Are The Pies The Actual Deal?
That is very a lot a query we don’t but have a solution for. The Pies had been terrible for the primary 20 minutes but if Jamie Elliott holds on to a diving mark within the ultimate seconds they in all probability sneak over the road.
The Bombers in all probability have a majority of the very best 10 gamers on the sphere however the Pies hung powerful. They continue to be very a lot up for the struggle. Subsequent week’s blockbuster in opposition to Carlton will likely be some of the anticipated for a lot of a long time, excepting the final-round encounter in 2022.
The Pies’ stress is again and that has been the cornerstone of their sport. Darcy Moore has improved markedly from a horror first month. Nick Daicos had intervals the place he was the very best participant on the sphere. Jordan De Goey acquired going after a gradual begin.
To be 50-50 after seven rounds shouldn’t be a foul spot to be in for the Pies, who can moderately consider they’ll enhance significantly second half of the season as soon as they atone for conditioning after a shorter preseason.
Essendon Edge
The Essendon edge is actual. We now have a pattern measurement of seven video games and in all however one the Bombers have lived as much as the soccer division phrase their advertising and marketing division would have been glad to give you.
There have been quite a few events the place the Dons may have wilted, not least when the Pies stormed again after their gradual begin, however they confirmed resilience seldom seen of the pink and black since Kevin Sheedy departed.
Their leaders stood up. Andrew McGrath was glorious in defence on Bobby Hill. Zach Merrett was some of the influential gamers on the sphere, and a worthy Anzac Day Medal winner, even when I didn’t hand him the utmost votes. Darcy Parish performed arguably his finest sport for the season.
Kyle Langford will prefer to have his final kick for purpose once more however his solely sin actually was lacking with the final shot of the sport. With a fifth purpose, he would have been a becoming match-winner.
Sinking feeling of types .… Kyle Langford after the match.Credit score: AFL Pictures / Getty Pictures
The Rucks
There was a lot dialogue main into this sport whether or not Brad Scott ought to pass over certainly one of his ruckmen, Sam Draper and Todd Goldstein.
Scott caught to his weapons, maintaining with the two-ruck mannequin he has used since arriving at The Hangar.
Neither Draper or Goldstein had been prolific ball-winners however the Dons had been dominant on the clearances, which they might not have been with out two aggressive rucks.
The opposite issue was Peter Wright’s kind after 4 video games out with suspension. The person they name Two-Metre Peter was red-hot within the first quarter with two objectives although his affect diminished after that.
