APRIL FOOLS by Whispering Jack

Melbourne fans have been living with the premiership glow for six months since their team won its first premiership flag in almost six decades. Supporters are now getting used to following what is officially a powerhouse, one that’s faster than a speeding bullet, more powerful than a locomotive, able to leap tall buildings in a single bound, travel to different parts of the country, play in difficult humid conditions on soggy grounds and win matches under adversity.

The Demons’ victory over the Suns at the weekend wasn’t pretty and some might say it’s a sign that the team might be coming back to the field after tasting the glory of a flag, but the fact remains that they alone of the 2021 Preliminary Finalists remain undefeated after two rounds. Indeed, two of last year’s big four have yet to record a victory at a time when the AFL ladder is being held up by recent cellar dwellers in Hawthorn and Carlton.

Meanwhile, Melbourne’s opponent this week is under the pump and staring at a history-making 0-3 start, something that hasn’t happened at Windy Hill since 1967. You might think on this basis that the Demons are in line for an easy night on the MCG but don’t be fooled. Coming off a six-day break after an interstate trip is never easy and when you have to go back more than half a century in their history to find such a poor start to a season, then you know the Bombers can never be taken lightly. 

After all, there are some respected pundits among football’s commentariat who, less than a fortnight ago, had Essendon as the flag favourite. On their day, they have a midfield that has a few prolific ball gatherers and is strong enough to challenge their Demon counterparts. The running defenders will test the Melbourne forwards who aren’t exactly setting the world alight at this time. Fortunately for the Dees, their accuracy kept them in the game early last week but the progression from 10.1 after Bayley Fritsch’s goal in the third term to 12.10 at the end was testament to a haphazard approach to goal in the second half — something they can’t afford to repeat against a team like Essendon.

Much has been made of the premiership defenders missing through injury at the moment but despite having A-listers Jake Lever, Christian Salem, Harry Petty and Michael Hibberd on the sidelines, this division has been holding up well with players admirably filling in who, for one reason or another, missed out on last year’s glory. They will be anxious to impress and to hold their places in the side. Together with the pressure coming from those in the VFL team, this means the club is so well placed to continue its successful streak in the future. 

And above all, there’s the mobility and strength of Melbourne’s ruckmen. Max Gawn and Luke Jackson are proving a formidable big man division that are tough to beat in the air and on the ground. If Maxy’s not at his best, then you can rely on Dogga to get the job done and vice versa. 

Therefore, on the 1st day of April, I would be fooling if I didn’t think the Demons will go into the game as strong favourite to make it three in a row for 2022 and ten on the trot overall.

Melbourne to win by 25 points.

THE GAME

Essendon v Melbourne at the MCG Friday 1 April, 2022 at 7.50pm.

HEAD TO HEAD

Overall Melbourne 85 wins 2 draws Essendon 130 wins

At the MCG Melbourne 46 wins Essendon 67 wins 1 draw

The last five meetings Melbourne 3 wins Essendon 2 wins

The Coaches Goodwin 1 win Rutten 0 wins

MEDIA

TV live and on demand on Kayo and live on Foxtel. Check your local guides.

Radio - check your local guides.

THE LAST TIME THEY MET

Melbourne 9.14.68 defeated Essendon 8.9.57 at The MCG, Round 15, 2021

The Demons were going through something of a mid-season trough but they managed to work their way through to an ugly victory in a low scoring game.

THE TEAMS

MELBOURNE

B: T.Rivers 24 A. Tomlinson 20 S.May 1
HB: J.Hunt 29 J.Smith 44 J.Jordon 23 
C: T.Sparrow 32 C.Petracca 5 E.Langdon 15
HF: L.Jackson 6 T.McDonald 25 J.Viney 7
F: B.Fritsch 31 S.Weideman 26 C.Spargo 9
Foll: M.Gawn - C 11 C.Oliver 13 K.Pickett 36
I/C: J.Bowey 17 A.Brayshaw 10 J.Harmes 4 A.Neal-Bullen 30
Sun: T. Bedford 12 Emerg: M.Brown 38 J.Melksham 18 L.Dunstan 27 

In: Sam Weideman 

Out: Ben Brown (H&S protocols)

ESSENDON

B: J. Stewart 17 J. Laverde 15 J. Kelly 29
HB: M. Redman 27 D. Heppell - C 21 N. Hind 19
C: A. McGrath 1 J. Caldwell 6 T. Cutler 12
HF: J. Stringer 25 M. Guelfi 35 N. Martin 37
F: A. Perkins 16 P. Wright 20 T. Wanganeen 40
Foll: S. Draper 2 D. Parish 3 S. Durham 22
I/C: B. Ham 33 A. Phillips 34 J. Ridley 14 D. Shiel 9
Sub: D.Smith 5 Emerg: B. Hobbs 8 A. Waterman 44 B. Zerk-Thatcher 30

In: Nic Martin Andrew Phillips Dylan Shiel

Out: Nik Cox (ankle) Aaron Francis (omitted) Zach Merrett (ankle) Devon Smith (omitted)

Round 3: Injury List

Kade Chandler - Quad | Test
Jake Lever - Foot | 1 - 2 weeks
Harry Petty - Calf | 2-3 Weeks
Michael Hibberd - Calf | 2 - 4 weeks
Daniel Turner - Foot | 4-6 weeks
Christian Salem - Knee | 5-7 weeks