LAST TIME: Brisbane Lions 9.12 (66) def by Essendon 15.12 (102), round eight, 2011 at the Gabba
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This looms as an important clash for both teams. If the Bombers can, as expected, get the edge and beat the Lions, they will have won five of their first six games with their only loss a one-point defeat to Collingwood. But the Lions will carry a quiet confidence to Melbourne, having beaten the Bombers at Etihad Stadium in 2010.
THE FOUR POINTS
ESSENDON
1. The Bombers will have had a 10-day break before meeting the Lions after their Anzac Day clash against the Magpies. Although they undoubtedly needed the rest - two games in four days was tough - James Hird will need to make sure his troops aren't flat after a longer than usual break between games.
2. Essendon's injury crisis may be starting to ease. Although Michael Hibberd will miss with a hamstring injury, a number of Bombers are set to return against the Lions. Mark McVeigh (calf), Nathan Lovett-Murray (hamstring), Travis Colyer (thumb) and Courtenay Dempsey (hamstring) are due to come back, but it will be tough to drop any players from an in-form Essendon line-up.
3. Heath Hocking has faced some tough tasks in the last three weeks. As Essendon's first-choice tagger, the 24-year-old has played on Gary Ablett, Chris Judd and Scott Pendlebury. Although Brisbane doesn't have any players of their ilk at the moment, Hocking could still be sent to Tom Rockliff, who might be the Lions' most important midfielder.
4. How will the Bombers structure their forward line? As things started to click in the second half against the Magpies last week, it was the club's smaller men who made a difference. Alwyn Davey and Leroy Jetta look improved players this year, but will the Bombers be able to fit those two, Colyer and rookie Cory Dell'Olio in the same forward 50?
BRISBANE LIONS
1. The Lions have played two genuine top teams this season - Carlton and Geelong - and been outpointed badly in both. Against Carlton it was their run that cost them and against Geelong it was their skill, despite terrific endeavour. To show his team is better than a bottom six outfit, coach Michael Voss will expect a better performance against high-flying Essendon.
2. Where will Daniel Merrett play? Voss still seems uncertain which is the best end of the ground for his red headed vice-captain. His big body creates a great contest in the forward line, but despite good early season form from Matt Maguire and Joel Patfull in the back half, Merrett does his best work in defence.
3. The Lions simply need to find a way to score. They are languishing in 15th for points for and twice this season have kicked five goals or less. The delivery to Jonathan Brown and Aaron Cornelius was poor last week (granted, the conditions were atrocious), but their entry into the forward 50 must improve to give themselves a chance to kick a winning score.
4. With noted tagger Andrew Raines suspended, the Lions need to find another run-with player pronto. Claye Beams did a superb job in round one against Melbourne's Brent Moloney but has been missing with a back injury. In Jobe Watson and Brent Stanton, Essendon has two players that can cut you apart if they're left alone. Jed Adcock might be the perfect man for the job.
AFL.com.au prediction: Essendon by 10 points
The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL
