SUMMARY
One team is playing for its finals life and the other is playing for little more than pride when Essendon travels to the Gold Coast. The Bombers are a win outside the top eight, but would fancy their chances against the Suns and Dockers in the final fortnight to give them every chance of sneaking into the finals frame. They're coming off a loss to league leaders Adelaide, but with bookends Joe Daniher and Michael Hurley having brilliant seasons, and a midfield generally in good form, Essendon will start strong favourites. Gold Coast is having a horror stretch, with last Saturday's hammering at the hands of arch-rival Brisbane Lions its sixth loss in succession. Dean Solomon will lead his second game as interim coach against the club he won a premiership with as a player in 2000. Essendon will be desperate and should win comfortably against a team devoid of confidence.
WHERE AND WHEN: Metricon Stadium, Saturday, August 19, 7.25pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R21, 2016, Essendon 11.9 (75) d Gold Coast 9.15 (69) at Etihad Stadium
R1, 2016, Gold Coast 17.19 (121) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Metricon Stadium
R21, 2015, Gold Coast 14.13 (97) d Essendon 14.11 (95) at Metricon Stadium
R22, 2014, Essendon 16.12 (108) d Gold Coast 13.11 (89) at Etihad Stadium
R12, 2013, Essendon 17.13 (115) d Gold Coast 11.6 (72) at Etihad Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. Essendon trailed by seven points at three quarter-time when the sides last played before kicking four goals to one in the final term. Zach Merrett was best on ground with 38 disposals and four clearances.
2. There is a big difference in scoring between the teams this season. Essendon is ranked fourth and has kicked 100 points in 10 games, while the Suns are 16th and conceded 100 points in 10 games.
3. Essendon leads the head-to-head match-up by five games to two, although the Suns have won two of the past three. Essendon has struggled on the road in 2017, winning just one of five interstate trips.
4. No team has tackled less this season than the Suns, averaging 62.3 a game, while the Bombers are only marginally better, ranked 14th at an average of 63.7.
5. One advantage for Gold Coast could be in the clearances. It is ranked eighth, averaging 36.9, ahead of the Bombers who are ranked last with 33.8 a game.
6. Ever so quietly, Jarryd Lyons is having an excellent season. The Suns midfielder has moved to a career-high 32nd overall in the AFL's Official Player Ratings brought to you by Schick.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Steven May
If the Suns are to have any chance, their co-captain must stop Bombers spearhead Joe Daniher. May has had a solid, if not brilliant, season, and would love to leave the home fans with one final taste of victory – and get Daniher's scalp in the process.
PREDICTION: Essendon by 24 points
