Essendon are set for a return to primetime footy when they take on Port Adelaide this Friday night.

The Gather Round fixture at Adelaide Oval is a huge one for both sides, with the Bombers looking to continue winning ways after last week’s stunning late victory over the Saints, while the Power are keen to rebound from a loss to Melbourne on home deck.

With a crunch run of games coming up for the Bombers, Friday serves as a first major test to kick it off, with Senior Coach Brad Scott confident his side will embrace the challenge under bright lights.

"They’re great contests and we’ve got a really healthy respect for Port Adelaide as a club and the way they go about things, certainly for their current team,” Scott said.

"They present some pretty significant challenges. They’re in good shape and going well, Friday night footy in Adelaide is going to be a good test for us and one I think we’ll relish."

Recent history

Last year’s clashes between the Dons and Power provided two of the best games of the season, and the Bombers will be looking to turn the tables this time around.

The Bombers brought a serious challenge to Port Adelaide in round eight, booting six first quarter goals to establish an early lead on the road despite losing defender Jordan Ridley to concussion early in the game.

With Essendon efficient at one end and Port peppering at the other, the contest went right down to the wire, with the Power hanging on to claim a five-point win.

Round 16’s rematch had even more late drama as the Bombers dug deep to run down Port Adelaide’s game-high 17-point lead after 20 minutes of play in the final term.

A run of three consecutive goals including two clutch finishes from Jye Caldwell put the Dons back into the lead in the dying minutes, but it ultimately wasn’t enough as a Dan Houston goal after the siren clinched victory for Port.

The Bombers will be jumping at Friday’s opportunity in the ‘footy festival’ environment of Gather Round, seeking a first win over the Power since 2018.

Tall timber

Ben McKay’s influence has been clear to see in his first three games as a Bomber, and his defensive unit will need to be wary of Port’s attacking trio in Jeremy Finlayson, Todd Marshall and Charlie Dixon.

The added physicality of McKay into the Bombers’ back six has worked well so far alongside Jayden Laverde, who was key in some big contests against the Saints, while the defensive versatility of Nik Cox could also be on display again this Friday after an 18-disposal effort last week.

At the other end, Jake Stringer and Kyle Langford are thriving in a more true forward partnership, collectively booting 18 of Essendon’s goals so far this season, with the inclusion of Harry Jones last week generating another marking threat in the forward half.

Midfield battle

While the Bombers are without Sam Durham after suffering a concussion last week, the inclusion of Will Setterfield can provide a contested ball boost for the Bombers against a Port midfield missing Brownlow Medallist Ollie Wines to injury.

Zach Merrett has continued to inspire the Dons in the middle of the park (averaging 31 touches and six clearances per game) while his midfield partner Darcy Parish is back in the fold after a layoff from a hamstring strain in the pre-season.

Sam Draper hasn’t wasted any time in bringing his flair and aggression back to Essendon’s line-up, and getting first use against Port recruit Ivan Soldo will be critical in getting Essendon’s clearance game up and going.

The Bombers are currently ranked first in the competition for centre bounce and overall clearance differential.

With both sides at 2-1 records and a big stage awaiting for Gather Round, Friday night shapes as a tantalising watch.