In the Essendon defence Mark Baguley is on Liam Picken, Michael Hartley is on Travis Cloke and Michael Hurley is on Marcus Bontempelli.

At the other end of the ground Lewis young has the job on Joe Daniher.

The Bombers kicked the first three goals of the game after recording five of the first seven inside 50s.

David Zaharakis was prominent early picking up seven possessions in the opening seven minutes of playing time. By quarter time he and Darcy Parish had ten possessions each.

Joe Daniher took two contested marks in the first 12 minutes of the game and converted both set shots. The Bombers scored from each of their first six forward 50 entries. Midway through the first quarter, the Dons led 4.2.26 to 1.2.8.

The game started at a blistering pace. In the opening 16 minutes, there were no stoppages. 

After the Dons made the early running, the Bulldogs hit back with three goals of their own and with six minutes remaining in the first quarter the score was 4.5.29 to 4.3.27. When the Dogs added a fifth with three minutes left in the opening quarter they were in front.

Tom Liberatore is running with Zach Merrett and kept the Crichton Medal winner to two possessions in the first quarter.

At quarter time the Dogs were up by five points.

After the Bulldogs booted five goals in a row either side of quarter time to take a ten point lead, the Dons responded with a third goal to Daniher.  The Dogs hit back immediately before Daniher kicked his fourth to leave the Dons five points down midway through the second quarter.

The Bulldogs forward half intercepts created five first half goals.

At half time the Bombers were down by five points.  Dyson Heppell (15 disposals) and Zaharakis (15) were the leading ball winners, while Merrett (11) picked up nine possessions in the second quarter.