It certainly doesn’t get any easier for the Bombers this week but having said that, the size of the challenge increases the opportunity.  Geelong, like Adelaide last week, are focused squarely on a top four position, a spot that seems unconditional in terms of a shot at a premiership.

Geelong has included Scott Selwood and Josh Caddy.  Selwood was a very good player before succumbing to injury, while Caddy has been really missed.  The key here is that those inclusions spread the load and focus on Joel Selwood and Patrick Dangerfield.  It also increases Geelong’s contested ball strength.   I expect (Scott) Selwood to get a big go in the midfield and get senior minutes into his body.  

It is at the defensive end for the Cats that Essendon will really be tested.  Not only will Joe Daniher face Tom Lonergan but also the combined force of a really experienced defence.  Taylor, Henderson, Lonergan, Enright and Mackie work extremely well together so part of the viewer’s interest will be:

A)     How Essendon sets up their forward structure

B)     Will they allow Geelong to have a loose man (Enright)?

C)     Can the Bombers test the Cats defence with pace?

Essendon will need to get its share of the ball.  Geelong will want a free defender, so the in game organisational tactics of John Worsfold and his coaches will be intriguing.   McDonald-Tipungwuti offers the pace at ground level, but the absence of Orazio Fantasia limits the other options.  I would have loved to see Orazio hang in for another week even if used off the bench.

I’m very pleased Mitch Brown is back as he offers structural support at both ends of the ground. With Hawkins, Kersten, Stanley and Smith providing Geelong’s tall targets Essendon may not have the luxury of him playing forward.  But therein lies a bit of a strength as we may see the continued development of Aaron Francis at either end.  It would be great if we could see that as a proactive move instead of using the young man for damage control if the Cats break out.  On paper at least Essendon have named a ‘smallish’ defence.  In the atmosphere of Etihad, with a fast track, Geelong could well load up with talls, given they have already increased their midfield power.

Selwood and Dangerfield are great players.  They are experts at clearances and can also play outside with excellent surging runs.  If young Selwood and Caddy are included the premier midfielders will also push forward, increasing Geelong’s forward potency.  Essendon’s midfield will be interesting. I have discussed the use of Goddard before.  He plays his best football mid/forward and if Essendon is to attack Geelong he must play this role.  Last week he played wing/back often sitting in the hole as both a defensive holder and a transition player out of defence. Betts, Cameron and McGovern kicked 13 between them and by folding back Adelaide had the additional midfielder.  If Essendon play an extra in defence this week, Geelong will reorganise and free up one of their superior ball users in the likes of Mitch Duncan or Jimmy Bartel.

Essendon’s strategy will be very interesting. On paper this is quite possibly the Cats best team. They are fit and motivated to go hard for a top four spot.  This is an enormous test of resilience, team organisation and ability to pressure this talented side.  Geelong will love an end to end game. The Cats would also love to play with Enright free.  Denying what they want will be crucial.

Finally, I’d like to comment on David Zaharakis and the criticism he has received.  Firstly, he has been thrust into a leadership due to the circumstances of our list.  His first half of the season was fantastic and he carried that ‘burden’ very well without many of his mates.  He has taken and absorbed the opposition number one tagger each week and, yes, he must learn to deal with that and evolve his game.  He has also helped ‘make’ Zach Merrett.  Zach has been able to evolve the dimensions of his game in the midfield without any opposition scrutiny as Zaharakis continues to take the number one tag.

Quite simply all opposition coaches rate Zacka highly and quite clearly he’s our most influential midfielder.  If you project forward, for example, by adding, say, Dyson Heppell to that mix, the load is very much spread and Zaharakis will be a dynamic half forward/midfielder in 2017.   Sometimes a player’s value should be measured on the pressure he absorbs and how much better he makes his team mates.  Merrett would love playing with Zaharakis.  It’s been a tough year for all concerned, but back off Zacka please folks.

Robert Shaw was an Assistant Coach during Essendon's most recent premiership year.  He provides regular analysis for the Essendon website.