3 minute read

Racing and Sports will provide analysis of many games in the 2019 AFL Season.

We’ll endeavour to run through the form, incorporate appropriate stats and also supply a betting prediction which won’t always just be who will win.

ESSENDON v COLLINGWOOD

There are not many sporting moments each year that top Anzac Day at the MCG.

Before the first ball on Boxing Day and the 15 minutes either side of the Melbourne Cup are two such times which stir the sports lover.

However what the Last Post means tops all that. That period of complete silence from the official remembrance right through to the National Anthem is both beautiful and haunting. The 100,000 there should feel the privilege.

After that there is a football game to be played and a football to be won.

Essendon and Collingwood have made it their day for near 25 years and to be fair have done it superbly.

To make it more appetising in 2019, they both come in off substantial victories. The Pies gave Brisbane a touch up while the Bombers did the same ten goal job on North.

At their best Collingwood do look strong Top 4 contenders again even in this weirdly inconsistent season.

Their defence holds firm without high profile names, the forward line is a fast functioning and flowing unit made up of mid sizes like Stephenson, Mihocek and the best of them de Goey (plus one definitely not mid-size being Mr Cox) and then there is the midfield.

If Sidebottom, Beams, Pendlebury, Treloar and Grundy are near their best players, it is hard to see them not winning most games.

All that said there is no certainty Essendon can’t use their ‘run and gun’ style, to use a basketball analogy, and have Collingwood chasing their tails all game.

After the poor start to the year, they’ve got some mojo back. No doubt the Kangaroos were poor but Essendon attacked and they had no repellent.

A fully fit and in form Daniher won’t solve all ills but what it does is create contests for the crumbers and allows the likes of Brown and more importantly Stringer to go one more down the defensive chain.

Because they can score quickly they are dangerous in any match. Burst scoring is possibly going to become more prevalent as the season goes on. And then tack on the dynamism of Dylan Shiel who shows his true talents when given any latitude.

Defensively they have to hold firm. That could be their nemesis so keep an eye on their percentage as we get further into the season.

With that in mind, just giving the nod to Collingwood on Anzac Day but have the belief this will be a game of big swings. Watch for runs of goals for both teams.

Both have similar records in scoring but the Pies have averaged two goals less per game defensively. Hoping this is a 20 goals each thriller if the weather holds. Essendon’s chance is if there is a lot of chaotic entries and ground ball mayhem in the forward line whereas their opponents want more structure.

Collingwood just – enjoy and respect the whole day.

Match Selection: Collingwood by 9 points

Suggested Bet: Total Match Points (211+) @ $6.50