JLT: Gold Coast v Essendon

The Suns finished off the Lions last week while the Bombers threw away a lead against fast finishing Pies.

Lineups

Gold Coast Key Ins: Peter Wright, Will Brodie
Gold Coast Key Outs: Gary Ablett, Tom Lynch, Aaron Hall

Essendon Key Ins: Brent Stanton, Joe Daniher, Heath Hocking
Essendon Key Outs: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, David Zaharakis, Orazio Fantasia, James Kelly

What To Expect

Both teams have named weak sides for this clash. For the Suns, big Peter Wright plays his first game of the season and will play a deep full forward with no Tom Lynch named. The Suns got the job done against Brisbane last week but showed little signs of improvement from 2016. The Bombers welcome back Joe Daniher for his first match of the season, while fellow forward Cale Hooker again remains sidelined with a niggling injury. The Bombers will be hoping Hooker can play their final trial, as they will need to see how Hooker and Daniher play in tandem up forward before round 1. In a game that is very hard to split and with both sides naming underwhelming squads, the Wolf expects a tight match here and will be backing in a close finish.

Rising Star Watch

For the Suns, Brayden Fiorini ($13) was the best of their youngsters last week racking up 18 disposals. Fellow rising start prospects Jack Bowes ($10) and Will Brodie ($15) were quiet only amassing 22 disposals between them. Ben Ainsworth ($15) showed what he could do with a terrific front and centre-crumbing goal. The Wolf will not be surprised if both Fiorini and Ainsworth are the two-standout young players for the Suns this season. Number 1 pick in 2016 Andrew McGrath ($12) from the Bombers was very efficient last week however only found the ball 9 times.

How it’s Shaping Up

Gold Coast By 2

Recommended Bets

Best: Wire To Wire – Any Other Result ($1.97)
Other: Either Team Under 15.5 ($2.50)