One of the keys to Essendon's success in the past 18 months has been its ability to keep its senior group of players on the park at the same time. A number of players have been able to string games together. But this stability is suddenly being tested to the limit. Injuries and the AFL tribunal will ensure this Friday night's Essendon team will take on a very different appearance to that of the first three rounds. One whose run has come to an end is Matthew Lloyd. Lloyd's one-match suspension means he will miss his first match since round 15 1999 when he was a last-minute withdrawal against Port Adelaide.

Prior to this Friday night, Lloyd has strung together 37 consecutive games. Joe Misiti's knee injury has brought to an end a run of 30 consecutive games. Misiti last missed a match in round 22 of the 1999 season against Melbourne - on that occasion he was suspended.

The current Essendon player with the most consecutive games is Sean Wellman who has put together 38 on end. Wellman last missed a match in round 14 of season 1999 when he was a late withdrawal against Fremantle.