By No32
U Can’t Touch This…Stop RAMATIME!

Firstly I would like to acknowledge James Hird on 250 memorable games and I am looking forward to see him strut his stuff in front of the faithful this Friday, but unfortunately he has been trumped by Rama for my intro editorial to my Match Preview…. why?

This is another stop of the journey we all have ridden… The Rama. My wife asked if I could look after the kids this Friday so she could go to her pole dancing class (that’s another story), and with a polite response of no and the reason why she understood. She knows jack nothing about football but she could see the emotion on my face, I was choking back tears because this Friday I and all us Essendon supporters and football public alike will be moved by one young mans battle and will against a deadly disease which strikes down so many.

I for one will not be surprised if I let out a few tears when he runs through that banner… he is an inspirational to us all that through bad times you can still remain a positive role model and contribute to your passion and never let go of your dreams.

Adam Ramanauskas has battled Cancer, Knee Reco, Cancer again. One tough cookie and someone who I really admire.

I hope the players don’t get caught up in the emotion, yet are able to draw from his inspiration and strength. BRING IT HOME BOYS… ITS RAMA TIME

Big outs this week with Velvet suspended, Winders rested with Hammy soreness or maybe a tear and PegLeg out with a bung ankle and um what’s his name and that guys from Carlton being flicked to the magoos..

Into the side comes David Hille off his one week hiatus, Ricky Dyson, for his first game Tommy Lee Hislop and of course…. it would not be a side without the one, the only… Hey-Zeus, Deeee Christ, El Messsiiiaahhhh…. Courtney “Looks At My Guns” JOHHHNNNNSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS..

We are up against the Top of the Ladder PussyCats who are in some red hot form and well led by GAblett, Bartel, Mooney and Scarlett across the ground it will be a tall order to stop their run and drive as they have some real pace with their little guys like GAblett, Chappy and Johnson…. This game will be a real test.

It could be one of the all time great games of this decade or it could turn into a real fizzer…. there will be no middle ground with this baby, so lets get into the Match Ups….

Key Match Ups

James Hird vs Cameron Ling – Bomber has already flagged that Hird needs to be stopped and will he give that job to his No.1 guy in the Red Banana. This will be a test for the 34yo champion as he was smothered by Cornes a few weeks ago and Geelong will try and do the same. The best way to counter this is plenty of pushing into our forward 50 and exploit Ling’s or Corey’s marking ability in pack situations…. Hird is a cagey Don, and will find a way to shake and bake Ling in a nice Red Hut batter.

Scott Lucas vs Matthew Scarlett – Scarlett will look to exploit Lucas’ inability and unwillingness to chase up the ground… what the Don’s need to be very mindful of is that when this happens they MUST do what ever it takes to force the turnover, get man on man because if they can make it a 50/50 and get the balls a few times in those instances Lucas will be all alone to run into his own space because Scarlett has gambled….important and KEY to this match up

Henry Slattery vs Gary Ablett Jnr – This is where this game will be won and lost. GABLETT has been carrying the side when their flat and down, lifting them up to win when they shouldn’t….. Slats needs to wear Gary down physically because he is such a strong bodied player is Gary Jnr. Slats needs to play him tight at stoppages because of his poise and lower body strength he can break tackles and tags which are not first rate…. It will be a long night for Slats

Adam Ramanauskas. Will the spirited fight for his life inspire the Don’s?

James Hird. Will the love for an inspirational former Captain and lifelong leader take them beyond the normal levels of high end performance

It will be emotion charged, it will be fought close and hard, these 2 warriors on and off the field…can they lead the Don’s to an improbable victory against a well drilled and coached side?

The Y Factor

Mark Johnson holds onto his spot just by the skin of his teeth…. he needs a big night out to keep faith with Match Committee… another sub par performance could spell a rather fateful decision for the club…. Look out as Sheedy just might play him on Chapman or S.Johnson…. god help us if he does!!!

So get out your tissues and get out your memory banks and lock this one away as one of the greatest days in football history, when 2 warriors of the game and the club celebrate some milestones together…one for 250 games and the other through his return from battling cancer….

Predictions

First Goal – Alwyn Davey
BOG – James Hird
Result – Geelong by 5 points