Brisbane vs. Essendon
Saturday 1 April
6:25pm (AEST)
The Gabba (QLD)
Both Essendon and Brisbane will be looking to register a second straight win when the two sides meet tonight at the Gabba.
The weather has been a key talking point in the lead up to the game, but the rain appears to have cleared.
Ben Howlett returns for the Bombers, while Brent Stanton will play his 250th game.
Check out Robert Shaw's preview here
Weather:
Partly cloudy with a top of 27
Recent meetings:
R18, 2016, Brisbane Lions 20.8 (128) d Essendon 12.19 (91) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2015, Essendon 21.10 (136) d Brisbane Lions 12.6 (78) at Etihad Stadium
R8, 2014, Essendon 9.11 (65) d Brisbane Lions 8.9 (57) at the Gabba
R8, 2013, Brisbane Lions 14.12 (96) d Essendon 12.14 (86) at Etihad Stadium
R6, 2012, Essendon 19.15 (129) d Brisbane Lions 9.8 (62) at Etihad Stadium
The teams:
Essendon
In: Ben Howlett
Out: Josh Green (hamstring)
Milestone: Brent Stanton (250 games)
B: Mark Baguley, Michael Hartley, Brent Stanton
HB: Brendon Goddard, Michael Hurley, Patrick Ambrose
C: Zach Merrett, Dyson Heppell, James Kelly
HF: Travis Colyer, Cale Hooker, Kyle Langford
F: Orazio Fantasia, Joe Daniher, Darcy Parish
R: Shaun McKernan, Jobe Watson, Ben Howlett
I: Andrew McGrath, Martin Gleeson, David Zaharakis, Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti
E: James Stewart, Heath Hocking, Matt Dea
Brisbane
In: Jack Frost
Out: Ben Keays
B: Nick Robertson, Darcy Gardiner, Ryan Harwood
HB: Sam Mayes, Harris Andrews, Tom Cutler
C: Dayne Zorko, Mitch Robinson, Rohan Bewick
HF: Lewis Taylor, Eric Hipwood, Daniel Rich
F: Jake Barrett, Michael Close, Daniel McStay
R: Stefan Martin, Dayne Beams, Tom Rockliff
I: Ryan Bastinac, Tom Bell, Ryan Lester, Jack Frost
E: Ben Keays, Claye Beams, Archie Smith
Watch a feature on Brent Stanton ahead of his 250th here
Scott Lucas' key factors
Quick ball movement:
"We saw the Bombers do that very well last week ... Brisbane tend to fold back and help out their backline so if the boys can get the ball inside forward 50 quickly, they'll get one on ones forward of the footy."
Cut off Lions transition:
"The Lions were very quick on their transitions, they got their numbers back and then pushed forward hard. So when defending the ground, the Bombers who like to press, will want to set up their exits and limit Brisbane's ball movement."
Start well
"The Bombers need to get off to a good start, we saw the Lions last week kick seven goals in quick time against the Gold Coast, so the Bombers will want to start well, particularly after the emotion of last week's victory."
Restrict Rich
"Daniel Rich was the one player last year that was very good against the Bombers and he was able to set up a lot of Brisbane's play. If he starts to get on top, look to see them (Essendon) send a player to him."
Play the conditions
"It has been a wet week in Brisbane, expect the ball to be on the deck a lot, so the ground level players really need to come into their own."
Key match ups
Ben Howlett v Daniel Rich: It's Ben Howlett's first game in 18 months but he may be handed the responsibility of playing on one of the Lions' most dangerous players. Daniel Rich was instrumental in Brisbane's win over the Bombers last year. He could line up at half back, with Howlett shaping as a defensive forward option.
Michael Hartley v Eric Hipwood: He's only 19, but Hipwood has already shown plenty of promising signs. He's tall, agile and kicked two goals last week.
Merrett, Watson, Heppell v Rockliff, Beams, Zorko: The Brisbane trio gathered 88 possessions between them last week. They provide the drive through the midfield. Essendon will need to ensure the Lions onballers have to work both ways.
