Essendon's stocks have received a timely boost on the eve of today's crunch match against Adelaide with news that Matthew Lloyd is a certain starter. Lloyd was in doubt after missing the second half of last weekend's match with Brisbane because of a corked thigh. But the injury has responded well to treatment and he will play this afternoon. Essendon has been criticsed this season for playing its best football under the roof of Colonial Stadium - it will get the chance to prove the critics wrong today with overcast skies and rain the order of the day in Adelaide.

Essendon hasn't played great football in the wet this season - at least initially. The Anzac Day clash with Collingwod was played in pouring rain and Essendon was soundly beaten. It has also been beaten by the Kangaroos and West Coast in greasy conditions. On the other side of the ledger it has beaten Hawthorn and Sydney in less than perfect conditions.

Adelaide is a highly-skilled side and won't be particularly bothered by the conditions. Mark Riccuito loves these conditions while Andrew McLeod can shine no matter gets dished up. Essendon's on-ballers will need to be hard at the football as they were against Brisbane but it needs its fringe players to make a contribution today. These conditions might just bring the best out of Gary Moorcroft - a noted mud-runner.