Round 20 2012 Preview (Bombers vs Kangaroos)
Posted by Football NationAug 9. 2012 6:43 pm
Essendon Bombers
vs
North Melbourne Kangaroos
WHEN: Sunday August 12, 4.40pm
WHERE: Etihad Stadium, VIC
LAST TIME: North Melbourne 15.12 (102) defeated by Essendon 14.20 (104) round 1, 2012 at Etihad Stadium
LINEUPS:
Essendon
B: Jake Melksham, Dustin Fletcher, Michael Hibberd
HB: Mark Baguley, Jake Carlisle, Alex Browne
C: Kyle Hardingham, Jobe Watson, Courtenay Dempsey
HF: Alwyn Davey, Michael Hurley, Leroy Jetta
F: Sam Lonergan, Scott Gumbleton, Stewart Crameri
Foll: Tom Bellchambers, Dyson Heppell, Heath Hocking
I/C: David Hille, Nathan Lovett-Murray, Angus Monfries, Henry Slattery, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer, Brendan Lee
In: Dustin Fletcher, David Hille, Angus Monfries, Stewart Crameri, Michael Hibberd, Brendan Lee
Out: Jason Winderlich (Hamstring), Tayte Pears, Ben Howlett (Hamstring)
New: Brendan Lee (East Perth/Towns Junior)
North Melbourne
B: Scott McMahon, Scott Thompson, Michael Firrito
HB: Shaun Atley, Nathan Grima, Jamie Macmillan
C: Ryan Bastinac, Daniel Wells, Ben Cunnington
HF: Matt Campbell, Robert Tarrant, Samuel Wright
F: Kieran Harper, Drew Petrie, Lachlan Hansen
Foll: Todd Goldstein, Andrew Swallow, Brent Harvey
I/C: Aaron Edwards, Leigh Adams, Cruize Garlett, Liam Anthony, Aaron Mullett, Sam Gibson, Levi Greenwood
In: Aaron Edwards, Leigh Adams, Levi Greenwood
Milestones: Samuel Wright – 50 games, Ben Cunnington – 50 games
What our experts say:
Essendon vs North Melbourne
At one stage Essendon was looking nearly untouchable; winning every game in sight and looking a lock for the top four. It’s a shock then that they will now battle to make the top eight with a hungry Fremantle snapping at its heels.
Worse news for the Bombers is that they come up against aNorth Melbourneside in form that hasn’t been seen since they lost a preliminary final in 2007. The older stars like Brent Harvey and Drew Petrie are playing with reckless abandon and the kids are backing them up. They should make up for the after-siren loss earlier in the year here.
North Melbourne by 22
SC – Jobe Watson, Drew Petrie
Read more Round 20 previews from Daniel here.
Essendon ($2.30) vs. North Melbourne ($1.65):
The Roos strong recent record (4 from 5) has them favoured over the Bombers (1 from 5) but I feel little separates them. That is probably not an alarming statement given the sit equal on the ladder split by a single percentage point only! I’d suggest getting the work around the house done early to ensure that little spot on the couch is free for use, as this match should be highly entertaining. Both teams must win to play finals and both teams usually play a fast, high scoring brand of football that has seen recent match-ups see-saw from siren-to-siren. The return of Crameri, Fletcher and Hibberd is significant, as is the return of Edward and Adams for the Roos. Etihad Stadium poses no problems for either team with both teams possessing good records at the track. A really hard game to finish with.
Suggested bet: Either team under 15.5 points @ $2.60
Read more Round 20 betting suggestions from Max here.
Filled under: AFL Fixture, Latest News, Round 20
