Brent Harvey
Price: $412,500
Season Average: 85.8
Career Average v Essendon: 84.9
Harvey’s only had one score under 60 against Essendon since 1999. Three centuries from his last three games means the former captain is in good form, however he may be due to spend more time forward on Sunday in the absence of Lindsay Thomas.
This means his possession count could be slightly down and the best way to a big score is through a handful of goals.
Andrew Swallow
Price: $489,200
Season Average: 103.7
Career Average v Essendon: 96.8
While the captain’s average against Essendon is inflated slightly by an equal career high 160 in 2010, there can be no doubt he lifts his game for the big clashes. As mentioned in previous weeks, his tackling ensures his score won’t be cripplingly low and once he gets a big score he makes it count with five scores of more than 125 already in 2012.
Todd Goldstein
Price: $383,100
Season Average: 82.5
Career Average v Essendon: 63
Surprisingly Goldstein’s average against Essendon is his third-lowest out of the other 17 clubs. It counts for nothing this Sunday however, as for North to claim the four points, it will need the ruckman to stand up and deliver.
In Round 1, North lost the clearance battle by 14 (40 to 26) and it was only through a late comeback it found itself back in the game. Giving Essendon a similar head start this weekend would be like playing with fire.
Drew Petrie
Price: $415,500
Season Average: 84
Career Average v Essendon: 71.1
In 10 games against the Bombers, Petrie has only surpassed 100 on one occasion, but it would be fair to say he hasn’t entered a clash against them with the form he is currently enjoying.
23 goals in his last month of football has him sitting second in the Coleman Medal race and against an injury-depleted Essendon backline, he has every chance to kick another bag.
Ryan Bastinac
Price: $345,100
Season Average: 76
Career Average v Essendon: 58
While the numbers don’t make for compelling reading, Bastinac has started to hit top form after a quiet patch in the middle of the season. Averaging a tick over 100 in the last three weeks, he has stepped up in the absence of Jack Ziebell.
Against the likes of Jobe Watson and possibly Brent Stanton, Bastinac must continue his good form. If he does, it’ll have the dual bonus of translating to a good Dream Team game and possibly the four points for North.
