You would have to think Dustin Fletcher would have been the difference between a win and a draw against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago. And the lanky full back certainly would have made life more difficult for the West Coast forward line yesterday - at the very least Michael Gardiner's two early goals may have been avoided and the game would have tightened considerably. It was a costly suspension - nobody knows that better than Fletcher - and he will be very keen to make up for his indiscretion when he returns for this Saturday night's match against Geelong.

Fletcher's return is a major bonus for the Bombers as they head into one of their most important encounters in recent seasons against Geelong. The Cats have been in outstanding form in recent weeks and they comfortably beat an in-form Collingwood on Saturday. There is plenty on the line this weekend. Should the Bombers lose they could find themselves outside the top eight for the first time since Round 16, 1998.

Fletcher will have an important job to do on the much-improved Kent Kingsley who has been excellent for Geelong this season. He has given Geelong a genuine target and his 43 goals for the season have been important in his side's resurgence this year. If Fletcher can keep him quiet, Essendon will have shut down an important avenue to goal.

While Fletcher returns, Paul Salmon will face a fitness test later in the week to assess his chances of playing. Salmon suffered a badly bruised back against the Western Bulldogs two weeks ago courtesy of a Luke Darcy knee. Joe Misiti will miss one more week with his recovery from as broken wrist almost complete. Mark mercuri is still three weeks away after recent groin surgery.