After almost certainly securing a finals berth with last weekend’s win over the Suns, Essendon plays its final home and away game of the season against Carlton on Saturday afternoon.

It is a perfect match to end the home and away season for the Bombers againt one of their oldest rivals in the traditional Saturday afternoon timeslot in front of a huge crowd at the MCG.

With just one more match to prepare for Essendon’s first finals series since 2011 (ironically against Carlton), there are a several burning questions lingering over this round 23 match up.

Heppell a handy inclusion?

After missing his first game for the season as a result of a training mishap, Heppell will be chomping at the bit to get back out on the ‘G on Saturday afternoon.

Heppell was rushed in for a minor surgery to a fracture in his hand at training last Wednesday and should have no issues getting up for the Bombers’ last chance to fine tune before a potential finals campaign.

Another stellar game from Heppell this Saturday could see the 22-year-old firm as one of the favourites for the Brownlow medal after taking his game to new heights as an elite midfielder, after taking charge of the on ball brigade in Jobe Watson's absence..

Ryder’s reign continues?

Paddy Ryder’s massive season continued last weekend as he dominated in the ruck amassing 90% of the entire team’s hit-outs.

As well as getting the job done in the middle of the ground, his ability to push forward and be a dangerous option has been exemplary booting 17 goals for the season, including two valuable majors against the Suns.

He is in line for a match up on Carlton’s Cameron Wood who is just one Carlton player to hve played in their 103-point loss last weekend.

Ryder missed the round three clash against Carlton earlier in the season and will be keen to make amends on the big stage at the MCG this weekend

More mid-match moves?

It’s been well highlighted the Essendon have increased their versatility this season, with the ability to throw several players into different positions and making an immediate impact.

Jake Carlisle and Michael Hurley have shown they are dangerous options at either end of the ground, while Jason Winderlich has been a Mr fix-it at times this season plugging several holes forward, back and through the middle. Patrick Ryder as outlined above hs also shown as capable as a target forward as he is in the ruck.

Midfielder Brendon Goddard reiterated after the game that it has become something of a weapon for the Bombers this season, and it is crucial that they fine-tune their flexibility ahead of what will no doubt be a testing finals series.

Could this be a blowout?

We know that every Essendon and Carlton clash usually goes down to the wire, but admittedly both clubs are at very different stages ahead of the final home-and-away game of the season.

Essendon are a game clear in seventh and a attempting to gain momentum ahead of their first finals campaign since 2011, while the Blues have plummeted to 13th on the ladder and are coming off a 103 point thrashing last weekend.

The stats also forecast an ominous outlook for the Blues as Essendon have continued their stellar run leading the competition for disposal efficiency (74.1%) uncontested possessions (251 per game) and marks (108.8 per game) in 2014.

Bomber All-Australian contenders firming?

While finals will be in front of mind as the Bombers compete in the final home and away match for the season, there are several players who have earned the right to be considered for All-Australian in 2014.

Dyson Heppell is almost a certain starter after his stellar season throughout the midfield; Cale Hooker has been a rock in defence for the Bombers in 2014 and is surely a full-back contender for the side, while Michael Hibberd after missing a few games through injury has shown he is up there with the best rebounding defenders in the league and is a chance to slot into a half-back flank position.

If the Bombers can get at least two of these possibilities in the All-Australian side, it would be the first time that it has been done since Matthew Lloyd and James Hird were selected in 2003.