Essendon have gone tall and Collingwood have gone small with their picks for the Anzac Day AFL blockbuster on the MCG.
Peter Wright’s return from suspension is the one change for the Bombers, whereas the Magpies sprung a variety shock by naming Magpies teenager Harvey Harrison for his first sport this season.
The inclusion of “Two-Metre Peter” means Essendon could have loads of top of their ahead line, with Harrison Jones additionally enjoying and rucks Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein rotating by assault.
After Collingwood coach Craig McRae had doubted on Tuesday there can be any adjustments to the staff that belted Port Adelaide final weekend, they named Harrison for less than the fifth sport of his profession and not noted Reef McInnes.
But additionally on Tuesday, Magpies captain Darcy Moore hinted on the alternative that may current smaller gamers akin to Harrison if the Magpies defence can negate the Essendon tall timber.
“It is a tall forward line and lots of aerial ability,” the Magpies defensive normal mentioned.
“So for our defence, first and foremost, (it’s) sharpening our aerial game, for sure.
“That clearly begins with me and Billy Frampton, however now we have a lot of hybrid-medium guys who’ve an enormous impression within the air for us … Isaac Quaynor, Brayden Maynard and Jeremy Howe.
“(They) do a lot of the heavy lifting in that department. It’s definitely a focus, but that will present some opportunities for us as well, potentially, at ground level.”
The climate may also be an element with Essendon’s tall ahead line, with rain forecast for Thursday morning.
Collingwood regained their mojo with the win over the Power and the reigning premiers will begin favourites towards the growing Bombers.
A giant sub-plot might be Magpies veteran Scott Pendlebury, who’s on the verge of turning into the primary participant to have 10,000 profession AFL disposals.
The Magpies have received seven out of the final 10 Anzacy Day clashes towards Essendon.
Zach Merrett, who missed final 12 months’s conflict by suspension, will captain Essendon on Anzac Day for the primary time.
He mentioned Thursday will give them a reference level to how properly they’re enhancing, given Collingwood mauled them by 70 factors within the Bombers’ remaining sport of final season.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
