The back half of season 2019 has seen two constants for Essendon as each new game approaches. One is the need to keep winning to keep finals hopes alive. The other, unfortunately, is injuries.

This Saturday night’s game against the Western Bulldogs again has that familiar backdrop. The Bombers still need a win to secure a spot in September. And once more they’ll have to do it missing some key players.

It was the case right throughout the winning streak of five in a row, which was brought to an unceremonious end last week against Port Adelaide.

It’s easy to claim those five straight victories had created something of a false economy for Essendon, given each involved having to come from, in some cases, some distance behind. More sympathetically, the effort expended in getting across the line in each of those games did seem finally to catch up with the Bombers last week.

But missing key personnel or not, the show must go on, and that crucial 12^th victory of the season simply must be found.

How do the Bombers do it? Here’s five keys to the outcome.

1. First of all, how do we stay competitive with so many injuries?

By recognising firstly that while injuries to key players certainly aren’t helpful, they do present opportunity to other players with points to prove. And by also recognising that each inclusion has a specific role, and if those roles are carried out to plan there is every chance of achieving the right result.

That’s not to sugarcoat the significance of the loss of Darcy Parish, Adam Saad, Matt Guelfi, Aaron Francis and Will Snelling. But the inclusions this week are more than handy. And so, too, are a couple of Bulldogs absentees in Caleb Daniel and Tom Liberatore.

Dyson Heppell, it goes without saying, will beef up Essendon’s inside game and contested-ball numbers, as should the strong-bodied David Myers, who has been in excellent form in the VFL.

Shaun McKernan represents the marking and goalkicking target the Bombers so obviously lacked last week, and allows Cale Hooker to return to a defence which missed his steadiness.

And Mark Baguley is a wily and experienced hand who, played as a defensive forward, can keep in check the Bulldogs’ propensity for rebound off half-back.

This is a physically stronger line-up than the 22 fielded last week. And against the Bulldogs, who are ranked fourth in the AFL on differentials for clearances and have big midfield bodies, that is what will be required.

With the likes of Myers and Heppell returning, the Bombers will field a physically stronger line-up this week. (Photo: AFL Photos)

2. What went wrong last week and how do we rectify it?

Not enough pressure or a good enough work ethic. It sounds pretty simplistic, but as Andy McGrath observed during the week, pressure on the opposition ball carrier and hard-running team defence isn’t just an end in itself for Essendon, it is also the cornerstone of being able to play the fast offensive game which has caused opponents headaches.

The Bombers didn’t bring that pressure last week, which allowed Port Adelaide to run amok but also denied Essendon its own trump card.

This week, midfield pressure is a non-negotiable, particularly against an opposition on-ball contingent featuring prolific ball-winners in Jack Macrae, Josh Dunkley and Marcus Bontempelli, all of whom are among the AFL’s top 25 possession winners.

Marcus Bontempelli, who leads the AFLCA votes, will need to be stopped on Saturday night. (Photo: AFL Photos)

The Bulldogs are also an effective clearance team, currently ranked fourth on the differentials. But equally important for Essendon’s mids will be working as hard without the ball as with it, and deep into defence to supplement the back six. The Bulldogs rank second in the competition for percentage of scores from possessions gained on the turnover. The Dons this week simply must protect their defenders.

3. In what areas can we exploit the Western Bulldogs?

In both attack and defence. Offensively, the Dogs have had to work inordinately hard for their scores this season. They rank fourth in the AFL for inside-50 entries and are first for marks inside 50.

Conversion has been an on-going problem, however, the Bulldogs kicking goals from only 48.9 per cent of scores, the most inaccurate team in the league, their midfielders in particular serial offenders.

Pressure on the Bulldogs' mids will make their job of hitting the scoreboard even harder, and heap more pressure on key forward Aaron Naughton and small forward Sam Lloyd, who between them are responsible for more than one quarter of the Dogs’ goals this season.

The Bulldogs have also struggled to stop scores in 2019, ranked only 14^th for fewest points conceded, despite ranking fifth for fewest inside 50s against.

In short, that means, win enough ball and get it inside 50 enough against the Dogs and you’re a fair chance to score. How? Again, with pressure. The Bulldogs attack aggressively in plenty of numbers. Force turnovers from them, and the goals are yours for the taking.

4. How important will the ruck contests be?

Crucial. Zac Clarke’s performances at senior level for the Bombers this season have been up and down. Last week, he lowered his colours to Port Adelaide pair Paddy Ryder and Peter Ladhams, who was playing only his third senior game. But in Essendon’s last win at Marvel Stadium, against North Melbourne, Clarke played a crucial role, more than holding his own against one of the very best ruckmen in the business in Todd Goldstein.

Clarke's opponent this week is impressive youngster Tim English, who essentially flies solo in the ruck for the Dogs with only the odd cameo from the likes of Jack Trengove or Zaine Cordy. Which is another reason Shaun McKernan’s return from illness could be particularly valuable. He and Clarke as a ruck tandem have the potential not only to wear English down but make him more accountable around the ground. The young Bulldog had his hands full last week up at the Gabba with Brisbane pair Stefan Martin and Oscar McInerney. Winning the ruck battles will help thwart the Dogs’ clearance game. And as we’ve said before, centre breaks particularly always loom large in games at Marvel Stadium.

5. Which side deserves to go in favourite?

It’s line-ball on form, the Bombers having won seven of their past nine games, and the Bulldogs five of their past eight. Both sides have a fair track record at Docklands, though the Dogs have lost a few more this season, their 2019 record 6-5 at the ground, the Dons going at 5-2.

Essendon’s injuries may tilt the pendulum the Dogs’ way, certainly with the tipsters. The Bulldogs have won the last four meetings, Essendon’s last win back in 2014. But there’s been only one match between these teams in each of the last four seasons, and the last of those was in round three last year, close enough to a year-and-a-half ago. Motivation? Well, the stakes couldn’t be higher for either side, Essendon needing at least another win to lock in a finals berth, and the Bulldogs needing to keep winning to maintain their chance of one. All of which sets the scene for a fascinating contest.

You can read more of Rohan Connolly’s work at his FOOTYOLOGY website.