Cale Hooker was a late withdrawal from the Essendon side. He was taken out of the selected team just moments before the opening bounce because of a tight calf. Heath Hocking was his replacement.

The late change left Joe Daniher and James Stewart as the Bombers key forward targets. Joel Hamling was on Daniher and Sam Collins was on Stewart. Hocking was part of the forward rotation.

In the Essendon defence Patrick Ambrose was on Shane Kersten and Michael Hartley was on Matt Taberner.

Andrew McGrath was playing on the wing.

The Bombers recorded the opening four clearances and five inside 50s of the match. In a six minute opening burst the Dons dominated the contested possession (10-3) and kicked the opening three goals of the game.

After Fremantle kicked the next two, Daniher opened his account to extend the margin to 14 points with five minutes left in the quarter.

A late goal to the Dockers left the score 4.3.27 to 3.1.19 at the first change. Essendon led the clearances (13-7), inside 50s (18-10) and tackles (19-13). 

Brendon Goddard (11 disposals), Zach Merrett (nine) and Martin Gleeson (eight) were prominent in the opening exchanges.

Merrett kicked two goals in the opening three minutes of the second term to give the Dons a handy buffer, but just like the first term, the Dockers responded with the next two goals.

Jobe Watson recorded his tenth contested possession of the game just before half time.

At the major break the Dons led by 20 points.  The Bombers maintained the advantage in clearances (23-12) and inside 50s (35-19).

Merrett and Goddard recorded 20 opening half possessions.