Canberra Times (ACT : 1926 - 1995), Thursday 25 June 1987, page 22


Time of truth for Bombers

MELBOURNE: The once-mighty Essendon, VFL premier in 1984-85, faces oblivion this year unless it can pull out a win on Saturday over high-rolling Footscray.

Although so much rides on the outcome for the Bombers, they are trying to avoid a build-up of pressure by approaching the match as if it were any other.

"We've just been doing normal training ses-sions and we are reasonably confident we can do all right," Essendon team manager Kevin Egan said yesterday.

"If we win we are right back in the hunt but if we lose we are out of it".

The Bombers' campaign to stay in touch with the five would receive a big boost if it could overcome the in-form Bulldogs at home at West-

ern Oval.

The side is only a game and a half outside, while Footscray's run of six runs on end has it at fourth spot on the ladder.

Egan said the main danger area for Essendon would be the performance of Footscray's tearaway

small men.

Players such as North Melbourne rejects Tony Liberatore, Angelo Petraglia and Brian Royal have been in devastating form in the Bulldogs' recent wins.

The Bombers have been continually hamstrung

by injury problems, but Footscray, after a disas-trous beginning to the season in which it lost its

first three matches by a total of 42 goals, has consolidated into one of the most dangerous sides in the league.