R11 Preview: Essendon vs Hawthorn
June 6th 2008 07:07
In one of the biggest mismatches of the round, Essendon takes on Hawthorn at the Telstra Dome on Saturday night.
The Hawks have been flying this season, but had their wings clipped last week by the Western Bulldogs. Their ferocious tackling and stopping Hawthorn's flowing play made the difference on the scoreboard.
Essendon pushed Adelaide to within five points last week at AAMI Stadium, and regained forward Scott Lucas after a terrible knee injury sustained in Round One. Lucas, coincidentally, plays his 250th game, and his team do nt need anymore inspiration than this.
Currently placed 14th on the ladder, the Bombers have Courtney Johns (soreness), Scott Gumbleton (knee), Jobe Watson (tendonitis) and Jay Neagle (foot) facing fitness tests ahead of this game, while Dean Dick (appendix) is available.
Hawthorn are likely to regain Tim Boyle (corked hip) and Travis Tuck (jarred knee), but Shane Crawford (knee tendonitis) will miss, and Stuart Dew (hamstring tightness), Luke Hodge (hamstring), Brad Sewell (shoulder) and Cameron Stokes (hamstring) face fitness tests.
How will Patrick Ryder compete against Lance Franklin? How many goals can he restrict him to? Will he kick another nine like he did against them the last time they played one another?
The Hawks have been flying this season, but had their wings clipped last week by the Western Bulldogs. Their ferocious tackling and stopping Hawthorn's flowing play made the difference on the scoreboard.
Essendon pushed Adelaide to within five points last week at AAMI Stadium, and regained forward Scott Lucas after a terrible knee injury sustained in Round One. Lucas, coincidentally, plays his 250th game, and his team do nt need anymore inspiration than this.
Currently placed 14th on the ladder, the Bombers have Courtney Johns (soreness), Scott Gumbleton (knee), Jobe Watson (tendonitis) and Jay Neagle (foot) facing fitness tests ahead of this game, while Dean Dick (appendix) is available.
Hawthorn are likely to regain Tim Boyle (corked hip) and Travis Tuck (jarred knee), but Shane Crawford (knee tendonitis) will miss, and Stuart Dew (hamstring tightness), Luke Hodge (hamstring), Brad Sewell (shoulder) and Cameron Stokes (hamstring) face fitness tests.
How will Patrick Ryder compete against Lance Franklin? How many goals can he restrict him to? Will he kick another nine like he did against them the last time they played one another?
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