When Essendon last played West Coast, the club farewelled two greats in Kevin Sheedy and James Hird and nearly snatched a thrilling win at Subiaco thanks to seven final quarter goals from Scott Lucas.
The previous game that season, the Bombers stormed home to defeat the Eagles in a thriller at the Dome after being soundly beaten for most of the game.
Tomorrow night the stage is set for another epic encounter.
With two wins apiece, and only three per cent separating the 13th and 14th placed sides on the ladder, both teams will be confident of their chances and going all-out for a morale and confidence-boosting victory.
Both teams desperately need a win to regain some respect but - as has been the case all season - injuries have again hit the Bombers hard with Jason Winderlich, Bachar Houli and Tatye Pears forced out.
The Eagles also have several big-name exclusions in Michael Braun and Chad Fletcher while Ashley Hanson is also expected to again miss after looming as a big ""in"".
Round 12 shapes as a important one for Matthew Lloyd. Despite averaging almost three goals a game in 2008, the captain has come under close media scrutiny in recent weeks with the coach saying people's expectations of the champion are too high.
This week, the three-time Coleman medalist will have more support near goals with Scott Lucas fitter for two runs back and emerging young-gun Jay Neagle named beside him in a pocket. The dangerous Jobe Watson and David Myers will also spend time forward and their skill by hand should set-up chances.
But the Eagles boast two of the competition's best key-backs in Darren Glass and Adam Hunter and midfield delivery will need to be good.
Mark McVeigh is the prime candidate to lead in the centre and drive the ball into Essendon’s offensive 50m. Before being struck down with a hamstring injury, he was the team's inspiration and is again nearing that form.
Given the absence of Winderlich and Houli, the pressure to win the ball increases on Brent Stanton, Sam Lonergan and Watson and they will need to deliver against quality opponents Daniel Kerr, Matt Priddis and the emerging Chris Masten.
Against Hawthorn and Adelaide, the Bombers' defensive pressure across the ground stepped up on previous weeks and they will need to play at this level, particularly around stoppages, to curb the influence of the Eagles numerous premiership stars.
The Essendon backline faced an onslaught of goals from Hawthorn’s big name forward line last week and - while the Eagles forwards are not at that level - players like Quinten Lynch, David Wirrpanda and Mark LeCras can be damaging.
Patrick Ryder will be keen to put his Buddy nightmare behind him and Dustin Fletcher and Andrew Welsh - who shut-down Sam Mitchell - are seasoned players and will not take them lightly. Essendon look to hold a slight edge in firepower nears goals and a good night by the Bomber defence will put the pressure right on the Eagles.
