The first of the Essendon contingency heading to Perth will depart Melbourne this evening at 6.20pm. The remainder of the playing and coaching group will fly tomorrow morning in preparation for the knock-out final against Fremantle. It is the first time Essendon has staggered the teams travel times and coach Kevin Sheedy said the club was keen to use a different approach to give the players every opportunity to win the match. “We are all different individuals and it comes down to the point of view of performing - maybe in the past we have been too regimented regarding when the players have to do things and be places,” Sheedy said.

""We thought we would just change it around. I think it was a good idea when Leigh Matthews sent Brisbane down here in their own time.""

The team had its final training session this afternoon at Windy Hill. It was an intense 90 minute session, with the full squad training for the entire time. Sheedy confirmed at training that 30 players will make the trip across to Perth and all are a genuine chance of playing. ""I am not taking any risks - there will be 30 players arriving in Perth ready to play. We are a long way away and we don't need any accidents or illnesses. I have been away before and lost two players before games, up to two to three hours before a game.""

As for the squad of 22 that will take on Fremantle, Sheedy is playing his cards very close to his chest. He gave no indication of the changes that will be made to the team that lost to Collingwood last week by 16-points. ""I would imagine the team will be finalised sometime between now and an hour before the game,"" Sheedy said.