Dons are building
Worsfold dismisses talk of hoodoo
ESSENDON coach John Worsfold says he is not losing sleep over his club’s Perth hoodoo, and he is not worried about the “noise of affirmation” either.
The Bombers have lost their past seven games in Perth, aiming to snap that run tonight when they play West Coast at Optus Stadium.
Six of those losses came at the long and skinny Subiaco Oval, with the other defeat coming in Round 2 this year when Essendon lost to Fremantle by 16 points at Optus Stadium.
Last year, St Kilda coach Alan Richardson coined the term “noise of affirmation” in relation to umpires potentially being influenced by the crowd in games in Perth.
When the Saints played West Coast in Round 11 this year, they lost the freekick count 25-12.
Three WA field umpires have been appointed for tonight’s clash, but Worsfold is not worrying about the “noise of affirmation” factor.
“We have faith that the umpires will do the best job they can,” he said.
Essendon’s horror record in Perth is another subject that has not been troubling the coach.
“I don’t reflect on it. I like to sleep at night,” Worsfold said. “I wouldn’t know the record, other than there’s reasons. In 2016 — my first year at Essendon — we knew we were up against it.
“Now we’re starting to build a team that is building the way we want to play and a style of footy we want to be known for.”
Essendon (5-7) has won three of its past four matches to revive finals hopes, but it still has plenty of work to do.
Worsfold said Dyson Heppell had recovered from his recent concussion and would play against West Coast.
ESSENDON’S PAST 7 GAMES IN PERTH: Round 2, 2018 at Optus Stadium:
Lost to Fremantle by 16 points
Round 7, 2017 at Subiaco Oval:
Lost to Fremantle by 37 points
Round 15, 2016, Subiaco:
Lost to West Coast by 78 points
Round 11, 2016, Subiaco:
Lost to Fremantle by 79 points
Round 11, 2015, Subiaco:
Lost to Eagles by 50 points
Round 6, 2015, Subiaco:
Lost to Dockers by 28 points
Round 4, 2014, Subiaco:
Lost to Dockers by 53 points