WHERE AND WHEN
Etihad Stadium, Friday, February 15, 6.45pm
THE MISSING
Essendon: Scott Gumbleton, Ben Howlett, Jake Melksham, Jason Winderlich, David Zaharakis, skipper Jobe Watson and prized father-son recruit Joe Daniher won't play.
Collingwood: Luke Ball, Alan Didak, Alex Fasolo, Tyson Goldsack, Lachlan Keeffe, Dale Thomas and Alan Toovey will all sit out.
Western Bulldogs: The Bulldogs will be close to full strength, with Jordan Roughead the best-known name set to miss.
LAST YEAR
Essendon: The Bombers took a young team west and looked ordinary in losses to West Coast and Fremantle. Their round two match against St Kilda was then famously cancelled after heavy rain meant the team's plane couldn't land in Wangaratta.
Collingwood: The Magpies played an inexperienced line-up against Greater Western Sydney and the Bulldogs, and almost lost to the competition newcomers, before emerging with two victories. Losses in the following weeks to Melbourne and Adelaide ended their pre-season campaign.
Western Bulldogs: The Bulldogs were up-and-down in Brendan McCartney's first pre-season in charge, narrowly beating GWS, losing to Collingwood and Geelong, and scoring a win over Carlton.
STORY LINES
Essendon: How will players respond to the performance-enhancing drugs crisis that has engulfed the club in the past fortnight? What sort of impact can Brendon Goddard have on his new team?
Collingwood: Will off-season recruits Clinton Young and Quinten Lynch help the Magpies lift another notch? Can Travis Cloke regain his very best form?
Western Bulldogs: Are the Dogs really on the slide, or could they surprise this season? Can defender Dale Morris make a successful return after 18 months out with a broken leg?
WHAT THEY SAY
Essendon: "At this point in time it's all allegations and at no point can you jump to conclusions. [For] supporters it's important to stick by the club because the boys are doing everything they can to prepare for another season of footy and it obviously starts on Friday night." – Brendon Goddard
Collingwood: "We're pretty keen to expose as many of our listed players as possible to gametime this Friday night." – Nathan Buckley
Western Bulldogs: "I am just rapt the games are here and I really can't wait to get out there and have a run around with the boys again and see how everything goes." – Dale Morris
WE SAY
Essendon: Expect Bombers fans to turn out in force in a show of support for their embattled club. Emotions will run high and that could see Essendon's games played at a higher intensity than is customary for the NAB Cup.
Collingwood: Nathan Buckley looks set to spread gametime across his entire 34-man squad, which could leave the Magpies vulnerable. Wins and losses are here nor there at this time of year for a premiership hopeful.
Western Bulldogs: Having selected a near full-strength team, the Bulldogs will be keen to play some good football and build excitement among fans after a dismal finish to last season.
