1. It’s been a while…
It’s been a long time since we’ve met Essendon.
489 days in fact, since round three last year.
And plenty has changed in that time. The Bulldogs will field 14 players from that side this weekend, and the Bombers 13.
Both sides have plenty to play for this week.
A win for the Bombers all but secures them a September birth, while a win for the Bulldogs keeps their hunt alive.
2. Our forward line
There’s a bit to work on from last week.
As highlighted by senior coach Luke Beveridge after last week’s loss to Brisbane, decision-making going forward – and finishing – are key improvement areas.
The Bulldogs’ best in that regard in 2019 has been brilliant – think the Richmond game, and more recently the Fremantle game.
And if a developing forward line featuring the likes of Sam Lloyd, Aaron Naughton, Josh Schache, Tory Dickson and Bailey Dale can click under the Marvel Stadium roof on Saturday night, the Bombers will have their work cut out to stop them.
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3. The changes
It’s been a big week at the selection table, for both clubs.
The Bulldogs have lost Caleb Daniel and Tom Liberatore to injury again, regaining the experienced Taylor Duryea and recalling draftee Will Hayes.
For the Bombers, it’s a whopping six changes – five of those forced through injury.
But they will regain skipper Dyson Heppell, and the experience of David Myers, Mark Baguley and Shaun McKernan.
In a strange stat – thanks to @sirswampthing on Twitter – the four sides that have made six changes in a game in 2019 have won that game.
Fingers crossed the Bulldogs can put an end to that trend.
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4. To tag or not to tag?
Dylan Clarke may still be relatively new to AFL football, but he’s had a big impact for Essendon this season.
And the question is, which star Dog will the tagger go to this week?
You would imagine it will either Marcus Bontempelli or Jack Macrae.
Both were superb against Brisbane last week, with Macrae tallying 45 disposals and Bontempelli 35 disposals to have a big impact on the contest.
We’ll wait and see what happens at the first bounce.
