Saturday’s AFL 2018 Round 8 match is between Greater Western Sydney Giants and West Coast Eagles. The opening kick is set to commence at 14:10 local time with the game to be played at MCG. The away team Essendon Bombers are the favourites for the match. View our preview and teams for the game between Greater Western Sydney Giants and West Coast Eagles.
When: 14:10 | Saturday 12/05/2018
Where: MCG
Preview:
Carlton will be without Levi Casboult who is out with a fractured rib.
He’s one of the few experienced players they have, so it’s a massive blow for a young side.
Bombers also have their injury concerns with big forward Joe Daniher set to spend four weeks on the sidelines with a groin injury.
KEY BATTLE: Dyson Heppell v Patrick Cripps
Essendon skipper did a good job on Tom Mitchell from Hawthorn last week and I’d like to see him go to Carlton’s best mid this week.
The Verdict
Both sides have been awful this year but Essendon still have too much talent to lose this one.
The Bombers have a 17-8 (68.0 percent) line record at the MCG after a loss since 2013.
Unibet Odds:
Carlton at $3.35
Essendon at $1.34
Odds:
OFFER: Deposit $50 BET with $200 via this link – Ends Soon!
Tip: Essendon Bombers at $1.41
Value Bet: First Goal Scorer: Jake Stringer at $10.00
More Info:
Teams:
Carlton Blues
BLUES
B: Plowman, Rowe, Thomas
HB: Mullett, Jones, Simpson
C: Lang, Cripps, E.Curnow
HF: Fisher, McKay, Graham
F: Petrevski-Seton, C.Curnow, Garlett
FOLL: Kreuzer, Dow, Kerridge
I/C: O’Shea, Lamb, Wright, O’Brien
EMG: Polson, Phillips, Shaw, Silvagni
IN: Lang, C.Curnow, Lamb
OUT: Phillips, Casboult, Kennedy
Essendon Bombers
B: Baguley, Hurley, Saad
HB: McKenna, Ambrose, Goddard
C: Fantasia, Z.Merrett, Mutch
HF: Laverde, Stewart, McDonald-Tipungwuti
F: Myers, Hooker, Zaharakis
FOLL: Bellchambers, Smith, Heppell
I/C: McNiece, McKernan, Parish, Stringer
EMG: Ridley, Langford, Guelfi, Clarke
IN: Fantasia, McKernan
OUT: McGrath, Daniher
AFL News:
Essendon have revealed ongoing groin soreness is behind much-criticised forward Joe Daniher’s slow start to the AFL season.
The Bombers spearhead kicked 65 goals last year to make the All-Australian team for the first time and take out his first club best-and-fairest award.
But with Essendon languishing in 15th place with a 2-5 record, Daniher has become a whipping boy in the media and with fans after kicking eight goals in seven games.
Bombers assistant coach Mark Harvey revealed Daniher underwent tests on Monday and key members of the football department would meet on Tuesday to discuss his immediate playing future.
“I think (his groin has) been catching up on him,” Harvey told SEN.
“Over pre-season he had a groin issue, so we managed his training, but he got that right and strengthened the area around that.
“But I just think with the dynamics of playing since round one, it may be concerning him a little more than what it was.
“We’ll have a discussion today and work out where we go from here.”
Harvey wouldn’t be drawn on reports Daniher is set spend a month on the sidelines due to the issue.
The Bombers have ample talent but are mired in the bottom four after Saturday’s 23-point loss to Hawthorn.
Predictably, they were a major post-mortem topic during Fox Footy’s On The Couch program on Monday night.
Commentator Garry Lyon singled out veteran defenders Brendon Goddard and Michael Hurley as two players who must lead Essendon out of their slump.
“The successful sides … have embraced sacrifice and selflessness, preparedness to go outside their own role and do something for the good of the side,” Lyon said.
“I’m not seeing that at Essendon, in fact, I’m seeing blokes taking easier options.
“We don’t want to make it specifically about certain players but someone has to set a tone for this footy club.
“Brendon Goddard and Michael Hurley are the two who I think need to set the tone.”
Essendon are the only side yet to win a third quarter this season and are down a whopping 136 points in that term.
“They’re very one-trick, a very predictable side to play against, I reckon,” Lyon said.
The Bombers face a danger game on Saturday against arch rivals Carlton.
While the Blues are winless, they will fancy their chances of an upset.
