Anzac Day, the biggest day in Australian football outside the Grand Final. Two of the AFL’s oldest foes will lock horns in front of approximately 90,000 fans at the MCG on Monday. Collingwood, the reigning premiers and current favourites, a legacy looms if they can avoid injury and losing players to rival clubs. Their opponents, Essendon are the bolters of season 2011, reinvigorated under James Hird and looking top four material. A mouth-watering matchup awaits in front of a sell-out crowd.
Essendon, following their thrilling draw with Carlton, are hurt. Two season ending knee injuries in one quarter rocked them against the Blues, yet they managed to dig deep and provide one of their bravest performances in recent memory. For Courtney Dempsey and Jason Winderlich season 2011 is over, two fast running players who Essendon will sorely miss. A likely replacement for Winderlich up forward is speed-demon Alwyn Davey. Davey is lightening quick and will provide forward pressure. He is also very dangerous around goal, providing that x-factor sides crave in big games. At the other end of the ground Dempsey’s likely replacement is either Ricky Dyson or Henry Slattery. Both solid defenders who can lock down an opponent, but lack the dash of Dempsey. David Hille could also make the team and reunite his lethal ruck combination with Paddy Ryder, sharing the ruck duties and resting up forward, giving the Bombers another target inside forward 50, which they sorely need after breaking down across half-forward last week. The biggest story of Essendon’s Anzac day will not be on the field, but in the coaches’ box. James Hird will take the helm on Anzac day for the first time in his short coaching career. Hird was the king of Anzac Day, winning a record three best on ground performances and truly making the occasion his own. Whether he can continue this trend as coach remains to be seen, but one thing is for sure, Collingwood will be keen to crash the party.
For Collingwood the juggernaut continues to roll on. Cruising in second gear yet still undefeated so far this season and looking ominous. Collingwood’s play is machine like, faultless and so efficient. They are outright favourites for a second consecutive flag and deservedly so. This is Collingwood’s last year under Michael Malthouse. No doubt they would like to send him out with a bang, nothing short of a premiership is expected and so far they look on course to deliver. The matchup with Essendon is a fascinating one; two inform teams battling it out on the second biggest stage of the year in front of roughly 90,000 fans. This game shapes as a classic. Selection wise for the Pies, ruckman Darren Jolly is expected to return at the expense of Cameron Wood. The return of Jolly evens the ruck battle for the Pies. Hille and Ryder are arguably the best ruck combination in the league and they will be tough to combat. The experience and class of Jolly plus the relief provided by Leigh Brown should be able to counter them. However, if Jolly is not passed fit for the game, advantage Essendon in the ruck department.
Who will win remains to be seen. Will the Collingwood machine march on or will Hird instil his own Anzac legacy into his players and inspire them to victory. One thing can be assured, this will be a ripper of a contest.
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