Essendon has made four changes ahead of its clash with the Western Bulldogs at Etihad Stadium. 

These are the burning questions.

-       Where will Carlisle and Hooker line up?

With Michael Hurley withdrawn from the squad, James Hird’s options are slightly more restricted but having two swingmen of the calibre of Jake Carlisle and Cale Hooker is still a great luxury.

Carlisle is returning after a month out with an ankle injury.  In his absence, Hooker has gone forward to great effect.  He’s taken 35 marks in the last month and kicked seven goals.

It’s a credit to Hooker’s form that him staying forward and Carlisle coming in to the backline is even a consideration.  Matthew Lloyd said Joe Daniher has also benefitted from Hooker’s presence in the forward half.

With finals highly unlikely, now is the time for the Dons to try things, so don’t be surprised if the coaches see how playing Hooker forward and Carlisle back works for a couple of weeks.

-       What impact will Jonathan Giles have?

Giles gets his first chance in the senior line up after 51 games with the Giants across three seasons.

He hasn’t played senior football since round 10 last year, but the coaching staff has been happy with his recent form in the VFL.

Giles is averaging 24 hit-outs a week and 13 possessions.  He also has the ability to push forward having kicked 15 goals in his last 16 games with GWS.

The Bombers have suffered in the absence of dominant big man.  The side is in the bottom two in the AFL for hit-outs, clearances, centre clearances and stoppages.

Giles has the size to compete in the middle and his ability to take a mark in the forward half will be handy too.

-       How do the Bombers stop the Bulldogs attack?

The Dogs are one of the most exciting teams in the competition because of their ability to break the lines and move the ball quickly.

Tory Dickson, Stewart Crameri and Jake Stringer are strong, mobile and dangerous in the forward half.  They are also well known to the Bombers.  Crameri played 57 games with the club and Dickson played in the Dons VFL side.  Stringer also played as the ‘23^rd man’ for the Bendigo Bombers on a handful of occasions when he was playing in the TAC Cup.

Cutting off the supply in central to stemming the Bulldogs attack.  The Bombers will need to be wary of the fast breaks and make the most of the times the ball in locked deep in their attacking half.