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Where: Etihad Stadium
When: Friday June 27, 10.50am (BST)
Watch live: Click here to watch online with AFL Global Pass!
Geelong have now slipped out of the top four due as inconsistency has plagued the Cats over the past few weeks. Chris Scott’s side will be looking to bounce back after a disappointing 40-point loss to Gold Coast last week making this encounter a potential corker considering the football Essendon are capable of playing when at its best.
Geelong have won eight of their last nine matches against the Bombers, and one wonders whether the ongoing ASASA case will play on the minds of Essendon players.
Paul Chapman’s will return to the Bombers’ side this week to face his old team-mates, which will be sure to spice up proceedings.
Essendon will come into the game flying with confidence after beating Adelaide in a tight encounter in Round 14, though the aforementioned ASADA court case this week could possibly knock the winds out of the sails of Mark Thompson’s side.
Match Facts:
1. Geelong has dominated Essendon in recent times. Since 2006, the Cats have won eight of nine contests against the Bombers by an average margin of 57 points.
2. The Bombers continue to be a high-possession side. They are ranked second for disposals, averaging 399.2 per game, while the Cats are ranked 10th, averaging 361.2 per game.
3. Geelong continues to struggle in the clearances. It is ranked second last, averaging only 33.8 per game, while Essendon is 10th with 38.2 per game.
4. The Cats have won 10 of their 15 games against the Bombers at Etihad Stadium. Five of those wins were by 50 points or more.
5. Star Essendon recruit Paul Chapman played 251 games and kicked 336 goals for Geelong. He played 14 games against the Bombers and only lost four of them.
6. Cats defender Harry Taylor was the No. 1 key defender in the competition between rounds 10 and 12. But after a couple of quiet games he has been overtaken by Fremantle’s Michael Johnson in Official AFL Player Ratings.
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