Melbourne has beaten Essendon just once in the last 10 years. However, Kevin Sheedy is not getting too carried away with the Bombers dominance over the Demons in recent years. ""Our record has nothing to do with it. It is totally new teams and a new year,"" Sheedy said.

""Things change and we just have to make sure we get up and play like we did in the first half last week for the entire match.""

Essendon booted 11 goals in the first half against Brisbane last week, but the wheels fell off after half-time. Sheedy said the team learned a great deal from the Brisbane defeat and is confident the players can turn things around against Melbourne in what is a crucial match.

""Brisbane is a very good side and we are not as good as them at the moment. But we have got 10 weeks to fix that up.

""We have dropped down to fifth – that is where we are at. In the end, that is not bad. We would love to think we are first or second or third, but we are not at the moment. But we are only half-way around the Melbourne Cup – we haven’t fallen off the horse yet!""

In preparation for Sunday’s match, the entire Essendon team went to the MCG on Monday to watch Melbourne v Collingwood. Sheedy said it was a good team bonding exercise, and something the team doesn’t often get the opportunity to do.