Where and when: Telstra Dome, Friday February 27, 7.40pm AEDT

Broadcast: Channel 7

PRE-SEASON FORM GUIDE
Brisbane Lions: The Lions have come agonisingly close but still have an empty trophy cabinet for pre-season cups. In 2007 they made it all the way to the decider before losing by 25 points to Carlton, but last year suffered a disappointing 27-point loss in the opening round to Friday night's opponents, Essendon. This year's campaign got off to the perfect start though, surviving a late comeback from St Kilda to hold on by nine points.

Essendon: If the past couple of years teach us anything about Essendon it's that they're not far from the money in the pre-season. Two years ago they lost to eventual champions Carlton in the opening round by a miserly four points. And after disposing of the Lions in the opening round last year, the Bombers were eventually bundled out by St Kilda in the semi-final by just three points. The Saints also went on to win the final. The Bombers started the 2009 tilt with a last-gasp one-point win over the Western Bulldogs.

PREPARATION
Brisbane Lions: With no intra-club matches under their belt, the Lions were always likely to struggle at the back end of their first match against St Kilda. But without an experienced marking forward, no recognised ruckman and limited talls down back, they did well to hold off a more experienced Saints outfit. Travis Johnstone and Jared Brennan were two of the stars, but have been rested for this match, giving fans more of a look at boom rookie Daniel Rich in the midfield. Bradshaw up front and Leuenberger in the ruck will give the Lions more direction.

Essendon: After sneaking home by a point courtesy of a late Adam McPhee behind in their opening round against the Dogs, there's been more good news at Bomberland in the lead-up to the clash with the Lions. Not only will target man Scott Lucas make his debut for the season, but livewire Alwyn Davey is making his return after a knee reconstruction. A number of youngsters caught the eye in the victory over the Dogs including Courtenay Dempsey and Jay Nash.

PLAYERS TO WATCH
Brisbane Lions:
Matthew Leuenberger:
The Lions were beaten in the ruck against St.Kilda but Leuenberger's return should give them some parity in the middle of the ground. Watch for a stronger version of the lanky ruckman in 2009.

Daniel Bradshaw: After kicking 75 goals in 20 games last year, Bradshaw is an obvious focal point for the Lions who are still without captain Jonathan Brown. Quick on the lead and an accurate kick, Bradshaw is vital to his team's success.

Albert Proud: After having more off-field headlines than he'd care for, Proud has been put back in for this clash. The fringe player will be out to prove he deserves a spot in the top 22 come round one.

Essendon
Alwyn Davey: One of the most electrifying players in the league, Davey is on the comeback trail after a knee reconstruction that has had him sidelined since round five last season. Watch the speedster's pace if he's given half a sniff.

Scott Lucas: Another on the comeback from injury, Lucas missed the opening NAB Cup match with a back complaint. With his fellow tower Matthew Lloyd up front, Lucas could stretch a smaller Lions defensive unit.

Hayden Skipworth: After playing 44 games in six years for Adelaide, Skipworth made the move east to try his luck at Essendon. The half back flanker has finally freed himself of injury and is trying to find a regular spot in Matthew Knights' rotation.

SUMMARY
Both teams have made some big inclusions for the second round clash, but the Bombers look a touch stronger. The Lions have improved their spine dramatically with Bradshaw, Leuenberger and Joel Patful back, but still miss the big bodies of Brown and Daniel Merrett. The rotation of Johnstone and Brennan to the sidelines also robs them of two of the better performers against St Kilda. The Bombers have added goal-scoring punch with Lucas and Davey, which may be just enough to stretch the Lions in Melbourne. Both teams escaped with close first up wins, and anything but another tight contest here would be a surprise.

The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs.