Take a look at our comprehensive preview of Essendon's clash against Adelaide on Sunday.
ADELAIDE v ESSENDON
Sunday, July 26
1:05pm AEST
Adelaide Oval
Live on Fox Footy
THE HISTORY
Games played - 39
Won – 20
Lost – 19
Drawn – 0
THREE QUICK FACTS
1. Youthful Bombers
The Bombers last week fielded the fourth-most inexperienced side behind Sydney, Gold Coast and Fremantle with an average of 79 games per player. Their average age of 25 years and four months was the same as Adelaide's, while they had an extra five players under 100 games than the Crows (17 to 12).
2. McKernan's half-century in the sash
Shaun McKernan will play his 50th club game and 84th overall, reaching the milestone against the club where his journey began. The younger brother of North Melbourne great Corey McKernan, Shaun joined the Bombers via the 2014 rookie draft after six seasons at Adelaide. He's booted 51 goals in the red and black, with a career-best output of 19 last season.
3. Worsfold jumps up another spot
Having last week equalled Rodney Eade for AFL/VFL games coached, John Worsfold will move up to equal 13th overall alongside Frank 'Checker' Hughes on 378 games. Hughes coached Melbourne to four premierships and the first draw (against Essendon) in the 1948 VFL Grand Final.
LAST TIME WE MET
Round 18, 2019: Adelaide 10.15 (75) lost to Essendon 15.6 (96) at Adelaide Oval
In one of its most memorable wins of 2019, Essendon staged a stunning comeback to stun Adelaide and register its fourth consecutive victory.
The Bombers looked done and dusted when Josh Jenkins booted his fourth goal in the second term to stretch the deficit to 30 points.
But a blitz in the second half, which saw the Bombers kick 10 goals the Crows' three, would seal their first-ever victory over Adelaide at Adelaide Oval.
Zach Merrett came up clutch with two final-quarter goals to earn three Brownlow votes, while Mitch Brown kicked a team-high four.
It was a club debut to savour for Will Snelling, with the former Port Adelaide player celebrating his first Essendon goal and win in his home state.
FORM
Essendon
Round five: Defeated Collingwood 10.3 (63) to 7.6 (48) at the MCG
Round six: Defeated North Melbourne 9.13 (67) to 7.11 (53) at Metricon Stadium
Round seven: Lost to Western Bulldogs 7.9 (51) to 14.9 (93) at Metricon Stadium
After an encouraging 4-1 start, the Bombers hit a roadblock against the Bulldogs last week.
Blooding a youthful midfield sans Dyson Heppell and Dylan Shiel, the Bombers were dealt a harsh lesson in contested ball (93 to 128) and clearances (23 to 30) in the 42-point loss.
Adam Saad (23 disposals, 429 metres gained) was again a shining light, while Andrew McGrath (24 disposals, six clearances) battled hard in midfield.
While the Bombers have been largely settled in defence and midfield, an injury-hit forward line has presented them with challenges.
They kicked just seven goals last week - their lowest tally of the season - but Worsfold said that was a result of a low quantity and quality of inside 50s rather than personnel, backing the same forward mix to get the job done against the Crows.
Adelaide
Round five: Lost to Fremantle 5.4 (34) to 8.6 (54) at Metricon Stadium
Round six: Lost to West Coast 5.4 (34) to 10.7 (67) at The Gabba
Round seven: Lost to St Kilda 8.7 (55) to 12.6 (78) at Adelaide Oval
Last week's defeat to St Kilda cemented Adelaide's worst-ever start (0-7) to a season, leaving Matthew Nicks winless as coach.
Despite the loss, the Crows showed positive signs, getting to within nine points midway through the last term.
Key forward Taylor Walker returned to form with three goals, while youngster Tom Doedee led the side admirably in the absence of injured captain Rory Sloane.
After seven rounds, the Crows are the League's lowest-scoring side while conceding the most points, clearances and inside 50s.
TEAMS
ESSENDON
Backs: Mason Redman, Aaron Francis, Michael Hurley
Half-backs: Conor McKenna, Jordan Ridley, Adam Saad
Centre: Kyle Langford, Zach Merrett, Brayden Ham
Half-forwards: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, David Zaharakis, Will Snelling
Forwards: Jayden Laverde, Jacob Townsend, Devon Smith
Followers: Tom Bellchambers, Darcy Parish, Andrew McGrath
Interchange: Shaun McKernan, Mitch Hibberd, Ned Cahill, Martin Gleeson
Emergencies: Matt Guelfi, Dylan Clarke, James Stewart, Tom Cutler
In: Bellchambers, Francis, Gleeson
Out: Hooker (calf), Phillips (omitted), Fantasia (calf)
ADELAIDE
Backs: Luke Brown, Daniel Talia, Will Hamill
Half-backs: Fischer McAsey, Tom Doedee, Rory Laird
Centre: David Mackay, Chayce Jones, Tom Lynch
Half-forwards: Kyle Hartigan, Brodie Smith, Brad Crouch
Forwards: Tyson Stengle, Taylor Walker, Shane McAdam
Followers: Reilly O’Brien, Matt Crouch, Paul Seedsman
Interchange: Lachlan Murphy, Ben Keays, Elliott Himmelberg, Andrew McPherson
Emergencies: Bryce Gibbs, Jake Kelly, Ben Crocker, Rory Atkins
In: Murphy, Himmelberg
Out: McHenry (managed), Kelly
BOMBER TO WATCH
Brayden Ham
At a time when the Bombers' depth is being tested, youngster Brayden Ham has stepped up to the plate.
Featuring in the last four games, the second-year winger has impressed with his speed, hard running, kicking and, of course, flowing mullet.
They're encouraging signs from the 21-year-old, who continues to defy his No.72 selection in the 2018 NAB AFL Draft.
With Adelaide conceding the most kicks and second-most marks, Ham could be well positioned to do some damage on Sunday.
DANGEROUS OPPONENT
Reilly O'Brien
After Tim English's best-on-ground performance last week, the Bombers can ill-afford to let another ruckman get on top this week.
They'll be on high alert against Reilly O'Brien, who has been among the League's best-performing ruckmen this season and had a career-high 27 disposals when these two sides last met.
The Bombers floated the idea of trialing two rucks as they search for the right balance, but settled on recalling Tom Bellchambers to replace an omitted Andrew Phillips.
After managing the veteran over the past two weeks, the Bombers will be hoping for a big performance from a refreshed Bellchambers.
KEY TALKING POINTS
1. Another All Australian down
Dyson Heppell, Dylan Shiel, Jake Stringer, Joe Daniher, and now Cale Hooker.
Essendon's All Australians can't take a trick in 2020, with an injured Hooker the latest casualty.
And when you add Zach Merrett's suspension in round five, it means Michael Hurley will be the only one of the Bombers' eight All Australians to have not missed a game after round eight.
Despite the significant loss of starpower and experience, the Bombers' ledger sits at 4-2 in a tick for their depth.
There's been plenty to love about the emergence of Jordan Ridley and Brayden Ham and improvement of Adam Saad, Andrew McGrath and Kyle Langford, while second-gamer Ned Cahill will get another chance to strut his stuff on Sunday.
2. A parochial crowd
It might be a little strange for the Bombers to hear the jeers of opposition fans on Sunday.
With a capacity of 50 per cent allowed at Adelaide Oval, the Crows faithful - one of the most parochial in the League - will give Essendon the feeling of playing on genuine enemy territory for the first time this season.
It's something John Worsfold and Michael Hurley touched on in interviews this week, so the Bombers will be keen to make a fast start and silence the crowd early.
