HEAD TO HEAD:

Played: 153

Essendon: 96

North Melbourne: 56

Draw: 1

PAST FIVE TIMES:

R16, 2015, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 9.14 (68) at Etihad Stadium

R7, 2015, North Melbourne 13.15 (93) d Essendon 12.10 (82) at Etihad Stadium

2EF, 2014, North Melbourne 14.9 (93) d Essendon 12.9 (81) at the MCG

R1, 2014, Essendon 15.9 (99) d North Melbourne 9.6 (60) at Etihad Stadium

R21, 2013, North Melbourne 17.13 (115) d Essendon 9.16 (70) at Etihad Stadium

LAST TIME WE MET:

The Bombers led by eight points at half time in the round 16 clash last season, with Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton prominent in the Essendon midfield.

But North Melbourne kicked nine goals to three after half time to run away with a 25 point victory.  Todd Goldstein was dominant in the ruck with 56 hitouts and 27 possessions.

KEY PLAYERS:

Matthew Leuenberger has proven an astute pick up so far this season averaging 13 possessions and more than three score involvements per game.  He'll have a big job against Todd Goldstein, but the former Lion enters the match in good form.

The Bombers forwards will need to produce if the side is to keep pace with the high scoring Kangaroos.  Joe Daniher draws a lot of attention but the team is also in need of a small forward to hit scoreboard.  Conor McKenna and Orazio Fantasia could be the spark, or maybe Mark Baguley will play in attack again and produce some results in front of goal.

Nathan Grima, Matt Dea, Michael Hartley and Patrick Ambrose will also need big games as they match up against Ben Brown, Jarrad Waite, Drew Petrie and Lindsay Thomas.