Essendon’s midfield will face one of its biggest tests this season, when it lines up against the Crows on Saturday. 

Adelaide is number one for contested ball, clearances and centre clearances this year.

Former Bombers champion Matthew Lloyd said the Crows dominance starts in the ruck. 

“I was there last Friday night in Adelaide to watch them dismantle Richmond and Sam Jacobs – it was a phenomenal rucking performance, one of the best I’ve seen all year,” Lloyd said. 

“He just dismantled Ivan Maric and it’s amazing how the midfielders dominated.” 

Jacobs feeds a midfield group led by Scott Thompson and Patrick Dangerfield. 

The Tigers opted to send Trent Cotchin to Dangerfield last week, but Lloyd expects the Bombers to take a different approach. 

“They went down the track of trying to play off Dangerfield, but I think he’s the type of player that is so damaging and I’d have a run-with player go with him,” he said.

“I’m not sure who that may be, whether Melksham is a chance to come back in or it’s a Heath Hocking.”

Essendon has won three of its last four matches against the Crows.