It's definitely a stronger Essendon team this week and they are not without a chance. Personally, I favour the Saints, but I don't think it's anywhere near as clear cut as form would make you believe. If you go on form, the Saints simply MUST win, but you should always take into account the 'Bounce Back Factor'. I've seen it so many times before. When a team is soundly beaten one week and criticised heavily for it, they often tend to come out far more determined and fired up the next week, especially if they go from playing away to playing at home.

Look what happened last night. On last week's form, Richmond simply HAD to win, but Football doesn't work that way. After a poor performance the week before, I thought the Demons would probably come out firing last night and they did.

Essendon were awful last week, but they WERE playing Port Adelaide IN Adelaide and I had always thought Port would win that comfortably anyway. Essendon are a far more successful team when Dustin Fletcher is playing and if Hird and Lloyd can get plenty of the ball, they have a good chance. I really think the Saints are a strong team this year, but Grant Thomas will have to keep a lid on things and not let all those young guys get too excited.

[ This Message was edited by: sportznut on 2004-04-03 08:00 ]