WHERE AND WHEN: Gabba, Saturday 14 May, 7.10pm
HEAD TO HEAD: Brisbane Lions 11 wins, Essendon nine wins, one draw
LAST TIME: Brisbane Lions 14.11 (95) d Essendon 10.8 (68), round 21, 2010 at Etihad Stadium
TV, RADIO AND BETTING: Click here for broadcast guide and odds 
A full replay will be available on afl.com.au 12 hours after the completion of the match
FORM: Brisbane Lions: LBLLL Essendon: WDLWW

SUMMARY
The two teams could barely be entering this match with more contrasting form. The Lions have lost all six matches this season and hit a new low last week when losing the first QClash to Gold Coast. Meanwhile, under first year coach and favourite son James Hird, Essendon moved into fourth place with a hard-fought win over West Coast.

Lions coach Michael Voss is remaining positive despite the horror start and says he is 100 percent behind his team and convinced they are heading in the right direction.

Essendon's turnaround from last season's 14th place finish has been remarkable. Their clearance work, led by white-hot captain Jobe Watson, has set the tone for a Bombers outfit which has made hardness at the footy and defence their new trademarks.

The match will mark the first meeting of the joint 1996 Brownlow medallists in the coaching box.

QUESTION MARKS
Can the Lions turn things around from last week's disappointment and show their supporters there's hope yet in 2011? Michael Voss is under pressure but has stood by his men and it's time for them to repay his faith.

Will Essendon show the same ruthless side they did against Gold Coast two matches ago? On that occasion they racked up a record first quarter score and won by 139 points against the competition newcomers. The Bombers have set a standard under Hird's coaching and so far have not dropped it regardless of the opposition.

PREDICTION
Essendon by 45 points
 
TOYOTA AFL DREAM TEAM WATCH
Matthew Leuenberger had a mammoth 52 hit-outs last week and totalled 110 points. With Broc McCauley dropping back to the reserves, you'd expect Leuenberger to play more minutes and keep his production up, making him good value at $313,600. Jobe Watson may be $429,400, but he continues to show why. The highest scoring player in the competition added another 127 to his tally against the Eagles and is averaging 117 per match. His price has risen $35,300 this year and is still on the way up.

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The views in this story are those of the author and not necessarily those of the clubs or the AFL