The task is simple for the Gold Coast Suns: Beat Essendon to secure the club’s first ever finals berth in its 15-year history.
The Suns (14-8, 120.1%) failed to secure their spot in September in last week’s loss to Port Adelaide. It means Damien Hardwick’s side now needs to take care of business in Wednesday night’s People First Stadium clash, which was rescheduled from opening Round due to Cyclone Alfred in both clubs’ second Round 24 match.
The Suns are boosted by the additions of Daniel Rioli, Bayley Humphrey and Jake Rogers to their 23.
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MATCH CENTRE: Gold Coast vs Essendon live scores, stats and updates
For Essendon (6-16, 81.8%), the club gets a chance to spoil the Suns’ finals party. Though Brad Scott’s injury-ravaged side has dropped 12 games in a row.
Jayden Laverde and Sam Durham are back for the Bombers, while Jade Gresham will miss due to personal reasons.
A Suns win would see them jump the Western Bulldogs into 8th place, where they could face an away elimination final against GWS.
But if the Suns make up the 0.8% gap to Hawthorn, which is roughly five goals (example: if the Bombers score 70 points, the Suns must score 100), they will finish 7th and play an away elimination final against Fremantle.
If Essendon wins, the Western Bulldogs will finish 8th and play GWS in week one of the finals.
This match gets underway at 7.20pm AEST from People First Stadium.
Watch it live on Fox Footy (channel 504) and Kayo from 7pm AEST.
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