Peter Wright left Sydney’s Harry Cunningham dazed with a controversial heavy bump in round two, which in turn left the Bombers’ forward dealing with a four-match suspension, but Wright’s expected return on Thursday against Collingwood could have another major consequence, this time for a teammate.
Purring after successive wins, the Bombers will need to decide whether having a troika of talls – Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein and Wright – is best for team balance.
Tough call: The Bombers need to determine whether Sam Draper (right) and Todd Goldstein can work alongside fellow tall Peter Wright in Thursday’s Anzac Day clash.Credit: AFL Photos
Key forward Wright appears an automatic inclusion, particularly, as club great Matthew Lloyd noted, because the Bombers’ forward line remains a work in progress. But this is where it gets really interesting. While the young Draper, whose contentious dive on the ball in the dying seconds protected the Bombers’ three-point lead against the Crows on Friday night, would be regarded by many as the primary ruck, Goldstein, the veteran former Kangaroo, has been coach Brad Scott’s preferred front-line option. In the five games they have played together, Goldstein has attended more ruck contests, centre bounces and is averaging more hitouts.
Regardless, it leaves the Bombers in a great position to end a four-game skid against the Magpies. Craig McRae has not lost to the Bombers since taking charge of the Magpies, but this record will be seriously challenged on Anzac Day.
Three of Essendon’s four defeats against the Pies were by 13 points or less (the Bombers even led by 14 points at the final change in round 19, 2022) before the round 24 outlier last year when the Magpies surged to a 70-point win. But the belief Scott’s team now has, with a 4-2 win-loss record, and a midfield featuring skipper Zach Merrett and gun Sam Durham has premiership great Lloyd enthused.
“They have built the midfield, a bit of a tougher midfield, obviously [Ben] McKay has stiffened up the defence. The forward line is still a work in progress, but they get Peter Wright back now. They are in a good position, in terms of the ladder,” Lloyd told 3AW.
Magpies great Nathan Buckley pointed out the Bombers’ strong form came despite the injured absence of arguably their most important player, defender Jordan Ridley.
Bombers should be ‘up and about’, Blues ruck’n’rolling: Key takeouts from round six
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22.04.2024
Peter Wright left Sydney’s Harry Cunningham dazed with a controversial heavy bump in round two, which in turn left the Bombers’ forward dealing with a four-match suspension, but Wright’s expected return on Thursday against Collingwood could have another major consequence, this time for a teammate.
Purring after successive wins, the Bombers will need to decide whether having a troika of talls – Sam Draper, Todd Goldstein and Wright – is best for team balance.
Tough call: The Bombers need to determine whether Sam Draper (right) and Todd Goldstein can work alongside........
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