Where and when: Subiaco Oval, Friday, April 16, 6.40pm
Head to head: West Coast 17 wins, Essendon 23 wins, no draws
Last time: West Coast 14.11 (95) d Essendon 10.8 (68), round 18, 2009 at Subiaco Oval
MISSING IN ACTION
West Coast
Sam Butler (facial fracture) - 3 weeks
Tim Houlihan (foot) - 7 weeks
Shannon Hurn (suspension) - 1 week
Pat McGinnity (quad) - test
Mark Nicoski (shoulder) - test
Brad Sheppard (cheek) - test
Gerrick Weedon (ankle) - test
Essendon
Tom Bellchambers (dental work) - 1 week
Leroy Jetta (dislocated thumb) - test
Mark McVeigh (infected arm) - test
Angus Monfries (quad) - 1 week
Michael Quinn (quad) - 1 week
John Williams (ankle) - 1 week
FORM
West Coast: LLL
Essendon: LLW
SUMMARY
West Coast remains winless in its worst start to a season since 1989, and will host the first Friday night match outside of Melbourne this season. The Eagles continued a worrying trend in their 25-point loss to North Melbourne last week, undoing all their hard work in the midfield with wasteful disposal inside 50m. Critical errors coming out of defence are also hurting the side, with the suspended Shannon Hurn sorely missed.
Essendon, which opened its account against Carlton in round three, relied more on endeavour than skill to get its first points of the season. A dominant second term produced just 3.8 before Mark Williams found some touch, finishing with four goals. After being overrun late by Geelong and Fremantle, finishing strongly was a plus for the Dons.
PLAYER TO WATCH
Daniel Kerr finished second in the Brownlow Medal in 2005, but injury and form woes in recent seasons have seen him fall from the elite bracket. In round three he was kept to three first-half possessions by third-gamer Ryan Bastinac before bouncing back with 18 in the second half. It is now hoped, but not expected, that Kerr can stamp himself on a game like he used to.
West Australian recruit Travis Colyer made a superb debut for Essendon last week and should be buoyed on his return to Subiaco Oval on Friday night. The 173cm speedster had 19 possessions against Carlton and showed the dash and dare so suited to Essendon's game. He gives the Dons' midfield "ping" according to coach Matthew Knights.
QUESTION MARKS
Can West Coast avoid matching its worst ever start to a season? Kicking efficiency will have a big say in whether it can or not.
Are the Bombers capable of returning to the finals after last year's surprise appearance? A road-win over West Coast would boost their chances after a shaky start.
WHO WILL WIN AND WHY
So much in this game hinges on West Coast's ball-use, with the home side boasting an edge in the middle of the ground. Dean Cox improved last week and Kerr and Adam Selwood need to follow by improving their disposal efficiency. If they can, expect the Eagles to lift on their home deck and claim their first points for the season.
PREDICTION
West Coast by 10 points
Follow Nathan Schmook's inside view of West Coast v Essendon at #afleaglesbombers on Twitter.com from 6.40pm Friday or @AFL_NathanSchmook#afleaglesbombers
The views in this article are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL.
