HEAD TO HEAD:

Played: 157

Essendon: 94

Sydney: 61

Draw: 2

PAST FIVE TIMES:

R1, 2015, Sydney Swans 10.12 (72) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at ANZ Stadium
R19, 2014, Sydney Swans 11.13 (79) d Essendon 8.9 (57) at the SCG
R9, 2014, Sydney Swans 18.6 (114) d Essendon 9.10 (64) at Etihad Stadium
R10, 2013, Sydney Swans 17.13 (115) d Essendon 10.11 (71) at the SCG
R11, 2012, Sydney Swans 13.8 (86) d Essendon 11.16 (82) at Etihad Stadium

LAST TIME WE MET:

It's more than a year since these two sides last met and when the Bombers travelled to ANZ Stadium to take on the Swans, they served it up to the home side.

On a wet night, the Dons raced to an early lead and were in front by 34 points at the final change, before Sydney mounted a late charge to win the game by 12 points.

Adam Cooney kicked three goals and Dyson Heppell had 26 possessions.  Lance Franklin kicked three for the Swans and Luke Parker collected 35 possessions.

KEY PLAYERS:

David Zaharakis and Zach Merrett have been the key figures in the Essendon midfield this season.  Zaharakis is averaging 29 possessions per game, while Merrett is averaging 27.5.

The opposition is putting more time into the Bomber duo.  Zaharakis has had to deal with Levi Greenwood and Ed Curnow's close checking in recent weeks, while Merrett had Jack Crisp for company on Anzac Day.  

Both will need to work through the Swans close checking if the Bombers are to mount a charge.