The stakes were high in last year’s Country Game when the Bombers entered the season-defining clash with just one win from their last seven matches.

Scrutiny had been intense throughout the week in the lead up to the important game, one the side would need to win to keep its slim finals hopes alive. Could Essendon finally stand up under the pressure?

Well, it didn’t take the Dons long to answer that question.

The Bombers flew out of the gates, stunning the Cats with a five-goal blitz in the first 22 minutes of the contest to make a huge statement in the middle of the MCG.

Key forward Shaun McKernan couldn’t be contained, booting three goals in a remarkable 14-minute burst.

Shaun McKernan celebrates one of three majors in the opening term. (Image: AFL Photos)

A two-goal response late in the term had Cats within 18 points at the first change, but the Bombers weren’t done with.

The next four goals, including another to McKernan, went Essendon’s way as the team opened up a 45-point margin to take into the main break.

It was a half in which the Bombers showed just why they could beat any side at their best. They were aggressive, powerful, clever, dazzling – they were bloody fast.

It took the Cats until the 14^th minute of the third term to finally kick their third goal of the match as the contest turned dourer, but a late settling goal to Orazio Fantasia ensured there were no nervous moments heading into the final quarter.

Jake Stringer and Conor McKenna got in on the action with Essendon’s two goals in the last term before the Cats booted home three late goals to flatter the scoreboard. The Bombers were back and they had a brilliant 34-point win to prove it.

Key defender Cale Hooker (21 disposals and 11 marks) took home the Tom Wills Award for best on ground alongside brilliant efforts from David Zaharakis (33 disposals and five rebound 50s), Dyson Heppell (28 disposals, 16 contested possessions and a goal) and Zach Merrett (32 disposals and six clearances).

But it wasn’t just the efforts of the club’s senior players standing up in a tough period for the team that made the win so satisfying, it was also thanks to the encouraging performances of the side’s enthusiastic youngsters.

Jordan Ridley starred on debut with 25 disposals and five rebound 40s, while Dylan Clarke also played his role well in his first game.

Ridley celebrates the victory after the final siren in his AFL debut. (Image: AFL Photos)

The win would kick off a fantastic end to the season for the Bombers as the side claimed 10 victories from their final 14 games.

The club enters this year’s edition of the annual match in a much better space with a three-three win-loss record and off the back of a gutsy performance in a narrow four-point loss to Collingwood.

Geelong, too, enters the match in better form sitting a game and plenty of percentage clear at the top of the ladder.

The blockbuster sets up as the game of the round this week and it should be another cracking contest that will provide another good insight into where Essendon sits in the great scheme of the league.

It all begins at 3:20pm at the MCG on Sunday.