Essendon will welcome their rematch with reigning AFL premiers Geelong as a vital litmus take a look at because the Bombers cost in the direction of sealing a finals berth.
Brad Scott’s facet suffered a 28-point loss to the Cats on the MCG again in spherical seven, with Tom Hawkins monstering Brandon Zerk-Thatcher en path to a career-best eight objectives.
Fifth-placed Essendon (9-7) are coming off a powerful win over Adelaide forward of going through eighth-placed Geelong (8-1-7) at GMHBA Stadium on Saturday evening.
“We learned a lot,” Scott stated.
“They certainly got a hold of us in a short period of time, but they maximised that momentum that they had.
“But the remainder of the sport, there have been some positives to come back out of it – imagine it or not.
“But the difficulty about containing great players is that you can have multiple plans, you need to have multiple plans because they generally find a way.
“What we’re actually aware of is that they do have stars … however gamers like Grian Myers and Brad Close, they was once underrated – they don’t seem to be underrated by us. They’re excellent gamers.”
Essendon are yet to draw a line through key defender Jordan Ridley, who trained lightly on Wednesday, after he was cleared of structural damage to the knee he injured against the Crows.
“Structurally it is OK, nevertheless it’ll be in all probability perform greater than something,” Scott stated.
“Because I anticipate him to be a bit sore, however he is saying all the fitting issues and he is actually constructive about this weekend.
“But as we’ve been all year if he’s 100 per cent, he’ll play but if he’s a bit off, he won’t play.”
Young gun Nik Cox was coaching as a defender and will play his first sport of the season whereas Kaine Baldwin is another choice.
Suspended ruckman Andrew Phillips joins Sam Draper (hip) on the sidelines with Nick Bryan looming because the seemingly inclusion.
Jake Stringer and Mason Redman have been on gentle duties however Scott dismissed any damage considerations.
Scott would not be drawn on whether or not there could be any back-and-forth between he and twin brother Chris, the Geelong coach.
He additionally would not entertain commentary the sport must be moved to the MCG to let extra followers in.
“I feel for our fans that want to go to the game and won’t be able to get a seat,” he stated.
“But they don’t move the game from the Adelaide Oval when it’s a sellout.
“I imply, it is Geelong’s house floor. It’s their house sport.
“It’s interesting when people talk about fairness for different reasons, but we are as a club, more than happy to play an opposition club at their home ground.”
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
