The fourth game on Saturday for AFL Round 5 is between Essendon Bombers and St Kilda Saints. The match is to be played at Etihad Stadium with the opening bounce set to commence at 7.40pm local time with home team Etihad Stadium currently holding favouritism in the market. View our AFL live scores, odds and results for the game between Essendon Bombers and St Kilda Saints.
Round: Round 5, Saturday April 26, 7.40pm
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 17° Possible shower.
Preview:
The last Saturday match of Round 5 is between the Bombers and Saints, 7.40PM at Etihad Stadium. Essendon will be big favourites to win this one, despite their loss last week to Fremantle and a mid-week virus which has struck coach Mark Thompson and several players. With St Kilda continuing to stuggle in 12th ladder position after some pretty ordinary performances, Essendon should be able to win here comfortably
Teams:
Essendon Bombers
B: D.Fletcher, M.Hurley, D.Heppell
HB: B.Stanton, C.Hooker, J.Merrett
C: M.Baguley, J.Watson, M.Hibberd
HF: D.Zaharakis, J.Daniher, D.Myers
F: K.Hardingham, J.Carlisle, B.Howlett
Foll: P.Ryder, P.Chapman, H.Hocking
I/C: J.Ashby, L.Jetta, M.Gleeson, J.Melksham
Emg: D.Van Unen, Z.Merrett, T.Colyer
IN: P.Chapman, P.Ryder, D.Myers, D.Fletcher
OUT: B.Goddard, J.Winderlich, T.Colyer, D.Van Unen
St Kilda Saints
B: J.Bruce, L.Delaney, J.Newnes
HB: J.Webster, J.Gwilt, S.Dempster
C: F.Ray, L.Hayes, L.Montagna
HF: E.Templeton, N.Riewoldt, J.Steven
F: C.Jones, R.Stanley, J.Saunders
Foll: T.Hickey, L.Dunstan, T.Curren
I/C: A.Schneider, S.Ross, J.Billings, J.Geary
Emg: T.Milera, T.Simpkin, S.Savage
IN: A.Schneider, J.Bruce, S.Ross, T.Hickey, J.Billings
OUT: B.Maister, D.Armitage, S.Savage, B.Longer, N.Wright
News:
The gastro bug sweeping through Essendon Football Club has gone right to the top, with coach Mark Thompson forced to skip training on Tuesday.
Thompson’s assistant Simon Goodwin was in charge as the Bombers went through their paces following last weekend’s 53-point drubbing in Perth at the hands of Fremantle.
But Goodwin said Thompson was in no doubt for Saturday night’s game against St Kilda at Etihad Stadium.
“There’s been a bit of a virus going through the club for the last 10 days and he’s got it,” Goodwin said.
“I’m sure he’ll be back to his joking best in the next couple of days.
“We’ve pretty much said to anyone who gets crook, stay away from the team, and see if we can get rid of this bug.
“We’re missing a few staff members. It’s ripping through the club.
“It’s a combination of flu symptoms plus some gastro-type stuff.”
Both Essendon and St Kilda have started the season with a 2-2 record and Goodwin is confident the Bombers will have several big names returning to the side.
However reigning club champion Brendon Goddard is unlikely to be playing, after being subbed out of the Fremantle game.
“He’s highly doubtful,” Goodwin told reporters.
“He has a slight groin (injury) and we don’t really want to risk our players at this time of the year.”
David Myers, who was a late withdrawal in Perth because of the illness, is expected to return alongside veterans Dustin Fletcher and Paul Chapman.
The Bombers are also hopeful ruckman Paddy Ryder (ankle) will play.
Goodwin said six to eight players had been affected by illness.
“It has been a little concern for the group,” he said.
“But it certainly didn’t affect the way we played.
“We have Paul Chapman, Dustin Fletcher, David Myers and Paddy Ryder coming back.
“So we’ve got some really exciting players coming back into the side.”
Ryder’s fellow ruckman Tom Bellchambers (ankle) is expected to return in the VFL this weekend.
