain (presumably)
- Radford
- vanDeHeuvel
- Brown
You could make an argument all of the above are best 21.
The only reason we have any choice in the team to be named is because of our three top-ups: Verbrugge, Gladman, Maclachlan. And let’s be honest, only one of those three is performing.
IN:
- Bonnie
- Brooker or Murphy or vanDyke or Sheridan
We need a net two more injuries before we are allowed to top up again (VFLW captain El Chaston as a versatile half-back replacement for Gay, done).
We are certainly set up to smack them in this particular area.
Euro-Yroke coach Nick Dal Santo:
“The big one was the contested possession., I think it was plus-26 or 27 off the top of my head. The game’s really difficult when you’re getting smacked in that particular area. It’s now been a few weeks in a row where we’ve lost that particular stat and majority through the midfield so we’ll have to have a look at that next week and for the remainder of the year”
and
The biggest issue for the Saints was at the coalface, with the Hawks winning the contested possession count 126-97 despite Euro-Yroke winning the overall clearances (26-19). The minus-29 differential was eerily similar to its Rounds 2 and 3 losses to Melbourne and West Coast, with the same statistic being minus-31 and minus-37 respectively.
…
Euro-Yroke also suffered a trio of injuries to Charlotte Simpson, Ella Friend, and J’Noemi Anderson
(both quotes from Peter Williams at RookieMe)
Daria and Brown knock off 1-2 weeks from last week’s prediction.
(Trimmed the five knee injuries… a month of no further info on Gay just screams the leg has been amputated)
Lel at the club email headed "Toogood back in the mix.
She’s the damn wooden spoon.
ESSENDON
In: B.Toogood, M.Van Dyke, G.Brooker, C.Murphy
Out: B.Walker (ACL)ST KILDA
In: N.Stevens, R.Caris, L.Hung, N.Plane, Ar.Clarke
Out: E.Friend (concussion), Z.Besanko (omitted)
- I wonder which of our four will be the actual in?
- The Wales >>>>>>>>>>>>> The Carises*
*and that’s being kind
Toogood back and Cain all good?
Well, finally, some good news on that front!
Upon reflection, one must clarify that she is the most important tool in making the mix come together.
Not that she’s the worst.
@Hoffy says for Gemma to SHUT. UP.
Essendon will be pleased to welcome co-captain Bonnie Toogood back from suspension, significantly bolstering the forward line. Alongside ruck Steph Wales, who will be better for the run last week in her own return from an ACL injury, they have the potential to do some damage against the Saints’ makeshift ruck division and depleted defence. Ella Friend, whose switch to a key back role this year has given her a new lease on life, will miss while in concussion protocols, as will midfielder Liv Vesely. This year the Saints are going -15.8 inside 50s per game – the largest average inside 50 differential in AFLW history – which means they’re giving opposition sides far too much time in attack.
St Kilda is also generally handing control at the contest to its opposition, and with Essendon’s balanced approach to stoppage, it can exploit the opportunity the Saints will offer. Brooke Walker’s unfortunate ACL injury will hurt the Bombers, however, with her run and grunt important to the way they’ve been able to fight out games, but the resurgence of small forward Georgia Gee has been a huge positive this year, with the former Blue back to her best.
Tip: The Bombers will get back to their winning ways. Essendon by 25 points.
(that’s her biggest margin for the round)
“Final” changes:
ESSENDON
In: B.Toogood
Out: B.Walker (ACL)
ST KILDA
In: N.Stevens, R.Caris
Out: E.Friend (concussion), Z.Besanko (omitted)
Let’s get arrogant.
To get past Sydney we need blue below. A few points more gets us past Fark Carlton.
Dawks and West Coast are also there to be overtaken: they play losable games versus Adelaide and Freo respectively.
Simple wishes for the other two games are for Norf (just let them finish top) to crush the Bears, and Tiggers to somehow beat Cats (yeah nah, that is very very much the outlier result).
Game will start with a 30km/h wind from the north…
Beautiful weather (wind aside) today. Bus replacements a pain in the ass though!