The Bombers need a win to stay in touch with the top eight while the Lions will be looking for their third victory of the season.
Essendon welcome back Cale Hooker and Darcy Parish from injury, while the Lions will be missing key midfielder Dayne Beams.
The Dons got home by 27 points when the two sides met earlier this year.
Click here to read Robert Shaw's match preview.
The History
R2, 2017, Essendon 17.9 (111) d Brisbane Lions 12.12 (84) at the Gabba
R18, 2016, Brisbane Lions 20.8 (128) d Essendon 12.19 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2015, Essendon 21.10 (136) d Brisbane Lions 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2014, Essendon 9.11 (65) d Brisbane Lions 8.9 (57) at the Gabba
R8, 2013, Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) d Essendon 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
The teams
Essendon
In: Cale Hooker, Darcy Parish
Out: Shaun McKernan, Ben Howlett
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Andrew McGrath
HB: Darcy Parish, Michael Hurley, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
C: David Zaharakis, Dyson Heppell, James Kelly
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Brendon Goddard
F: James Stewart, Joe Daniher, Josh Green
R: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Travis Colyer
I: Zach Merrett, Martin Gleeson, Kyle Langford, Conor McKenna
E: Josh Begley, Matthew Leuenberger, Ben Howlett
Brisbane
In: Josh Walker
Out: Dayne Beams (Shoulder)
B: Darcy Gardiner, Harris Andrews, Daniel Rich
HB: Sam Mayes, Tom Cutler, Alex Witherden
C: Nick Robertson, Dayne Zorko, Ryan Lester
HF: Lewis Taylor, Josh Walker, Ryan Bastinac
F: Daniel McStay, Eric Hipwood, Jake Barrett
R: Stefan Martin, Tom Rockliff, Jarrod Berry
I: Hugh McCluggage, Rohan Bewick, Rhys Mathieson, Archie Smith
E: Cedric Cox, Marco Paparone, Jonathan Freeman
Key notes
- Micharl Hartley is likely to get the job on Eric Hipwood. The pair lined up on each other in the round two clash earlier this season, with Hipwood kicking two goals.
- Brisbane's Daniel Rich had 27 possessions when the two sides met at Etihad Stadium last year, but only 14 when in the round two clash this season.
- Debate over whether Hugh McCluggage or Andrew McGrath would be selected with the number one pick filled many column inches last year and this match will mark the first time the young talents have clashed in the home and away season. McCluggage is averaging 15 possessions per game this season, while McGrath is averaging 19.
- Stefan Martin provides a unique challenge for Tom Bellchambers. Martin is ranked eighth for hit outs this season but has the aerobic capacity of a midfielder. He's recorded 20 or more possessions in a game six times this season.
- Keep an eye on Darcy Parish and Rhys Mathieson - they are great mates and even did some training together in the off-season but there will surely be a few words exchanged throughout the day.
