SUMMARY
If Essendon is any chance to make the finals it needs to win this week against eighth-placed North Melbourne, whose spot the Bombers will be eyeing off. John Worsfold's side has won four of its past five games, and last week travelled to Optus Stadium and cruised to a comfortable win over the Eagles after a brilliant opening quarter. The Bombers are playing a far better style, their three recruits have worked and they are a sniff to feature in September but will need to continue their winning run. North won't be easy to overcome, though, as it showed in Saturday night's last-gasp win over the Western Bulldogs. Captain Jack Ziebell's goal in the final minute gave the Roos their eighth win of the season as they continued to defy predictions cast their way at the beginning of the year. Had they lost, the Roos would have dropped to 10th position on the ladder and the pressure will remain high with a bunch of sides vying for a top-eight place. 

WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, July 1, 3.20pm AEST 
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide

LAST FIVE TIMES
R18, 2017, Essendon 20.12 (132) d North Melbourne 16.9 (105) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2016, North Melbourne 10.14 (74) d Essendon 8.12 (60) at Etihad Stadium
R16, 2015, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 9.14 (68) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2015, North Melbourne 13.15 (93) d Essendon 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium
2EF, 2014, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 12.9 (81) at Etihad Stadium

THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon led by just seven points at three-quarter time when the teams played in 2017 before kicking seven goals to four in the final quarter thanks largely to Cale Hooker, who booted four last-quarter goals.

2. Despite the 2017 result North Melbourne has dominated Essendon recently, winning five of the past seven matches including four of the past five. The Bombers haven't won two in a row against the Kangaroos since 2001.

3. The Bombers are the equal-highest-scoring side in first quarters this season kicking a total of 319 points compared to the Kangaroos’ 273. Essendon has won eight of 13 first quarters.

4. Essendon has been strong defensively in recent weeks in a welcome change from earlier in the season. In rounds one to eight they conceded 96 points per game but in their past five games that's dropped to 67.

5. That defensive edge will need to remain this week against the Roos, who have outscored the Bombers this year. North has averaged 86 points a game this season compared to Essendon's 79-point average. 

6. Shaun Higgins' stunning season has seen him have a meteoric rise up the Schick AFL Player Ratings board. Higgins started the season ranked No.127 but is now No.50 after a brilliant year. 

IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … 
If the Bombers are going to beat the Roos they will need to stop Coleman Medal leader Ben Brown from having a big say on the contest. That job could fall to Cale Hooker, who has helped steady the Bombers since moving to defence. 

The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the AFL or its clubs