SUMMARY
Greater Western Sydney's top-four hopes were strengthened with its important win over the Sydney Swans last weekend, and its draw opens up now in its run to the finals. That starts this Sunday afternoon, when the GIANTS travel to Etihad Stadium to take on the last-placed Bombers.
They will be eying a hefty win given Essendon's struggles in recent weeks, and percentage is also valuable considering the evenness at the top of the ladder. Essendon's 10th consecutive defeat of the season came against Hawthorn last week, when the Bombers were blown away by 108 points. They will be hoping for a more competitive effort on their home turf against the GIANTS in their final game before the round 14 bye.
Jeremy Cameron will hope to land back on his feet against the Bombers. Picture: AFL Media
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, June 19, 4.40pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R19, 2015, GWS 14.9 (93) d Essendon 8.13 (61) at Spotless Stadium
R12, 2014, Essendon 11.15 (81) d GWS 9.12 (66) at Spotless Stadium
R17, 2013, Essendon 18.8 (116) d GWS 11.11 (77) at Spotless Stadium
R6, 2013, Essendon 17.18 (120) d GWS 12.9 (81) at Etihad Stadium
R9, 2012, Essendon 18.11 (119) d GWS 7.11 (53) at Spotless Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon led narrowly at half-time the last time these sides played before the GIANTS kicked 11 goals to four in the second half. The Bombers still had 55 more disposals, took 37 more marks and had 13 more inside-50s.
2. The GIANTS are the No.1 clearance side so far in 2016, averaging 40.5 a game. In contrast, Essendon is ranked 17th for clearances, managing only 32.8 a game.
3. Without some of its suspended stars, Essendon is ranked last for contested possessions this season with an average of 131 a game. They are trying to hold onto the ball, however, and are ranked second for uncontested disposals.
4. Greater Western Sydney has played Essendon only once at Etihad Stadium, when the Bombers won in 2013. The GIANTS won their only Docklands game this season when they overcame St Kilda by 47 points in round five.
5. Essendon's struggles around goal continue. In the past two weeks the Bombers have lost by a combined 187 points, and have kicked 12 goals to 43. They have booted fewer than 10 goals in a game nine times this season.
6. Toby Greene's move up forward has been a success, and he's shifted up the Schick Official AFL Player Ratings. The 22-year-old GIANT was ranked at No.157 at the start of the year and is now No.106.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Jeremy Cameron.
The GWS star has had a couple of quiet weeks, kicking just three goals in the last three games, but he has a chance to fill his boots against Essendon on Sunday.
PREDICTION: Greater Western Sydney by 68 points
