Team to finger-twirl to victory versus the Dawks - 2020 round 14

All Australians Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker headline three changes for Thursday twilight footy.

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All Australians Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker headline three changes for Thursday twilight footy.

All Australians Joe Daniher and Cale Hooker headline three changes for Essendon’s clash with Hawthorn at Adelaide Oval on Thursday.

The big men join ruckman Andrew Phillips as inclusions, with Sam Draper (managed), Tom Bellchambers (knee) and Aaron Francis (hamstring) making way.

The round 14 clash will mark Hooker’s first since a calf injury suffered in round seven, while Daniher will play his first game in 467 days after overcoming groin and calf injuries.

Senior coach John Worsfold confirmed Daniher’s long-awaited return on Wednesday morning , saying the 26-year-old was raring to go.

“We’re really excited that Joe has done the work to be available and ready to step back up to play some footy. It’s great for Joe and great for us and great for footy,” Worsfold said.

"It’s been a really close partnership over a long period of time, getting to this point where Joe is ready to go.

“Obviously we had a little setback with his calf injury a month ago, or we’d have been at this point a little bit earlier. But we got through that and we’ve done the work. Joe is very comfortable and excited about getting back out there.”

The Bombers will go head-to-head with the Hawks from 4:40pm AEST on Thursday, with the match shown live on Fox Footy.

ESSENDON’S ROUND 14 LINE-UP:

Backs: Martin Gleeson, Cale Hooker, Michael Hurley
Half-backs: Jordan Ridley, Mason Redman, Adam Saad
Centre : Zach Merrett, Andrew McGrath, Brayden Ham
Half-forwards: Dylan Shiel, Kyle Langford, Irving Mosquito
Forwards: James Stewart, Joe Daniher, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Followers: Andrew Phillips, Will Snelling, Darcy Parish
Interchange: Devon Smith, Matt Guelfi, Dylan Clarke, Jake Stringer
Emergencies: Brandon Zerk-Thatcher, Mitch Hibberd, Josh Begley, Jacob Townsend

In: Daniher, Hooker, Phillips

Out: Draper (managed), Bellchambers (knee), Francis (hamstring)

Milestone: Devon Smith - 150 AFL games

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AAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHJHHHHHHHHHHHJHHJJHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH

Wow Hawks lose even more

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THOSE ARE SOME LENGTHY INS

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In: Phillips
Out: Francis

The plot thickens.

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Stratton and Impey out for Hawks? Plus O’Meara, Smith, Sicily?

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Just went from six to midnight.

G’wan yerself Joey!

Mosquito! Yes.

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ECW

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Well, it’s a long awaited moment. Good luck Joe.
Draper managed - can understand that.
Hope Phillips has a good one too.
Stewart Daniher Walla. :blush:

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McKenna???

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In Daniher & Hooker - YES !!

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A little annoying that they are resting Draper, being very cautious with him. Daniher and Hooker bolster our big man stocks. It’s not a bad selected team. Hopefully we can get a win up, it’s been a while!

Solid team. Concerned that Daniher is the obvious 2nd ruck option. Just hoping he doesn’t play that role anymore for my own piece of my mind lol

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Training report said he barely trained this week.

Means we’ll most likely bring a fresh McKenna and Draper in for the 5 day turnaround.

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Their backline is trash

And our fwd line is best for the year

Hopefully that inspires our midfield to move the ball quickly to them.

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With the Eagles game being on the Tuesday, I reckon Joe might be a chance to miss that one. 4 day turnaround after his first game back in 15 months…

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Can’t wait for Luke Darcy to say “Big Joe loves this situation”.

Followed by Matthew Richardson going “yeah spot on Darce!”

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