Essendon Bombers vs West Coast Eagles preview, tips, odds and teams – 2014 AFL Round 21

The third game on Saturday for AFL Round 21 is between Essendon Bombers and West Coast Eagles. The game is set to commence at 4:40 PM 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 West Coast Eagles.

Round: Round 21 , August 16, 2014, 4:40 PM
Stadium: Etihad Stadium
Weather: 16° Partly cloudy.

Featured Bookmakers:

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Preview:

A GAME that not so long ago seemed unlikely to carry many consequences for the top eight has now taken on significant importance as the race to the finals intensifies. West Coast will come to Melbourne with some confidence after strong wins in the past two weeks, showing perhaps the best form of the Eagles’ season. Essendon has taken a little bit of a dip, once again highlighting its inconsistency with an 18-point loss to Richmond last week. A finals place is still on the line for both clubs. Essendon is clinging to eighth position on the ladder only by percentage, and a win from the Eagles would see them jump ahead of the Bombers.

LAST FIVE TIMES

R20, 2013, West Coast 18.12 (120) d Essendon 9.13 (67) at Etihad Stadium

R14, 2013, Essendon 15.8 (98) d West Coast 13.13 (91) at Patersons Stadium

R7, 2012, Essendon 16.17 (113) d West Coast 7.10 (52) at Etihad Stadium

R22, 2011, West Coast 20.14 (134) d Essendon 11.11 (77) at Patersons Stadium

R7, 2011, Essendon 16.10 (106) d West Coast 12.18 (90) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS

1. Dyson Heppell has enjoyed an outstanding season for the club, playing every game and averaging 28 disposals a game. In Jobe Watson’s absence, Heppell has become Essendon’s No.1 midfielder.

2. West Coast forward Mark LeCras has enjoyed playing against Essendon at Etihad Stadium, kicking 23 goals in five games, including a 12-goal haul in 2010.

3. With a finals berth up for grabs, expect a reasonable crowd at Etihad Stadium. The best crowd between the sides at the venue is 48,913, in round 11, 2007.

4. West Coast’s talls have hit form, and will prove a tough task for Essendon to handle. In last week’s win over Collingwood, Scott Lycett (four goals), Jack Darling (four) and Josh Kennedy (three) combined for 10 goals.

5. Bomber Jake Carlisle kicked the match-turning goal against the Eagles last year when pinned against the boundary line after being switched forward. More than a year on plenty will rest on the shoulders of the 22-year-old if the Bombers are to once again get the four points.

6. Stand-in Essendon skipper Brendon Goddard’s consistent season has been reflected in the Official AFL Player Ratings, brought to you by Gatorade. Goddard started the season ranked the 48th best player in the competition but has risen to No.28.

Teams:

ESSENDON
B, Courtenay Dempsey, Cale Hooker, Jason Winderlich
HB, Mark Baguley, Michael Hurley, Michael Hibberd
C, Travis Colyer, Dyson Heppell, Brent Stanton
HF, Jobe Watson, Patrick Ambrose, Paul Chapman
F, Brendon Goddard, Joe Daniher, David Zaharakis
Fol, Patrick Ryder, Heath Hocking, David Myers
I/C, Zach Merrett, Ariel Steinberg, Jake Melksham, Ben Howlett
Emg, Orazio Fantasia, Cory Dell’Olio, Tom Bellchambers,
In, Michael Hibberd, Jobe Watson, Patrick Ambrose, Ariel Steinberg,
Out, Orazio Fantasia (Omitted), Cory Dell’Olio (omitted), Elliott Kavanagh (omitted), Jake Carlisle (Back), New, Ariel Steinberg

WEST COAST
B Shannon Hurn, Mitchell Brown, Sam Butler.
HB Jamie Bennell, Eric Mackenzie, Jamie Cripps.
C Chris Masten, Matt Priddis, Andrew Gaff.
HF Dominic Sheed, Jack Darling, Jeremy McGovern.
F Scott Lycett, Josh Kennedy, Patrick McGinnity.
Fol Nic Naitanui, Mark Hutchings, Luke Shuey.
I/C Dean Cox, Josh Hill, Will Schofield, Simon Tunbridge.Emg
Jacob Brennan, Adam Carter, Ashley Smith
In Simon Tunbridge.
Out Xavier Ellis (shoulder)

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