Essendon legend Dustin Fletcher has warned his outdated aspect to not underestimate conventional rivals Carlton of their blockbuster AFL conflict.
The beleaguered Blues are beneath all types of strain, their season in freefall after seven losses in eight video games.
But the finals door is ajar and there could be no higher method to arrest the slide than an upset win over an outdated adversary in Sunday night time’s encounter on the MCG.
“Carlton are still a good side,” Fletcher informed AAP.
“There’s no doubt they’ve still got some good players and with the forwards (Charlie Curnow and Harry McKay) they’ve got some goal-kicking power up there.
“Essendon performed final week in opposition to North Melbourne and other people suppose you are simply going to win … however the gamers know what to anticipate.”
Fletcher, a two-time premiership player and club games record holder, will be an eager participant in Essendon’s 1993 flag reunion at the weekend.
It culminates in a function at Sunday night’s game, which is tipped to draw more than 80,000 fans.
A talking point among the flag heroes will be whether Brad Scott’s current group can replicate the famed Baby Bombers’ stunning premiership success, engineered by legendary coach Kevin Sheedy.
“I would not need to put an excessive amount of strain on them however I hope so,” Fletcher stated.
“Being a younger aspect you simply go on the market and play footy. You do not give it some thought an excessive amount of, you exit and do it.
“If you get to finals first and finish the year off … that’s why this is a big game. We’re 7-5 and games like this, when the final eight is going to be so congested, are massive.”
Essendon obtained an enormous enhance when best-and-fairest winner Peter Wright was cleared to return in opposition to Carlton, picked for his first recreation of the season after shoulder surgical procedure.
Wright, a 203cm goal, provides firepower in assault because the Bombers try to stretch Carlton’s defence, however midfielder Dylan Shiel (ankle) has been sidelined once more.
The Blues have recalled Jack Martin, Ed Curnow and ruckman Marc Pittonet, axing Jack Silvagni, Lochie O’Brien and Zac Fisher after final week’s loss to Melbourne.
Their fifth consecutive defeat ramped up the strain on Michael Voss’ males, whose solely win within the final two months was in opposition to lowly West Coast.
But Carlton nice Lance Whitnall believes a number of small enhancements can change the whole lot, sensing a win over outdated enemy Essendon could possibly be the catalyst for a dramatic turnaround in fortunes.
“Momentum in footy these days is huge and once a team gets it and gets a run-on they’re pretty hard to stop,” Whitnall stated.
“Our boys, once they get a couple of wins and get a bit of momentum, they’ll be a really good side.
“I’m hoping they arrive out Sunday and put their finest foot ahead, get that 4 factors and get the monkey off their again and get going.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
