For vastly different reasons, both teams have experienced trying times through 2014 - and for Marc Murphy and his players the campaign all ends early on Saturday evening.
In Essendon, the team confronts a foe whose competitors collectively average the most kicks, most marks, most uncontested possessions and highest disposal efficiency in the comp. The Bombers also rank second for disposals and third for contested marks – the latter stat suggesting they’re just as effective without the ball as they are with it.
Much has been made of Dyson Heppell’s impact in midfield this season, and it’s not hard to see why. Currently sixth-placed for most disposals in the AFL and No.1 at Essendon for handballs, overall disposals, contested possessions and clearances, Heppell is a force to be reckoned with providing he can overcome recent issues with a broken hand.
So too the “Lachie Henderson” of the opposition, resident swingman Michael Hurley, who’s coming off a career-best performance which netted him 27 touches, 12 marks and 2 goals against Gold Coast at Etihad. Ranked sixth for his team in kicks (the first non-midfielder to feature in this stat), fifth for contested marks and second for “one percenters”, Hurley thinks team and plays accordingly.
And then there’s Michael Hibberd, Essendon’s slingshot - first at Bomberland for rebound 50s, fourth for kicks and uncontested possessions and fifth for disposals.
Can Carlton trash the sash? That will be determined by how well the likes of Heppell, Hurley and Co. can be kept in check.
