SUMMARY
Essendon can seal its return to the finals with a win over Fremantle on Sunday, having beaten Gold Coast last week to get back inside the top eight. It would be the first time since 2014 that the Bombers have tasted September action, and a significant effort after finishing on the bottom of the ladder last year. It would also give the club a chance to reverse its horror finals form, having lost its past three elimination finals (in 2009, 2011 and 2014). Essendon will enter the clash as strong favourites given the stakes and given its opponent's horrible form. The Dockers are limping to the end of the season, and come to Melbourne on the back of two consecutive 104-point defeats where they have been uncompetitive. It is hard to see them spoiling Essendon's party.
WHERE AND WHEN: Etihad Stadium, Sunday, August 27, 1.10pm AEST
TV AND RADIO: Click here for broadcast guide
LAST FIVE TIMES
R7, 2017, Fremantle Dockers 17.14 (116) d Essendon 11.13 (79) at Domain Stadium
R11, 2016, Fremantle Dockers 20.6 (126) d Essendon 6.11 (47) at Domain Stadium
R6, 2015, Fremantle Dockers 12.8 (80) d Essendon 7.10 (52) at Domain Stadium
R4, 2014, Fremantle Dockers 18.5 (113) d Essendon 9.6 (60) at Domain Stadium
R3, 2013, Essendon 10.12 (72) d Fremantle Dockers 9.14 (68) at Domain Stadium
THE SIX POINTS
1. It will be a contest between one of the highest scoring sides this season and the lowest. The Bombers are ranked fourth for total points this year, averaging 96 points a game, while the Dockers are managing only 72 points a game, anchored 18th for scores.
2. Fremantle has dominated Essendon recently, winning the past four matches and seven of the past nine contests. The Bombers' last win over Fremantle was their emotion-charged win in round three, 2013 at Domain Stadium.
3. The Bombers continue to record low numbers of clearances. They have won the fewest clearances of any side this season, averaging just 72 points a game.
4. These sides playing in Melbourne has become something of a rarity. The last time they met in Victoria was in round two, 2010, with every clash since then being played at Domain Stadium.
5. Last week against Gold Coast was Essendon's best inside-50 performance of the season, registering 71 entries and restricting the Suns to just 31.
6. Electric small forward Anthony McDonald-Tipungwuti's form this year has been reflected in the Shick Official AFL Player Ratings, with the speedy Bomber now rated the 87th best player in the competition. He started the year ranked 288th.
IT'S A BIG WEEK FOR … Joe Daniher
Can the Bombers star catch Josh Kennedy in the race for the Coleman Medal? After just one goal last week, Daniher sits four majors behind Kennedy with one round to play. But he is up against the Dockers, who have been on the end of a couple of big defeats.
PREDICTION: Essendon by 49 points
