Saturday night’s monster MCG clash between Essendon and Geelong could become the real-deal test that many critics have been waiting for in season 2024.
Sitting pretty in third on the ladder, Brad Scott’s Bombers remain half a game ahead of rivals Collingwood, but despite their ranking, have drawn constant criticism as a side that is more of a pretender than contender.
And with ladder-leaders Sydney and powerhouse Carlton seemingly in leagues of their own, Essendon now have a chance to establish themselves as the next-best cab off the rank with a win against the seventh-placed Geelong tomorrow night.
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Speaking on Fox Footy’s First Crack Preview, St Kilda great Leigh Montagna analysed each side’s record against top-eight teams this year, with only Sydney and Carlton holding winning records against their counterparts in the top half of the table.
Highlighting Essendon’s own sub- par win-loss record in the metric this year, the 287-gamer suggested that their biggest test in recent weeks has come sooner than they may have first imagined.
“Sometimes there are home-and-away games that mean more than others – statement games – and I think that is absolutely the case for Essendon on Saturday night against the Cats,” Montagna begun by saying.
“There’s a lot of talk about the Bombers sitting third on the ladder, and there are still a lot of doubters about where they’re at and who they’ve actually beaten.
“Sydney Swans (are) seven from seven; they have not lost to a team in the top eight, Carlton are 5-3 against the top eight teams – but after that, no one has a winning record against the top eight.
“There are Essendon down in 10th spot, they’ve got one and a half wins; but they’ve only played five games against top eight teams, so this is a really big opportunity for the Bombers to make a statement against top eight teams, and also to keep themselves in the top four – there’s no doubt that where they sit on the ladder is going to be a big factor.”
EACH CLUB’S RECORD AGAINST THE CURRENT TOP 8
Sydney – 7 wins, 0 losses
Carlton – 5 wins, 3 losses
Western Bulldogs – 3 wins, 4 losses
Port Adelaide – 3 wins, 3 losses
GWS – 3 wins, 4 losses
Collingwood – 2 wins, 2 draws, 2 losses
Gold Coast – 2 wins, 4 losses
Adelaide – 2 wins, 5 losses
Melbourne – 2 wins, 4 losses
Essendon – 1 win, 1 draw, 3 losses
Geelong – 1 win, 4 losses
St Kilda – 1 wins, 5 losses
Brisbane – 1 wins, 5 losses
Richmond – 1 win, 5 losses
Hawthorn – 1 win, 5 losses
West Coast – 1 win, 6 losses
Fremantle – 0 wins, 1 draw, 3 losses
North Melbourne – 0 wins, 7 losses
Essendon’s six points against teams in the top half of the ladder came with a draw against Collingwood in Round 7 on Anzac Day, and a noble win against GWS in Round 9 at Marvel Stadium, losing their other three matches.
With the luxury of not needing to travel outside Victoria until the very last game of the home-and-away season, the stage is set for the Bombers to take full advantage of their current place in the top four.
And beyond their hopeful finals charge, Saturday night’s game has a bit more at stake between coaches Brad and Christ Scott.
Chris’ Cats have held an exemplary record over Essendon in recent memory; particularly in the last five years.
“The other big factor why I think this is a statement game for the Essendon Football Club, is sometimes you have to stand up and stare your bully down, and go past them – because Geelong have owned Essendon in recent times,” Montagna continued.
“They have beaten them the last six times by an average of 52 points; in fact they’ve beaten them 18 of the last 21 (matches), so they have bullied this Essendon Football Club for a long time.
“Right now, for this football club to continue on their development and their progression to be a finals team and win a final – they’ve got to stand down their bully, who are on their knees, let’s be fair – Geelong are in all sorts of trouble with their confidence and their footy at the moment.
“They will not get a better look to just go straight past Geelong … I’m looking forward to this game, it’ll be massive and I think Essendon should be very confident.”
Show host and six-time All-Australian Bulldog Brad Johnson also noted how a win over the Cats sets them up until September, given their lenient run home.
“It sets them up for their run home; all the talk is that they only travel once (more), and that’s in Round 24 to the Gabba, so this sets up a period of the season which may allow them to finish in the top four and have a real crack at a premiership,” said Johnson.
“I’ll be very disappointed if they allow this Cats team, with the way they’re playing, to beat up on them and beat them again, so I think they should win,” Montagna finished by saying.
The Bombers have been boosted with the inclusion of veteran ruck Todd Goldstein for the clash, as well as fellow recruit Jade Gresham – with the duo coming in for the omitted Nate Caddy and Jye Menzie.
At the Cats, the loss of Tom Hawkins with a foot issue will hurt their offence dearly, but it gives young forward Shannon Neale another crack at the top level after some promising showings of late.
Joining Hawkins on the sidelines will be Ollie Henry (injured) and Oisin Mullin (omitted), with Lawson Humphries handed a debut alongside inclusion 11-gamer Mitch Knevitt.