Essendon will be aiming to maintain its unbeaten record against the Giants with the sides meet in Sydney on Sunday.
These are the burning questions ahead of the match.
- Who lines up on Jeremy Cameron?
Cameron has kicked 46 goals this season to be ranked second in the race for the Coleman medal. Michael Hurley is normally the man charged with taking the opposition’s most dangerous forward but he was withdrawn from the squad on Friday.
With Cale Hooker playing so well in the forward line, it leaves James Gwilt, Ariel Steinberg and Jake Carlisle as the candidates to stand Cameron.
Gwilt has been a consistent performer for the Dons all season, but expect Carlisle to get first crack at the Giants danger man.
- Can Essendon kick a winning score?
The Dons have struggled to kick big scores this season for a variety of reasons. There have been issues with ball movement, but injuries have played a part too. The constant changes in personnel have stymied the chemistry of the forward group, but this week’s forward six boasts some exciting talent.
Joe Daniher, Cale Hooker, Shaun Edwards, Courtenay Dempsey, Jayden Laverde and Kyle Langford could form the forward line at the opening bounce. It’s an exciting mix of youth, power, pace, creativity and defensive pressure.
- Can the Bombers win enough centre clearances?
Jonathan Giles lines up against his old side for the first time on Sunday. The Essendon ruckman has waited patiently for his chance and gave a credible performance is his first match for the club last week against the Bulldogs.
The Giants are missing Shane Mumford and will rely on Rory Lobb to lead its ruck division.
Essendon have struggled with centre clearances all season but it’s an area the Giants are well down in too.
Heath Hocking will help the Bombers midfield. His strong body has been missed around the stoppages all season.
- What is left to play for?
Plenty, according to Coach James Hird. The Bombers may be out of finals contention, but Hird said the next five matches would be vital as the club makes decisions on which players will form part of its 2016 campaign. Hird also said these matches will be important for young players finding their feet at AFL level. The Bombers invested heavily in youth at the end of 1997 and they reaped the benefits, with the club playing in the finals for the next seven seasons.
