Win or lose, will Lloyd and Lucas tear us a new one?

[DeadlyAkkuret]

This pair seems to have a decent record against us, and for some reason, Essendon always have their kicking boots on when they play Sydney, atleast in recent times. I remember two games that were played not so long ago, where they got off to starts of 10.1 and 10.0 or something like that, had me chucking what i like to call a 'manly tantrum'.

I'm sure i'm not the only one who's scared whenever Lloyd lines up on Leo, either. Each time the ball is delivered into the Bomber's forward 50, i can't help visualizing Matty taking a big, strong grab, on the lead. Then, it usually comes true.

[S.U.D]

Either the strong grab, or diver dan goes down as leaping leo breathes on him, the whistle blows, and leaping does what he does best in such situations: look guilty.

How about superted on diver and B2 on lucas. Let leo run free?

[Bloody Hell]

Either the strong grab, or diver dan goes down as leaping leo breathes on him, the whistle blows, and leaping does what he does best in such situations: look guilty.

How about superted on diver and B2 on lucas. Let leo run free?

Get's my vote.

[ScottH]

Where's LRT when you need an Extra Bigman down back?

Lloyd is the one who likes to tear us a new one. Although his form this year has been good , not great. 14 touches/3.5 goals per game.

Lucas has been the one to watch out of the two. 17touches/4goals per game.

And Hird has been in good form as well.

The three of them will be a big ask to handle. The key will be to reduce/stifle the supply. ie pressure the midfield.

[Zlatorog]

...snip...The key will be to reduce/stifle the supply. ie pressure the midfield.

My thoughts exactly. If we start slow in first quarter we'll be carved up by those guys.

[ScottH]

My thoughts exactly. If we start slow in first quarter we'll be carved up by those guys.

Deja vu???

[Glenn]

Deja vu???

Again

[hammo]

Luckily Leo's been running into some form, but this is the classic case of our backline coming up against a big forward line. We always struggle.

I suspect Goodes will play a big role this week, either running with Hird or perhaps lining up on Lucus.

[reigning premier]

Lucas is the danger.. Though I hope he kicks 8 goals and Lloyd none as he's in my dream team...

But seriously, I think we should be looking to the likes of Dempster to take on Lucas. We need someone with a bit of speed to keep on him when he bursts fwd on the lead.

As for Lloyd, well doesn't really matter. He'll get 5 frees in front of goal. It's just a matter of how many he kicks.

[top40]

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The Bombers have an extraordinary record of accurate goal kicking against Sydney. Here's some telling stats:

Round 19 1993 Full Time: they kicked 18-9
Round 18 1999 Full Time: they kicked 15-3
Round 11 2003 Full Time: they kicked 12-7
Round 7 2005 Half Time: they'd kicked 10-1 (14-4 at Full time)
Round 19 2005 Half Time: they'd again kicked 10-1
Round 1 2006 Quarter Time: they'd kicked 9-1 (17-6 at Full Time)

[bandwagon]

Scary stats. But the one that counts is they have only beaten us once in the last five attempts (and Round 1 counts as the pre-season!).

I like the idea of Dempster on Lucas - smaller players seem to have done ok on him this year. B2 on Lloyd. Maybe Kennelly on Hird just to see if the old man has the legs any more....

[NMWBloods]

I think Hird is too smart to be on Kennelly, and I think Sheedy is too smart to leave Hird on Kennelly. In other words, Kennelly is not a tight defensive player and I think Hird would find too much space and be too damaging. In return, I doubt if Hird could do a stopping job on Kennelly's run from the backline, hence someone else would mind Kennelly.

Dempster on Lucas is interesting. Dempster is pretty tall, but doesn't play that way (like Kennelly). I would worry about marking contests.

I'd prefer to see C Bolton on Lloyd than Barry. Maybe Barry on Lucas.