ESSENDON V ST KILDA, Etihad Stadium, Saturday April 19, 7.40pm (AEST)
TV: Fox Footy, Channel 7
Sportingbet says: Essendon $1.09. St Kilda $8.00
Why watch?
Both sides will be looking to bounce back from heavy losses, but really the main reason to watch is to see what funny stuff Bomber Thompson comes up with in his post-match press conference.
Match notes
- Essendon has been hit with a mystery virus over the last week. On one day it's the flu, on another it's gastro. Either way, it's gone to the top with Bomber Thompson too sick to do his press conference on Tuesday. But if any club is capable of finding medication to fight off a virus, it's the Bombers.
- Not only does Essendon have the virus to deal with, they also have to recover from a six-day break and playing in the hot Perth conditions. The mercury was hovering at 33 degrees for much of Sunday afternoon's 53-point loss to Fremantle and combined with the illness, the Bombers may not exactly be at their best.
- Essendon only have to look at St Kilda to know about the potential effects of playing in Perth the week before. Having busted a gut against West Coast, the Saints were listless in an 86-point loss to Adelaide last Sunday.
- Essendon will welcome back some quality performers in Paul Chapman and Dustin Fletcher, who were rested last weekend.
- The Bombers are also looking at Paddy Ryder to return from a two-match absence with an ankle injury, while they're hopeful Brendon Goddard (groin) will be fit to face his old side.
- St Kilda have lost Nathan Wright (broken leg) for an extended period while David Armitage is doubtful due to a badly lacerated knee. Beau Maister may also be in the gun. But if those three players miss, the Saints have some quality replacements in ruckman Tom Hickey (corked calf), a late withdrawal last weekend and the classy duo of Jack Billings and Adam Schneider who both impressed in the VFL last weekend.
Say what?
"It's a combination of flu symptoms plus some gastro-type stuff," said Simon Goodwin, giving everyone a crystal-clear picture of the virus sweeping through the club.
Last five games (includes 2013 season)
Essendon
L 39 Richmond
W 39 North Melbourne
L 4 Hawthorn
W 81 Carlton
L 53 Fremantle
St Kilda
W 71 Fremantle
W 17 Melbourne
W 7 GWS
L 25 West Coast
L 86 Adelaide
Fantasy factoid
It has to be Dyson Hepell for the Bombers. Although he didn't get much help, Heppell shined with 35 possessions, seven clearances and 10 tackles.
Cold hard fact
Essendon have won five of the last six games against St Kilda, proving a thorn in Ross Lyon's side even when the Saints were a premiership contender.
Final word
This could be a particularly even contest at Etihad Stadium on Saturday night, but the class of a fresh Paul Chapman and Dustin Fletcher may win out. Although they were lacklustre in the second half against Fremantle, Essendon have been among the form teams of the comp and should have too much firepower for the young Saints. That being said, the travel, the six-day break and the virus will probably drop the Bombers down a peg or two while the Saints will be smarting from their big loss to Adelaide. St Kilda have shown a harder, more competitive edge in the three matches prior to last weekend and Alan Richardson will be wanting to get back to that this weekend. But it's still Essendon by 18 points.