The Bombers started with Jobe Watson, Zach Merrett and Dyson Heppell at the feet of Shaun McKernan in the middle of the ground. 250 gamer Brent Stanton is on the wing, along with David Zaharakis.

Joe Daniher has Jack Frost for company in the Bombers attacking half. 

Michael Hartley, Michael Hurley, Patrick Ambrose, Mark Baguley, Martin Gleeson, Andrew McGrath and James Kelly are lining up in defence. Hartley has the job on Eric Hipwood. Hurley is on Michael Close.

Brisbane won the first four clearances and led by two goals to one five minutes in. But the Bombers wrested back control around the stoppages and 16 minutes in the scores were locked at 19 apiece.

Essendon’s tackling pressure was a feature early in the match. 20 minutes into the game, the Bombers led the tackle count 6-1, with the sixth tackle in that sequence leading to a goal to Zach Merrett.

The Bombers won the contested possession count 43-30 but trailed in the inside 50's at quarter time 13-18.

After conceding the first four clearances, Essendon won 12 of the next 14 to jump to a 22 point lead midway through the second term.   

This triggered a run of eight unanswered goals.

Essendon recorded ten of the first 14 inside 50's in the second term as the lead was extended to 42 points.

Zach Merrett leads the possession count with 17 and Orazio Fantasia has three goals.

At half time the margin is 29 points.