The Bombers welcome back Tom Bellchambers for the clash against Richmond.
Matthew Leuenberger will miss because of illness.
The Dons are aiming to record three straight wins for the first time since 2014, while the Tigers are aiming to end their four game losing streak.
Read Robert Shaw's match preview here.
The weather
Partly cloudy with a top of 18.
The history
R17, 2016, Richmond 16.6 (102) d Essendon 11.17 (83) at the MCG
R10, 2016, Richmond 16.9 (105) d Essendon 10.7 (67) at the MCG
R22, 2015, Richmond 10.14 (74) d Essendon 7.5 (47) at the MCG
R9, 2015, Richmond 10.12 (72) d Essendon 8.11 (59) at the MCG
R20, 2014, Richmond 14.11 (95) d Essendon 11.11 (77) at the MCG
Special note
Ahead of Saturday's match a The Long Walk's 'We Walk Together' event will be held at Federation Square from 1pm. The Long Walk will depart for the MCG at 4:15pm.
The Teams
Essendon
In: Tom Bellchambers
Out: Matthew Leuenberger (illness)
B: Matt Dea, Michael Hurley, Mark Baguley
HB: James Kelly, Michael Hartley, David Myers
C: Orazio Fantasia, Zach Merrett, David Zaharakis
HF: James Stewart, Cale Hooker, Travis Colyer
F: Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Joe Daniher, Darcy Parish
R: Tom Bellchambers, Dyson Heppell, Jobe Watson
I: Andrew McGrath, Brendon Goddard, Josh Green, Conor McKenna
E: Jackson Merrett, Craig Bird, Heath Hocking
Richmond
In: Josh Caddy, Todd Elton
Out: Ivan Soldo, Anthony Miles
B: Alex Rance, Dylan Grimes, David Astbury
HB: Jayden Short, Bachar Houli, Connor Menadue
C: Jason Castagna, Dion Prestia, Shaun Grigg
HF: Daniel Rioli, Sam Lloyd, Shane Edwards
F: Dustin Martin, Jack Riewoldt, Kamdyn McIntosh
R: Toby Nankervis, Trent Cotchin, Kane Lambert
I: Brandon Ellis, Shai Bolton, Josh Caddy, Todd Elton
E: Jacob Townsend, Anthony Miles, Corey Ellis
Key notes
- The Bombers average more kicks (231.3) per game than any other side. Richmond was ranked 15th (204.1) before the start of the round.
- Richmond has won the last five encounters between the two sides. The last Essendon win came in 2014 when Ben Howlett booted five goals and Zach Merrett, in his seventh AFL game, collected 22 possessions and kicked two goals.
- In his two games against the Bombers last year, Dustin Martin collected 38 and 43 disposals.
- Richmond is ranked fourth for inside 50s per game this season (56.2), while the Bombers are ranked 16th (47.4). But the Dons average 13.9 goals per game compared to the Tigers 12.8.
- Michael Hartley has been given the job on the number one key forwards over the last two weeks, so expect him to line-up on Jack Riewoldt when the Tigers' spearhead plays deep. Matt Dea could be given the job on Dustin Martin when he moves inside 50.
- Alex Rance normally plays as Richmond's deepest defender. That would mean he lines up on Cale Hooker who plays deepest for the Bombers. To get Rance on to Daniher would mean the Tigers would need to be prepared to allow their star defender to play higher up the ground.
