While most probably wouldn’t see the loss of Essendon small defender Mark Baguley to injury as a huge problem, it may have left the Bombers with a deficiency in an area Fremantle are as dangerous as any – small forwards.

Michael Walters and Hayden Ballantyne pose a threat whenever the ball enters the attacking 50. Their speed, skills and football smarts are as good as any small forward duo in the AFL.

Second-year player Baguley has manned one of the opposition’s small forwards in his opening two games.

But without him, Essendon’s backline suddenly looks very tall and big-bodied.

Keys Jake Carlisle, Dustin Fletcher and Cale Hooker are all 197cm or taller.

That leaves Michael Hibberd, who is 187cm but is strong bodied and may not be able to keep up with a Ballantyne or Walters at ground level.

The same could be said for 191cm David Myers.

Courtenay Dempsey has the speed and agility to go with the Freo pair, but he’s more of an attacking half-bank flanker than a lock-down defensive one.

Brendon Goddard has also played on half-back, but he’s the last player Essendon will want to assign a defensive duty too, given his play-making ability.

A Travis Colyer or Jake Melksham may be asked to play a role they’re not that accustomed to.

Watch out for the influence Ballantyne and Walters wield tonight, they may just run the Bomber backline off their feet.


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