Take a look at our comprehensive preview of Essendon's clash with Melbourne on Sunday. 

ESSENDON v MELBOURNE

Sunday, June 21
3:35pm AEST
MCG
Live on Channel Seven 

THE HISTORY

Games played - 215
Won – 130
Lost – 83
Drawn – 2

THREE QUICK FACTS

1. Essendon's untainted start

The third-placed Bombers enter round three as one of just three undefeated sides. They're the only team to have led at every minute so far, jumping out of the blocks and maintaining their ascendancy despite being challenged in their six-point wins over Fremantle and Sydney.

2. Chasing first 3-0 start in seven years

The Bombers have been slow starters in recent years, but have the chance to make a 3-0 start to the season for the first time since 2013. They broke an 11-year hoodoo at the SCG last week, and will be striving to break another one on Sunday. Should a 3-0 start be achieved, you can't underestimate its value in a shortened season.

3. History of close encounters

Are we in for another thriller at the MCG against Melbourne? The last four clashes at the 'G have been decided by less than three goals, with three swinging the Bombers' way. Essendon hasn't lost to Melbourne at the MCG since that heartbreaking one-point defeat in 2014.

LAST TIME WE MET

In one of 2019's most exciting and high-scoring games, Essendon outlasted Melbourne 20.10 (130) to 18.4 (112) to kickstart its season after a winless opening two rounds. The win was all the more impressive given the Bombers lost young midfielder Kobe Mutch in the first term to a hamstring tear, while forward Shaun McKernan played out the game under duress after also suffering a hamstring injury. Dylan Shiel earned three Brownlow votes, while Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti also starred with four goals, becoming one of three finalists for the Coates Hire Goal of the Year for his stunning baulk and snap from deep in the pocket.

FORM 

Essendon
Round one: Defeated Fremantle 9.9 (63) to 8.9 (57) at Marvel Stadium
Round two: Defeated Sydney 12.7 (79) to 11.7 (73) at the SCG

The Bombers' two wins have been identical by margin and nature. They made fast starts to lead by 19 points (Fremantle) and 20 (Sydney) at quarter-time, before withstanding fightbacks to hang on in matches that have gone down to the wire. While there have been ebbs and flows, senior coach John Worsfold this week said his side's ability to limit the damage when its opponents have had the momentum has been one of the most pleasing aspects of the unbeaten start.

Melbourne
Round one: Lost to West Coast 7.9 (51) to 12.6 (78) at Optus Stadium
Round two: Defeated Carlton 8.6 (54) to 7.11 (53) at Marvel Stadium

The Demons opened their 2020 account in a cliffhanger against the Blues last week, coming perilously close to blowing a 42-point lead midway through the second term. Ruckman Max Gawn (21 disposals, 34 hitouts) and midfield bulls Clayton Oliver (28 disposals, five tackles) and Christian Petracca (24 disposals, five clearances) were Melbourne's best, setting up the first-half onslaught. There were five new faces who experienced their first wins as Demons - AFL debutants Luke Jackson and Trent Rivers, former Sun and Docker Harley Bennell, free agent Adam Tomlinson (GWS) and trade acquisition Ed Langdon (Fremantle).

TEAMS

ESSENDON

Backs: 10. Aaron Francis, 26. Cale Hooker, 18. Michael Hurley
Half-backs: 42. Adam Saad, 27. Mason Redman, 14. Jordan Ridley
Centre: 12. Tom Cutler, 1. Andrew McGrath, 11. David Zaharakis
Half-forwards: 5. Devon Smith, 7. Zach Merrett, 43. Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
Forwards: 40. Will Snelling, 44. Shaun McKernan, 20. Jacob Townsend
Followers: 2. Tom Bellchambers, 9. Dylan Shiel, 3. Darcy Parish
Interchange: 25. Jake Stringer, 4. Kyle Langford, 45. Conor McKenna, 33. Brayden Ham
Emergencies: 35. Matt Guelfi, 29. Patrick Ambrose, 15. Jayden Laverde, 34. Andrew Phillips

In: McKenna, Ham

Out: Heppell (ankle), Guelfi (omitted)

