SUNDAY’S clash between the Brisbane Lions and Essendon in Melbourne looms as an intriguing clash between two sides who have struggled to fulfil their own expectations in 2010.

Both the Lions and Bombers made the finals last season and more of the same was expected this time around.

But Essendon’s hiding at the hands of Collingwood and the Lions’ narrow loss to Adelaide on Sunday typified both teams seasons.

They both sat at 5-5 after 10 rounds before going on long losing streaks that brought respective coaches Michael Voss and Matthew Knights right into the spotlight.

The Lions will be sweating on the fitness of captain Jonathan Brown who will play his 200th career game if he comes up.

Forward scout: Essendon Bombers

2010 to date
It’s been a real rollercoaster for the Bombers this season but the bottom line is they have not lived up to expectations. They have retained their tag as one of the most enjoyable teams to watch, but have continually struggled to stop opposition teams scoring.

They started 5-5 but a streak of six successive losses quashed any finals aspirations. Season ending injuries to key position men Tayte Pears and Mark Williams did not help.

The Bombers have shown their best footy is competitive with the league heavyweights with two wins against St Kilda and other victories over Carlton, the Western Bulldogs and Hawthorn.

The coach
Since the resignation of Port Adelaide's Mark Williams, Matthew Knights has been the man under the media's spotlight. He had one of the toughest jobs in footy, taking the helm in 2008 after Kevin Sheedy’s 27-year reign at Windy Hill.

Knights has implemented a predominantly one-on-one defensive gameplan that allows both teams to free-wheel, making his side a sitting duck when it comes unstuck. Despite the scrutiny, the Essendon coach is always composed and remains steadfast in the belief of his system.

The gun
It took a few seasons to develop, but Jobe Watson is now among the best hard ball winners in the competition. In his early years the son of Essendon legend Tim was often criticised for his use of the ball.

But over time the 2009 best and fairest winner has ironed out those kinks and is now safe by both hand and foot, while retaining his work ethic. Watson has been in fine touch with five 30-plus possession games in his last eight.

The sleeper
 Last season Paddy Ryder elevated his game to the next level and showed a versatility few players in the league can match. The 22-year-old has exceptional athleticism for a man his size and can play forward, back or in the ruck.

Interestingly he grew up playing against a Lion with a similar build and athleticism - Mitch Clark - and a possible match-up between the two on Sunday is a mouth-watering proposition for fans of both teams.

The bolter
Michael Hurley has had a trying 2010 but is still set to be a star of the future. The No.5 pick in the 2008 NAB AFL Draft had a sensational debut season in 2009 at centre half-forward but sat out the first three weeks of 2010 after a highly publicised off-season altercation with a taxi driver.

The 20-year-old struggled for his best form on return and has played plenty of time in the back half, developing his defensive game. Hurley has a strong body and is an important player at either end of the ground.

Strengths
At their best, the Bombers’ up-tempo game is one of the most exciting in the competition. Although speedy forward and leading goalkicker Alwyn Davey is injured, Jason Winderlich, Sam Lonergan and Kyle Reimers are all quick and dangerous and feed off the play of tough midfielders Jobe Watson and Mark McVeigh. Speed has hurt the Lions in the past and is Essendon’s best chance of doing so again.

Weaknesses
For all their flair and attack, the Bombers often leak goals. It starts with their pressure at the contest and filters to the defensive end. Injuries to key men Pears and Dustin Fletcher have not helped and make them vulnerable to strong marking forwards. Whatever the reason they have a habit of conceding goals in big bunches in a short space of time.

The statistics don’t lie and the magical number for the Bombers is 100 points. When they keep the opposition under that mark they are 6-1 this season, but when the opposition cracks the ton they slump to 1-12.

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