Essendon will be looking for its first win since round eight when it meets Melbourne at the MCG on Saturday.

These are the burning questions… 

Can the Bombers turn it around?

History says they can. 

Essendon’s 110-point loss to St Kilda was the club’s biggest defeat since 2008, but a long way short of Kevin Sheedy’s side that lost to Hawthorn by 160 points in 1992.

A week later, the Bombers beat Melbourne with young players James Hird and Mark Mercuri brought in to the team. 

A year later, they were premiers.

What about the weather? 

Showers are forecast for the game, which may make skill execution more difficult.  The Bombers struggled to adapt to the wet conditions on Anzac Day but will have learnt a lot from the experience.

Essendon are ranked eighth for one percenters in the AFL compared to Melbourne who are placed 17^th.

Matthew Lloyd said the level of smothers, tackles and pressure will be an important indicator as to how this game will pan out.

Can the leaders step up?

With Jobe Watson out for the season, more responsibility will fall to the other senior players in the side.

Brendon Goddard and Brent Stanton rarely play two below par games in a row. 

When Watson was sidelined by injury last season, Dyson Heppell stepped up averaging 27 possessions, including one 40-disposal game, in the Captain’s absence.

What can we expect from the Bombers young crop? 

Essendon will field 12 players with 40 games or less.

The VFL side has been in excellent form all season with Alex Browne, Nick O’Brien and Jayden Laverde leading the way. 

The match committee has made players work for their call-ups, preferring sustained consistency to one off performances.

That will have this young group ready to shine with Shaun McKernan an excellent example.