WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday April 14, 7.40pm
LAST TIME: Essendon 31.11 (197) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58), round 6, 2011 at Etihad Stadium
TV AND RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds
On paper it looks like a mismatch between a team that has won its opening two rounds against a side that has copped hidings in its opening two. Last year Essendon piled on a League-record 15-goal first quarter on the way to a 139-point slaughter of the Suns. Gold Coast will welcome back All Australian defender Nathan Bock to play a Bombers team celebrating Dustin Fletcher's 350th match, but missing Sam Lonergan (suspension) and facing injury concerns over David Hille, David Myers and Nathan Lovett-Murray.
THE FOUR POINTS
Gold Coast
1. Can the Suns fix up their first quarters? In the opening fortnight they have trailed by 31 and 30 points respectively against Adelaide and St Kilda and been all-but out of the contest. Essendon gave them a fearful hammering in the corresponding match last year and a similar beginning would have the fans thinking 'here we go again'.
2. Last year one of Gold Coast's strengths was its clearance work. So far this season the Suns have been outmuscled around the stoppages and in contested possessions around the ground. Gold Coast must break even in the middle, or at the very least have a better defensive set-up so their opponents don't waltz from the middle straight to goal.
3. Can anyone stop Gary Ablett? It's hard to believe the Brownlow medallist could still be improving, but you'd be a brave man to argue against it. Following a stellar best and fairest campaign last year, Ablett has started 2012 with 43 and 40 disposals in his first two matches despite playing in badly beaten teams.
4. After missing the first two matches through suspension, Nathan Bock's return is a welcome sight for Gold Coast coaches, players and fans. If Bock is used forward - as he was all pre-season - he gives the Suns a focal point and more chance of locking the ball in the forward 50.
Essendon
1. It is the first time Essendon has played at Metricon Stadium. Last year the Bombers started to reverse their poor interstate record, winning two of their five games outside Victoria. This is the club’s first of five games interstate in 2012, and it will want to start its run with a win.
2. In last year’s encounter the Bombers led by a record 93 points at quarter-time and won by 139 points. The hero that day was Kyle Reimers, who booted eight goals in a huge performance. With Essendon’s growing injury list, Reimers appears on the cusp of regaining his position in the senior side.
3. This could be an opportunity for Essendon’s forward line to develop more together. So far this season it has appeared to struggle to find any rhythm, but given the Suns’ poor start to the year it provides a chance for it to get into some goalkicking form.
4. Essendon’s ruck triangle has been the subject of much discussion and with David Hille missing through injury, Tom Bellchambers gets his best chance to cement his position in the team. Bellchambers’ form at VFL level has been strong and he should enter the game full of confidence.
AFL.com.au prediction: Essendon by 25 points
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs
