ESSENDON

v.

FREMANTLE

The Bombers’ confidence will have received a much-needed boost after last weekend but it is now about establishing some real momentum. It will be no easy task against a Fremantle side reeling from last weekend’s shock loss to Port Adelaide.

There are also three blokes by the names of Harvey, Shaw and Solomon that would take great pleasure in beating the red and black. Rightly so – all is fair in love and war. One thing these three will guarantee is that this will be a physical game – they wouldn’t have it any other way. Essendon will know what is coming and they will be ready for it.

WHAT NEEDS TO GO RIGHT

Essendon need to be precise by hand and foot as they were against Adelaide last week. The Bombers were efficient when it mattered most and were rewarded for that on the scoreboard.

Essendon need to play the game on their terms. Essendon controlled the tempo superbly last week and it frustrated the Crows. It may frustrate Fremantle as well, particularly if Essendon can establish an early lead. The Dockers would not want to be 0-2 with West Coast to come in Round 3.

Essendon needs to tackle with the same ferocity as last week. Leroy Jetta, Alwyn Davey, Jason Winderlich and Andrew Lovett put extreme pressure on the Adelaide ball carriers and laid 13 tackles between them.

KEY MATCH UPS

Bomber fans will be hanging out to see who matches up on former Essendon defender Dean Solomon but much will depend on where he lines up. He played forward last week but could go back against the Bombers. It might be Mark McVeigh if he goes forward and he may go to Andrew Welsh if he goes back.

Matthew Pavlich is always a key match up when you play Fremantle. If he plays out of the goal-square Mal Michael will certainly get the job. Beyond the goal-square Dustin Fletcher might be asked to shut him down. Either way, if Essendon can keep him to four goals they will be happy.

AT THE SELECTION TABLE

After strong performances across the board last week, there aren’t likely to be many changes to the Essendon line-up for the Fremantle game. Jason Laycock, Ricky Dyson and Chris Heffernan have been added to the squad. Dyson was dynamic getting 36 possessions for Bendigo last week. Laycock will come into calculations because of the imposing figure of Aaron Sandlilands.