MELBOURNE

Backs: 3. Christian Salem, 1. Steven May, 39. Neville Jetta
Half-backs: 4. James Harmes, 8. Jake Lever, 24. Trent Rivers
Centre: 15. Ed Langdon, 13. Clayton Oliver, 20. Adam Tomlinson
Half-forwards: 10. Angus Brayshaw, 25. Tom McDonald, 29. Jayden Hunt
Forwards: 17. Harley Bennell, 31. Bailey Fritsch, 18. Jake Melksham
Followers: 11. Max Gawn, 5. Christian Petracca, 7. Jack Viney
Interchange: 19. Mitch Hannan, 29. Aaron vandenBerg, 36. Kysaiah Pickett, 34. Joel Smith
Emergencies: 2. Nathan Jones, 6. Luke Jackson, 30. Alex Neal-Bullen

In: Hannan, Pickett, vandenBerg

Out: Jackson, Jones, Neal-Bullen

BOMBER TO WATCH 

Adam Saad

There aren't many better sights for Bombers fans than Adam Saad in full flow. Coming off consecutive games in the AFL Coaches' Association votes, the electrifying half-back will relish the chance to showcase his speed and dare on the wide expanses of the MCG. It's not just his attacking game to look out for, however, with his defensive efforts and ability to halve contests against the Swans protecting the Bombers' defensive 50. In the midst of his third season as a Bomber, the former Sun appears to be entering the prime of his career.

DANGEROUS OPPONENT

Christian Petracca

Christian Petracca looks to have taken a quantum leap in his transition to a full-time midfielder in 2020. Breaking tackles, kicking goals and launching many of the Demons' attacks, the 24-year-old is noticeably fitter and stronger and will pose headaches if left unattended. The Bombers don't usually tag - stopper Dylan Clarke has again been left out of the side - so it will be interesting to see how they negate Petracca's influence.

FIVE TALKING POINTS

1. Back at the home of footy

Both sides will play their first games at the MCG this season, in what marks the the first of three consecutive matches at the 'G for the Bombers.

It's hard to believe Essendon has played just once at the home of footy since July 6. It won four out of its eight games there last year, while the Demons won four out of 13.

2. Where will McKenna play?

Don't be surprised if Conor McKenna has stints in attack on Sunday.

Making his return to the senior line-up after an interrupted preparation returning from Ireland, the 24-year-old has spent the pre-season preparing for a switch to the forward line and striking a balance between defence and attack.

On balance, he looks likely to start in his customary position at half-back, recalled for the omitted Matt Guelfi. But as John Worsfold said this week, McKenna has weapons at both ends of the ground and could alternate with David Zaharakis, who has transitioned to the forward line so far this season.

3. Will Parish spend more time in midfield?

Darcy Parish's final-term heroics against the Swans were another reminder of what he's got in his arsenal as a midfielder.

Having spent the first three quarters as a forward on limited game-time, Parish was unleashed in the engine room in a match-defining fourth quarter, registering 13 disposals, four inside 50s, 252 metres gained and the match-winning goal.

The Bombers could turn to Parish to fill the void left by injured captain Dyson Heppell on a full-time basis, like he did in the second half of last season.

4. Whose midfield will come out on top?

We looked set for two full-strength midfields going head-to-head until Heppell unfortunately went down with a fractured ankle at training on Friday. That aside, it still looms as a fascinating battle.

The midfield is an area the Demons have bolstered recently, with Jack Viney fit and firing again, Christian Petracca thriving with more time on the ball, and recruits Ed Langdon, Adam Tomlinson and Harley Bennell adding outside run. Then there's the fact that their followers are crumbing at the feet of one of the League's premier ruckmen in Max Gawn.

The Bombers have also beefed up their midfield, with Andrew McGrath relishing his new role as a follower, Devon Smith back from injury, and recruit Tom Cutler adding outside run.

After two rounds, you can barely split the sides for contested possessions (Essendon's 114 to Melbourne's 116), uncontested possessions (200-194) and clearances (31-28).

5. Can the Bombers put some distance between themselves and their opponents?

How are those fingernails, Essendon fans? With six of their past eight wins decided by less than two goals, the Bombers haven't exactly blown away their opponents. They've often looked like running away with it, until being pegged back and winning in gritty fashion. Are we set for another nail-biter? Only time will tell.