Bomber coach Kevin Sheedy is playing down the fact that his side has become third favourites for the premiership after finishing the season in fifth position. ""We don't deserve that at the present time because we don't have the double chance. I think it is probably book makers protecting their pockets and their bank accounts ,"" Sheedy told Channel 7 news. ""We have to get past West Coast this weekend and we can hopefully get some players back and build up some momentum. From week to week it is a knock out final for us. I suppose the positive thing is that we are playing better.""

Q. Do you think you got the better side of the draw?

A. We need to get passed this week, but we definitely got the better draw of the two divisions.

Q. What do you think of the finals draw?

A. I am not quite sure how they make the decisions. But in fairness to the Eagles, they have been in Canberra, they have gone home and now they have to come back over here by Saturday - it is a big ask. I think it is something the West Australian commission should take up.

Q. Are you expecting a big crowd to Colonial on Saturday?
A. The last time we played West Coast in Melbourne, I think it was 1996, we got 86,000 people to the game. 86,000 people were waving their jackets, so it was an enormous day for football in general and Essendon. Not many interstate clubs would draw that crowd for a game other than the Grand Final.

Q. Denis Pagan has done a marvelous job getting his side into the finals again...
A. I believe that. Denis's (Pagan) coaching record is probably the best one out there at the moment in the last 10 or 11 years. He has only missed the finals once and his commitment and dedication to wanting to get his team there all the time is fantastic. They have been injury prone, they have had a few suspensions. They are a very young side and they have lost Carey - to get in the finals has been a marvelous achievement again.