The Essendon Bombers go head to head with the Melbourne Demons in a match-up that looks hard to predict on Sunday afternoon.
These two teams have quite a history between them in recent years with upsets aplenty, and now they’re in for what looks like a real thriller.
Adding to the drama will be the fact that Melbourne have two former Bombers in their side today – Jake Melksham and Michael Hibberd.
Both are playing against Essendon for the first time ever in their careers.
Despite those players leaving the Bombers are having a decent enough start to the year, currently 3-2 and sitting in the top eight.
They’ve had wins over Hawthorn, Brisbane and Collingwood, none of whom are going particularly well this year – so this would be a scalp.
Melbourne on the other hand have looked great at times but have only managed to get two wins on the board.
They beat St Kilda and Cartlon in the first two weeks but then, despite being in winning positions against Geelong, Fremantle and Richmond, lost to all three.
Another good effort but loss will not assuage fans this time around, the Demons must win to keep their season ticking along.
Both teams have made significant changes. Essendon have Matt Dea, Martin Gleeson, Tom Bellchambers, Ben Howlett and Conor McKenna in, with Aaron Francis, Matthew Leuenberger and James Kelly rested, Brent Stanton dropped and Patrick Ambrose injured.
Melbourne have recalled Jordan Lewis, Mitch Hannan, Cameron Pedersen, Oscar McDonald and Tomas Bugg, with Billy Stretch and James Harmes dropped, Timothy Smith and Jake Spencer injured, and Jesse Hogan to miss due to the death of his father.
With no Hogan and little in the way of a recognised ruckman, one would think that Essendon have the upper hand in this fixture.
They’re pretty good value at $1.87 to win, that being the case – or $2.50 for them to win by 1-39 points.