Bombers brace for Toby Greene response

Essendon coach Brad Scott isn’t relying on Carlton’s blueprint as a how-to guide for shutting down potential GWS match-winner Toby Greene.

Nic Newman put the clamps on Greene in round three and limited the Giants captain to just five disposals, the defender’s performance critical as the Blues prevailed in a tight contest.

Greene kicked one goal, having booted eight across the opening two rounds, while Newman gathered 24 touches going the other way.

But rather than send one man – such as Jake Kelly or Jordan Ridley – to Greene, Scott will take a broader approach to the task at Marvel Stadium on Sunday.

Strong rebounders Andrew McGrath and Mason Redman present further options if the Bombers try to test Greene’s defensive commitment.

“It will probably be a team approach to that one,” Scott said.

“Carlton chose to have a direct match-up for the whole game but we’ll probably size and shape a little bit across the course of it.

“Toby’s the type of player that you can’t just have one plan for because if it doesn’t work you need to quickly adjust.

“We’ll probably have three or four contingencies for him.”

Brandon Zerk-Thatcher has been named to return from an ankle injury to bolster Essendon’s defence against a tall GWS forward-line featuring Jesse Hogan, Jake Riccardi and Harry Himmelberg.

But the Bombers will continue to monitor the 195cm back-man for ongoing soreness.

“The advice is that he should be right but if he’s not 100 per cent we won’t play him,” Scott said.

There are clear similarities between Essendon and GWS this season as Scott and first-year Giants coach Adam Kingsley begin new eras with their respective clubs.

Both won their opening games of 2023 but have been inconsistent while adapting to fresh leadership.

Scott is wary of the threat posed by the unpredictable Giants, who have recalled experienced midfielder Adam Kennedy and promoted Conor Stone to their starting 22 at the expense of James Peatling and teenager Cooper Hamilton.

“They didn’t have the year they wanted last year but they’ve still got a lot of capability,” Scott said.

“They’re probably adjusting to a different coaching system, as are we.

“They’re certainly a dangerous side and they’ve shown some really good patches this year.”