Will Essendon's clash with North Melbourne be Mark Thompson's final game as a senior AFL coach?
North Melbourne's Drew Petrie and Essendon's Dyson Heppell with the Tissot AFL Grand Final countdown clock. Picture: Jay Town Source: News Corp Australia
SYDNEY is into a preliminary final after a 24-point win over Fremantle at ANZ Stadium.
The Swans overcame a sluggish start to kick eight goals in the second half to secure a week off and a home final.
Lance Franklin kicked three special goals, including one from a tight angle in the final term, and Luke Parker was the leading ball-winner on the ground with 32.
The only sour note for the Swans was a hamstring injury to key playmaker Nick Malceski.
Matthew Pavlich stood tall for the visitors with four goals.
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PREVIEW
1. Which version of the Bombers will turn up today?
Coach Mark Thompson admitted last week the Bombers had to find a way to overcome the inconsistency that has carried this season for today’s elimination final. The Bombers offered a perfect example of their form fluctuations within games last week against Carlton when the team squandered a lead of almost five goals in the third quarter to eventually draw with the Blues. For his part, Thompson this week said he was expecting ``good Essendon’’ to turn up.
2. Which version of the Kangaroos will turn up today?
It’s been a similar bugbear for North Melbourne coach Brad Scott this season. The Kangaroos have claimed top-eight scalps Sydney, Hawthorn, Fremantle, Port Adelaide and Richmond this season, but suffered upset losses to Carlton, Gold Coast and the Brisbane Lions. But the Roos will go into the clash with the knowledge that their best is good enough to beat any side in the competition.
3. Will North Melbourne’s move to rest a string of players last week pay off or was it flirting with form?
With a final-round clash against the hapless Demons, the Kangaroos took the opportunity to rest Michael Firrito, Todd Goldstein, Lindsay Thomas, Luke McDonald and Levi Greenwood to freshen up for the finals. Defender Scott Thompson admitted this week the Kangaroos were mentally and physically spent heading into their last final — a 96-point elimination final loss to West Coast in 2012 — but felt the team was better placed this time around. Time will tell if the cotton wool approach pays off today.
Paul Chapman celebrates a goal in Round 20. Picture: Wayne Ludbey. Source: News Corp Australia
THE MATCH-UP
Paul Chapman v Michael Firrito?
A man with a proven finals record, Chapman will take on a bigger role for the Bombers in attack in the absence of injured key forward Jake Carlisle. Chapman booted four goals in the Bombers’ 39-point win over North in Round 1 this season and could be a wildcard for them today. North’s veteran defender Firrito could be a likely candidate to line-up on the triple premiership forward.
2014 MEETING
Round 1: Essendon 15.9 (99) d North Melbourne 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium
Goalkickers
Essendon: Chapman 4, Goddard 3, Hardingham 2, Daniher 2, Watson 2.
North Melbourne: Thomas 4.
Best
Essendon: Watson, Chapman, Goddard, Heppell, Zaharakis, J Merrett, Hooker.
North Melbourne: Thomas, Macmillan, Harvey, Cunnington, Mullett.
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