Bitter rivals will square off in a crucial clash at the MCG when the Bombers take on Collingwood on Saturday.
Essendon welcomes back David Myers after a stint in the VFL, while Travis Varcoe and Ben Reid are back for the Magpies.
The Dons are two games out of the top eight after losing their last two matche while the Pies have dropped their last three to sit in 15th spot on the ladder.
Click here to read Robert Shaw's match preview.
The weather:
Showers developing, most likely in the evening, and a top of 14.
The history:
R5, 2017, Essendon 15.10 (100) d Collingwood 11.16 (82) at the MCG
R5, 2016, Collingwood 22.10 (142) d Essendon 11.7 (73) at the MCG
R23, 2015, Essendon 14.11 (95) d Collingwood 14.8 (92) at the MCG
R4, 2015, Collingwood 9.15 (69) d Essendon 6.13 (49) at the MCG
R17, 2014, Essendon 16.7 (103) d Collingwood 5.9 (39) at the MCG
Teams:
Essendon
In: David Myers
Out: Kyle Langford
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Andrew McGrath
HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, James Kelly
C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, Martin Gleeson
HF: Orazio Fantasia, Cale Hooker, Darcy Parish
F: James Stewart, Joe Daniher, Josh Green
R: Tom Bellchambers, Jobe Watson, Travis Colyer
I: David Zaharakis, David Myers, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Conor McKenna
E: Josh Begley, Kyle Langford, Ben Howlett
Collingwood
In: Travis Varcoe, Ben Reid, Josh Smith
Out: Darcy Moore (Hamstring), Jackson Ramsay, Tom Phillips (Illness)
B: Jeremy Howe, Lynden Dunn, Tom Langdon
HB: Jack Crisp, Tyson Goldsack, Brayden Maynard
C: Steele Sidebottom, Scott Pendlebury, Travis Varcoe
HF: Jordan De Goey, Ben Reid, Will Hoskin-Elliott
F: Jamie Elliott, Mason Cox, Alex Fasolo
R: Brodie Grundy, Taylor Adams, Adam Treloar
I: Levi Greenwood, Josh Thomas, Tim Broomhead, Josh Smith
E: Jarryd Blair, Matthew Scharenberg, Lachlan Keeffe
Key notes:
- Brendon Goddard did an excellent job restricting Scott Pendlebury's influence when the side's met earlier this season, expect the pair to line-up on each other at the stoppages.
- The Bombers are aiming to register two wins against the Pies in the same season for the first time since 2005.
- Mark Baguley normally lines up on Jamie Elliott when the Pies forward is fit.
- Last week's 19 disposals effort was the first time since round 14, 2015 Zach Merrett has recorded less than 20 possessions. In the 39 games between the Saints performance and last week's match against the Lions, Merrett has averaged 30 possessions per game. Expect a response from the Bombers best and fairest winner.
