Essendon face North Melbourne tonight in a crucial game for both sides.
The Bombers will attempt to seek redemption after a devastating Elimination Finals loss to the Kangaroos last season. Both teams are yet to hit top form but will look to lift this weekend.
A number of Burning Questions surround this clash.
Will Ben have a bigger day out?
He came out of nowhere but ended up having the biggest influence in North’s elimination final upset over the Bombers. Ben Brown has 12 goals for the season and is becoming one of North’s leading targets up forward. Michael Hurley, Dustin Fletcher, Cale Hooker or the smaller Michael Hibberd are candidates to stop this emerging forward from punishing the Bombers once again.
Is Colyer the game changer?
He has proven to be Essendon’s most crucial player when it counts. In our struggling second halves, Travis Colyer has managed to kick crucial goals and help secure victories over St. Kilda and Carlton. The emerging don will be one of the most important players on the field this Friday night. In what should be a fast, close contest under the lights at Etihad, Colyer will look to help secure the Bombers fourth victory and boost the Bombers into top eight form.
Can we kick a winning score?
Essendon competed well with the two 2014 Grand Final teams earlier in the season but a lack of scoring is has stopped them from continuing that form. Essendon sit in 16th position for scoring, averaging just 71 points a game. We face an up and coming North side that are building a strong forward line, currently ranked 4th in the competition for scoring. Our forwards have a big test this Friday coming up against two strong defenders in Michael Firrito and Scott Thompson. Joe Daniher will hope to continue his form against the Kangaroos, after kicking four in the elimination final last year.
Can the Dons mark a mark on Friday night footy?
This is the club’s only home Friday night match of the season and it promises to be a memorable occasion. There will be a special laser show before the game and the lights will go out as the players make their way on to the ground, creating an incredible atmosphere.
