SUMMARY
With his side sitting at the bottom of the ladder after thrashings at the hands of Greater Western Sydney and West Coast, Luke Beveridge has bemoaned the Dogs' lack of polish with ball in hand and intensity when they don't have it. But against an offensively-minded side like Essendon, the Bulldogs have a chance to kick-start their season without relentless pressure around the contest. John Worsfold has pulled the handbrake on his side after their helter-skelter display in the loss to Fremantle last week. A more tempered approach will give star forward Joe Daniher every chance to replicate the six-goal haul he kicked against the Dogs last year. New Bomber Jake Stringer's first game against his old club will be an interesting subplot after his acrimonious departure from Whitten Oval.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, April 8, 3.20pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE MEETINGS
R19, 2017, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Essendon 13.19 (97) at Etihad Stadium
R22, 2016, Western Bulldogs 14.9 (93) d Essendon 7.11 (53) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2015, Western Bulldogs 19.13 (127) d Essendon 5.10 (40) at Etihad Stadium
R18, 2014, Essendon 15.11 (101) d Western Bulldogs 14.10 (94) at Etihad Stadium
R7, 2014, Essendon 10.13 (73) d Western Bulldogs 9.11 (65) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Jason Johannisen had his best game of 2017 when the Bulldogs defeated the Bombers, with 18 disposals and a career high four goals. Shane Biggs had 29 touches and 11 marks, while Joe Daniher kicked six goals for the Bombers.
2. Essendon is struggling in clearances, ranked 17th and averaging only 31 per game. They're mid-table for contested possessions but have been impressive in centre clearances, ranked in the top five.
3. The Bulldogs have now won the last three clashes between the sides, ending Essendon's dominance of six straight wins in 2011-14. The Dogs haven't won four in a row over the Bombers since 2007-09.
4. The Bulldogs have struggled in the first two games in most categories – they're in the bottom three in disposals, contested possessions, goal kicking accuracy and tackling, an area in which they were at the top in recent seasons.
5. If the Bulldogs lose again it will be the first time since 2012 they've lost their opening three games. They've lost five in a row if you count three consecutive losses to finish the 2017 season.
6. Marcus Bontempelli is the highest ranked Bulldog in Schick AFL Player Ratings in 12th position overall (527.1 points), while Zach Merrett is the best-placed Bomber, sitting in 21st place (496 points).
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR …
Luke Beveridge is under real pressure for the first time in his four-year tenure at the Dogs, and the premiership coach needs to find a way to motivate his struggling charges.
PREDICTION: Essendon by 11 points
