Sitting 12th on the ladder with just nine matches remaining, Essendon will need a near-perfect run home if it is to book a spot in September.
The Bombers have kept in touch with the top eight in recent weeks, having won four of their past five matches, with the latest being an upset win over the West Coast Eagles at Optus Stadium.
A number of in-form players and the overall confidence of the group is making Essendon a tough opponent each week, and its best is capable of challenging any other side in the competition.
Red-hot recruits
The lofty expectations attached to Essendon at the start of the year were mainly due to the acquisition of three very talented players in Adam Saad, Jake Stringer and Devon Smith.
Smith, originally a Giant, has been the pick of the bunch so far this season, praised by many for his defensive pressure after a more permanent move to the midfield.
The 25-year-old ranks first amongst the competition in total tackles, laying 106 from his 13 matches this season, highlighted by a career-high 15 against Carlton in Round 8.
Offensively he’s having a impact also, averaging 20.9 disposals per game and 3.1 clearances which is a career-high.
Nicknamed ‘The Package’ for his all-round game, Jake Stringer has come to life in the past three weeks, recording a season-high number of disposals.
In his three latest outings, the former Bulldog is averaging over 20 disposals and two goals per game, a large improvement on the 13.6 touches he was averaging in the opening ten rounds.
Adam Saad has been a key part of Essendon’s backline, using his blistering pace and solid disposal efficiency to transition the ball from defence to attack.
The 23-year-old has taken the most bounces in the competition this season with 48, which is 15 more than his closest competitor.
Impressive young talent
Partnering veterans such as Brendon Goddard, Cale Hooker, Tom Bellchambers and Michael Hurley, are a group of young Dons that are not only showing strong potential, but are successfully playing their roles in 2018.
Of the team that defeated the Eagles on Thursday night, there were seven players under the age of 23 in the side, all of whomwere impressive.
21-year-old Kyle Langford had the strongest game of his career collecting 24 disposals and kicking a goal while rotating between the forward-line and the midfield.
Zach Merrett was dominant in the middle, starring with a game-high 32 disposals and four clearances, and Andy McGrath continues to relish his increase in midfield minutes, earning 24 disposals and taking seven marks.
With more development still to come from these young talents, it will be interesting to see the heights they could reach in their careers.
Blistering speed
Fast ball movement is now a cornerstone of most game-plans in the AFL, and Essendon has no issue with speed.
The Dons have speedy players right across the ground, and have them good numbers.
In the backline they have the likes of Saad and Conor McKenna, in the midfield Devon Smith and McGrath, and down forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti, Orazio Fantasia and first-year player Matt Guelfi.
These players allow their side to break the defensive lines, transition the ball quickly and cause chaos inside the forward 50 once the ball hits the ground.
On fast surfaces such as Etihad Stadium, speedy players have a much greater impact, and can change the game in an instant.
