LAST FIVE TIMES
R4, 2016, Geelong 9.18 (72) d Essendon 6.6 (42) at the MCG
R10, 2015, Geelong 19.8 (122) d Essendon 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
R15, 2014, Geelong 13.11 (89) d Essendon 11.14 (80) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2013, Geelong 17.11 (113) d Essendon 11.19 (85) at Etihad Stadium
R17, 2012, Geelong 20.14 (134) d Essendon 10.7 (67) at Etihad Stadium

LAST TIME WE MET:

Essendon pushed the Cats in the first half and even led by 2 points during the third term. However, the Cats proved too classy running away with a 30 point win. Zach Merrett led the charge with 29 disposals, eight tackles and a goal. 

THIS TIME AROUND: 

The Cats are heading into the finals and have admitted that they will see the game as a percentage booster.

See the full teams for both sides here.

KEY PLAYERS:

Zach Merrett, Darcy Parish, David Zaharakis and Matthew Leuenberger are going to need to bring their best against one of the strongest midfield groups in the league. They are capable of winning clearances and have begun to find their rhythm as a group. However, this will be one of their strongest tests to date. 

Michael Hartley will be looking to repeat his peformance from earlier this year, when he kept Geelong's Tom Hawkins goalless. It was one of only two times that the power forward has not scored a goal in 2016.

With Orazio Fantasia missing from the line-up, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti will be crucial as a small forward. He has proven that he has what it takes to find the goals and his forward pressure is also outstanding. 

THE HIGHLIGHTS:

Joe and Anthony Daniher will celebrate an important milestone as they reach 300 combined games as a father-son.

Joe Daniher is currently sitting on 99 career goals.

If selected James Polkinghorne will run out in his 100th career game.

This will be John Worsfold's 300th game as an AFL Coach.

THE STATS: