Essendon play their final home and away game of the season against archrivals Carlton this weekend before a hopeful assault on the 2014 finals series.

It will be the final dress rehearsal for the Bombers as they attempt to unlock a consistent four-quarter effort ahead of a likely elimination match-up against North Melbourne.

When the Bombers and Blues lock horns the matches tend to go down to the wire regardless of ladder position, and this clash is expected to be no different.

We dissect the key match ups that are expected to have significant influence on the result ahead of this contest.

Heath Hocking vs. Marc Murphy

Marc Murphy has been a danger man in his recent encounters against the Bombers, with the Blues’ captain averaging 28 touches in his last five matches.

Murphy sustained a heavy blow last weekend when he was concussed during the Blues loss to the Power, however he has been cleared to play in their final game of the season. The 27-year-old has led Carlton from the front during a difficult 2014, averaging 24.1 disposals.

The Bombers’ tagger, Hocking will do his best to limit the damaging Blue who has also been known to sneak forward and hit the scoreboard throughout his 185-game career.

Jobe Watson vs. Tom Bell

With just three centimetres and one kilogram separating the two midfielders, this sets for one of the more intriguing match ups.

Admittedly the Essendon skipper has a slight advantage with an extra nine seasons, 158 games and a Brownlow Medal under the belt, however regardless of the situation Bell will bring his hard-edged determination to the contest.

Bell has worked hard to establish a spot in the Blues line up this season, playing the last seven games consecutively. He has established himself as somewhat of a run-with player who also has the ability to break the contest open with his strength.

Watson, now heading into his third straight game since a lengthy injury lay off, has given back the team his usual leadership and stability throughout this midfield and looks to be building ahead of next weeks first final.

Cale Hooker vs. Levi Casboult

After sustaining a heavy knock, Cale Hooker has trained strongly during the week and is set to line up for the Dons. A big task awaits Hooker in the much-improved Carlton big man Levi Casboult.

Casbout has been somewhat of a revelation in 2014, developing himself as one of the best marking forwards in the competition. After being drafted with the 89^th pick in the 2012 National Draft, the 24-year-old has crashed several packs and clunked some huge contested marks this season.

Hooker will be checking the threatening Blues’ big man very closely Saturday afternoon to ensure he doesn’t get off the chain and become a match-winner.

Brendon Goddard vs. Ed Curnow

Brendon Goddard enjoyed a return to form last weekend as he racked up 28 touches, nine marks and three goals in the Bombers tight win over the Suns.

‘BJ’ demonstrated his importance come finals as he stood up and took the game by the scruff of the neck when the Bombers needed him most. The 29-year old will be looking to back up his solid performance as he embarks on his eighth finals campaign.

Curnow has continued his run as the Blues’ tagger, often shutting out key opposition players to help Carlton get over the line. Despite the 103-point loss last weekend, the 24-year-old exerted his influence on the game, gathering 22 possessions and laying four tackles.

After Goddard’s sensational performance last weekend, Curnow will be keen to shut down the Bomber midfielder in what will be the Blues final game of the season.

Mark Baguley vs. Troy Menzel

Troy Menzel has become Carlton’s livewire forward this season, booting 24 goals. The teenager has begun to exemplify his exciting and skilful traits both in front of goal and up in the midfield that saw the Blues select him with pick 11 in the 2012 National Draft.

Menzel, brother of Daniel from Geelong, has displayed excellent goal sense and is very good overhead for a player of his size, which has begun to make him a target for opposition teams.

Mark Baguley will have the huge job on the Carlton forward as he has shown when on song, he can prove a match-winner. Baguley, who is quickly approaching game number 50, has had an outstanding season playing all but one game as he clamps down hard on opposition forwards in the Bomber defence.