A lot of learned football people over the years have liked and used the observation that things are never as good or bad as they seem.

It’s cold comfort to an Essendon supporter base frustrated by an underwhelming start to a season, and at 3-5, in danger of having finals hopes dashed.

But the bottom line for the Bombers is that for all the angst over last week’s loss to Sydney, another goal in two of the past three games and that record would read 5-3 with their ladder position considerably higher.

That’s not to excuse the form of the past fortnight, nor minimise the challenge against Fremantle on Saturday night at Marvel Stadium. But Essendon is still nonetheless one win outside the top eight. A win here and all is not lost.

The Dockers have been a difficult team to read this season, but are one win better off than their opponent, and have been a lot more competitive on the road so far in 2019 than last season. Here’s five key questions addressing how this game may unfold.

1. What’s going on with the forward line?

Obviously, the productivity has dried up. After three returns of 20, 17 and 17 goals, it’s been two lots of 10 and seven since. But without making excuses, you can’t ignore the impact injuries have had on those numbers.

Shaun McKernan was injured the same week he struck form, Mitch Brown was having a huge impact until he hurt his wrist, while James Stewart was looking good in the VFL until tweaking a groin.

It’s been a revolving door of key position forwards, which has forced Aaron Francis and Cale Hooker to play forward at times rather than back, and has hardly helped the chemistry of the front six.

But delivery inside 50 has also been an issue, with too many hurried, long entries under pressure, the entries per goal count creeping up from a brilliant 2.65 against Melbourne in round three to seven against Geelong and last week, 5.4. Joe Daniher will essentially be going it alone up there this week as far as tall targets go. That could actually work in the Dons’ favour by creating more space and forcing those upfield to lower their eyes more to find other leading options.

2. Should Cale Hooker play forward this week?

It’s a question that hasn’t been asked nearly as much in recent times as it was previously, the All-Australian key defender having, as usual, shown his tremendous capabilities in the back six.

With the injury curse seemingly upon the Dons’ tall forwards, though, it’s an option coach John Worsfold at least has up his sleeve.

Much will depend on what it is happening at either end. In terms of height, both the Dons and Dockers look pretty evenly matched both forward and back. That said, with Daniher having to do his share of rucking this week to support Tom Bellchambers, there may be more of an opening for Hooker to have a stint near goal, where his contested marking is always valuable.

Alternatively, if a shorter forward set-up is looking threatening enough, Hooker’s steadying defensive presence, along with Michael Hurley and Patrick Ambrose, could allow Essendon to generate sufficient rebound from the half-back line to keep the scoreboard ticking over without the switch being made.

3. How are the rucks looking?

There’s no hiding that last week, from a ruck perspective, was disappointing. Essendon loaded up with both Bellchambers and Zac Clarke against Sydney’s Callum Sinclair, but the dual-pronged ruck assault failed to have sufficient impact, Sinclair, with only a tiny amount of support from Sam Reid, able to break even on the hit-out count and have a much more influential presence around the ground.

That’s a potential issue this week, too, as Fremantle’s Rory Lobb was one of the Dockers’ best players against Richmond, admittedly with an easier task once the Tigers’ Tony Nankervis was out of the picture injured.

Lobb is an athletic beast, mobile and able to cover plenty of territory, and will test Bellchambers, who has copped his share of knocks already this season. To that end, Daniher could conceivably end up doing more ruckwork than in his previous appearances this year, while Bellchambers may be relied upon for some goals, having already kicked one in each of the past two matches. 

The Bombers will have their work cut out against athletic Fremantle big man Rory Lobb. (Photo: AFL Media)

4. Is there enough depth to cover all the injuries?

Essendon’s official injury list this week had 13 names on it, covering just about every conceivable player type. The current situation is as good a test as the Bombers have had of their depth for a long time. But it’s also worth noting that the five inclusions this week represent plenty of experience, Daniher and Mark Baguley both 100-game players and Kyle Langford now with 50 under his belt.

Of the other two, Ben McNiece has shown very consistent VFL form as a running defender. Josh Begley, meanwhile, has had a long rehabilitation from a knee reconstruction after last year’s Anzac Day clash, and done a power of work to get back to senior level. While there’s just 18 games’ experience between them, Begley and McNiece will be slotting into attacking and defensive set-ups that are seasoned combinations.

5. What can we expect from Fremantle?

The Dockers, not for the first time recently, are proving a difficult side to read, not having won or lost more than two games in a row. They’ve already lost to Gold Coast this season, but three weeks later managed to beat GWS on the road. That was only Freo’s second away win of the last two seasons from 13 road trips.

Unlike last year, however, when they were ritually thrashed outside Perth, the Dockers have been at least competitive everywhere, their 25-point loss to Richmond last Sunday their heaviest defeat.

Brownlow medallist Nat Fyfe is back to his brilliant best and is averaging more than 30 disposals per game this season, and veteran David Mundy has also been very good in midfield.

Down back, the Dockers have been difficult to penetrate with Alex Pearce and Luke Ryan consistently good performers. Freo is also scoring nearly two goals more per game this season, with goalsneak Brandon Matera averaging two a week and key forward Matt Taberner turning in some consistent football.

You can read more of Rohan Connolly’s work at his FOOTYOLOGY website.