Where and when: MCG, Sunday May 5, 3.20pm AEST
Last time they met: MCG, round nine, 2018: Essendon 12.12 (84) defeated Geelong 7.8 (50)
The Bombers entered the contest in poor form and surprised the Cats, with coach Chris Scott admitting afterwards the club had a "very bad day". Shaun McKernan starred in a blistering opening term while Zach Merrett and Cale Hooker impressed.
TV, radio and online: Click here for broadcast guide
What it means for Geelong: Maintaining breathing room on top of the ladder. The Cats enter round seven a game ahead of second-placed Fremantle and keeping that buffer will help in their aim for a top-four finish.
What it means for Essendon: Another chance to establish legitimacy. John Worsfold's men won admirers for fighting back against heavyweight Collingwood on Anzac Day, while beating Geelong would all but rectify Essendon's disappointing opening fortnight to the season.
How Geelong wins: Keep up the manic forward pressure, led by recruits Gary Rohan and Luke Dahlhaus, and stop Essendon's fleet of rebounding backmen from starting those electric chains of ball movement.
How Essendon wins: Going up against a powerful midfield unit that is No.1 in the competition for contested possession differential, Dylan Shiel, Dyson Heppell and Zach Merrett will have to be at their best.
Essendon and Geelong will contest the fourth annual Country Game at the MCG on Sunday. (Photo: AFL Media)
The stat: This clash features first and second on the list of most inside 50s this season. Patrick Dangerfield has 43 through his six games, while Shiel is on 40.
The match-up: Gary Ablett v Adam Saad
Possessing pace to burn, Saad, ranked No.102 in the AFL Player Ratings, can defend well and potentially hurt Ablett going the other way, although that tactic didn't work for Hawthorn when it sent Jack Gunston to the dual Brownlow medallist on Easter Monday. Ablett is No.49 in the Player Ratings.
It's a big week for: Mark Blicavs
Coming up against such a dangerous opposition, with Joe Daniher and Jake Stringer surrounded by Orazio Fantasia and Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, the in-form defender will need to be on guard to keep a tight rein on the Bombers.
Big call: A surprisingly wide-open match, with the ball bouncing around at a rapid pace and both sides cracking the ton.
