Essendon midfielder David Zaharakis believes Saturday night’s clash against Adelaide could set up the Bombers second half of the season.

Set to play his 100^th game in the red and black the explosive midfielder is confident his side can overcome the in form Crows.

“We’re at an even ledger at the moment at 6-6, so it is a massive game for us for our second half of the year so we can build on it,” Zaharakis said.

“The second half of the year really depends on building performances up and winning games of footy that you need to.”

Essendon and Adelaide sit on even points on the AFL ladder just one game outside the top eight.

The teams are separated by just percentage making for an exciting contest at Etihad Stadium.

“We let one slip last week and also earlier in the year we let another one slip where we could have probably won two games that we shouldn’t have lost,” the 24-year-old said.

“Our second half of the year’s have dropped off in recent years, but I reckon we’ve trained a lot better this pre-season where we trained further into the year and that is going to hold us in good stead.

“I reckon we’re a lot better placed this year than we were this time last year and the year before.”

Zaharakis is experiencing a purple-patch at the moment gathering 65 disposals and booting six goals in the last two games.

He said he was looking forward to playing his milestone game.

“It’s a big milestone,” he said.

“For myself and for my family it’s a great honour.

“I’m fortunate enough to play 100 games for a footy club that I love and a footy club that I grew up barracking for.”

“Probably in the build up in the morning at Mum and Dad’s they might have a little discussion about it, but that’s about it.“

“It’s a great achievement. Obviously I’d like to get to maybe 200 or 300 but it’s just a little milestone ticked off along the way that it’s 100 games.”