The Bombers are set to take on the Gold Coast Sun in the Club’s first game of 2016. 

Here’s what we might be able to expect.

Head to Head:
Played: 5
Won: 4
Lost: 1
Draw: 0

2015 at a glance:

Essendon - W 6 L 16 Ladder 15th
 
Gold Coast - W 4 L 17 D 1 Ladder 16th

Last 5:
R21, 2015, Gold Coast 14.13 (97) d Esseendon 14.11 (95) at Metricon Stadium

R22, 2014, Essendon 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium

R12, 2013, Essendon 17.13 (115) d Gold Coast 11.6 (72) at Etihad Stadium

R3, 2012, Essendon 15.15 (105) d Gold Coast 13.10 (88) at Metricon Stadium

R6, 2011, Essendon 31.11 (197) d Gold Coast 8.10 (58) at Etihad Stadium
 
Last time we met:

It was a hard fought game in the wet when these two teams last met in round 21 of the 2015 season. Essendon was coming off a fairly turbulent week with interim Coach Matthew Egan taking charge for the first time after James Hird's departure earlier in the week. 
 
The Bombers came close with Jake Carlisle missing a difficult snap on the siren to give the team a win.
 
Shaun McKernan was a standout in the game with 26 hit-outs and three goals. 
 
Youngster Orazio Fantasia also enjoyed his first game back after injury, bursting off the bench to kick two important goals late in the game, including one that earned him a ‘Goal of the Round’ nomination.

BEST 

Gold Coast: Lynch, Rischitelli, Martin, Kolodjashnij, Hall, Lonergan
 
Essendon: McKernan, Heppell, Stanton, Hooker, Hurley, O’Brien

Next time we meet:
 
This will be John Worsfold’s first official game as the Club’s senior coach. When he takes the reins on March 26th, he will become the fourth Essendon Coach to lead the team in the last four games against the Suns (Hird, Thompson and Egan before him).
 
After suffering its first loss to the expansion side, the Club will be looking to start the season off positively. 
 
Matthew Leuenberger and Craig Bird could play their first games for the Bombers, while some top draft picks could also be in line for a round one debut.