Essendon Bombers vs Port Adelaide Power preview, teams and tips – 2014 AFL NAB Challenge

The game on Tuesday for AFL NAB Challenge is between Essendon Bombers and Port Adelaide Power. The opening bounce is set to commence at 7.10pm AEST with the game to be played at Etihad Stadium. The favourite for the match is home team Essendon Bombers. View our preview and teams for the game between Essendon Bombers and Port Adelaide Power.

When: Tuesday, February 25, 7.10pm AEST
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 31° Mostly sunny.

Featured Bookmakers:

Essendon Bombers $1.58 vs Port Adelaide Power $2.35 at Sportsbet Australia get a $250 FREE BET on this match

Essendon Bombers $1.53 vs Port Adelaide Power $2.50 at Luxbet Australia get a $500 FREE BET on this match

Odds Comparison:

Essendon Bombers 1.58 1.55 1.53 1.55 1.58 1.52
Port Adelaide Power 2.35 2.45 2.50 2.45 2.35 2.43

All odds are subject to change. Odds listed are correct at the time of the latest update.

Tips: Essendon to win

Preview:

ESSENDON and Port Adelaide have both recalled big names for their NAB Challenge clash at Etihad Stadium on Tuesday night, with Bombers recruit Paul Chapman headlining the potential inclusions.
Chapman, who was named in the Bombers’ squad of 29, is in line to play his first game for the Dons after crossing from Geelong during the exchange period.
He was included alongside captain Jobe Watson, star utility Brendon Goddard and veteran defender Dustin Fletcher, who are yet to feature in the NAB Challenge.
Port Adelaide named captain Travis Boak in its squad of 29 after the star midfielder was a late withdrawal for their opening pre-season match against Adelaide.
Lead ruckman Matthew Lobbe was also named for his first NAB Challenge hit-out alongside key youngsters Hamish Harlett and Chad Wingard and key forward Jay Schulz.
The squads will be trimmed to 26 on Tuesday.

Teams:

ESSENDON BOMBERS essendon-bombers

1. Michael Hibberd, 3. Paul Chapman, 4. Jobe Watson, 5. Brent Stanton, 6. Joe Daniher, 7. Leroy Jetta, 8. Jason Winderlich, 9. Brendon Goddard, 11. David Zaharakis, 12. Mark Baguley, 14. Jason Ashby, 16. Tayte Pears, 18. Michael Hurley, 20. Jackson Merrett, 21. Dyson Heppell, 22. Jake Carlisle, 25. Ariel Steinberg, 26. Cale Hooker, 27. Zach Merrett, 28. Elliott Kavanagh, 29. Cory Dell’Olio, 30. Paddy Ryder, 31. Dustin Fletcher, 32. Travis Colyer, 34. Kyle Hardingham, 35. Martin Gleeson, 39. Heath Hocking, 40. Ben Howlett, 44. Fraser Thurlow

 

 

PORT ADELAIDE POWERport-adelaide

1. Travis Boak, 4. Brent Renouf, 5. Matthew Broadbent, 6. Angus Monfries, 7. Bradley Ebert, 8. Hamish Hartlett, 9. Robert Gray, 11. John Butcher, 13. Cameron O’Shea, 14. Paul Stewart, 15. Lewis Stevenson, 16. Oliver Wines, 17. Tom Clurey, 18. Kane Cornes, 19. Matt White, 20. Chad Wingard, 21. Jared Polec, 23. Matthew Lobbe, 24. Jarman Impey, 25. Domenic Cassisi, 26. Andrew Moore, 28. Jay Schulz, 29. Jasper Pittard, 36. Jack Hombsch, 38. Ben Newton, 39. Justin Westhoff, 40. Aaron Young, 42. Tom Jonas, 43. Karl Amon

 

News:

Essendon on Tuesday expressed their disappointment at comments from Hawthorn coach Alastair Clarkson regarding the AFL club’s supplements scandal.

The saga reached a climax in August 2013 when Essendon accepted a $2 million fine and a ban from that year’s finals series, as well as a 12-month suspension for Hird.

Clarkson told Fairfax Media in an interview published on Tuesday that Hird’s case shows coaches need to face stronger accreditation procedures.

“Hirdy needs accreditation to coach under nines but not an AFL footy team,” Clarkson said.

“It really concerns me that the game doesn’t protect itself in the way, say, the teaching industry does.”

Clarkson’s plan, as presented to the AFL Commission in Sydney on Monday, would mean Hird would not have been allowed to coach the Bombers without AFL accreditation and at least two years’ coaching experience.

Clarkson said he had strong sympathy for AFL chief Andrew Demetriou who faced a difficult assignment over the Essendon issue.

Clarkson said he had been disappointed that reports of AFL Coaches’ Association bosses visiting and working with Hird had given a suggestion the association sympathised with Hird and felt he’d been harshly treated.

“That was not my view, not many of the other coaches’ view,” Clarkson said.

Little fired back by saying Hird was receiving support from rival coaches. He said Hird would return to the club following his suspension.

“The comments made by Clarkson relating to James Hird are neither helpful nor informed,” Little said in a letter on Essendon’s website.

Little said the Bombers had learnt many lessons and had made significant changes to their governance.

“The club and James have accepted responsibility for the mistakes that were made and received significant sanctions from the AFL,” he said.

“We have no doubt James Hird is the right person to coach the Essendon Football Club and we look forward to his return to the Club later this year.

“James appreciates the ongoing support he has received from other AFL coaches and the AFL Coaches’ Association.”

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